This Baked Feta with Dates, Pistachios and Honey is one of my favourite easy holiday appetizers!
Creamy feta is bake with sweet dates and salty pistachios for the most divine appetizer bite.
Add a drizzle of honey and pinch of chili flakes to finish off the flavours.
I love to bake feta as a meal or as an appetizer; it’s so versatile! So, I knew I needed to create a delicious baked feta appetizer for the Fall and Winter season.
By baking feta with dates, pistachios, honey and bit of olive oil you get a luscious, creamy spread that’s sure to delight! This simple appetizer is perfect for sharing during the holiday season.
Why you’ll love this baked feta appetizer
- You only need 6 key ingredients to make this easy baked feta appetizer
- It’s easy to add in more blocks of feta cheese to make this for more people
- This only takes 5 minutes to prep and under 20 minutes to bake
Ingredients needed for this delicious recipe
Feta cheese: you’ll need one block of feta cheese, be sure to buy a Greek feta block instead of crumbled feta.
Dates: dried medjool dates bring a beautiful sweetness to this recipe and pair lovely with the salty feta cheese
Pistachios: salted pistachios work best for this recipe
Chili flakes: red pepper flakes add a nice flavour balance with the crunchy pistachios and sweet dates
Olive oil: you need 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil to make this baked feta and dates appetizer
Honey: liquid honey works best to drizzle over the feta before baking
Fresh thyme: I love to add a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves to finish off this appetizer, if you don’t like fresh thyme you can try a sprinkle of minced fresh rosemary instead
how to make baked feta with dates
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F.
Step 2: Line a small baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 3: Add the block of feta to the center of the baking dish on the parchment paper.
Step 4: Drizzle the olive oil over the feta cheese. Sprinkle the chopped dates and pistachios over and around the feta cheese. Add a small or big pinch of chili flakes (depending on your tastes). Then drizzle the honey over top of the whole dish – the feta and everything else in the baking dish.
Step 5: Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the feta is softened. Serve with crostini, pita chips or your favourite crackers. To serve, you can keep everything in the baking dish you baked it in and let it cool a bit before serving OR transfer the feta as the centrepiece to a serving dish.
expert tips
- To serve, you can keep everything in the baking dish you baked it in and let it cool a bit before serving OR transfer the feta as the centrepiece to a serving dish or serving platter.
- If you don’t have salted pistachios, make sure to add a pinch of salt to the baked feta.
- Serve this easy appetizer as the centrepiece if a cheese board for the holidays!
common questions
How do I make crostini to serve with this recipe?
Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick baguette slices. Brush the sliced baguette with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted. Set aside.
What type of dish should I bake this appetizer in?
I used an oven-safe enamel pan but you could use any type of oven-safe dish. A larger cast iron pan would make a lovely presentation for serving guests too (just make sure to let the pan cool a bit before serving).
Can I reheat the leftovers?
This baked feta is most delicious on the dates it’s made, however, you could also reheat at 325F in the oven until just softened again.
How can I make this feta dip for more people?
To make this recipe for more people, add a second block of feta cheese and double the rest of the ingredients to serve 6-8 people. Make sure to use a larger baking dish too.
storage
Baked feta is most delicious on the day it’s made; however, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
more holiday appetizers to love from the blog
Easy Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie (holiday appetizer)
Quick Whipped Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey Appetizer
Easy Herb & Walnut Mini Cheese Balls Appetizer
Baked Feta Appetizer with Dates, Pistachios & Honey
Ingredients
- 1 150-200g block feta cheese (about 6-8oz) double the feta cheese to serve more people
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup packed chopped dates
- 1/4 cup chopped salted pistachios
- 3 tbsp liquid honey
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- fresh thyme for garnish
- For serving: crostini, baguette, pita chips or crackers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Line a small baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add the block of feta to the center of the baking dish on the parchment paper.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the feta cheese. Sprinkle the chopped dates and pistachios over and around the feta cheese. Add chili flakes and then drizzle the honey over the feta and everything else in the baking dish.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the feta is softened. Top with fresh thyme leaves and serve with crostini, baguette, pita chips or crackersTo serve, you can keep everything in the baking dish you baked it in and let it cool a bit before serving OR transfer the feta as the centrepiece to a serving dish.
Notes
- Make crostini to serve with this appetizer: Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the sliced baguette with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted. Set aside.
- Make this recipe for more people: Add a second block of feta cheese and double the rest of the ingredients to serve 6-8 people. Make sure to use a larger baking dish too.
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