Grilled Haloumi With Pickled Carrot

Simple Cheese & Pickle Appetiser:

Haloumi lovers, this one’s for you! This great little cheese & pickle appetiser is so colourful & a mouthful of joy.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of biting into a perfectly grilled slice of haloumi—crispy on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside—you know just how satisfying this cheese can be.

But have you ever paired it with pickled carrots?

The combination of salty, golden-brown haloumi with tangy, slightly sweet pickled carrots is a game-changer & a pretty healthy cheese & pickle appetiser all round.

This duo brings together bold flavours and contrasting textures that make for an irresistible appetiser or even a light meal.

This Haloumi appetiser idea is incredibly simple yet packed with character.

Why Haloumi and Pickled Carrot Work So Well Together

Haloumi is known for its rich, salty taste and firm texture that holds up beautifully to grilling.

It develops a golden crust while retaining its slightly chewy bite.

On the other hand, pickled carrots add a bright, acidic contrast that cuts through the richness of the cheese, offering a refreshing balance.

The slight sweetness from the pickling process complements haloumi’s saltiness, creating an addictive harmony of flavours.

& just look at the colour in this tasty finger food…with a mix of orange & purple carrot, this appetiser is a showstopper!

Originating from Cyprus, Haloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese, traditionally made from a blend of sheep’s and goat’s milk, though some versions include cow’s milk.

Haloumi is known for its firm, springy texture and distinctively salty, slightly tangy flavour & I call it the ‘squeaky cheese’ as it squeaks when you chew it!

Key Characteristics:

• High melting point – Haloumi doesn’t melt when heated, making it ideal for grilling, pan-frying, or baking.
• Texture – It has a dense, chewy, and slightly rubbery consistency when raw, but becomes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside when cooked.
• Flavour – Salty, tangy, and mildly creamy with a hint of nuttiness. Cooking definitely enhances its depth of flavour.

Grilled Haloumi With Pickled Carrot

(Serves 12 Prep 20 Mins)

You Will Need:

Orange Carrot (grated) – The classic sweet and earthy carrot, adding natural sweetness and vibrant colour to the dish.

Purple Carrot (grated) – Slightly peppery and richer in antioxidants incidentally, it brings a striking visual contrast and a deeper, more complex sweetness. The orange & purple together look amazing.

Shallot – Milder and slightly sweeter than onions, shallots add a subtle sharpness that balances the pickling flavours.

White Vinegar – A clean, sharp acid that helps pickle the carrots quickly; can be substituted with apple cider vinegar for a fruitier note.

Sugar – Sugar does a couple of things here- it balances the acidity of the vinegar and enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots.

Salt – Essential for flavour enhancement and for drawing out moisture during pickling.

Cumin Seeds – Warm, earthy spice with a slight citrusy undertone; lightly toasting them before use can intensify their aroma.

Za’atar – A fragrant Middle Eastern spice blend, often including thyme, sumac, oregano, and sesame seeds, adding herbal and tangy depth.

Garlic Olive Oil Spray – A convenient way to add a hint of garlic flavour while preventing sticking during cooking. Regular olive oil with minced garlic can also be used.

Haloumi (250g) – A firm, brined cheese with a high melting point, allowing it to be seared to a crisp golden crust while staying soft inside but holding its shape.

Sesame Seeds – Adding nuttiness, sesame seeds can be used raw or toasted for a richer flavour. I have used them as a garnish. Za’atar also has sesame seeds in it. You could also use black sesame seeds here.

Coriander – Fresh and citrusy, it brightens up the dish and pairs beautifully with the earthy and spiced flavours. Again, this is used as a garnish.

Instructions:

Prepare the Pickled Carrot Mixture:
In a small bowl, combine the grated orange and purple carrots with finely sliced shallot. Add the white vinegar, salt, cumin seeds, and za’atar, then stir well to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Let the mixture sit for at least 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld and the carrots to soften slightly as they pickle. If you have the time, this step can be done the day before to build up even more flavour.

