Baked Feta Cheese is a Mediterranean classic that combines the creamy, tangy goodness of feta with the warmth of oven-baked perfection. This dish is a versatile and easy-to-make appetizer or side that promises to be the highlight of your meal.

I'm here to bring you 3 of my favorite versions + tons of ways to eat it! Baked feta cheese is perfect as a topping for salads, and I use it in my roasted cauliflower salad and warm chicken salad, but it's also good just as a side salad for example with this strawberry summer salad.
It's also often enjoyed as part of a meze platter or as a comforting starter. Particularly popular in Greek cooking, where the combination of feta cheese, olive oil, and herbs creates a harmonious blend of flavors.
This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread, fresh vegetables, and a glass of crisp white wine, making it perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For a basic baked feta cheese, you don't need anything else other than:
- A block of feta cheese: The star of the dish, offering a creamy and tangy flavor.
- High-quality olive oil: Enhances the richness of the cheese and adds a smooth finish.
- Your favorite flavorings: To alter the recipe depending on your mood!
My three favorite versions are:
- Zesty: Lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon pepper. Hold off the juice until after baking.
- Umami: Mushroom salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Herby: Herbes de Provence, lavender (optional), honey. Hold off the honey until after baking.
But the variations don't end there of course!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 430°F (220°C). Place the patted-dry block of feta in a small baking dish. Drizzle the feta with olive oil, then sprinkle with the flavorings, and spices of your choice.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the feta is soft and golden brown on top. I like to switch to grill mode for just a few minutes at the end for an extra golden top.
Drizzle with honey if desired and serve immediately with crusty bread or crackers or in a salad.
Substitutions
Replace feta with halloumi for a different texture. I use baked halloumi in for example this Cajun sweet potato tray bake, or this warm chicken salad. The spices and herbs can be substituted for whatever you fancy, but I like to focus on Mediterranean flavors.
Variations
You can add whatever veggies you want to the dish while you bake the feta cheese.
Veggies that work really well here include cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, olives, artichokes, and/or slices of onion. Go for sizes of pieces that are done at the same time as the feta cheese and you can't go wrong.
Equipment
A small baking dish or ovenproof skillet for baking the feta. A knife and cutting board for herbs, if using. Basically an equipment-free recipe!
Storage
Baked feta cheese is best enjoyed fresh, as it firms up pretty quickly, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through. The texture will be different, but still delicious!
Expert tips
- For a more robust flavor, marinate the feta in olive oil and herbs for a few hours before baking.
- Use good quality feta cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk for the best results.
- Don't overbake the feta; it should be soft and creamy but not completely melted.
- For added flavor, drizzle balsamic reduction over the baked feta before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
No. You will not save any time by doing this ahead of time, as the baking needs to happen right before serving.
However, if you decide to marinate the feta cheese, then yes, this can be done in advance.
What can I use if I don't have fresh herbs?
Dried herbs work well in this recipe. Use about half the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh.
Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?
It's best to use a block of feta as it bakes more evenly and retains its shape better. Crumbled feta can become too dry in the oven.
Recipes to pair with baked feta cheese
My best tips on how to eat baked feta cheese include:
Salads:
- Roasted garlic veggies quinoa salad
- Warm chicken salad
- Mint citrus salad
- Roasted cauliflower chickpea salad
- Grilled peach salad
Roasted/warm dishes:
- Cajun sweet potato tray bake
- Mango chipotle quinoa bowl
- Spicy shakshuka
- Moroccan harissa chicken
- Crispy baked falafel
As a snack with:
- Veggies: Sliced bell peppers, tomatoes, carrot sticks, olives, cucumber sticks
- Bread: Crusty bread, Greek horiatiko psomi, za'atar date naan, ciabatta, crackers
- More dips: Muhammara, tzatziki
- Fruits like pear and manchego skewers
Enjoy!
Did you like this recipe? Here are more snacks I think you would enjoy:
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Recipe
3 Delicious Baked Feta Cheese Recipes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: GlutenFreeDiet
Description
Baked Feta Cheese is a Mediterranean classic that is a versatile and easy-to-make appetizer or side that will be the highlight of your meal.
Ingredients
- 1 block feta cheese (150 grams or 5.3 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon high-quality olive oil
Zesty
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (after baking)
Umami
- ½ teaspoon mushroom salt*
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Herby
- 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
- Pinch dried lavender buds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey (after baking)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 430°F (220°C). Place the patted-dry block of feta in a small baking dish. Drizzle the feta with olive oil, then sprinkle with the flavorings, and spices of your choice.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the feta is soft and golden brown on top. I like to switch to grill mode for just a few minutes at the end for an extra golden top.
- Drizzle with honey if desired and serve immediately with crusty bread or crackers or in a salad. For more tips, see the blog post.
Notes
* Recipe for homemade mushroom salt
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Additional Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 113
- Sugar: 1.7
- Sodium: 421
- Fat: 9.2
- Saturated Fat: 5.9
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2.1
- Fiber: 0.2
- Protein: 5.5
- Cholesterol: 33













