Saganaki (Greek Pan Seared Cheese) Recipe
Saganaki is a traditional Greek appetizer featuring pan-seared halloumi cheese, golden and crispy on the outside, tender inside, served with a drizzle of honey, black sesame seeds, and dried oregano, complemented perfectly by fresh lemon slices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 225 g halloumi cheese (see Note 1)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 2 tbsp semolina flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Toppings and Garnish
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 lemon (sliced for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese: Cut the halloumi cheese horizontally through the middle to create two equal pieces, which will make frying easier and enhance the texture.
- Coat the Cheese: Whisk the egg in a small plate using a fork. On another plate, spread the semolina flour. Dip each cheese piece first into the beaten egg coating it all over, then shake off excess and thoroughly coat with semolina on every side.
- Fry the Cheese: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the cheese pieces for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden brown crust. Once cooked, remove from heat and cut each piece into four smaller portions for easier serving.
- Plate and Garnish: Arrange the fried cheese on a serving plate. Drizzle evenly with honey, sprinkle the black sesame seeds and dried oregano on top, and serve alongside fresh lemon slices for squeezing over the cheese.
Notes
- Note 1: Halloumi is ideal for frying due to its high melting point. If unavailable, you can substitute with similar semi-firm cheese like kasseri or kefalotyri.
- Semolina flour gives the cheese a crispy crust but can be replaced with fine cornmeal or all-purpose flour if necessary.
- The lemon slices add a fresh citrus note that balances the rich fried cheese and honey sweetness.
Keywords: Saganaki, Greek cheese appetizer, fried halloumi, pan-seared cheese, honey drizzled cheese, Mediterranean appetizer
