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Feast on the bold flavors of the Mediterranean with this rich and creamy baked feta. Feta cheese combined with Kalamata olives, fresh herbs, and olive oil – this will surely be the best baked feta recipe you’ll ever try. This baked feta is so flavorful that you’ll feel tempted to eat it on its own.
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This easy and delicious baked feta recipe is perfect as an appetizer or a side dish. You can serve baked feta as an appetizer with a few slices of toasted baguette. You can use it as a dip for pita chips and other healthy snacks. You can even use this recipe to make baked feta pasta. Just bake some feta cheese in the oven and use it in an abundance of ways that will all surely turn out delicious.
Why This Recipe Works
Feta is a world-famous cheese that comes from Greece. It’s a white cheese made with sheep or goat’s milk. Authentic and high-quality feta cheese has a soft and crumbly texture, and it comes in brine.
Although feta cheese can be delicious as is, baking is a simple yet effective way to turn a plain block of cheese into something rich, creamy, and utterly magical. Since this recipe includes fresh herbs, you’ll also end up with a healthy baked feta recipe. Who says delicious food can’t be healthy, right? The fresh herbs also serve to balance out the rich flavor and creamy texture of the baked feta.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Feta cheese - Feta cheese made from sheep’s milk has a sharp and slightly sour flavor. In contrast, feta cheese made from goat’s milk has a mild flavor. You can get either—it just depends on the kind of flavor you prefer. You will want to use feta cheese in block form (rather than crumbled), in this instance.
Kalamata olives - Like feta, kalamata olives originate in Greece. Kalamata olives are dark purple, and their taste provides a hint of sweetness to the recipe.
Fresh chopped oregano - Oregano has a slightly bitter, yet very herby flavor that will add an earthiness to the baked feta.
Fresh chopped rosemary - Rosemary has a unique flavor profile that one can describe as slightly bitter, citrusy, and somewhat spicy (akin to pepper). Rosemary’s unique flavors will give the baked feta a distinct, fragrant aroma.
Fresh chopped mint - The cool sensation in your mouth that comes from eating mint will provide a fresh flavor and aroma to your baked feta.
Fresh chopped basil - As a part of the mint family, basil has a smell and taste similar to mint, albeit much milder. Basil has a sweet and somewhat bitter flavor that includes notes of anise and pepper.
Extra virgin olive oil - Extra virgin olive oil is a healthy antioxidant-rich oil that will help bind all the ingredients together and give the dish a rich, nutty, and slightly fruity flavor. There’s nothing quite like the added flavor of drizzles of extra virgin olive oil in a dish.
Honey - Honey will add a dash of sweetness to the baked feta. If you don’t like honey, you can substitute it with other sweeteners such as maple syrup or agave syrup.
Garlic - The pungent flavor and aroma of garlic will help balance the rich flavor of the baked feta and give a kick to the dish.
Salt - No recipe is complete without salt. Adding some salt to your baked feta will give it a savoriness that no other ingredient can give.
Black Pepper - You can’t include salt in a dish and not have black pepper (in my opinion!). Like garlic, pepper will provide a spicy kick to your baked feta.
Baked Feta Instructions
This is a ridiculously simple recipe. Simply place a block of feta cheese in a baking dish, top off with remaining ingredients, and bake. Easy peasy!
Tips
Make your baked feta even more special by following these tips:
- Get authentic, high-quality feta - Buy only high-quality feta cheese that’s made in Greece. Authentic feta cheese only comes from Greece.
- Don’t be afraid to use your olive oil - Putting a healthy amount of extra virgin olive oil in your baked feta will prevent the cheese from burning in the oven. Furthermore, olive oil will help cook your feta cheese and other ingredients more evenly and create a smooth, buttery texture.
