If you’re like me and adore bold flavors with a hint of sweetness and spice, then you’re in for a treat with this Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe. It’s one of those easy-to-make crowd-pleasers that taste way more complicated than they really are. Whether you’re hosting friends or just craving a seriously delicious snack, this combo of creamy, tangy feta with warm, fragrant olives will quickly become your go-to.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Elegance: It looks and tastes fancy but comes together in about 35 minutes with minimal hands-on time.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of savory herbs, sweet honey, and tangy feta keeps your taste buds dancing.
- Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or even a light lunch paired with your favorite bread or crackers.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the whipped feta in advance and reheat the olives quickly for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe really shines because its ingredients balance richness and brightness perfectly. Plus, most of what you’ll use are pantry staples or easy-to-find fresh herbs.
- Mixed olives: I like using a combination of green and black olives, pitted for easy eating and variety in flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Using a good quality one really elevates the roasted olives and helps carry the herbs’ aromas.
- Garlic cloves: Smashed, not chopped, so they roast beautifully and infuse the oil with mellow sweetness.
- Shallot: Adds a subtle onion sweetness without overpowering the olives.
- Lemon: Roasting the lemon quarters softens the acidity and adds lovely zesty warmth.
- Fresh thyme and oregano: If you can find these fresh herbs, use them! They bring that garden-fresh punch that dried just can’t match.
- Chili flakes: Just a pinch adds that gentle heat that pairs so well with creamy feta and olives.
- Crumbled feta cheese: For the whipped feta, use good-quality feta—don’t skimp here!
- Cream cheese: Adds the silkiness that helps the feta whip up light and fluffy.
- Honey: Balances the saltiness and sharpness with a touch of sweetness.
- Black pepper: Freshly cracked adds a final seasoning layer that pulls it all together.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe, and I encourage you to play around too. Tweak the herbs, switch up the olives, or add a personal touch that makes it your own.
- Spice it up: When I’m in the mood for a little more heat, I sprinkle in some smoked paprika along with chili flakes for a smoky kick that my family adores.
- Herb swap: Sometimes I swap oregano for rosemary or add fresh basil during summer months—fresh herbs make all the difference.
- Dairy-free twist: For a dairy-free version, try blending the feta with silken tofu for creaminess and use vegan cream cheese.
- Nutty addition: Toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts sprinkled on top offer an irresistible crunch and extra depth.
How to Make Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe
Step 1: Roast the olives with garlic and herbs
Start by preheating your oven to 450° F—this high heat is key for getting the olives and garlic beautifully roasted without drying them out. Toss the pitted mixed olives in a baking dish with extra virgin olive oil, smashed garlic cloves, quartered shallot, lemon wedges, fresh thyme, and oregano sprigs. Don’t forget a generous pinch of chili flakes here; it adds just the right amount of warming spice. Roast for about 20-25 minutes or until the garlic turns golden and the olive oil bubbles up around everything. You’ll know they’re done when the kitchen smells insanely good and the olives are warm and tender.
Step 2: Whip the feta to creamy perfection
While the olives roast, pop the crumbled feta, room-temperature cream cheese, honey, and a pinch of black pepper into your food processor. Pulse the mixture until it’s silky smooth and fluffy. This whipped feta is such a treat because it’s creamy but still tangy, with that subtle sweetness from honey that balances everything out. You can prepare this part up to 3 days in advance and keep it chilled, which is a game-changer for stress-free hosting.
Step 3: Assemble and serve
Spoon the whipped feta into a pretty serving bowl and then top generously with the warm garlic herb roasted olives. The contrast of the cold creamy feta and the warm, fragrant olives makes every bite a delightful experience. Serve with crusty bread, pita chips, or your favorite crackers. I promise, everyone will be reaching for seconds!
Pro Tips for Making Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I learned that letting the cream cheese come to room temp ensures a much smoother, fluffier whipped feta—don’t skip this step!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Dish: Give those olives some breathing room to roast evenly and get that wonderful sizzle in the olive oil.
