Halloumi cheese is a cheese that was initially produced in Cyprus.
Halloumi is not a very familiar cheese, and it is also a bit unusual cheese that can be heated at high temperatures without melting.
Halloumi Cheese is the perfect option for grilling and frying.
It is packed in saltwater, making the cheese give out a salty flavor, but it is very suitable for traveling purposes.
Halloumi cheese is also very popular among Mediterranean and Greece areas.
If you have a Mediterranean Greece deli available locally, it is worth trying this delicious Halloumi cheese.
What Is Halloumi Cheese?
Halloumi cheese is originated from Cyprus, and it is a traditional cheese that contains cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and sheep milk.
The texture of Halloumi cheese is somewhat the same as that of mozzarella cheese, but on the outside, it has a pale white color.
Also, Halloumi is a salty and unripened cheese that doesn’t have a rind.
Because of these traits of halloumi cheese, you have two options to enjoy your salty cheese, either try frying or grilling the cheese.
Some people even prefer to eat raw Halloumi cheese; high-heating while grilling or frying will help enhance the natural salty taste of Halloumi and makes its texture thick and pleasing.
This exclusive halloumi cheese has a high boiling point so that you don’t have to worry about the cheese melting.
The raw Halloumi cheese taste salty and feel rubbery, but when you fry or grill it, but when you take a bite, you will get a savory, crunchy cheese coat on the outside, and melted cheese inside.
Halloumi cheese texture resembles the same as grilled marshmallows.
The best thing about this Halloumi cheese is that it is loaded with healthy fat, various nutrients such as Vitamin A, B, calcium, magnesium, zinc, nutrients, and protein.
However, if you don’t have Halloumi Cheese at hand, you don’t need to worry at all; also, if you want to know what the best substitutes for Halloumi Cheese are?
Then, check out these five best substitutes for Halloumi Cheese that can help you enjoy your delicious dishes without sacrificing the taste and flavors.
5 Best Substitutes for Halloumi Cheese
1 – Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is one of the best substitutes for Halloumi cheese, as feta cheese has similar qualities as Halloumi cheese.
Both these kinds of cheese are originated from Greece, and they taste a bit similar.
Feta cheese is the perfect option if you are looking for salty cheese, and it is a perfect replacement for Halloumi cheese.
Feta and Halloumi cheese are made from goat or sheep milk, and that is why you get the same texture and creaminess from both kinds of cheese.
The only difference between Feta and Halloumi is its texture.
The texture of feta is more crunchy and crumby, whereas Halloumi is unripened with a rubbery texture that makes the cheese chewy.
Also, feta cheese tastes saltier than Halloumi, and it is why you should choose feta as a substitute for Halloumi only if you want to use salty cheese in your recipe.
2 – Kefalotyri
Kefalotyri is one of the best substitutes for Halloumi cheese, as kefalotyri has more similarities to Halloumi.
You can use Kefalotyri cheese at a highly high boiling point, and frying and grilling is not an issue with Kefalotryri cheese.
You are sure to get a similar texture and flavor to your dish, which you get from Halloumi cheese.
The best thing about Keflotyri Cheese is that it has a very hard texture, so that it takes more time to heat the cheese to reach the texture of Halloumi cheese.
Both the cheese have similar tastes; you won’t find any major difference when it comes to taste.
But, if the Kefalotryri Cheese texture gets hard, it makes the cheese taste saltier than before, and the slat level also surges once heated.
3 – Paneer Cheese
Paneer cheese is also one of the best alternatives for Halloumi cheese.
Paneer cheese is one of the best options to make your dish outstanding, as it gives you the best results when used as a substitute for Halloumi cheese.
Paneer looks the same as Halloumi, and it also has a similar texture that makes the paneer a perfect choice for your recipe.
When you substitute panner with Halloumi, you are sure to get a similar texture and appearance.
Also, its high boiling point makes the paneer cheese available for frying or grilling methods.
When you fry Paneer cheese, you will get a cheese dish that resembles exactly Halloumi cheese.
However, panner is made from milk & lemon juice; its flavor is a bit mild.
4 – Provolone Cheese
Provolone is also one of the best substitutes for Halloumi cheese, but it does not have that thick texture as Halloumi, and it melts easily under high heat temperatures.
This unique feature of Provolone Cheese makes this cheese more delicious to use in sandwiches and burgers.
Using provolone cheese in the place of Halloumi can allow you to enjoy your r extra cheeseburger.
Provolone Cheese has a milder flavor than Halloumi, and that is why it is the better substitute for Halloumi cheese.
It makes it savorily well-suited with many dishes.
5 – Queso Panela
Queso Panela is also one of the best substitutes for Halloumi cheese, and it is originated from Mexico.
Queso Panela also looked the same as Halloumi as it also contains a similar salty taste, unripened texture, and has high boiling point resistance.
Queso Panela wouldn’t shrink or burst under high heat and still maintains its natural shape with toasted brine.
Queso Panela is mostly found in Mexican dishes, and it makes the dishes wetter than Halloumi cheese, but when it is grilled, it does not create any issue.
Conclusion
Halloumi Cheese is a rare variety that you may not find in all stores, but the substitutes provided above are very easy to find that can help you replace Halloumi cheese with any of these cheese varieties.
Ensure to check that the substitute that you want to use in your dish in place of Halloumi is not saltier so that you can avoid ruining your recipe.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Halloumi Cheese
Ingredients
- Feta Cheese
- Kefalotyri
- Paneer Cheese
- Provolone Cheese
- Queso Panela
Instructions
- Choose your preferred substitute from the list of options.
- Organize all of your ingredients.
- Follow the substitution ratio to determine how much is required in your recipe.
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