Mediterranean Baked Feta Appetizer (Printable)

Warm, savory appetizer featuring creamy feta baked with cherry tomatoes, olives, herbs and olive oil. Perfect for sharing with crusty bread or pita.

# 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 (optional)
11 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ To Serve

12 - Crusty bread or pita (gluten-free if needed)

# How to Make It:

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 (if using) 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 Advice:

01 -
  • Its the kind of appetizer that makes people think you spent hours, when really you just popped it in the oven and poured wine
  • The way the feta transforms from crumbly to impossibly creamy is absolute magic
02 -
  • Resist the urge to use crumbled feta from a tub, you need a solid block that will hold its shape while getting soft and creamy inside
  • Letting the dish rest for just 2 minutes after baking gives the juices time to settle slightly so they do not run everywhere when you serve it
03 -
  • The olives I buy matter so much, I spring for the olive bar ones instead of canned and always pit them myself for better texture
  • Mixing some dried oregano with fresh gives you that authentic Greek mountain flavor that restaurant dishes seem to have

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