Greek Style Baked Feta with Olives and Herbs is warm, creamy, and full of bright Mediterranean flavors. It's simple to prepare and makes a beautiful appetizer or light meal.
The Best Greek Style Baked Feta for a Simple Mediterranean Appetizer
This recipe started as something quick to serve with toasted bread, and it quickly became one of my favorites. The feta softens in the oven until it's spreadable, while the olives rest in a garlicky, herb-filled marinade that grows more flavorful as it sits. The mix of creamy cheese with cool, citrusy olives feels balanced and inviting.
What I enjoy most is how effortlessly it comes together. The olives can be prepared ahead, the feta needs only 20 minutes in the oven, and everything serves beautifully on one platter. It's an easy way to bring Greek-style flavors to the table without much work.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the olives the day before, and they'll only taste better the next day.
- Easy to Make: There's no need for complicated steps, just smart seasoning and oven time.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It works for entertaining, casual meals, or even a solo snack with a glass of wine.
🧾Baked Feta Ingredients
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- Herby Olive Marinade: I mix extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, fennel seeds, paprika, thyme, garlic, basil, parsley, and a little diced orange. Then, as it rests, the flavors deepen beautifully.
- Olives: I love using both green and black olives for contrast-firm, briny greens alongside softer, buttery blacks make every bite interesting.
- Greek Feta Block: A firm block of feta softens perfectly in the oven while holding its shape, and a drizzle of olive oil with pepper, thyme, and chili flakes gives it a golden top.
- To Serve: Toasted ciabatta or warm pita is perfect for scooping up the creamy feta and marinated olives.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Baked Feta
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Make the Herb and Citrus Marinade: In a bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, fennel seeds, thyme, paprika, parsley, basil, orange slices, and crushed garlic.
2. Marinate the Olives: Add the pitted green and black olives to the marinade, mix well, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Bake the Feta: Place the feta in a parchment-lined oven-safe dish, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with black pepper, chili flakes, and thyme. Bake at 200°C (392°F) or 180°C (356°F fan) for 15-20 minutes until golden and soft.
4. Assemble and Serve: Transfer the baked feta to a serving platter, surround it with the marinated olives (brought to room temp), and serve.
🍽 What to Serve with Baked Feta
I love serving this baked feta with toasted ciabatta or warm pita so the bread can hold the creamy cheese and juicy olives. A simple tomato salad or a cold lemon drink makes the whole spread feel fresh and complete.
💭My Tips for Recipe Success
Cool Olives, Warm Feta: Keeping the olives cool and the feta warm creates the best contrast; don't heat the olives unless you want a deeper, roasted flavor.
Storage: Store leftovers fully covered in extra virgin olive oil. As they rest overnight, the flavors strengthen, and then it's perfect on toast or tossed into pasta the next day.
🍛Try These Mediterranean Appetizer Recipes Next!
Recipe
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 - Chopped
- 6 Basil Leaves - Chopped
- 1 Orange Slice
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 200 g Pitted Green Olives - Drained
- 200 g Pitted Black Olives - Drained
For Baked Feta Cheese:
- 200 g Feta Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper - Freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon Chili Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- Slices of Toasted Ciabatta
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, crushed fennel seeds, thyme, and paprika. Stir in the chopped parsley and basil. Dice the orange slice into small pieces and add it to the bowl. Crush the garlic cloves in a mortar, then blend them into the marinade until everything is well combined.
- Add the green and black olives and toss until well coated. Refrigerate the olive mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Place the feta on a parchment-lined oven-safe dish. Drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkle over the black pepper, chili flakes, and thyme. Bake in a preheated oven at 392°F (200°C) or 356°F (180°C fan) for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is soft and lightly golden on top.
- Transfer the baked feta to a serving platter. Bring the olives to room temperature and arrange around the feta.
- Serve with toasted ciabatta slices 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!