I love trying new foods, especially those packed with flavors like these! While technically Halloumi is a middle eastern grilling cheese, its flavor works so well with Indian Dahl that I had to give it a try! Check out this quick and easy dinner for two using the air fryer halloumi and microwave dahl.
Now, this recipe is not going to match the fabulous dahl that you can get at Indian restaurants or from the recipe passed down from your grandmother. But, the speed and ease of getting a tasty, vegetarian dinner on the table after a long day of work, make this a winner.
Traditionally, Dahl can include a meat-based protein or a vegetarian-based paneer cheese. But, paneer cheese is too soft to hold up in an air fryer. Enter the firmer grilling cheese halloumi to save the day!
Halloumi originated in the Greek Island of Cypress but is now enjoyed across the Middle East and Europe. Gaining ground in the US, people enjoy the high protein content, mild flavor, and firm texture that allows it to be heated without losing its shape.
In this recipe, I cut a block of halloumi into cubes, lightly tossed it in olive oil, then air fried it for about 6 minutes. I didn’t flip mine, since it was already quite soft (just how I like it!).
Let’s get cooking!
Air Fryer Halloumi and Dahl Dinner for Two!
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz block Halloumi cheese
- 1 package Microwave Indian Dahl
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees. While it is preheating, cut your halloumi into 8-10 equal sized cubes of cheese.
- Lightly brush the cubes of cheese with olive oil, and place in the air fryer to cook for 7 minutes. I found nonstick tongs to work best when handling the soft cheese.
- While the cheese is cooking, microwave the dahl according to the package instructions.
- When the cheese is finished, serve half of the dahl in a bowl and top with half of the cheese. Sprinkle green onions on top for a crunch and fresh flavor. Enjoy!
Notes
- The cost of this recipe is $4.25 per serving.
- The calories in a serving of this is 475. This is a lower calorie dinner and you can pair it with a veggie side, naan bread, or a salad to round out the meal if you want more food.
- This is the brand of dahl that I often eat and it can be found in many grocery stores.
- I used red lentil dahl in this recipe, but experiment with different flavors and ingredients to provide some variety.
- This meal can be made vegan by using a vegan variety of halloumi. You can also include more protein by adding diced chicken or cooked chickpeas to the dahl based on your dietary preferences.
Doesn’t that look delicious! You could also pair the dahl with some small pieces of chicken in the air fyer to give it a meat based protein instead. But the halloumi was such a fabulous lunchtime treat when I tried it!
This is a great example of how cooking at home can save you serious money, time, and health. I love how the Dahl is vegan, so you can substitute a vegan halloumi cheese, or another type of protein and make this a quick and easy vegan dinner too!
Once you make dinner, pack up the second serving to take for lunch tomorrow and you co-workers will be so envious of your leftovers! What is your favorite part of this meal? If you have tried air fryer halloumi before, I would love to hear what you think of it and your favorite use for it in the comments below or over on our Instagram page!
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