- Season wisely - Even without salt and pepper, this baked feta recipe already has a ton of flavor. Be careful not to go overboard with your salt and pepper lest you end up with a dish that’s too salty and spicy to enjoy. Are you a big fan of spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
FAQ
The great thing about feta is its versatility. Feta cheese goes well with a wide range of foods such as:
Fruits like melon, watermelon, nectarine, and peach
Crusty bread like French bread and sourdough
Potatoes
Eggs
Pizza
Pasta
Crackers, pita chips, and tortilla chips
Salads
Yes, you can. Heating feta cheese in an oven will turn the cheese into a tender, creamy, and melty appetizer that you can put on almost anything. Reheating it does the same! To reheat, place the feta into a 350°F oven until warm throughout.
You've probably see your fair share of the famous TikTok pasta! While your feta cheese is baking in the oven, cook some short pasta (macaroni, ziti, etc.) until it’s al dente. Drain your pasta but reserve some of the pasta water. Once your baked feta is out of the oven, add your pasta and stir it into the baked feta until all the pasta is evenly coated.
Add pasta water a little bit at a time while stirring to prevent the pasta and sauce mixture from becoming too thick. Once you’re satisfied with the consistency of your baked feta pasta, add salt and pepper to taste.
Most feta cheese purchased in stores these days is made with microbial rennet, rather than animal rennet, however, you still will want to check packages or contact companies to ensure the feta you are purchasing is vegetarian if you are on a vegetarian diet. My favorite vegetarian feta cheese is made by Organic Valley.
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📖 Recipe
Baked Feta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce block feta cheese vegetarian if necessary
- 1 cup Kalamata olives whole and pitted
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh mint chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced or grated
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey I like to use raw honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place the block of feta in a round or square baking dish (at least 6").
- Sprinkle the olives over the feta, followed by the oregano, rosemary, mint, basil and garlic.
- Drizzle with the olive oil and honey. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place into the oven and bake for 25 minutes, followed by 2 minutes under broiler or until golden and bubbling. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
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Anita says
This was my first time baking feta, and wow, it's so good. The dish also looks so pretty, so this is actually a good appetizer dish for parties.
Andrea says
This is the perfect appetizer. We all loved it. The olives are perfect with the feta.
Irena says
Loved this as an appetizer the other day and think I can also make it to user over a Greek salad next time.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That looks amazing. I am drooling here 😋
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!!
Chef Mireille says
I had some leftover feta and was wondering what to do with it.........I can't wait to try this.
Suja md says
This looks and sounds fabulous! Love this recipe. It's a perfect dish for my family.
April says
I LOVE baked feta dishes. It was a huge hit with the family.
Kechi says
Happy to let you know that I made this the other day and it was so so flavorful and tasty! Surprisingly the kids enjoyed it as well!
Claudia Lamascolo says
Really great flavors in this and was addicting will make it again for sure love the honey with feta perfect!
Sharon says
Yum! This recipe was delicious and perfect for the spring herbs that are popping up. Thanks!
Dannii says
Baked feta is one of my favourite meals. So much flavour in one dish.
Mandy Applegate says
This baked feta recipe looks so good, I'm going to go buy the ingredients today!
Andrea says
Some of my favorite flavors in one recipe. This is a winner of an appetizer! I love dipping veggies in this!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!!
Angela says
This is such a simple and tasty appetizer! I love to serve this with veggies and pita chips. So good!
Beth says
Oh, this is heavenly!! Feta is a huge favorite of mine!
Jacqueline Debono says
I love feta and baking it is my favourite way to serve it! This recipe sounds wonderful. Going to get a block of feta tomorrow and give it a try!
Mahy says
I always wanted to make feta at home. I love using it with so many dishes!
veenaazmanov says
Love the combination of olives and Feta cheese. Cheesy dishes are my favorite. Looks like a lovely side dish.
Lucy says
What a delicious creamy side dish that compliments so many dishes so well.
Tavo says
I can't wait to try it! Feta cheese and black olives! Two of my favorite things in the world!