Tasting: Taco Bell - Halloumi Crunchwrap

Taco Bell's Halloumi Crunchwrap was first released in Cyprus last November and then for a limited time across Europe in December. I was able to try it out at Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, CA.

The vegetarian menu item features fried halloumi cheese (a semi-soft cheese with a high melting point that browns when you grill or fry it without turning into a gooey mess), spicy ranch, a crunchy tostada shell, guacamole, pico de gallo, and lettuce wrapped up and grilled into the signature hexagonal shape of a Taco Bell Crunchwrap.

For the most part, the Halloumi Crunchwrap didn't taste or feel too different from a regular Crunchwrap Supreme save for the crispy-fried cheese with a light and flaky crust in place of seasoned beef or other protein.

The halloumi here isn't exactly the same as the one over in Europe as it isn't that easy to just ship it over here. I was told that they went out and bought halloumi from the supermarket and breaded it in panko before a dunk in the deep-frying. It turned out pretty well. The halloumi was like a less melty and firmer but more flavorful mozzarella. There was a nice chew to it. It also reminded me of a firmer version of deep-fried cheese curds (something I can't easily get here in Los Angeles), which is to say I would not mind it at all if they offered the cheese by itself similar to how some chain's offer mozzarella sticks (or more regionally, cheese curds).

The halloumi held its own against the familiar Crunchwrap components and they complement each other well. It's a shame halloumi isn't all that popular here in the States. Maybe someday?