- Taste as You Go: Adjust honey or chili flakes according to your preference—the balance of sweet and spicy is what makes this recipe sing.
- Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: Fresh thyme and oregano really bring an aromatic freshness that dried just can’t match.
How to Serve Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe
Garnishes
I like topping mine with a bit of extra drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that irresistible sweet-salty contrast. Sometimes, a few fresh herb leaves like oregano or thyme scattered on top add a touch of color and aroma that really elevates the dish.
Side Dishes
This Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe pairs perfectly with a simple green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or alongside warm pita bread. For a heartier option, I enjoy serving it with grilled veggies or alongside roasted chicken for a lovely Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served the whipped feta in a hollowed-out bread boule (hello, edible serving bowl!) surrounded by a platter of roasted olives, nuts, and sliced charcuterie. It makes such a stunning centerpiece that invites guests to dig in. Alternatively, layering the whipped feta and olives in individual ramekins makes for charming, easy-to-grab party servings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover whipped feta covered tightly in an airtight container in the fridge, and it stays fresh for up to 3 days. The roasted olives can be stored in their oil in a jar and gently reheated before serving again—just don’t overheat or the olives lose their texture.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t my favorite for this recipe because whipped feta can lose some of its creamy texture, and olives turn a bit mushy. But if you do freeze, separate the whipped feta and olives in airtight containers and thaw slowly in the fridge overnight before gentle reheating.
Reheating
When reheating the olives, I do it gently on the stovetop or in the oven at low heat, just enough to warm through without drying them out. The whipped feta should be served cold or at room temperature to maintain its fluffy texture.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of cheese for the whipped feta?
Feta has a unique tangy flavor and crumbly texture that’s essential to this recipe, but if needed, goat cheese mixed with cream cheese can work as a substitute—just expect a milder taste and softer texture.
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What’s the best bread to serve with this recipe?
I recommend crusty baguette slices, warm pita bread, or crisp crackers that can scoop up the creamy feta and juicy olives without falling apart.
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Can I prepare this recipe completely ahead of time?
You can whip the feta up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Roast the olives a few hours before serving and gently reheat them to preserve their texture and flavor.
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How spicy is this recipe?
It has a gentle heat from the chili flakes that complements the olives and feta rather than overpowering them, but you can easily control the spice level by adding more or less chili flakes.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss—it’s perfect when you want to impress without stress. The combination of creamy, tangy, sweet, and herbaceous notes keeps everyone coming back for more. Next time you’re planning a gathering, this recipe deserves a spot on your appetizer table—I promise you’ll get rave reviews and requests for seconds!
Print
Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
This Honey Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives is a beautifully flavorful appetizer combining creamy, sweet whipped feta with warm, aromatic roasted olives enhanced by garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of chili flakes. Perfect for effortless entertaining, it’s great served with bread or crackers.
Ingredients
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, a big pinch
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
- Preheat and Roast Olives: Preheat your oven to 450°F. In a baking dish, combine the mixed olives, extra virgin olive oil, smashed garlic cloves, quartered shallot, quartered lemon, fresh thyme sprigs, fresh oregano sprigs, and a generous pinch of chili flakes. Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the garlic is golden and the oil starts sizzling, infusing the olives with rich flavor.
- Prepare Honey Whipped Feta: While the olives roast, place the crumbled feta cheese, room temperature cream cheese, honey, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This whipped feta can be refrigerated and stored for up to three days.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the whipped feta into a serving bowl and top immediately with the warm roasted olives. Serve alongside crusty bread or crackers for dipping and enjoying this delicious appetizer.
Notes
- This appetizer is both simple and impressive, perfect for stress-free entertaining.
- Use a mixture of olives to add depth and variety to the flavor.
- The whipped feta can be made in advance to save time before serving.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes depending on your preferred spice level.
- Serve with your favorite crackers or fresh bread to scoop up the olives and spread the whipped feta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 255 kcal
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
