Easy Baked Feta with Balsamic Figs & Grapes Appetizer
Make this Easy Baked Feta with Balsamic Figs & Grapes Appetizer for your next Fall or Winter gathering!
Juicy, fresh figs and grapes are roasted with creamy feta, honey and balsamic for the most divine appetizer bite.
Top with fresh thyme leaves and serve with crostini or crusty bread for the most warm and cozy bite of the season.
Baked feta is so versatile as an appetizer or a meal. Because of it’s neutral flavours, you can pair it with the flavours of the season, like figs and grapes, for a beautiful appetizer. This baked feta with figs is the perfect Fall or holiday appetizer!
Why you’ll love this baked feta with figs appetizer
- It’s so easy to make!
- You only need a handful of fresh and pantry ingredients.
- Easy to double for a larger crowd.
Ingredients needed
Feta cheese: you’ll need one block of feta cheese, be sure to buy a Greek feta block instead of crumbled feta.
Figs: make sure to use fresh, ripe figs that will bake down nicely into jammy figs
Grapes: roasted grapes add a nice pop of flavour to this appetizer recipe
Honey: make sure to use liquid honey as it mixes best with the balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinegar: the balsamic vinegar flavour pairs well with the honey
Walnuts: crunchy walnuts add a nice bite
Seasonings: orange zest, chili flakes, a pinch of salt and fresh thyme leaves are the perfect accompaniments to the baked feta with figs
How to make baked feta with figs
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F.
Step 2: Line a small baking dish with parchment paper. Add the block of feta to the center of the baking dish on the parchment paper.
Step 3: In a small bowl whisk together the honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, chili flakes and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Step 4: Place the sliced figs and grapes around the block of feta cheese. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top of everything in the pan. Drizzle the honey-balsamic mixture over everything in the pan (feta cheese, figs and grapes) and gently toss around the feta to ensure figs and grapes are coated.
Step 5: Bake for 24-28 minutes or until the feta is quite soft, the grapes are starting to burst and the figs are starting to soften and get jammy.
Step 6: Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve with crostini, baguette, pita chips or crackers. To serve, you can keep everything in the baking dish you baked it in and let it cool a bit before serving.
Expert tips
- Make crostini to serve with this baked feta appetizer: Preheat the oven to 400°F. 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.
- Serve this easy appetizer as the centrepiece if a cheese board for the holidays! Simply let it cool for 5-10 minutes and then transfer the feta to the center of a cheeseboard. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the cooked figs, grapes and walnuts in and around the feta. Then, drizzle with some of the sauce from the pan (but not too much so it goes all over your cheeseboard!)
- You can substitute the walnuts for pistachios if desired.
Common questions
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).
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.
How to store and reheat this baked feta with figs
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. Gently reheat leftovers by placing in a baking dish and warming at 325F until the feta is soft and creamy again.
More seasonal recipes to make from the blog
Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans
Baked Feta Appetizer with Dates, Pistachios & Honey
Quick and Easy Maple Pecan Baked Brie Appetizer
Easy Baked Feta with Balsamic Figs & Grapes Appetizer
Ingredients
- 150-200 grams (about 6-8oz) block of feta cheese
- 6 ripe fresh figs, ends trimmed and sliced
- 1/2 cup seedless red grapes
- 3 tbsp liquid honey plus more for drizzling
- 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes or red pepper flakes
- pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.
- Add in the garlic and onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they start to brown.
- Add in your frozen peas, salt and pepper and stir occasionally, for about 1 minute.
- Next, pour in the vegetable broth and turn the heat up to high for about 5 minutes until it comes to a boil.
- Remove the pot from the oven and let sit 5-10 minutes to cool slightly.
- Then, blend the soup in the pot using an immersion blender or in batches using a stand blender.
- Once the soup is blended, heat on medium-low in the pot for about 5 minutes, taste and add additional salt and pepper to your liking.
- Serve with a drizzle of greek yogurt, your favourite crackers or grilled cheese!
Notes
- Chicken tacos: serve chicken with grilled tortillas, avocados, salsa, fresh cilantro, cabbage coleslaw mix and cilantro.
- Chicken bowls: serve with rice, pickled onions and cilantro.
- Serve with grilled veggies and your favourite grain.
- Chicken burrito bowls: serve with brown rice, black beans, chopped romaine lettuce, corn, avocado and shredded cheese.
- Make these barbecue chicken nachos with this chili lime chicken for an extra boost of flavour!
