Creamy Whipped Feta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Recipe Key
I love serving this Creamy Whipped Feta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes whenever friends come over because it’s simple to make and tastes amazing. The cool, creamy feta is topped with sweet, juicy roasted tomatoes, creating a delicious contrast of flavors and textures.
This Mediterranean appetizer is made with rich feta cheese and thick Greek yogurt processed until creamy then topped with roasted or grilled warm cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs. It’s simple enough for a casual gathering yet elegant enough for entertaining. Easy to make in 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes
- Rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Tangy whipped feta and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes taste amazing together.
- Easy to make. All you need is 30 minutes and and a handful of simple ingredients.
- Perfect for entertaining. It looks beautiful on a platter and can be served warm or at room temperature.
- A healthy Mediterranean appetizer. Made with wholesome ingredients; feta, Greek yogurt, olive oil, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
- Versatile for serving. Enjoy it with crackers, or fresh vegetables, or spread it on sandwiches and wraps.
- Easy to make ahead. Prepare the whipped feta in advance and roast the tomatoes just before serving, or make the entire dish ahead.
- Naturally gluten-free. Simply pair it with gluten-free crackers or fresh vegetables for a delicious gluten-free appetizer.
- Perfect for summer. A wonderful way to enjoy sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes when they’re at their peak.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This creamy whipped feta dip is made with simple ingredients you can find in your supermarket. In summer I get the cherry tomatoes from the farmers market or my garden.
For The Roasted Tomatoes
- Cherry or grape tomatoes – Roasted or grilled until soft and jammy.
- Dried herbs – I use oregano and basil to infuse the tomatoes with a classic Mediterranean flavor, Italian seasoning can be substituted.
- Olive oil – Used for roasting the tomatoes and creating a rich, silky whipped feta.
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – Enhances and balances all the flavors.
For the Whipped Feta
- Block feta cheese – Use feta packed in brine for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
- Full-fat plain Greek yogurt – Makes the feta extra smooth and creamy while adding a pleasant tang. Cream cheese or sour cream can also be used.
- Garlic clove – Adds a subtle savory depth without overpowering the dip.
- Lemon zest – Brightens the flavors with fresh citrus notes.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – Blended into the feta for a silky, luscious consistency and rich Mediterranean flavor. Use a high quality full flavored extra virgin olive oil.
For Serving
- Fresh herbs – I use torn fresh basil and mint but any herbs you like can be used.
- Crudite or crackers – To scoop up the warm, juicy tomatoes and chilled feta.
How To Make
Roast the Tomatoes – Toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Roast until they’re soft, bursting, and lightly caramelized.
Blend the Whipped Feta – Add the feta, Greek yogurt, garlic, and lemon zest to a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while processing until silky. The whipped feta can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Assemble the Dip – Spread the whipped feta onto a serving platter and spoon the warm roasted tomatoes and their juices over the top.
Toppings
- Extra virgin olive oil as needed
- Aleppo pepper, or red pepper flakes (to your taste)
- Chopped fresh mint
- Torn fresh basil
- Chopped parsley
- Toasted pine nuts
What to Serve with Whipped Feta and Tomatoes
- Vegetables – Endive, carrots, radishes, bell peppers, cucumbers.
- Crackers or Bread – I use gluten free crackers but pita or crostini are great.
Make Ahead
This appetizer is perfect for entertaining because most of the work can be done in advance.
- Make the whipped feta ahead. Blend the feta up to 2–3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Roast the tomatoes when you’re ready to serve or in advance – The tomatoes can be roasted 1–2 days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use. If making ahead, rewarm the tomatoes in a skillet or low heat oven for 5-10 minutes
- Assemble just before serving. Spread the whipped feta onto a serving platter top with the warm tomatoes shortly before serving for the best contrast of cool, creamy feta and warm, jammy tomatoes. If making everything ahead, let the dip sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers. Store leftover whipped feta with tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing isn’t recommended.
Tips For Success
Use block feta packed in brine. It has the best flavor and blends into a much creamier dip than pre-crumbled feta.
Choose full-fat thick Greek yogurt. It creates a rich, silky texture.
Bring the feta to room temperature. It blends more easily into a smooth, creamy spread.
Roast the tomatoes until soft and lightly caramelized.This concentrates their sweetness and creates delicious, jammy juices.
Use all the pan juices. Spoon all the flavorful juices over the whipped feta for extra flavor.
Blend until just whipped. Stop blending once it’s just whipped.If you keep blending, it will soften and become runny at room temperature, but it will thicken if chilled.
Use good-quality extra-virgin olive oil. Its fruity flavor really shines in this simple recipe.
More Delicious Party Appetizers
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Creamy Whipped Feta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
This appetizer is simple to make and tastes amazing. The cool, creamy feta is topped with sweet, juicy roasted tomatoes, creating a delicious contrast of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Process, Roast
- Cuisine: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Ingredients
For The Roasted Tomatoes
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Sea salt and fresh pepper
For The Whipped Feta
- 8 ounces block feta cheese, broken into chunks
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, plain full fat, thick
- 1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Roast or grill until they’re soft, bursting, and lightly caramelized
- While the tomatoes are roasting, add the feta, Greek yogurt, garlic and lemon zest to the bowl of a food processor.* Pulse to combine, scrap down the sides, until it begins to come together.
- Process until the feta has a smooth texture, 1-2 minutes.
- While the processor is running, drizzle the olive oil through the top opening, until just combined.
- Spread the whipped feta onto a serving dish.
- Top with the warm roasted tomatoes, be sure to include all the juices.*
- Garnish with torn or chopped fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Serve with crackers, endive or crudités.
Notes
The whipped feta can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.
If grilling, once the tomatoes begin to blister, transfer them to a plate and let sit for a few minutes to allow the juices to settle.