Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe
This Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives recipe combines creamy, sweet, and savory flavors in a delightful appetizer. Roasted mixed olives infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and chili flakes are paired with smooth whipped feta sweetened with honey and balanced with black pepper. Perfect for serving with bread or crackers, this dish offers a unique and elegant Mediterranean-inspired starter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Olives
- 2 cups mixed olives, pitted
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 shallot, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh oregano
- Chili flakes, to taste
Honey Whipped Feta
- 1 cup (8 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
- 3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2–3 tablespoons honey
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and roast olives: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). In a baking dish, combine the pitted mixed olives, extra virgin olive oil, smashed garlic cloves, quartered shallot, lemon quarters, fresh thyme and oregano sprigs, and a generous pinch of chili flakes. Roast the mixture in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the garlic is golden and the olive oil is sizzling to infuse all the flavors.
- Make the honey whipped feta: While the olives roast, combine the crumbled feta cheese, room temperature cream cheese, honey, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy. Transfer the whipped feta to a serving bowl; it can be refrigerated for up to 3 days if not serving immediately.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon the warm roasted olives on top of the honey whipped feta in the serving bowl. Serve immediately with your choice of bread or crackers to enjoy this flavorful appetizer.
Notes
- Use a mix of olives for more complex flavor – green, black, Kalamata, or Castelvetrano work well.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes to control the heat according to your preference.
- The whipped feta can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Serve with toasted baguette slices, pita chips, or crackers for a perfect pairing.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier blending.
- For a dairy-free version, consider substituting feta with a vegan alternative and omitting the cream cheese, though texture and flavor will differ.
Keywords: honey whipped feta, garlic herb roasted olives, Mediterranean appetizer, roasted olives recipe, whipped feta dip, easy appetizer, herb roasted olives
