Mediterranean Baked Feta Dip
This Mediterranean Baked Feta Dip is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer featuring roasted cherry tomatoes, olives, and creamy baked feta cheese. Perfect for parties or a quick snack, it combines fresh Mediterranean flavors with minimal prep and cooking time.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 oz cherry tomatoes
- ½ red bell pepper sliced
- ½ small red onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 oz black olives pitted and halved
- 1 tablespoon capers
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 8 ounce feta cheese block
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves packed, for serving
- Pita chips for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium-sized baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes, sliced red bell pepper, diced red onion, minced garlic, black olives, and capers.
- Sprinkle the salt, ground black pepper, and chili flakes over the vegetables. Pour the extra virgin olive oil evenly on top. Gently toss everything together in the dish to combine the flavors and coat the vegetables with the oil and spices.
- Place the block of feta cheese right in the center of the baking dish, nestled among the vegetables. Do not crumble the feta—baking it whole keeps it creamy and perfect for dipping.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. The cherry tomatoes will burst and soften, the vegetables will caramelize slightly, and the feta will become warm and creamy.
- Once baked, remove the dish from the oven. Use a fork to break up the feta and stir everything gently to combine the melted cheese with the roasted vegetables. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top for a bright, herbaceous finish.Serve immediately with plenty of pita chips for dipping. Enjoy the warm, flavorful dip straight from the oven!
Equipment
- Medium Baking Dish
- Oven
Notes
Use a high-quality block of feta cheese for the best texture and flavor. Don’t skip preheating the oven; it ensures even roasting of the vegetables and cheese. If you like extra heat, add more chili flakes or a drizzle of harissa after baking. For easier serving, let the dip cool slightly before transferring to a serving bowl. Make sure the baking dish is oven-safe and large enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably.
Variations include adding zucchini or eggplant, swapping olives for kalamata, adding fresh oregano or thyme, using a vegan cheese substitute, or including smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for more spice.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving and stir in a little extra olive oil or water if needed.