Description
A creamy, tangy whipped feta dip paired with warm, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes and a fresh basil oil drizzle. Perfect as an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) block feta cheese
- 2 to 3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) heavy cream or full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 pint (about 300 grams) cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil, divided
- ½ cup (10 grams) fresh basil leaves
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Crusty bread or pita chips for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Roast the tomatoes in the oven for about 15 minutes until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
- While the tomatoes roast, prepare the basil oil by gently warming 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small saucepan or skillet over low heat.
- Add the minced garlic and fresh basil leaves to the oil and warm for 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the block feta cheese and heavy cream or Greek yogurt.
- Whip until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste, then pulse briefly to combine.
- Transfer the whipped feta to a serving bowl, top with the warm roasted cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle the basil oil over the top and finish with a little extra olive oil if desired.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread or pita chips.
Notes
Use block feta rather than crumbled for better whipping. You can substitute cherry tomatoes with grape or heirloom tomatoes for variety. For a dairy-free version, try a plant-based cheese alternative but note the texture will differ. Adjust salt carefully as feta is naturally salty.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the rec
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: whipped feta dip, roasted cherry tomatoes, basil oil, easy appetizer, creamy dip, Mediterranean dip