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Crispy Halloumi Tacos with Sweet Chili Sauce

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • Halloumi:
  • 450 g halloumi sliced 1 cm thick
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Tacos:
  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded red or green cabbage
  • 1 ripe avocado sliced
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 2 spring onions sliced
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • Sweet Chili Drizzle:
  • ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • Slaw Dressing:
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Pat halloumi completely dry. Toss with paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. No salt.
  • Dress shredded cabbage with mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  • Mix sweet chili sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside.
  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add halloumi in a single layer.
  • Cook 2–3 minutes without moving until deeply golden underneath.
  • Flip once. Cook 2 minutes more until equally golden. Remove immediately.
  • Warm tortillas over a flame, in a dry skillet, or in the microwave.
  • Layer slaw, halloumi slices, avocado, and cherry tomatoes in each tortilla.
  • Drizzle sweet chili sauce over everything. Top with cilantro, spring onions, and a squeeze of lime.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Always pat halloumi dry — moisture prevents crisping
  • Do not add salt — halloumi is already salty from the brine
  • Use medium-high heat — high heat burns before the cheese browns evenly
  • Do not move the halloumi once in the pan — let the crust form undisturbed
  • Make the slaw first — it gets better as it sits
  • Serve immediately — crispy halloumi loses its crust within minutes
  • Warm tortillas properly — a charred warm tortilla makes everything taste better
  • Air fryer works at 200°C for 8–10 minutes — great hands-off alternative
  • Sweet chili sauce and slaw keep up to 24 hours refrigerated
  • Cook halloumi fresh right before serving — it does not reheat well