Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Baked Feta Recipe
  • How To Make Baked Feta
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Baked Feta
  • More Creamy Appetizer Recipes
  • Recommended Tools
  • Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!)

Baked feta with tomatoes is an unexpectedly healthy appetizer that pairs creamy cheese with juicy cherry tomatoes to create a soft, savory spread. The concept was made popular by Tiktokers, and it sounded so good I decided to create my own take on it! This baked feta recipe tastes similar to the sauce in baked feta pasta, along with other veggies and classic seasonings you can find in other Mediterranean dishes (like Greek salad)… and it’s done in just half an hour.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Feta Recipe

  • Tangy, creamy feta cheese
  • Tender Mediterranean veggies
  • Common, simple ingredients
  • Less than 10 minute prep
  • Naturally gluten-free and low in carbohydrates
  • Delicious flavors of Greece in every bite!
Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for baked feta recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Feta Cheese – You will need an 8 ounce block of feta cheese for this recipe. Crumbled feta can work but won’t have the same elegant presentation.
  • Cherry Tomatoes –These make the most delicious juices out of the oven for dipping, but you can also use grape tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes would be another great substitute if you’re not a fan of fresh ones.
  • Bell Peppers – I used a red and yellow ones, sliced into thick strips. You can use any color you prefer.
  • Kalamata Olives– I used pitted kalamata olives, but you can use regular black olives as well.
  • Olive Oil – Technically any oil would work, but I highly recommend extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.
  • Garlic– Use fresh peeled and crushed garlic for the best flavors. I don’t recommend minced garlic here, because it’s more likely to burn.
  • Seasoning – Season the dish with chopped fresh basil leaves, dried oregano, sea salt and black pepper. You could use other fresh herbs such as fresh thyme in place of the basil, or use Italian seasoning instead of oregano.
Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (4)

VARIATION: Add a spicy kick.

If you want a little heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes in with the other seasonings.

How To Make Baked Feta

This section shows how to make the best baked feta with tomatoes, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Season the vegetables. Place tomatoes, bell peppers, olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, salt and pepper in a9×13 baking dish. Toss vegetables to coat in oil and spices.
  2. Add the feta. Make a space in the middle and place the block of feta cheese in the center.
  3. Bake. Cook feta with vegetables in a preheated oven until softened.
  4. Brown. Increase heat and continue cooking until the Greek feta is lightly browned on top. Garnish with more basil if desired.
Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (5)
Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (6)

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Transfer baked feta with tomatoes and olives to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Meal prep: You can chop the vegetables ahead of time and store separately in the fridge until ready to assemble.
  • Reheat: Warm up leftovers in a baking dish at 350 degrees F in the oven, for about 10 minutes or until hot.
  • Freeze: Avoid freezing baked feta cheese recipes, since the flavor and texture of the cheese will change.
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What To Serve With Baked Feta

This dish is flavorful and aromatic. Use it as an appetizer, or add more flavor to other meals!

  • Bread & Chips – Sliced baguettes or pita chips would be classic options for serving this recipe, or try lighter options like cloud bread or zucchini chips.
  • Leafy Greens – Make it into a salad! A bed of leafy greens such as kale, arugula, or spinach creates a nice light contrast to the mild creaminess of the cheese.
  • Cooked Grains & Noodles – Try this feta on top of cooked grains like quinoa (or my Mediterranean quinoa salad), orzo, rice (or cauliflower rice), and pasta (or zucchini noodles!). Top with a squeeze of lemon juice for bright flavor.
  • Mediterranean Mains – Baked feta with cherry tomatoes goes well alongside main courses like Greek stuffed tomatoes, shrimp saganaki, or juicy baked lamb chops for a complete meal.
  • Soup – This app pairs well with the comforting warmth of sausage kale soup or enjoy it with a rich tomato soup.
  • Garnishes – This dish doesn’t require adding anything, but if you like, you can garnish with fresh basil leaves on top, or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
  • Brunch – When you’re in the mood for a bit of breakfast and a bit of lunch, serve this appetizer before a main course of shakshuka.

More Creamy Appetizer Recipes

Cheese can transform into so many incredible dips! Try these flavorful ideas next.

  • Baking Dish– A 9×13 baking dish like this one gives plenty of room for the veggies and the feta cheese.

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Recipe Card

Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!) - Wholesome Yum (13)

5 from 9 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Baked Feta Recipe (So Easy!)

This warm, creamy baked feta recipe with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, and garlic is the perfect easy appetizer. Ready in 30 minutes!

Prep: 7 minutes

Cook: 23 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 6 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).

  2. Place the tomatoes, bell peppers, olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, salt and pepper in a 9×13 baking dish. Toss the vegetables to coat in oil and spices.

  3. Make a space in the middle and place the feta in the center.

  4. Bake feta with vegetables for 20 minutes.

  5. Increase the heat to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Bake for 3 more minutes, until the feta is lightly browned on top.

