Grilled Date and Halloumi Skewers with Za’atar Drizzle

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

This Middle Eastern-inspired dish pairs smoky grilled halloumi cheese with sweet dates, finished with a fragrant za’atar and lemon olive oil drizzle for a perfect balance of savory and sweet. This Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs halloumi cheese, pitted Medjool dates, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz halloumi cheese
12 pieces pitted Medjool dates
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp za’atar spice blend
1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
6 pieces, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
1/4 tsp, freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400°F. Meanwhile, slice 8 oz halloumi cheese into 1/2-inch thick rectangles and set aside.
Step 2: Thread the soaked 6 wooden skewers alternately with 12 pitted Medjool dates and halloumi slices, starting and ending with halloumi to secure the ingredients.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp za’atar spice blend, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper until well combined — this will be your drizzle.
Step 4: Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs until the halloumi develops golden grill marks and the dates are warm and slightly caramelized.
Step 5: Remove the skewers from the grill and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle the za’atar lemon olive oil evenly over the skewers.
Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves on top for a fresh, aromatic finish. Serve immediately while warm.