Mediterranean Baked Feta Recipe
If you’re searching for an appetizer that’s impressive, utterly delicious, and honestly couldn’t be easier, let me introduce you to Mediterranean Baked Feta. Imagine a block of creamy feta, warm and gently golden at the edges, nestled among juicy cherry tomatoes and briny Kalamata olives, all bubbling together in flavorful olive oil and herbs. This dish brings the sunshine of the Mediterranean straight to your table, ready for scooping onto crusty bread or warm pita. Recipe simplicity meets restaurant-worthy flavors in every bite, and you may never look at feta cheese the same way again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of vibrant ingredients make Mediterranean Baked Feta come alive. Each one plays a key role—whether it’s adding tang, a pop of color, briny complexity, or bringing the flavors together in silky olive oil. Fresh, fragrant, and unfussy, these are all you need:
- Feta cheese (1 block, about 7 ounces): The centerpiece! Choose a good-quality block; its salty, creamy character is the heart of the dish.
- Cherry tomatoes (1 cup, halved): Their natural sweetness and juiciness burst in the oven, balancing the feta’s tang.
- Kalamata olives (1/4 cup, pitted): These deep purple gems bring classic Mediterranean flavor and a briny bite.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Essential for creating that luscious, bubbling bake and infusing everything with richness.
- Dried oregano (1 teaspoon): Adds an unmistakable herbal aroma that instantly transports you to a Greek taverna.
- Red pepper flakes (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Just a pinch livens up the dish with gentle heat—use as much or as little as you like.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): One small clove is all you need for a subtle garlicky warmth that ties the flavors together.
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste: A few twists wake up all the other spices and keep the flavors balanced.
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional): Fresh herbs add vibrancy, color, and that irresistible “just finished” look.
- Crusty bread or pita (for serving): You’ll want something sturdy and delicious to scoop up every last savory bite.
How to Make Mediterranean Baked Feta
Step 1: Prep the Oven and the Bakeware
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) so everything cooks evenly and the feta gets that lovely, melty texture with lightly crisped edges. Grab a small baking dish—just big enough to fit the feta and veggies snugly, so all the flavors can mingle beautifully as they bake.
Step 2: Assemble the Mediterranean Baked Feta
Place your block of feta cheese right in the center of the dish. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes and pitted Kalamata olives around the feta, letting them snuggle close. Drizzle everything generously with olive oil. This step is where the magic starts: the oil will become wonderfully infused with the cheese and veggies as they roast.
Step 3: Season and Add the Flavors
Sprinkle dried oregano over the feta and veggies, then add the red pepper flakes (if you want that subtle kick). Drop in the minced garlic and some freshly ground black pepper. Take a moment to just look at all the colors—you’re about to bake up something seriously special!
Step 4: Bake Until Bubbling and Golden
Pop the dish into your hot oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the feta is soft and very slightly brown at the corners, and the tomatoes are blistered and juicy. Don’t forget: your kitchen will smell amazing! The sizzling olive oil and roasted herbs will make it almost impossible to wait.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
When it’s out of the oven, this is your moment for a little flourish. Scatter some torn fresh basil or chopped parsley over the top for a burst of green and freshness. Serve the Mediterranean Baked Feta immediately, while it’s warm and inviting, alongside plenty of crusty bread or pita for dipping and scooping.
How to Serve Mediterranean Baked Feta
Garnishes
Add a pop of color and layer in even more flavor by garnishing. Try a handful of torn fresh basil or bright parsley for freshness, or even zest a little lemon over everything for tang. Toasted pine nuts scattered on top add a lovely crunch if you want to go the extra mile.
Side Dishes
Mediterranean Baked Feta pairs perfectly with light salads—think cucumber and red onion with a squeeze of lemon, or classic Greek salad. For something heartier, serve it alongside roasted vegetables or over a bed of warm, fluffy quinoa. And don’t forget an extra basket of bread, as it disappears fast!
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, spoon the warm feta and veggies onto crostini for stunning canapés, or use it as a centerpiece for a mezze platter surrounded by olives, pickled vegetables, and hummus. You can also toss the melty cheese and roasted tomatoes into freshly cooked pasta for a Mediterranean twist on comfort food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If there’s any Mediterranean Baked Feta left (which is rare!), let it cool completely before covering tightly and storing in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to three days, and the flavors meld even more as it sits.
Freezing
While you can freeze baked feta, I don’t recommend it, as the cheese tends to lose its creamy texture and the tomatoes can become a bit watery when thawed. If you must, freeze in an airtight container and use within a month—but honestly, it’s so quick to make fresh, it’s worth enjoying right out of the oven!
Reheating
To reheat, pop leftovers into a small oven-safe dish and warm at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, just until everything is bubbly again. Avoid microwaving, as feta can become rubbery—gentle oven heat is your friend for the creamiest results.
FAQs
Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?
You can, but a block works best for Mediterranean Baked Feta since it holds together as it bakes and becomes creamy without fully melting away. Crumbled feta may dry out or scatter, so stick to the block for the perfect texture.
What can I substitute for cherry tomatoes?
Grape tomatoes or even chopped Roma tomatoes work really well in place of cherry tomatoes. Just make sure any tomato you use is ripe and flavorful, as this really lifts the dish.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely! Mediterranean Baked Feta itself is gluten-free. Just choose gluten-free bread or pita for serving if needed, and you have a safe, company-ready appetizer.
Can I add extra veggies or ingredients?
Definitely—feel free to toss in sliced bell peppers, artichoke hearts, or even capers. This dish is endlessly adaptable, so you can personalize it to your tastes or whatever veggies need using up.
Can I serve this as a main dish?
This Mediterranean Baked Feta is filling and flavorful enough to anchor a light meal, especially if you add some roasted vegetables or toss it with pasta. It makes a lovely centerpiece for a vegetarian dinner spread.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Mediterranean Baked Feta enough—it’s one of those rare recipes that’s both stunningly simple and outrageously tasty. Give it a try at your next gathering or weeknight dinner, and watch it become the star of your table. Once you dig in, you’ll understand why it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again!
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Mediterranean Baked Feta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
Indulge in the flavors of the Mediterranean with this easy and delicious baked feta recipe. Creamy feta cheese is baked until soft and golden, then paired with juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and aromatic herbs for a perfect appetizer or light meal.
Ingredients
Feta Bake:
- 1 block feta cheese (about 7 ounces)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
- Crusty bread or pita for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Feta Bake: Place the block of feta in a small baking dish. Scatter cherry tomatoes and olives around the feta. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and black pepper.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the feta is soft and slightly golden, and the tomatoes are blistered.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve warm with crusty bread or pita for dipping.
Notes
- You can add sliced bell peppers or artichoke hearts for extra Mediterranean flavor.
- This dish also works well as a pasta topping—just stir the warm feta and veggies into cooked noodles.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 dish
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