Slice the Haloumi:
While the carrot mixture is pickling, slice the haloumi into even portions, approximately 1 cm thick and 5 cm x 4 cm in size. Keeping the slices uniform ensures even cooking and a consistent texture in each bite.

Heat the Pan:
Place a large, non-stick pan or griddle over medium-high heat and allow it to warm up for a minute. Lightly spray the surface with garlic-infused olive oil to prevent sticking and add a subtle garlic flavour to the cheese.

Cook the Haloumi:
Add the haloumi slices to the pan in batches, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly. Sear for 1–2 minutes per side or until each piece develops a golden, crispy crust. Flip and repeat on the other side. Once cooked, transfer the haloumi slices to a plate and let them cool slightly.

Drain the Pickled Carrots:
Using a small sieve, drain any excess liquid from the pickled carrot mixture to prevent sogginess when assembling the dish.

Assemble the Bites:
Place each slice of haloumi on a serving platter. Spoon a teaspoonful of the pickled carrot mixture onto the centre of each piece, ensuring an even layer without overwhelming the cheese.

Garnish & Serve:
Sprinkle a few sesame seeds over the assembled bites. Finish with a fresh coriander leaf on top. Serve immediately while the haloumi is warm, allowing the contrast of cheese and tangy, spiced pickled carrots to do their thing.

Serve & Enjoy!

Helpful Hints:

• The longer you leave your pickling ingredients, the more flavour that develops, so if you havve the time, prepare the pickled carrot the day before & leave it overnight.

• There are a lot of substitutes for pickling spices but I have used Middle Eastern type flavours to complement the Cypriot cheese.

• You could additionally garnish this cheese & pickle appetiser with shredded green onion to accentuate the colours even more.

• Orange zest as a further garnish would add a nice burst of citrus.

Grilled Haloumi With Pickled Carrot

Recipe

(Serves 12 Prep 20 Mins)

Ingredients

• 250g Haloumi
• 1 Orange Carrot grated
• 1 Purple Carrot grated
• 1 Shallot sliced
• 2 Tbsp White Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds
• 1 tsp Za’atar
• 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds (garnish)
• 12 Coriander leaves

Method

1. In a small bowl, combine the grated carrot, shallot vinegar, salt, cumin seeds, and za’atar. Let it sit to pickle for 10-15mins.
2. Meanwhile, slice the haloumi into even portions, approximately 1 cm thick and 5 cm x 4 cm in size.
3. Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the haloumi in batches until golden on both sides, then remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
5. Drain the pickled carrots using a small sieve.
6. Spoon a teaspoon of pickled carrot onto each slice of haloumi.
7. Garnish with a coriander leaf and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Serve & Enjoy!

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Sauvignon Blanc – Try a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. I think they do it best. Its crisp acidity and herbaceous notes complement the pickled carrots and za’atar while cutting through the richness of the haloumi.

Riesling (dry or off-dry) – A dry Riesling enhances the dish’s acidity and spice, while an off-dry version can balance the saltiness of the haloumi with a touch of sweetness.

Provence Rosé – Dry and crisp with bright acidity, a rosé from Provence would pair well with the dish’s tangy elements while complementing the coriander garnish.

Gamay (Beaujolais-Villages) – A light, fruity red with refreshing acidity that won’t overpower the dish.

Pinot Noir – A delicate, low-tannin option Pinot Noir allows the spices and textures to shine, especially when served slightly chilled.

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Anna

Hey there, it's Anna! Anyone who knows me knows that I proudly wear the 'foodie' badge. Trying to select from a restaurant menu time & time again seems impossible- I want a taste of everything. It's precisely that, that got me into making canapés and appetisers for friends, family & colleagues so everyone could taste a bit of everything. It is truly possible for the average person, to make these delectable bites and take their next social occasion from average to stunning. Follow me at bitesizehostess.com and learn to cater for memorable events.