This warm, indulgent baked feta is the perfect appetizer or cozy snack. With just a handful of ingredients — olives, sun‑dried tomatoes, fresh garlic, olive oil, and herbs — you’ll bake everything together until the feta is soft and creamy, then serve it with crisp crostini. Simple, elegant, satisfying.
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
- Ready in minutes — almost no prep required.
- Just a few high‑impact ingredients, minimal fuss.
- Rich, creamy feta meets bold Mediterranean flavor.
- Great for entertaining, casual dinners, or whenever you want something a little special.
- Adaptable — you can easily switch up toppings or serve style.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Feta (8 oz block) — Preferably a Greek feta in brine for extra creaminess. If you don’t have it, a regular block works too. Skip the crumbles if you want the block‑presentation.
- Pitted Olives (1 cup) — A mix of green and Kalamata work beautifully, or pick your favorite type.
- Sun‑Dried Tomatoes (½ cup) — Opt for the ones packed in oil if possible; if you only have dry, you’ll need to rehydrate them. Cherry tomatoes or diced red peppers are fine substitutes.
- Olive Oil (⅓ cup) — Use a good extra‑virgin olive oil; it makes a difference in flavor.
- Fresh Garlic (3 cloves, thinly sliced) — Fresh is strongly recommended for best flavor; minced jar garlic is a last resort.
- Dried Herbs (½ tsp each: oregano, thyme, rosemary) — If you have an Italian‑seasoning blend, that works too.
- Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper — To taste.
- For serving: Fresh chopped parsley, sliced French bread or crostini, pita chips or crackers.
🔪 How to Make It
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the feta block in a small baking dish (or rimmed sheet‑pan). Arrange the olives and sun‑dried tomatoes around the block.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, thinly sliced garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Drizzle this mixture over the feta, olives, and tomatoes ensuring everything gets some flavor.
- Bake for about 20 minutes — until the feta is warm and soft. For a slightly golden top, you can broil for 1–2 minutes.
- Remove from oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately with crostini, crackers, or pita chips for dipping and scooping.
💡 Pro Tips
- Choose feta in brine if possible — it tends to be creamier and bakes up more luxurious. Be sure to drain off excess brine before baking.
- Avoid crumbled feta if you want the visual impact of a block — though you can use it, the presentation and texture will differ.
- No olives? Swap them for roasted cherry tomatoes or red pepper chunks for a slightly different twist.
- Want extra flavor? Try a drizzle of honey, a squeeze of lemon juice, red pepper flakes, capers, or fresh herbs like basil or thyme to finish.
- Turn into pasta! After baking, stir in cooked pasta (reserve ½ cup pasta water) to convert this from appetizer to main dish. Season to taste and serve warm.
🍱 Make‑Ahead & Storage
- Make‑Ahead: You can assemble the dish a few hours in advance — cover and refrigerate. About an hour before baking, bring to room temperature then bake.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F, place the feta mixture back in an oven‑safe dish, and gently bake until warmed through (about 15‑20 minutes).
- Note: The feta will soften further and the flavors will deepen over time.
❓ FAQ
Does feta cheese melt in the oven?
Not exactly. Feta softens and becomes spreadable when baked, but due to its high acid content it doesn’t melt into a gooey state like mozzarella. This recipe gives you a rich, creamy, scoopable feta experience.
What goes well with this baked feta?
Because it’s Mediterranean‑inspired, serve with crostini, pita chips, roasted veggies, olives, hummus, or salad. The bold flavors of olives and sun‑dried tomatoes pair naturally with feta.
Can I swap the cheese?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of sheep‑milk feta, you could try a block of goat cheese or Brie instead. The texture and flavor vary, but it will still bake into a delicious warm dip