Crispy Halloumi Salad With Dates and Arugula
Updated September 5, 2025

- Ready In
- 20 min
- Rating
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Ingredients
For the Dressing
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Fine sea salt and black pepper
For the Halloumi Salad
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pinch sweet paprika
Pinch ground cinnamon
6 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
3 tablespoons slivered or roughly chopped almonds
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces halloumi, drained and cut into bite-size pieces
5 ounces (about 4 cups) arugula (or a mix of arugula and baby spinach)
½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
3 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish if desired
Preparation
- Step 1
Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon, ¼ teaspoon salt and a large pinch of pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired; set aside.
- Step 2
Make the salad: In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add a pinch of paprika and cinnamon, then the dates and almonds. Cook, stirring frequently, until the dates have absorbed the butter and softened and the almonds are lightly toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 3
In the same pan, cook the halloumi: Heat the olive oil over medium. Add the halloumi and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep the halloumi warm.
- Step 4
Assemble the salad: Add the arugula, parsley and scallions to the bowl with the dressing and toss to combine. Transfer to a large serving plate in an even layer. Arrange the halloumi on top of the greens, followed by the buttery dates and almonds. Garnish with more scallions, if desired, and serve immediately.
Private Notes
Comments
First time commenting on a recipe but this one is worth it - absolutely delicious. Added a little quinoa and it was the perfect easy weeknight meal.
Very tasty and substantial enough for dinner! Proportions as written made 2 large dinner salads for us. Used a mix of arugula, kale, and spinach for the greens, finely chopped a crisp apple, and added 400g butternut squash roasted with some cardamom and chili flake. As usual for NYT, you can cut the oil and butter basically in half, but this one was terrific for easing into fall!
So delicious. I made this salad with kale (but otherwise as directed). It is quickly in my list of favorites.
Delicious combination of unexpected flavors!
Add some roasted vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, whatever you have on hand) and it's a full meam. Delicious!
Wow, the umami of it all: sweet dates, browned almonds, salty halloumi and tangy arugula….yum-o! My thanks to the readers who suggested leaving the cheese in large slices and cutting into nuggets after. Served on a bed of farro and tossed in some crisp apple slices. Winner, winner!
