Fried Halloumi Crostini with Lemon Caper Oil

Golden fried halloumi on garlic toast and drizzled with lemon capper oil. A delightful appetizer for your next party! 

Fried Halloumi Crostini with Lemon Caper Oil sounds all fancy schmancy but you guys, all it really is, is fried cheese drizzled with a lemony caper filled oil. If you’re planning a party, you’ve got to add this to your menu!

If you’re not familiar with halloumi, it’s a cheese from the island of Cyprus. It’s a firm, brined cheese that has a really high melting point, making it perfect for grilling or frying. It will get caramelized on the outside but stay creamy inside.

For this recipe, I wanted something simple that would showcase the texture and briny flavor of the halloumi. So I coated it lightly in flour and pan fried it just until it was golden brown. Next, I placed it on top of some toasted baguette slices that I rubbed with garlic. Finally, I whisked together some extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh oregano and capers then drizzled that over the top.

It. Was. Cheese. Heaven.

The bread is crunchy. The cheese is caramelized and creamy. The lemon caper oil is briny and bright.

Let’s talk it about what you need to make it. 

Fried Halloumi Ingredients: 

• Halloumi Cheese: A semi-soft cheese that is typically made from a blend of cows and sheep’s milk.  It’s a very mild cheese with a flavor somewhere in between feta and mozzarella. For this recipe you’ll cut it into 1/4 inch thick slices. 
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The basis of the lemony oil that will be drizzled over the top of the crostini. 
• Non-Pareil Capers: Capers are the briny buds of a flower. They are packed with salty flavor and pair nicely with lemon. 
• Oregano: You can use fresh or dried oregano in this recipe. I have made it with both and both were great. If you don’t have oregano, this would also be great with basil.  
• Lemon Juice/Lemon Zest: Add a bright, acidity to the oil. 
• Flour: To coat the halloumi before frying to give it a nice crust. 
• Baguette Slices
• Garlic Clove: To rub on the toasted baguette to give it a subtle garlic flavor.

Step by Step Photos and Instructions: 

Making this Fried Halloumi  Recipe is so easy! Which is one of the reasons it makes an excellent quick, easy but elegant appetizer for your next party. 

• STEP #1: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, capers, oregano and lemon zest. Allow to set at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
• STEP #2: Pat dry the halloumi with paper towels. Dredge in flour.
• STEP #3: Heat a thin coat of oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Pan fry halloumi slices, in batches, until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
• STEP #4: Turn on oven broiler. Broil baguette slices 1 – 2 minutes or until golden brown. Rub with garlic clove.
• STEP #5: Place one slice of halloumi on each baguette. Drizzle with lemon caper oil. Serve.

Storage and Leftovers: 

Store any leftovers separately. You can keep the fried halloumi in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the oil in an air tight container also in the refrigerator and the crostini in a resealable plastic bag. The oil will coagulate in the refrigerator so simply remove it about 20 minutes before you’d like to serve it. 

Seriously, if you love cheese (how could you not?) you have got to get your hands on some halloumi and make this. It’s time to get your fried cheese on.

I love a good crostini recipe! They are always perfect for parties. Here are some of my favorite combinations: 

French Onion Crostini made with sweet caramelized onions, salty Gruyère cheese and fresh thyme piled on crusty bread. A party perfect appetizer!

Easy Pepperoni Pizza Crostini made with crostini, pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni. These appetizer bites are perfect for parties and game days.

Roasted Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini is a flavorful, simply crostini with tangy goat cheese, sweet roasted tomatoes and basil. Perfect for summer!

Note: Originally published in 2015. Updated in 2025 with new photos, nutrition information and step by step photos.