
Greek Halloumi and Roasted Pepper Wrap
Golden pan-seared halloumi, sweet jarred roasted red peppers, peppery arugula and a garlicky lemon-yogurt sauce, all tucked into warm pita. Ready in about 25 minutes with no oven needed.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Wait
- 5 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Makes
- 4 wraps
Steps
Before you start
- Pat the halloumi very dry with paper towels; wet cheese spatters and won't brown.
- Use soft, large pita (7–8 inch / 18–20 cm) that folds without cracking, not pocket pita that has been toasted hard.
- Halloumi is salty, so don't add salt to the sauce until you've tasted it with the cheese.
- Have everything assembled before you cook; the cheese is best eaten hot and squeaky-soft.
Make the sauce
- In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, grated garlic, oregano and a few grinds of black pepper.
- Leave the remaining lemon juice for the salad.
- Do not add salt yet.
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Ready when: Smooth, pale sauce that smells clearly of lemon and garlic
Tip: Grate the garlic finely so there are no raw chunks.
Prep the fillings
- Slice the red peppers into ½-inch strips and blot on paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, toss the arugula, cucumber, red onion and olives (if using) with the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- Set aside.
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Ready when: Peppers look matte, not wet
Tip: Dry peppers keep the wraps from going soggy.
Dry the halloumi
- Cut the halloumi into 8 slices about ⅓ inch (8 mm) thick.
- Press both sides firmly with paper towels until no surface moisture remains.
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Ready when: Surface feels dry to the touch
Sear the first side
- Heat the olive oil in a 10–12 inch (25–30 cm) skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, about 1 minute.
- Lay the halloumi slices in a single layer without crowding (cook in two batches if needed).
- Cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes.
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Ready when: Underside is deep golden brown and releases easily from the pan
Tip: If the slice sticks, give it another 20 seconds; it releases once the crust forms.
Flip and finish
- Flip each slice with a thin spatula and sear the second side for 1 to 2 minutes, until evenly golden with browned spots.
- Move to a plate.
- If you cooked in batches, wipe out the pan and use a little more oil only if it looks dry.
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Ready when: Both sides golden brown, cheese soft and slightly bulging
Tip: Don't overcook; halloumi turns rubbery as it cools.
Warm the pita
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Warm each pita in the same pan for 20 to 30 seconds per side, picking up the cheese's browned oil.
- Stack in a clean kitchen towel to keep soft.
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Ready when: Pita is hot, pliable and lightly flecked with gold
Tip: Wrap in a towel straight away so steam keeps it from cracking when folded.
Assemble the wraps
- Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt only if needed.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons sauce down the center of each pita.
- Top with a handful of the arugula salad, a quarter of the roasted pepper strips and 2 halloumi slices.
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Ready when: Fillings sit in a neat line, with a 1-inch border of pita on each side
Tip: Don't overfill or the wrap won't close.
Roll and serve
- Fold in the two sides, then roll up tightly from the bottom.
- Cut in half on the diagonal and serve at once with lemon wedges and extra sauce for dipping.
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Ready when: Wrap holds its shape when cut
Tip: Wrap the bottom half in parchment for easier eating.
Good to know
Tips
- Pat the halloumi dry and keep the pan hot for a crisp golden crust without sticking.
- Blot the roasted peppers well so the wraps stay crisp rather than soggy.
- Halloumi is salty, so taste the sauce before adding any salt.
- For extra flavor, drizzle a little honey over the seared cheese just before wrapping.
Make ahead
"Make the sauce up to 3 days ahead and keep covered in the fridge. Slice the peppers, cucumber and onion up to 1 day ahead and store separately. Sear the halloumi and warm the pita just before serving."
Storage & reheating
"Best eaten immediately. Assembled wraps keep in the fridge, wrapped tightly, for up to 1 day, though the pita softens. Store leftover seared halloumi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Leftover sauce keeps 3 days in the fridge. Not recommended to freeze assembled wraps; uncooked halloumi freezes well for up to 3 months."
Substitutions
- halloumi cheese → Firm paneer or kefalotyri. Paneer is milder and less salty; kefalotyri sears well but needs a thicker cut and a light flour dusting.
- plain full-fat Greek yogurt → Hummus or dairy-free coconut yogurt. Thin hummus with 1 tablespoon water and lemon juice for a spreadable sauce.
- baby arugula → Baby spinach or chopped romaine. Milder flavor; add an extra squeeze of lemon.
- large soft pita breads (7–8 inch / 18–20 cm) → Flatbread or large flour tortillas. Warm until pliable and fold the same way.