Bread Cheese vs Halloumi – Which is Best?

Bread Cheese vs Halloumi – which reigns supreme as the best cheese you’ve yet to eat, how to cook them and all the ways to eat them!

Friends, if you’ve never tried Bread Cheese or Halloumi, your life is about to change.

All you need to quickly and easily saute, grill or air fry them and from there, the possibilities are practically endless! Game on.

But what’s the difference between Bread Cheese and Halloumi? Read more below – especially if you’re always on the lookout for a new cheese to try.

BREAD CHEESE VS HALLOUMI: 

• Taste – Bread cheese has a butter mild flavor that gets slightly sweet when the outside is caramelized. Halloumi has a stronger taste with a salty briny flavor flavor.
• Available in local grocery store – both are available in local stores including Trader Joe throughout the United States.
• Bread Cheese – semi soft cheese originally made from Reindeer milk – now made from pasteurized cow’s milk. 
• Halloumi is made from cow, goat milk or sheep’s milk.
• Texture – Bread Cheese and Halloumi are a semi-soft cheese with a slightly chewy texture that hold their shape but get crispy and golden brown outside, soft inside when cooked.
• Bread Cheese comes in a variety of flavors – from garlic to chipotle!
• Grilling cheeses – both Halloumi and Bread Cheese are sturdy enough to grill or cook in a skillet on the stove and each good substitute for the other.
• High temperatures – both Bread Cheese and Halloumi have a high point so they soften inside but hold their shape even when grilled.
• Squeaky texture – Bread Cheese makes a squeaking sound when you bite it. It comes from the cheese’s protein and calcium structure.
• Meat Substitute​ – either cheese is hearty enough to be a good meat substitute in a salad.
• Fried Cheese – each is similar to a mozzarella stick we’re familiar with but holds its shape without breading.
• Unique Cheese – Bread Cheese and Halloumi are each unique cheeses in taste, texture and the variety of ways they can be cooked.

​WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HALLOUMI AND BREAD CHEESE?

Bread Cheese is a Finnish cheese, traditionally made from cow, goat or sheep milk baked until golden brown.

Halloumis – born in Cyrus is firmer than Bread Cheese

Bread Cheese has a mild, subtle flavor and plays well with others. Make it part of a salad, add a drizzle of honey or a dollop or jam — toss on some pomegranate seeds!

Halloumi is bold and briny with a full-on flavor punch. Grilled, air fried, sauteed or just served fresh – like feta – it stands out. It’s also a great addition to a salad

DOES BREAD CHEESE NEED TO BE COOKED?

​Bread cheese can be eaten cold right from the package but IMHO it’s best served warm. 

​While it holds its shape, the inside softens and the flavor is over the top delicious.

HOW TO COOK BREAD CHEESE:

Cut bread cheese into about 1″ squares.

To a large skillet add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil (enough to cover the bottom of the skillet you’re using) over medium to medium-high heat.

Swirl the oil in the bottom of the skillet until it’s coated.

Add cheese in a single layer leaving a little room between pieces.

Saute, turning until all sides are browned. Remove from the skillet and eat right away.

To grill the bread cheese, add the slab to lightly oiled grill grates. Grill for a few minutes per side until warmed through with grill marks.

Air fry bread cheese preheat air fryer to 375 degrees and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Cube bread cheese and add to the air fryer leaving space between them for the hot air to circulate. Cook 6-8 minutes flipping each piece over halfway through. Cook until golden, remove from the air fryer and eat right away.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BREAD OR HALLOUMI CHEESE:

Now that you’ve heated your bread cheese or halloumi, you can definitely devour it immediately but there are other various ways and different flavors to add to enjoy it.

First and foremost – bread! A nice crusty bread, baguette, pita, naan or even crackers are all perfect.

The flavor of each is enhanced with any of the following (or a combination of a couple of them!

• Fresh lemon juice
• Add to a charcuterie board​
• a drizzle of honey
• stream on maple syrup some crispy bacon bits
• skewer the cheese and grill as a kabob
• dollop of jam
• pomegranate seeds
• marinara sauce
• pesto
• use in a caprese salad
• substitute feta cheese with bread cheese or halloumis in this recipe
• Add thin slices to bread for a grilled cheese sandwich

HOW TO SAFELY STORE LEFTOVER COOKED CHEESE:

Any leftover cooked cheese can be stored in a airtight container in the fridge up to a week. Reheat on half power in the microwave.

BREAD CHEESE VS HALLOUMI -THE VERDICT:

When it comes down to Bread Cheese vs Halloumi, It depends on type of cheese you’re looking for.

Want something subtle that pairs perfectly with honey or fruit, ​Bread Cheese is your go-to. 

If you’re after bold, flavorful bites with a punch, Halloumi is a great choice. Think feta – another cheese with attitude.

The bottom line – they’re both a delicious cheese that absolutely needs to become a regular in your life.

It’s not about picking just one cheese. Choose both – embrace the delicious flavor, versatility and grillable wonder of both – then thank me later.

Enjoy!

Tried this recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and TAG ME with a photo of yours on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife