Sesame, Halloumi & Courgette Fritters with Chilli Honey Drizzle Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
