Halloumi questions, answered.
Everything you might want to know about our fresh Cypriot halloumi sticks — what halloumi is, how to cook it, and how to order across Cyprus.
Halloumi is Cyprus's famous semi-hard grilling cheese, traditionally made from a blend of sheep's and goat's milk (often with cow's milk too) and folded with mint. Its magic is a naturally high melting point, which is why it holds its shape and turns golden on the pan or grill instead of melting into a puddle. Many people know it as the "squeaky cheese" for the satisfying bite it has when cooked.
Yes — EcoBites is a certified Cyprus halloumi producer, making our sticks fresh every day in our own factory in Larnaca. "Halloumi / Χαλλούμι / Hellim" is an EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), reserved for cheese made on the island of Cyprus to a set recipe, and our traditional plain halloumi is genuine Cyprus PDO halloumi. Our flavoured varieties are a flavoured take on that same Cypriot halloumi craft, made in the same factory with the same care.
They're built on the same fresh Cypriot halloumi we make in Larnaca, then given a flavoured twist with ingredients like tomato and basil, jalapeño or truffle. Because the PDO recipe restricts what can go into halloumi, we describe these as a flavoured take on Cyprus halloumi rather than plain PDO halloumi — an honest distinction. The cheese, the craft and the high-melting-point grilling character are exactly what you'd expect from Cypriot halloumi.
We make our fresh halloumi sticks in six flavours: Tomato & Basil, Strawberry, Jalapeño, Garlic & Herb, Truffle and Chilli. Alongside the sticks we also produce a fresh dairy range. Whether you want a crowd-pleasing classic or something adventurous, there's a stick for the moment.
No — EcoBites halloumi sticks are fresh Cypriot grilling cheese cut into a handy stick or finger format. They are not battered, breaded or frozen fried-cheese appetizers. You simply cook them yourself for a few minutes to get that golden, squeaky halloumi you love.
Halloumi sticks are wonderfully quick and you barely need any oil. On the pan, cook over medium-high heat for about 2–3 minutes per side until golden; on the grill or a griddle, give them a couple of minutes each side for those char lines. In the air fryer, cook at around 200°C for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway, and in the oven roast at about 200°C for 12–15 minutes until crisp and golden.
No, and that's exactly the point. Halloumi has a naturally high melting point, so instead of melting it softens on the inside and crisps to a golden crust on the outside while holding its shape. That's what makes it perfect for the pan, grill and air fryer — and gives it that signature squeak.
Yes — halloumi freezes very well, which makes it easy to keep a stash on hand. Freeze the sticks in their sealed pack or an airtight container, then thaw in the fridge before cooking. The texture holds up beautifully, so they'll still grill up golden and squeaky.
Halloumi is a dairy cheese, so it suits a vegetarian diet that includes dairy — it's a favourite meat-free source of protein for the grill. As with any cheese, whether it's suitable for strict vegetarians can depend on the rennet used, so check the details on the pack. If you're catering for specific dietary needs, our team is happy to talk you through the options.
We make our halloumi sticks fresh every single day in our Larnaca factory and deliver them fresh across Cyprus, so what reaches you is about as fresh as halloumi gets. Keep them refrigerated and always check the use-by date and storage guidance printed on the pack. If you're planning ahead, remember halloumi also freezes very well.
Yes — we deliver our halloumi sticks and fresh dairy range fresh right across Cyprus, including Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos and Famagusta. Because everything is made daily in our own Larnaca factory, deliveries go out fresh rather than from long-held stock. We serve customers in both English and Greek, so just get in touch in whichever you prefer.
Absolutely — we supply restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and caterers wholesale, and we also produce private-label halloumi for partners who want it under their own brand. As the producer, making everything in our own Larnaca factory, we can keep quality consistent and volumes reliable. Export enquiries are very welcome too, so reach out and tell us what you need.
Getting started is easy: tell us which flavours you're after and roughly how much you need, and we'll take it from there. For wholesale, private-label or export enquiries, request a quote through our contact page and our team will get back to you with pricing and lead times. We're happy to help in English or Greek, whichever suits you best.
Each stick starts with our fresh Cypriot halloumi — a dairy (milk) product — and the flavour is built in with real ingredients like sun-dried tomato and basil, jalapeño, roasted garlic and herbs, chilli, strawberry or black truffle. As a dairy product, halloumi contains milk, a common allergen. For the full ingredient list and allergen advice for a specific flavour, always check the printed pack, and get in touch if you're catering for particular dietary needs.
Our milk comes from a small circle of Cypriot partner farms with grass-fed herds, and it arrives fresh at our Larnaca factory to be made into halloumi and our dairy range each day. We keep everything chilled from the farm through production to delivery, so freshness and quality stay consistent from the source to your fridge.
Alongside the halloumi sticks we make a full fresh dairy range across five families: milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and cream. It's the same daily-fresh, cold-chain approach — think fresh Cypriot milk, thick strained yogurt, slow-churned butter and fresh cream. Ask us about the current range and availability for your area.
So much more than a side. Halloumi sticks are brilliant as air-fryer or oven fries with a honey-and-chilli drizzle, threaded onto BBQ skewers with vegetables, pan-fried with lemon and herbs, tucked into salad pitta wraps, or stacked into a breakfast plate. Browse our recipe hub for step-by-step ideas — everything is built around that golden, squeaky, no-melt halloumi.
Halloumi is best enjoyed hot and fresh off the heat, but leftovers reheat well if you keep them crisp. Warm them in a hot dry pan or the air fryer for a couple of minutes rather than the microwave, which can turn them rubbery. Store cooked sticks in the fridge and reheat within a day or two.
Our sticks are grilling cheese, not a battered or breaded product, so they don't have the wheat coating you'd find on fried mozzarella-style sticks — halloumi itself is a dairy cheese. Because ingredients and production can vary by flavour, always check the pack for the definitive allergen and gluten information, and ask us if you need to cater for a gluten-free requirement.
Most of our halloumi stick flavours — Tomato & Basil, Strawberry, Jalapeño, Garlic & Herb and Chilli — start from €4.50 a pack, while our indulgent Truffle sticks are €5.90. Prices can change, so check the product pages for the latest, and for wholesale or larger orders just request a quote and we'll send tailored pricing.
Wholesale orders are tailored to each partner — cafés, restaurants, hotels, grocers and caterers — so minimum quantities and delivery timing depend on what you need and where you are in Cyprus. Because we produce daily in Larnaca, we can set up regular standing orders that arrive fresh. Send us your details through the contact page and we'll reply within two business days with quantities, lead times and pricing.
We deliver fresh right across Cyprus — Larnaca (our home), Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos and beyond. Whether you're a shopper, a café or a restaurant, tell us your town through the contact page and we'll point you to the freshest way to get EcoBites near you. Larnaca customers are closest to the source, sometimes just hours from the vat.