Easy Baked Feta Appetizer with Tomatoes and Peppers

5 from 3 votes

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired

Keyword: baked feta, baked feta appetizer, easy appetizer

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Calories: 322kcal

Author: Jess

This Easy Baked Feta Appetizer is a delicious and elegant appetizer that comes together in just 30 minutes! Perfect to enjoy at any gathering

1 150-200g block feta cheese (about 6-8oz) double the feta cheese to serve more people
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, sliced ¼-½ inch
1/2 large red onion cut into ½ inch wedges
1 pint pint cherry tomatoes
1 lemon, sliced in half
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp chili flakes
salt and pepper to taste
Sprigs fresh oregano, thyme and/or fresh basil to garnish
For serving: toasted bread, baguette, pita chips or crackers

1x 150-200g block feta cheese (about 6-8oz) double the feta cheese to serve more people
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 lemon, zested and then sliced in half
3 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp chili flakes
pinch salt and pepper
2 tbsp minced fresh herbs (mix of fresh basil, oregano and/or parsley)
garnish with fresh basil, oregano and parsley

Preheat oven to 400F.
To an oven-proof baking dish add the creamy feta cheese in the center of the dish and surround with thinly sliced garlic cloves, bell pepper slices, red onion wedges and tomatoes.
In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together juice from half of the lemon, olive oil, dried oregano, chili flakes and pinch of salt and pepper.
Pour the olive oil mixture over the feta, peppers, onions and tomatoes and use a spoon to gently toss with the vegetables. Flip the feta back/forth in the olive oil mixture too.
Slice the other half of the lemon into wedges and add to the baking dish as well.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the feta has softened and tomatoes are starting to burst.
Serve with toasted bread, baguette, crackers or homemade pita chips .
Serving notes: When serving this appetizer I like to leave the feta as the centrepiece with the vegetables around; then, people can take as much or as little to spread on their bread or crackers and then top with the vegetables. You can keep everything in the pan you baked it in and let it cool a bit before serving OR transfer the feta as the centrepiece to a serving dish, pour over all the juices and vegetables from the baking dish then serve.

Preheat the oven to 400F.
To a small oven-proof baking dish add the creamy feta cheese in the center of the dish. Drizzle half of the olive oil over the feta. Sprinkle all the spices over top of the feta and into the baking dish.
Surround the feta with thinly sliced garlic cloves and sprinkle over the fresh herbs. Zest the lemon over top of the feta cheese. Drizzle the rest of the olive oil over the feta and other ingredients in the pan.
Bake for 22-30 minutes or until the feta has softened.
Squeeze over juice from half or full lemon (depending on your tastes) and serve with toasted bread, baguette, crackers or homemade pita chips .

You can also serve this appetizer as a main dish: when the feta is finished baking, stir the feta and vegetables together to create a sauce and then mix in cooked pasta or gnocchi.
While this appetizer is most delicious on the day it's made, it can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. You could warm it up the next day on medium-low in a pan and add some pasta; use it as a spread on a sandwich or in a wrap; add the leftovers to a salad; or, reheat gently in a microwave or pan and then enjoy with bread again!

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