Description
Mediterranean Baked Feta is a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer featuring a baked block of creamy feta cheese topped with a savory mixture of olives, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Baked until soft and optionally broiled for a golden finish, it’s perfect for serving with crostini or cucumber slices.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 8 ounces block feta cheese
Toppings
- 1 cup pitted olives (drained and halved)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and roughly chopped)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- pinch red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Garnish
- roughly chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the feta cheese evenly.
- Prepare Feta: Place the 8-ounce block of feta cheese in a small baking dish, ensuring it’s centered for even cooking.
- Mix Toppings: In a medium bowl, combine pitted halved olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, thyme, basil, a pinch of red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir thoroughly until well mixed.
- Coat Feta: Pour the topping mixture over the feta cheese, making sure it is fully coated in the olive oil. Push the majority of olives and sun-dried tomatoes to the side to allow some exposure for browning.
- Bake Feta: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the feta softens and the flavors meld together.
- Broil for Browning (Optional): Turn on the oven’s top broiler for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly brown the top of the feta cheese. Keep a close eye to avoid burning the olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm with crostini or sliced cucumber for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute olives with your favorite variety such as Kalamata or Castelvetrano for differing flavor profiles.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, make sure to drain them well to avoid excess oiliness.
- For a spicy kick, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Serve with toasted bread or fresh vegetable slices to balance the saltiness of the feta.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
