Bring the warmth and vibrancy of the Mediterranean right into your kitchen with this delightful Mediterranean Baked Feta. It's incredibly easy to make and just as delicious. Whether you're hosting friends for a cozy evening or simply craving something comforting yet exciting, this recipe is perfect. Trust me, it will hit the spot every time!
Mediterranean Baked Feta Is a Delicious Appetizer
When I want to switch things up in the kitchen, I turn to this Mediterranean Baked Feta recipe. It's one of my favorites, and I think you'll love it too. Imagine creamy, tangy feta cheese baked to perfection, served with a mix of black and green olives marinated in aromatic herbs, all drizzled with a bit of extra virgin olive oil. Each bite is a delightful blend of salty, sweet, and savory flavors.
This dish is incredibly versatile. It can be a standout appetizer, a side dish, or even a light main course when paired with a crisp salad or some roasted vegetables. I invite you to give this Mediterranean Baked Feta a try. Enjoy the wonderful flavors, savor the special moments, and happy cooking!
I have also made Tuna Salad and Egg Potato Salad that you will like.
Jump to:
- Mediterranean Baked Feta Is a Delicious Appetizer
- ⭐Why You'll Love It
- 🧾Ingredients
- 👩🏻🍳How to Make Mediterranean Baked Feta
- 🍽 What to Serve with Mediterranean Baked Feta
- 💭Tips for Recipe Success
- ❓Commonly Asked Questions
- 🍛More Example Mediterranean Appetizer Recipes to Try!
- 🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐Why You'll Love It
Simple and Easy to Prepare: This recipe has a fancy taste but is super easy to make. The marinade is simple, and baking the feta is a breeze. It's perfect for both new and experienced cooks.
Burst of Flavors: Marinated olives and baked feta make a delicious combo. The tangy olives and creamy, salty feta taste amazing together.
Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is really versatile. You can tweak the herbs and spices in the marinade to match your preferences. It goes perfectly with many dishes, so it's a fantastic choice for any meal.
Perfect for Entertaining: This tasty appetizer is perfect for hosting friends. You can prepare it ahead by marinating the olives, and then finish it off quickly by baking the feta right before serving. It’s a hit at parties, get-togethers, or as a yummy pre-dinner bite.
🧾Ingredients
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:
For Olive Marinade:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I love using extra virgin olive oil for its rich, fruity flavor and smooth texture in the marinade. It really brings out the Mediterranean taste of the appetizer.
Red Wine Vinegar: I add vinegar for a bright, tangy kick that balances the rich olives and feta. It also helps tenderize the olives. You can use white wine vinegar if you prefer.
Dried Oregano, Fennel Seeds, Thyme, Paprika and Garlic Cloves: I add these spices to give the marinade extra Mediterranean flavor.
Parsley and Basil: I love using parsley and basil for a fresh, aromatic touch and a pop of green color in the marinade.
Orange Slice: I love adding orange for a citrusy brightness and a hint of tang. It freshens up the flavors and goes great with the salty olives and feta.
Pitted Green Olives and Pitted Black Olives: I love using both types of olives for a tasty briny kick and a mix of green and black colors.
For Baked Feta Cheese:
Feta Cheese: The star of the show is a good-quality block of feta. Its creaminess and flavor really stand out.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (used for baking): I coat the feta with extra virgin olive oil for added richness and flavor. It also helps create a golden-brown crust when baking.
Black Pepper, Chili Flakes and Thyme: I love adding these spices to the feta for extra flavor.
Slices of Toasted Ciabatta: I serve it with crunchy bread to soak up the tasty juices from the marinated olives and baked feta.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Mediterranean Baked Feta
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a bowl, add extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, crushed fennel seeds, thyme, and paprika.
2. Toss in the chopped parsley, basil leaves, orange pieces, and crushed garlic cloves into the bowl.
3. Drop the pitted green and black olives into the bowl with the marinade
4. Gently mix the olives in the marinade until they're nicely coated, then pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
5. Put the block of feta cheese in an oven-safe dish lined with parchment paper. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle black pepper, chili flakes, and thyme evenly across the top.
6. Pop the feta in the oven that you've preheated to 200°C / 392°F (regular oven) or 180°C / 356°F (fan-assisted). Let it bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is soft and gets a nice golden hue on top.
7. Put the baked feta right in the middle of your serving platter. Take the marinated olives out of the fridge and let them warm up to room temperature. Arrange them around the baked feta on the serving platter.
8. Enjoy with slices of toasted ciabatta bread on the side.
🍽 What to Serve with Mediterranean Baked Feta
Baked Feta pairs perfectly with something crunchy like a toasted ciabatta or crackers. I love serving this appetizer with slices of toasted ciabatta bread. It’s great for scooping up the olives and feta or making little open-faced sandwiches. For drinks, lemonade is the ideal choice, it’s the perfect combo!
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Marinating Time: Let the olives marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. For the tastiest flavor, marinate them overnight. This gives the olives time to soak up all the delicious herbs, spices, and olive oil.
Storage: Store the marinated olives in a sealed container in the fridge. They'll stay good for several days, and their flavor will get even better with time.
Make Ahead of Time: You can prepare the marinated olives a day ahead and then assemble and bake the feta just before guests arrive or when you arrive at your destination.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Feta cheese typically lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped or sealed to prevent drying out or absorbing other flavors.
Yes, feta cheese can go bad if it is not stored properly or if it has been kept for too long, developing an off-smell, mold, or an unpleasant taste.
🍛More Example Mediterranean Appetizer Recipes to Try!
If you're loving this Mediterranean Baked Feta, you'll also adore these tasty Mediterranean appetizers: Hummus, Muhammara, Papas Arrugadas with Mojo Sauce, Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo), and Chicken Skewers (Pinchitos de Pollo).
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite appetizer recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Mediterranean Baked Feta
Ingredients
For Olive Marinate:
- 80 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 tablespoon Fennel Seeds
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 20 g Parsley
- 6 Basil Leaves
- 1 Orange Slice
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- 200 g Pitted Green Olives
- 200 g Pitted Black Olives
For Baked Feta Cheese:
- 1 Feta Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Chili Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- Slices of Toasted Ciabatta
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, crushed fennel seeds, thyme, and paprika.
- Add the chopped parsley and chopped basil leaves to the bowl.
- Cut an orange slice into small pieces and add to the bowl.
- Place the garlic cloves in a mortar, crush them, and place them into the bowl.
- Add the pitted green and black olives to the bowl with the marinade.
- Toss the olives in the marinade until they are well coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Place the block of feta cheese in an oven-safe dish with parchment paper. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the feta. Sprinkle the black pepper, chili flakes, and thyme evenly over the top.
- Bake the feta in the preheated oven at 200°C / 392°F (regular oven) or 180°C / 356°F (fan-assisted oven) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and slightly golden on top.
- Place the baked feta in the center of a serving platter.
- Remove the marinated olives from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. Surround the feta with the marinated olives.
- Serve with slices of toasted ciabatta on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
This Mediterranean baked feta is amazing! So easy to throw together and the flavors are incredible. The warm, creamy feta with the olives is just divine. Perfect appetizer for any occasion!