Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Crispy hot honey halloumi salad is the perfect weeknight dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the halloumi crispy and the salad light. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Italian Pot Roast Recipe and Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes Crockpot Dinner.
Why This Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy halloumi with a sweet and spicy kick
- Light and fluffy couscous soaks up the flavors
- Tangy sumac onions add a refreshing twist
What You'll Need for Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Red onion
- Honey
- Chili flakes
- Lemon
- Fresh parsley
- Sumac
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Crumbled feta
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi: Make sure to use firm, not soft, halloumi for the best texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly crispy halloumi. → See on Amazon
- Microplane zester — Effortlessly grates lemon zest for maximum flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Prepare couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions, then fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Make sumac onions: Thinly slice red onion and toss with sumac, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook halloumi: Slice halloumi into 1/4-inch thick slices. Cook in a hot, dry skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Make hot honey: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and chili flakes.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sumac onions, halloumi, and hot honey. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the halloumi or it will become rubbery. Keep an eye on it and flip once it's golden brown.
- Substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can use paneer or firm tofu as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the couscous and sumac onions up to a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Couscous and sumac onions can be made ahead of time.
Freezing Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier salad, add more chili flakes to the hot honey mixture.
- Best substitution: If you can't find sumac, you can use a mix of lemon zest and paprika for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the couscous and sumac onions up to a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi isn't crispy, try cooking it in a hotter skillet or for a shorter time.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chef's knife — Makes slicing halloumi and onions a breeze for even cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Red onion
- Honey
- Chili flakes
- Lemon
- Fresh parsley
Seasonings
- Sumac
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Pine nuts
- Crumbled feta
Instructions
- Prepare couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions, then fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Make sumac onions: Thinly slice red onion and toss with sumac, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook halloumi: Slice halloumi into 1/4-inch thick slices. Cook in a hot, dry skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Make hot honey: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and chili flakes.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sumac onions, halloumi, and hot honey. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier salad, add more chili flakes to the hot honey mixture.
- Best substitution: If you can't find sumac, you can use a mix of lemon zest and paprika for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the couscous and sumac onions up to a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi isn't crispy, try cooking it in a hotter skillet or for a shorter time.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Couscous and sumac onions can be made ahead of time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 15g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the couscous and sumac onions up to a day ahead. However, the halloumi is best served fresh.
Ensure your skillet is hot enough and that you're not overcooking the halloumi. Try flipping it once it's golden brown.
Paneer or firm tofu can be used as a substitute for halloumi.
Yes, you can cook the halloumi in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The halloumi may lose some of its crispiness over time.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
