Haloumi Bites with Jalapeño and Sesame Honey

From issue #124, page 29. November, 2025
Haloumi Bites with Jalapeño and Sesame Honey

Is it even a festive feast if there aren't some cheesy treats on the table? Pimp up your party platters with these easy, cheesy bites!

Serves: 10

INGREDIENTS

JALAPEÑO AND SESAME HONEY
1½ tablespoons sesame seeds
¼ cup runny honey
10 slices pickled jalapeños
¼ teaspoon cracked pepper

HALOUMI
2 x 200-gram blocks Mainland Haloumi Cheese
¼ cup olive oil

TO SERVE
¼ cup pomegranate arils, optional

METHOD

JALAPEÑO AND SESAME HONEY: Put the sesame seeds in a small dry frying pan and toast over a medium heat until golden brown. Add the honey and jalapeños and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in the cracked pepper then remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Cut the haloumi into 2cm-thick cubes so you have roughly 20 squares.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the haloumi and fry on all sides until golden brown, roughly 1–2 minutes on each side.

TO SERVE: Place the haloumi on a serving plate, drizzle over the jalapeño and sesame honey and scatter over the pomegranate arils.

For more Mainland recipes visit mainland.co.nz