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Related Easy Recipes

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  • Baked Tilapia Recipe

  • Baked Chicken Caprese Recipe

  • Pesto Salmon

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/6 entire recipe

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories223

Fat19.1g

Protein6.7g

Total Carbs8.2g

Net Carbs6.4g

Fiber1.8g

Sugar2.5g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Keywords:baked feta, baked feta recipe, baked feta with tomatoes

Calories: 223 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

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FAQs

Why is my feta not melting in the oven? ›

In the case of feta cheese, it has a very high moisture content and slightly low fat content which mean it has a lower melting point, but its high acidity results in it have very high amounts of bonded calcium which takes longer time and higher temperatures to melt.

Which feta is good for baking? ›

Athenos Feta Chunk

The dryness makes it easy to cut and prep for cooking, so it's the best feta cheese to use in recipes like baked feta or feta skewers with fruits or vegetables or cubed into pasta salads. Definitely finish whatever you make off with a drizzle of olive oil, though, to add some moisture.

Can I eat baked feta? ›

Is it ok to cook feta cheese? One of the most frequently asked questions is whether you can actually heat feta cheese. And the answer is YES! Quality feta can be fried and drizzled with warmed honey, or baked in a high-heated oven until tender and perfectly creamy, like in today's appetizer.

How do you enjoy feta cheese? ›

Crumbled. One of the easiest and more popular ways to incorporate Feta to a dish is to crumble it. Feta Crumbles are so versatile that you can use them to garnish pasta, watermelon, grapes, nuts, chickpeas, potatoes, salads, pizza, or eggs. It's the perfect tangy touch to elevate any dish.

Does feta melt when baked? ›

Feta cheese doesn't melt in the oven – that's why it's so great for baking. But, it does still go beautifully gooey in the middle, and gets lovely crispy bits around the edges. Just keep mixing until everything's nice and smooth.

Does feta cheese melt when cooked? ›

Texture: Since the curd is just lightly pressed together, Feta is very crumbly, and works beautifully as a topping to other dishes. When you put it in your mouth, however, high quality Feta will become quite creamy, not grainy. Cooking: Feta melts well, turning soft, not gooey, and maintains its flavor when heated.

What is the difference between feta and Greek feta? ›

French Feta is made with Lacaune sheep's milk (if you remember, that's the sheep breed used for Roquefort production). It has a softer and creamier texture that Greek Feta and a milder, less tangy flavor (though it's sharper than Israeli Feta).

Is feta the healthiest cheese? ›

When it comes to cheese, feta is a healthy choice. Not only is it packed with protein and fat – both essential nutrients for helping you to feel full and energised – it's also good for your gut. Probiotic yeasts in feta may lower the PH in your stomach, which is key for a healthy gut.

What meat goes best with feta cheese? ›

Feta cheese pairs exceptionally well with lamb, chicken, and pork. The tangy flavor of feta complements the richness of these meats, creating a delicious combination.

Is it OK to eat feta cheese everyday? ›

Feta is easier to digest and much less allergenic and inflammatory than cheeses from cow's milk, which is encouraging to those of you who may be sensitive to dairy products. However, it's important to also remember that feta cheese, high in sodium and saturated fat, should be used sparingly, not every day.

Is it safe to cut mold off feta cheese? ›

With white, fuzzy mold, tinged with green, the flavor effect is minimal and the mold can be safely cut away without incident. Black or gray mold is less desirable, and you should cut away more of it to remove any cheese that might be impacted.

Can I cut mold off feta? ›

If your feta is nearing its best-by date and you're not sure whether you should eat it, look for the following indicators. Mold: If you see any spots of greenish mold on the cheese, throw the whole block out.

Why is feta cheese so addictive? ›

Dairy products such as cheese and milk include a protein called casein. Peptides with opioid characteristics called casomorphins are released by casein during the digestion of cheese. Sensation of reward and pleasure can be elicited by casomorphins binding to opioid receptors in the brain.

How do Greek people eat feta? ›

Often a slab of feta served with a little olive oil and some oregano is the first food brought to the Greek table at meal time. In fact, for the Greeks, cheese has a place at almost any meal and at any time of day.

What are the pros and cons of feta cheese? ›

While feta cheese provides you with an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and protein, it also contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. Feta is lower in fat than many other cheeses, however, and is considered a reasonable option to eat in moderation.

Why does my cheese not melt in the oven? ›

Why won't my cheese melt? There are many reasons, but the biggest is the moisture content. The moisture content of the cheese has a great effect on the melting process. Cheese that contains higher amounts of fat will melt better than one that doesn't.

How do you get feta to melt? ›

Add a small amount of preferably full milk to your jar and drop in your feta. You can use skim or 2% if you prefer. Now turn your stove on to medium heat and allow water to boil. As it heats up, stir it constantly.

Why does my cheese go hard in the oven? ›

Thing is, once cheese is heated too far beyond its melting point, the proteins firm up and squeeze out moisture—the same way protein does in meat. When this occurs you're left with rubbery, clumpy bits of cheese protein that separate from the fat and moisture.

Why is my feta cheese mushy? ›

When your Feta melts in it's brine during storage, it is often due to either the brine having a lower calcium level, which causes the calcium to leech out of the cheese and change the structure or the pH level of the cheese is too high which means you basically don't have enough acidity and again, calcium leeches and ...

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