Mediterranean Baked Feta: A Delicious Appetizer You’ll Love

If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer to impress your friends at your next gathering, look no further!

This Mediterranean baked feta is a crowd-pleaser that’s incredibly easy to make and bursting with flavor.

Each scoop is a delightful combination of warm, soft feta cheese topped with a vibrant mix of green olives and sun-dried tomatoes.

Let’s dive into how you can whip up this delicious dish!

Ingredients Needed

  • 1 cup of pitted Castelvetrano olives
  • 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces of block feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Crackers, crostini, or sliced vegetables for serving

Step 1: Prepare the Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Begin by gathering your ingredients.

Next, take 1 cup of pitted Castelvetrano olives. These olives have a mild and buttery flavor, perfect for this dish.

Pitted Castelvetrano olives.

Now, you can slice the olives in half or tear them with your fingers for a rustic look.

Tearing olives in half.

For the sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll need about 1/2 cup. Make sure they look vibrant and fresh.

Fresh sun-dried tomatoes.

Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.

Chopping sun-dried tomatoes.

Add the chopped tomatoes to your bowl of halved olives.

Mixing olives and sun-dried tomatoes.

Step 2: Mix the Topping

Next, mince 3 cloves of garlic and add them to the olive and sun-dried tomato mixture.

Mincing garlic cloves.

Measure out 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil and pour it over the mixture.

Pouring olive oil.

Now, add your dried herbs: 1/2 teaspoon each of oregano, thyme, and basil.

Adding dried herbs.

For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Adding red pepper flakes.

Season with a few grinds of sea salt and black pepper, then give it a good stir to combine all the flavors.

Mixing the topping ingredients.

Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish

Now it’s time to choose your baking dish. A small oven-safe dish works best.

Choosing a baking dish.

Place an 8-ounce block of good quality feta in the center of the baking dish.

Placing feta in the baking dish.

Pour your olive and tomato mixture over the feta, making sure to push some to the sides.

Pouring topping over feta.

This allows the feta to get some color while baking.

Feta with topping ready for the oven.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Preheating the oven.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the feta is softened.

Baking feta in the oven.

Step 4: Broil for Extra Color

If you want to add a little color to the top, turn on the broiler for the last minute or two.

Broiling the feta.

Be cautious, as the toppings can singe quickly.

Checking on the broiling feta.

Once done, the feta should be soft and spreadable.

Baked feta right out of the oven.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Garnishing with parsley.

Your Mediterranean baked feta is now ready to serve!

Garnished baked feta.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve it warm with your choice of crackers, crostini, or even fresh cucumber slices.

Serving baked feta with crackers.

This dish is highly addictive and will likely be devoured in minutes.

Enjoying the baked feta.

Everyone will be asking for the recipe, trust me!

And if you want to take it a step further, consider serving it as part of a mezze platter.

Enjoy your Mediterranean baked feta at your next dinner party!

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