Sesame, Halloumi & Courgette Fritters with Chilli Honey Drizzle Recipe

Introduction

These sesame, halloumi & courgette fritters are a delicious and crispy treat, perfectly balanced with a sweet and spicy chilli honey drizzle. They make a great appetizer or light meal that’s quick to prepare and full of vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 medium courgettes, grated
• ½ tsp sea salt, plus extra to serve
• 30g self-raising flour
• 20g rice or cornflour
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• ¼ tsp ground white pepper
• 2 tsp mint leaves, finely chopped
• 80g halloumi, grated
• 2 large eggs
• 2 spring onions, finely sliced
• vegetable oil, for frying
• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp pul biber or other chilli flakes
• 2 lemons, zested

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the chilli honey drizzle by warming the honey, 2 tablespoons of water, chilli flakes, and lemon zest in a small pan until bubbling and syrupy, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Place the grated courgettes in a sieve and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Let them drain for 30 minutes, then squeeze out as much liquid as possible using your hands.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, combine the self-raising flour, rice or cornflour, toasted sesame seeds, and ground white pepper. Add the chopped mint, grated halloumi, and drained courgettes, tossing lightly to mix.
4. Step 4: Crack in the eggs and stir them into the mixture along with the sliced spring onions until you get a thick batter.
5. Step 5: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add two heaped tablespoons of batter for each fritter, flattening them gently with a spatula.
6. Step 6: Fry the fritters for a couple of minutes until golden, then flip them over. Press down with the spatula and cook for another few minutes until golden and cooked through.
7. Step 7: Remove fritters and drain on kitchen paper. Season with a few flakes of sea salt, then drizzle with the chilli honey to serve.

Tips & Variations

• Make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the courgettes to prevent soggy fritters.
• You can substitute halloumi with feta for a slightly different flavor and texture.
• Use regular chilli flakes if pul biber is not available; adjust the amount to your heat preference.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors even more.

Storage

Store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a frying pan over low heat to keep them crispy. The chilli honey drizzle is best made fresh but can be refrigerated for a day and warmed slightly before use.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these fritters gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free self-raising flour, and ensure your cornflour or rice flour is also gluten-free to keep the recipe suitable for gluten-intolerant diets.

What can I use instead of halloumi?

Feta cheese is a good alternative, offering a tangy flavor. However, it’s softer than halloumi, so the fritters may be a little less firm.

Sesame, Halloumi & Courgette Fritters with Chilli Honey Drizzle Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 96 reviews

These delicious sesame, halloumi, and courgette fritters are crispy on the outside and packed with flavor inside, topped with a sweet and spicy chilli honey drizzle. A perfect vegetarian appetizer or light meal that combines the nutty taste of sesame seeds and salty halloumi with the freshness of mint and the zing of lemon zest.

• Author: Isabella
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Yield: 6–8 fritters 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fritters

• 2 medium courgettes, grated
• ½ tsp sea salt, plus extra to serve
• 30g self-raising flour
• 20g rice or cornflour
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• ¼ tsp ground white pepper
• 2 tsp mint leaves, finely chopped
• 80g halloumi, grated
• 2 large eggs
• 2 spring onions, finely sliced
• vegetable oil, for frying

Chilli Honey Drizzle

• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp pul biber or other chilli flakes
• 2 lemons, zested
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Prepare Chilli Honey Drizzle: Warm the honey, 2 tablespoons of water, chilli flakes, and lemon zest in a small pan over medium heat until the mixture bubbles and thickens into a syrupy consistency, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
2. Drain Courgettes: Place the grated courgettes in a sieve and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of sea salt. Let them drain for 30 minutes, then squeeze out as much liquid as possible using your hands to ensure dry courgettes, which is essential for crispy fritters.
3. Make Fritter Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, rice or cornflour, toasted sesame seeds, and ground white pepper. Add the finely chopped mint leaves, grated halloumi, and dried courgettes, tossing lightly to mix evenly.
4. Add Eggs and Spring Onions: Crack the eggs into the bowl and stir with a fork, incorporating the finely sliced spring onions into the mixture until you achieve a thick, cohesive batter.
5. Heat Oil and Fry Fritters: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add two heaped tablespoons of batter for each fritter, flattening each with a spatula.
6. Cook Fritters: Fry the fritters for about 2 minutes on one side until golden brown, carefully flip them over, pressing down with the spatula, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until golden and cooked through.
7. Drain and Season: Remove fritters from the pan and drain on kitchen paper to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with extra sea salt flakes while still warm.
8. Serve: Arrange fritters on a serving plate and drizzle generously with the warm chilli honey syrup. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

• Ensure the courgettes are well-drained and squeezed dry to prevent soggy fritters.
• Use a heavy-bottomed non-stick pan for even frying and to avoid sticking.
• Adjust the amount of chilli flakes in the honey drizzle to suit your heat preference.
• These fritters are best served fresh but can be kept warm in a low oven for up to 30 minutes.
• For a gluten-free option, ensure the self-raising flour is gluten-free, or substitute with a gluten-free baking mix.

Keywords: sesame fritters, halloumi fritters, courgette fritters, chilli honey drizzle, vegetarian appetizer, Mediterranean snack