Mediterranean Baked Feta Appetizer Recipe
This Mediterranean Baked Feta Appetizer is a warm, savory dish featuring a block of creamy feta cheese baked with juicy cherry tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, fragrant herbs, and a touch of spice. Perfect for serving as a delicious starter or a shareable snack, it’s simple to prepare and bursting with vibrant flavors from the Mediterranean region.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 1 block feta cheese (about 7 oz)
Produce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or oregano
Pantry
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare it for baking the feta and accompanying ingredients.
- Prepare Feta: Place the block of feta cheese into a small baking dish, which will hold all ingredients while baking.
- Add Tomatoes and Olives: Scatter the cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives evenly around the block of feta in the dish.
- Insert Herbs: Tuck fresh sprigs of thyme or oregano around the feta and tomatoes to infuse the dish with herbal aroma.
- Drizzle Oil: Drizzle 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the entire dish to add richness and help with roasting.
- Season: Sprinkle minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and cracked black pepper over the top to provide flavor and a mild kick.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the feta is golden on top and the cherry tomatoes have blistered and softened.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then serve warm with crusty bread or fresh veggies for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like thyme or oregano for the most aromatic results, but dried can be substituted if needed.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best texture and flavor.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or fresh crudités like cucumber and bell peppers.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
Keywords: baked feta, Mediterranean appetizer, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, baked cheese, party appetizer, vegetarian appetizer
