This sweet and savory halloumi toast features golden, pan-fried halloumi cheese paired with crisp pears and your choice of jam, all served on toasted bread. A drizzle of warm cinnamon honey butter, along with a sprinkle of crushed walnuts, adds warmth, crunch, and a little indulgence.
Aside from oatmeal, one of my go-to breakfasts is toast and jam. Although I have a pantry full of delicious homemade jams, the combo can get boring after a while. This inspired me to find a way to make my breakfast a little more exciting.
My wife loves the halloumi from our local food co-op, so I thought, why not add some to the toast and jam? Most halloumi recipes are savory, but its salty and briny texture could be well matched with some sweetness. A quick pan-frying of the halloumi toasts the outside while just barely softening the inside of the cheese. The result tastes almost eggy in a way-perfect for breakfast.
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I couldn't stop there, though. Why not add some fresh fruit, nuts for a little crunch, and sweetened and spiced butter to top it off?
It's an elevated yet simple breakfast, though it would also make a nice afternoon snack.
Why you'll love this halloumi toast
- It's a sweet use for halloumi. If you like a sweet and cheese combo, this is for you.
- It feels more sophisticated than it is. The combo of flavors and textures is great, even if it's just cheese, fruit, and jam on toast.
- You can change it up for the seasons and your tastes. Try it with different jam and fruit combos.
You can try this on its own or serve it as part of a brunch menu. Pair it with some of my other recipes, such as my Blackcurrant Smoothie, Amaretto Latte, Frozen Matcha Latte, and Broccoli and Stilton Quiche.
🧀 Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make this halloumi toast recipe.
Key Ingredients
- Halloumi: Halloumi is a firm, briny cheese from Cyprus. It is a bit rubbery when raw but develops a nice crispiness on the outside when cooked. The inside remains firm, although it softens slightly during the cooking process. Look for it with the specialty cheeses in your local grocery store or co-op.
- Bread: Opt for a hearty, thick-sliced bread for some crunch and substance.
- Jam: You can use any jam you enjoy. In the photos, I used my favorite, a homemade blackcurrant jam.
- Pears: Juicy sweet pairs offset the salty and savory flavors of the halloumi. Look for ripe yet still firm pears.
- Butter: Use good quality unsalted butter. If you are using salted butter, skip the flaky sea salt topping, as it may become too salty.
- Honey: Combine with the melted butter to make honey butter to drizzle over the toast. Maple syrup may also be used.
Check out the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
🍎 Substitutions & Variations
- Apples: Try sliced apples in place of the pears.
- Make it savory: Instead of jam, try salsa. In place of the pears, use sliced avocado. Skip the cinnamon in the honey butter and add sriracha instead. Or try a recipe like these halloumi vegetable skewers, which I'll certainly be making this summer.
- Nuts: In place of walnuts, try chopped pecans or seeds such as sunflower seeds or pepitas.
🍳 Instructions
How to make this halloumi breakfast toast.
- Step 1: Whisk together the melted butter, honey, and cinnamon.
- Step 2: Toast the bread on both sides in a pan with a splash of olive oil. Remove and set on a plate.
- Step 3: Add the remaining oil and the halloumi. Toast on low heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
- Step 4: Spread the jam on the toast.
- Step 5: Top with the slices of halloumi.
- Step 6: And then the pears.
- Step 7: Drizzle over the cinnamon honey butter.
- Step 8: Top the halloumi toast with the nuts and flaky salt and serve.
✨ Top Tip
Want the halloumi a little softer? After browning on each side, add couple of teaspoons of water to the pan and cover while the cheese steams for a minute or two.
🥡 Storage
I recommend serving this dish as soon as you make it. If you try to store it for later, the toast will get soggy, and the cheese will be rubbery.
🙋🏽♀️ FAQ
Halloumi is a type of cheese from Cyprus. It is firm, salty, a little briney, and does not melt when heated. It turns golden and a little crispy when cooked and is great grilled or pan fried. Add halloumi to salads and sandwiches or use it as a meat alternative.
Of course. Toast (or pan fry) halloumi over low heat in a pan on the stove with a little olive oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown.
A few cheeses similar to halloumi are paneer, feta (depending on the variety), and queso blano.
Halloumi toast is simply toast topped with slices of halloumi that have been grilled or pan fried. You can add other ingredients to make it sweet or savory, and make the dish more interesting.
☕ Pairing
Here are a few other recipes that would go great with this toast.
📖 Recipe
Halloumi Toast
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: two slices of toast 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This sweet and savory halloumi toast features golden, pan-fried halloumi cheese paired with crisp pears and your choice of jam, all served on toasted bread. A drizzle of warm cinnamon honey butter, along with a sprinkle of crushed walnuts, adds warmth, crunch, and a little indulgence.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 slices of rustic bread (such as sourdough)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 slices halloumi cheese (about ¼ inch thick)
- 2-3 tablespoons jam
- 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional)
Instructions
1. Make the honey butter. Whisk together melted butter, honey, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
2. Toast the bread. Add a drizzle of olive oil to a pan set over medium-low heat. Add the bread and toast for 1-2 minutes per side or until toasted to your liking. Remove and set on plates.
3. Cook the halloumi. Pour the remaining olive oil into the pan along with the halloumi slices. Cook on each side for 2-3 until golden brown.
4. Assemble. Spread the jam across the two slices of toast. Top with the cooked halloumi, then the sliced pears. Drizzle over the honey butter. Sprinkle with the nuts and a little salt, if using. Serve.
Notes
Want the halloumi a little softer? After browning on each side, add couple of teaspoons of water to the pan and cover while the cheese steams for a minute or two.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
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