Mediterranean Baked Feta Appetizer (Printable)
Warm, savory Mediterranean appetizer featuring creamy feta cheese baked with cherry tomatoes, olives, fresh herbs, and olive oil.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 7 oz block feta cheese
→ Vegetables
02 - 9 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
→ Olives & Aromatics
05 - 2 oz Kalamata olives, pitted
06 - 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves or 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
→ Pantry
08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ To Serve
12 - Crusty bread or pita, gluten-free if needed
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Place the feta block in the center of a small ovenproof dish or skillet.
03 - Surround the feta with cherry tomatoes, red onion slices, garlic, and olives.
04 - Sprinkle the oregano, thyme, black pepper, and chili flakes over the cheese and vegetables.
05 - Drizzle everything generously with olive oil.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the feta is soft and lightly golden, and the tomatoes are blistered.
07 - Remove from the oven, top with fresh lemon zest, and serve immediately with warm bread or pita.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The feta transforms into something impossibly creamy and luxurious while still holding its shape
- It comes together in minutes but looks impressive enough for company
- The blistered tomatoes create their own sweet sauce that you will want to scoop up with every bite
02 -
- Do not use pre-crumbled feta, it will dry out and become grainy instead of creamy
- The feta will not melt like other cheeses, it simply softens into this spreadable texture
- Serve this straight from the oven because the cheese firms up as it cools
03 -
- Let the dish sit for about 5 minutes after baking before serving, the flavors settle and it is easier to handle
- If your tomatoes are particularly large, cut them into quarters so they cook through