THE Baked Feta Appetizer For Every Occasion!
Appetizers are probably my favorite food group. (Yes, they’re totally a food group in my book! 😉) There’s just something about fun, festive bites that bring everyone together at the start of a meal. And of all the appetizers we’ve shared, this Heavenly Baked Feta has become one of my all-time favorites.
This baked feta with olives first came to life last Christmas. Chris and I called dibs on making appetizers for a family gathering, and as a born-and-raised Wisconsinite, cheese is always my snacking go-to (exhibit A!). With a block of feta in the fridge, baked feta cheese seemed like the perfect place to start. The rest came together with what we had on hand – fresh herbs, a jar of olives, and a drizzle of honey.
Our entire house smelled heavenly as this baked feta roasted, and we knew we’d created something special – a recipe worth making again and again.
What I love most about this recipe is its dreamy, creamy texture. The softened feta is infused with the flavors of fresh thyme, garlic, and honey. Briny olives and a pop of bright lemon take it over the top. Simple ingredients, but absolutely unforgettable flavor.
This baked feta with olives is perfect for holiday hosting, girl’s night, date night, or any gathering that calls for an epic snack.
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How to Bake Feta Cheese with Olives
This baked feta recipe is seriously simple and comes together with just 10 minutes of prep. Once it’s in the oven, the feta bakes into soft, creamy perfection while your kitchen fills with the most amazing aroma.
Ingredient Tip! ⇢ Since you only need a few ingredients for this baked feta, this is an instance when I recommend splurging on high-quality options if possible. The flavors really come to life as the feta bakes, so you’ll taste the difference of using top-notch feta cheese, olive oil, and olives.
Take your block of feta cheese and pat it dry, then drizzle with olive oil and honey. Nestle garlic and fresh thyme alongside and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes.
Recipe Tip! ⇢ Use a small baking dish to keep all the ingredients close together. This helps the aromatics infuse into the block of feta as their flavors release.
Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F, then spoon the garlic and herb-infused olive oil over the top of the baked feta cheese. Add the castelvetrano olives to the baking dish, sprinkle everything with lemon zest, and continue baking until the cheese is totally softened and creamy.
Serving Suggestions
Baked feta is best served warm out of the oven, when it’s still creamy, softened and spreadable. Hearty and creamy baked feta pairs best with sturdy crackers, toasted bread, or crostini. Use a knife to spread the baked feta or feel free to dip right into it – and don’t forget to scoop up those olives too!
Bonus Recipe: Homemade Crostini
Homemade crostini is perfect alongside baked feta with olives (and it’s super make-ahead friendly!). To make crostini, slice a French baguette into ¼ inch pieces, brush each with a little olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and kosher salt. I also love to pop a few sprigs of fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary over the bread for some aromatic flavor. Bake the bread on a large baking sheet until each slice is crisp and brown. Full details are in the Recipe Notes, below.
I can’t wait for you to try this Heavenly Baked Feta recipe! It’s such a showstopper and no one will guess how easy it was to throw together – the best combination!
If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about and seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!
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Heavenly Baked Feta with Olives & Thyme
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: serves 6-8 1x
- Category: Appetizer Recipes, Snack Recipes
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Greek & Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Heavenly Baked Feta with Olives and Thyme is seriously easy to throw together and made with simple yet flavor-filled ingredients that always impress – an easy entertaining must-try!
A block of feta cheese bakes with fresh thyme, garlic, and a little bit of honey, until it is completely warm, fragrant, soft, and creamy. Finish with meaty-yet-mild castelvetrano olives and lemon and serve with crackers or crostini. The perfect snack or appetizer for any gathering, girl’s night, or date night in!
Ingredients
- 6–8 ounces good-quality feta cheese block or brick, patted dry (do not crumble – see Recipe Notes)
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 4–6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 4–6 sprigs fresh thyme
- optional: up to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces castelvetrano olives, drained and torn in half or roughly chopped
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- for serving, as desired: crostini, toasted bread, or crackers of choice
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Gather and prep ingredients according to Ingredients List, above.
- Assemble and bake the feta: Place the feta in the center of a small baking dish. Drizzle the olive oil and honey over top and nestle the garlic and thyme around the sides of the feta. If using, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over top. Transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Add the olives to the baked feta: Once it has been baking for 20 minutes, remove the feta from the oven. Use a spoon to carefully baste some of the garlic and herb-infused olive oil over the feta, then add the castelvetrano olives to the baking dish and sprinkle the lemon zest over top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the feta is softened as desired and the olives are warmed through.
- Serve: Finish the baked feta with a spritz of fresh lemon juice. The amount of lemon juice you may want will depend on how tangy your feta is – I add the juice of half a lemon to start, adding more to taste as needed. Allow the baked feta with olives to cool slightly, then serve immediately with crostini, toasted bread, or crackers as desired. Enjoy!
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
- Best feta cheese for baked feta recipes: Since it’s the star of the show, it’s important to use the best quality feta you can find for this baked feta recipe. I suggest looking for feta that’s packaged in brine, which has much richer flavor and creamier texture. If you can only find a brick of feta, it will work just fine. If your block or brick of feta is especially thick, I suggest slicing it into 1/2 – 1-inch planks to ensure the feta bakes up quickly. You could even break it into large chunks, but avoid crumbling it into small pieces.
- Storage and Reheating: This baked feta recipe is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, so rather than planning for leftovers I suggest scaling the recipe up or down to be suitable for the size of crowd you’re serving. If you do have leftovers, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy cold or at room temperature as marinated feta, or reheat in the oven until warm and softened – up to you!
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