Description
Mediterranean Baked Feta is a warm and creamy appetizer made with briny olives, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and extra-virgin olive oil. It comes together in just 35 minutes and works well for parties, mezze platters, holidays, or an easy dinner starter.
Ingredients
8 ounces block feta cheese
1 cup pitted olives, drained and halved
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, roughly chopped, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the block of feta in the center of a small baking dish.
3. Add the olives, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to a bowl.
4. Stir the olive mixture until the oil and herbs coat everything evenly.
5. Spoon the mixture over the feta. Coat the cheese with the seasoned oil while leaving most of the olives and tomatoes around the sides.
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the feta feels soft and spreadable.
7. For a lightly browned top, broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
8. Sprinkle the baked feta with chopped parsley.
9. Serve warm with crostini, crackers, sliced cucumber, or flatbread.
Notes
Use a high-quality block of feta, preferably packed in brine, for the creamiest texture.
Feta packed in brine stays softer longer than vacuum-sealed feta.
Halve the olives so the finished appetizer feels easier to scoop and spread.
Green Castelvetrano olives work especially well, although Kalamata olives or a mixture of both also taste great.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat leftovers in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warm.
For faster reheating, microwave the feta in 20-second intervals.
You can assemble the dish ahead of time and bake it just before serving.
You can also bake it ahead and keep it warm in an insulated bag for transport.
The finished dish has a warm, creamy feta center with savory and briny flavors from olives, garlic, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 261
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 807 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg