Simple Baked Feta With Olives & Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe

Baked feta upgrades ordinary cheese into a Mediterranean marvel that bursts with intense, vibrant flavors.

Mediterranean cuisine celebrates bold ingredients and simple cooking techniques that elevate humble elements into extraordinary dishes.

Creamy, tangy cheese becomes the star when roasted with aromatic herbs and rich accompaniments.

Mediterranean pantry staples combine to create a sensational appetizer that feels both rustic and elegant.

Robust olive oil caresses the cheese, allowing its texture to soften and its flavors to intensify during baking.

Fragrant herbs and colorful ingredients turn this recipe into a stunning centerpiece that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

You’ll want to serve this irresistible dish immediately, gathering friends around for a shared culinary experience.

Why Everyone’s Loving Baked Feta with Olives

• Burst with Mediterranean Flavors: This recipe delivers a delightful explosion of tangy feta, briny olives, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes that transport your taste buds straight to the sunny Mediterranean coast.
• Super Quick Gourmet Appetizer: Requiring only 25 minutes from start to finish, this dish transforms simple ingredients into an impressive, restaurant-quality starter that looks and tastes like you've spent hours preparing.
• Effortless Crowd-Pleasing Technique: Baking creates a wonderfully soft, creamy feta with a golden crispy top, while the roasted garlic and herbs infuse deep, rich flavors that make everyone at the table want seconds.
• Versatile Serving Style: Perfect for casual gatherings, wine nights, or as an elegant starter that pairs beautifully with crusty bread, allowing guests to scoop up the warm, herb-infused cheese and colorful ingredients.

Baked Feta and Olives: The Essential Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Feta: Creamy Greek cheese with tangy flavor, best when full-fat and block style.

• Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Mediterranean ingredients that add rich, concentrated flavor and texture.

• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth base that helps blend flavors and create golden surface.
• Garlic: Adds sharp, aromatic depth to the overall dish.
• Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary: Classic Mediterranean herbs with earthy and fragrant notes.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall taste profile.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that provides bright color and clean, light taste.

• French Bread, Crostini: Crispy vehicles for scooping and enjoying the warm, melted feta.

Your How-To for Baked Feta with Olives

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Position The Feta

Grab a small baking dish and gently place the feta block right in the center.

Step 3: Create A Flavor Nest

• Salty olives
• Tangy sun-dried tomatoes

Step 4: Craft The Seasoning Blend

• Olive oil
• Sliced garlic
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 5: Drench With Flavor

Pour the aromatic oil mixture generously over the feta, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, making sure everything gets a delicious coating.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. For a gorgeous golden top, switch to broil for 1-2 minutes.

Step 7: Finish And Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top and serve piping hot. Grab some crusty French bread or crostini for dipping into this incredible Mediterranean treat.

Little Tricks for Better Baked Feta Every Time

• Cheese Quality Matters: Select a high-quality, creamy feta block from Greece or France for the most authentic and rich flavor.
• Oil Infusion Technique: Use extra virgin olive oil to enhance the herbs' aromatics and create a more luxurious sauce around the cheese.
• Perfect Herb Balance: Crush dried herbs between your fingers before adding to release their essential oils and maximize flavor intensity.
• Broiling Pro Tip: Watch the feta closely during the final broiling stage to prevent burning, aiming for a golden-brown top without scorching.
• Serving Temperature Hack: Let the baked feta rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven to allow flavors to meld and prevent burning your mouth.

Storing and Reheating Tips for Baked Feta

• Storing Leftovers: Carefully transfer any remaining baked feta to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the dish is completely cooled before sealing.
• Reheating Method: Warm the leftovers in a preheated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes. Gently reheat to maintain the original texture and prevent the feta from becoming too dry or rubbery.
• Serving Tip: Revive the dish's flavor by adding a fresh drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of chopped herbs before serving. Enjoy the baked feta with crusty bread or crackers for a delightful second meal.

Baked Feta Goes Great With These Flavors

• Pair with Bold Red Wines: Complement the rich, salty feta with a robust Mediterranean red wine like Greek Agiorgitiko or Spanish Tempranillo, which can stand up to the intense flavors.
• Match with Crisp Bread Selection: Serve alongside crusty artisan sourdough or rustic ciabatta to provide a perfect crunchy vehicle for scooping up the warm, melted feta and herbed olive oil.
• Create Greek-Inspired Mezze Platter: Expand the appetizer experience by adding hummus, tzatziki, dolmas, and marinated grilled vegetables to create a complete Mediterranean-style sharing plate that enhances the baked feta's vibrant profile.
• Recommend Fresh Herb Accompaniment: Scatter additional fresh oregano or thyme leaves on top to boost the herbal notes and provide a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the dish's Mediterranean essence.

Add Some Fun to Baked Feta with These Ideas

• Mediterranean Herb Adventure: Swap oregano, thyme, and rosemary with za'atar spice blend for a Middle Eastern flavor profile, adding a zesty and aromatic dimension to the classic recipe.
• Spicy Pepper Kick: Incorporate diced fresh jalapeños or red chili flakes into the olive oil mixture, creating a fiery version that adds bold heat and excitement to the baked feta.
• Roasted Vegetable Companion: Introduce chopped roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and caramelized onions around the feta, transforming the dish into a more substantial vegetable-packed appetizer with rich, complex flavors.
• Citrus Infusion: Grate fresh lemon or orange zest into the olive oil mixture and sprinkle some juice over the finished dish, bringing a bright, tangy element that cuts through the richness of the cheese and adds a refreshing Mediterranean touch.

Baked Feta With Olives & Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean magic meets simple elegance in this baked feta masterpiece. Creamy Greek cheese nestled with briny olives and tangy sun-dried tomatoes creates a luxurious appetizer you’ll savor with crusty bread and warm conversations.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) feta cheese
• 1 cup pitted olives, drained
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes

Herbs and Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
• Sliced French bread or crostini, for serving

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle.
2. Select a small ceramic or glass baking dish that will snugly accommodate the feta block.
3. Position the whole block of feta cheese centrally in the prepared baking dish.
4. Artfully scatter kalamata and green olives around the feta, creating a rustic Mediterranean arrangement.
5. Distribute sun-dried tomatoes evenly across the dish, filling any remaining spaces between olives and cheese.
6. Create a flavor-infused olive oil mixture by whisking together extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves, dried oregano, fresh thyme leaves, crushed rosemary, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.
7. Delicately drizzle the aromatic olive oil blend over the feta, ensuring complete coverage of the cheese and surrounding ingredients.
8. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to soften and ingredients to meld.
9. Switch oven to broil and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a golden, slightly crisp top without burning.
10. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley for a vibrant touch.
11. Serve piping hot alongside crusty French bread, rustic sourdough, or homemade crostini for an irresistible appetizer.

Notes

• Elevate your appetizer game with this Mediterranean-inspired baked feta that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, flavor-packed dish.
• Choose high-quality feta cheese with a creamy texture for the most delicious results, preferably a block rather than pre-crumbled cheese.
• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature before baking to help them blend and caramelize more evenly and develop deeper flavors.
• Adjust baking time carefully to prevent cheese from becoming rubbery; watch closely during the final broiling stage to achieve a perfect golden top.
• Pair this warm, tangy appetizer with crisp white wine or rosé to complement the rich, herbaceous flavors of the dish.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated, making it an excellent make-ahead option for entertaining.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 385 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg