Warm and creamy, this easy baked feta appetizer comes together in minutes and uses a handful of everyday ingredients. This simple Mediterranean mezze is made with tangy feta cheese that is roasted with sweet cherry tomatoes and buttery castelvetrano olives.
I have an effortlessly and delicious Mediterranean appetizer that uses just a few ingredients! For another great Feta appetizer try my Phyllo Feta Rolls with Honey.
Creamy and salty feta is roasted with fresh herbs, buttery castelvetrano olives and sweet cherry tomatoes in a rich and fruity olive oil. For another quick impressive appetizer, try my Pan Con Tomate with Jamón.
The baked feta slowly softens and becomes creamy and perfectly spreadable onto crostini. Then drizzle the infused olive oil on top for a perfect bite! For a great appetizer that is going to impress your guests, try my Steak crostini.
This easy feta appetizer is fantastic served alongside other Mediterranean mezze such as vegetarian stuffed grape leaves and roasted beet hummus.
Why You'll Love This Baked Feta Appetizer
- This recipe has simple ingredients! All you need is a block of feta, cherry tomatoes, olives and olive oil.
- Baked feta gently melts and becomes perfectly spreadable!
- As the feta bakes with the sweet tomatoes and olives, the oil infuses and is full of flavor!
- This is a versatile recipe! Use other olives sich as Kalamata or other herbs such as basil or rosemary.
Ingredients
- Feta Cheese: Use a block of feta cheese in brine, which will be creamier than the crumbled options. And look for a sheep's milk feta which will have a more tangy flavor. If you are looking for a mild feta, you can also look for cows milk feta, which will be milder.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet cherry tomatoes soften beautifully as they roast with the feta. If fresh cherry tomatoes aren't available, substitute with sun-dried tomatoes.
- Olives: Pitted castelvetrano olives are mild and buttery, but if you prefer more of a punch, look for briner Kalamata olives.
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil, such as this Italian extra virgin olive oil.
- Fresh Thyme: A few sprigs is all you need and other substitutions are fresh rosemary, basil or oregano.
How to Make Baked Feta
- Place the block of feta in the center of a small-medium baking dish or mini cast iron skillet and scatter cherry tomatoes and olives around the feta.
- Pour olive oil on top of the feta and top with fresh thyme leaves.
- Bake the feta at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes until tomatoes are softened.
- Let the feta cool slightly, then serve with crostini.
Recipe Variations
- Substitute Sun-dried tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes.
- Add chipped bell peppers.
- Use ½ teaspoon of dried oregano or dried thyme.
- Add lemon zest or orange zest.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for a touch of sweetness.
Feta will gently soften when it is baked, but won't melt completely. To keep the moisture in tact, bake the feta with olive oil to keep it creamy and spreadable.
Yes, assemble the feta up to 2 days in advance and place in the oven 20 minutes before you're ready to serve.
More Easy Appetizers to Try
- Loaded Hummus
- Mediterranean Nachos
- Manchego and Roasted Pepper Stuffed Mushrooms
- Greek Tomato Fritters
- Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
Baked Feta Appetizer with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounce block of feta
- 6-8 cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 6-8 pitted Castelvetrano olives cut in half
- ½ cup Olive Oil
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme
- Crostini for serving
- Crostini for serving
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the block of feta in the center of a medium sized baking and scatter cherry tomatoes and olives around the feta.
- Pour olive oil on top of the feta and top with fresh thyme leaves.
- Bake the feta at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes until tomatoes are softened.
- Let the feta cool slightly, then serve with crostini.
Olga Zuyderhoff says
yummy fast easy! everyone loved it!
Samantha Ferraro says
Fantastic Olga, Thank you for the feedback. Samantha.