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Seared Halloumi Flatbread with Kale-Apple Salad

By Sara Mayer

Published on September 9, 2026

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Seared Halloumi Flatbread with Kale-Apple Salad

Ingredients

1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided1 pound pizza dough, room temperature1 shallot, sliced thin, divided4 teaspoons finely chopped pistachios, divided, plus 4 teaspoons coarsely chopped pistachios2 teaspoons black sesame seeds, divided1 tablespoon cider vinegar ⅛ teaspoon table salt 3 ounces (3 cups) baby kale 1 Honeycrisp apple, cored, halved, and sliced thin12 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into ¼-inch slicesHot honey Flake sea salt

Before You Begin

You can substitute white sesame seeds, nigella seeds, caraway seeds, fennel seeds, za’atar, or coriander seeds for the black sesame seeds.

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil in 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat until just smoking, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place 1 pound room temperature pizza dough on lightly floured counter, divide in half, and cover with greased plastic wrap. Press and roll 1 piece of dough (keeping remaining dough covered) into 8-inch round, sprinkling dough and counter with flour as needed to prevent sticking. Sprinkle ½ thinly sliced shallot, 2 teaspoons finely chopped pistachios, and 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds evenly over surface of dough, pressing to adhere. Continue to roll dough into 10-inch round. Using fork, poke entire surface of round 20 to 25 times.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low, place dough in skillet, seed side down, cover and cook until first side is browned in spots across surface, 1 to 3 minutes. Flip bread, cover, and continue to cook until lightly browned on second side, 1 to 3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. (If bread puffs up, gently poke with fork to deflate.) Repeat with 1 teaspoon oil, remaining dough ball, and remaining ½ thinly sliced shallot, 2 teaspoons finely chopped pistachios, and 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, ⅛ teaspoon table salt, and 1 tablespoon oil together in large bowl. Add 3 cups baby kale and 1 halved and thinly sliced Honeycrisp apple and toss to coat.
  4. Pat 12 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into ¼-inch slices, dry with paper towels. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add halloumi and cook until brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side.
  5. Divide halloumi evenly among flatbreads and drizzle with hot honey. Divide salad evenly on top. Sprinkle with 4 teaspoons coarsely chopped pistachios and flake sea salt and serve.
Seared Halloumi Flatbread with Kale-Apple Salad

Seared Halloumi Flatbread with Kale-Apple Salad

Headshot of Sara Mayer
By Sara Mayer

Published on September 9, 2026

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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

Ingredient check list

Ingredients

Ingredient check list

Ingredients

Ingredient check list

Why This Recipe Works

This crisp and savory flatbread—with shallots, pistachios, and sesame seeds rolled right into the dough—packs bold flavor from the base up. Cooking the seed-and-nut-infused dough in a hot skillet creates a crisp flatbread with a satisfying texture. Searing the halloumi separately allows it to develop a golden crust and stand out as a salty, chewy contrast to the soft dough. A drizzle of hot honey over the warm flatbread adds a subtle touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements. Topping it with a fresh salad of baby kale and Honeycrisp apple brings brightness and crunch without overwhelming the other flavors.

Before You Begin

You can substitute white sesame seeds, nigella seeds, caraway seeds, fennel seeds, za’atar, or coriander seeds for the black sesame seeds.

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil in 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat until just smoking, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place 1 pound room temperature pizza dough on lightly floured counter, divide in half, and cover with greased plastic wrap. Press and roll 1 piece of dough (keeping remaining dough covered) into 8-inch round, sprinkling dough and counter with flour as needed to prevent sticking. Sprinkle ½ thinly sliced shallot, 2 teaspoons finely chopped pistachios, and 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds evenly over surface of dough, pressing to adhere. Continue to roll dough into 10-inch round. Using fork, poke entire surface of round 20 to 25 times.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low, place dough in skillet, seed side down, cover and cook until first side is browned in spots across surface, 1 to 3 minutes. Flip bread, cover, and continue to cook until lightly browned on second side, 1 to 3 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. (If bread puffs up, gently poke with fork to deflate.) Repeat with 1 teaspoon oil, remaining dough ball, and remaining ½ thinly sliced shallot, 2 teaspoons finely chopped pistachios, and 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, ⅛ teaspoon table salt, and 1 tablespoon oil together in large bowl. Add 3 cups baby kale and 1 halved and thinly sliced Honeycrisp apple and toss to coat.
  4. Pat 12 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into ¼-inch slices, dry with paper towels. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add halloumi and cook until brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side.
  5. Divide halloumi evenly among flatbreads and drizzle with hot honey. Divide salad evenly on top. Sprinkle with 4 teaspoons coarsely chopped pistachios and flake sea salt and serve.
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