Mediterranean Baked Feta Appetizer (Printable)
Creamy feta cheese baked with tomatoes, olives, herbs, and olive oil. Perfect for sharing with 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 Steps:
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 Suggestions:
01 -
- The way the feta turns from crumbly to spreadable in the oven feels like magic every single time
- It takes five minutes to throw together but looks impressive enough for dinner guests
02 -
- The feta will not melt like other cheeses but instead softens into a spreadable, creamy consistency
- Letting the dish rest for just a couple minutes after baking helps the flavors settle
03 -
- Serve the dish directly from the oven to the table to keep that irresistible bubbly presentation
- Have extra bread ready because the olive oil and tomato juice at the bottom might be the best part