Add Honey To Baked Feta For A Sweet And Savory Treat

No one can turn down baked cheese, which makes this dish a delectable appetizer at a holiday or family gathering. But while brie, ricotta, goat cheese, and Camembert all make for delicious choices here, baked feta is sure to please even the pickiest eater. It's salty and creamy without being as rich as brie and pairs beautifully with all kinds of Mediterranean flavors. Plus, it can take as little as 10 minutes in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven until it's ready to eat.

But to up your appetizer game even more, add a drizzle of honey to your baked feta. Then once it goes in the oven, use your broiler to caramelize the honey and give your cheese a beautiful golden crust. While the feta is full of salty flavor on its own, the extra ingredient will create the perfect sweet-savory juxtaposition, which only increases this dish's versatility. Sure, you can spread it on crackers or bread, crumble it on salads, or add it to a charcuterie board. But since this baked version takes on a delicious sweetness, you can also pair it with fruit or graham crackers, or even just down it by the spoonful.

To bake your feta, you'll want to start off with a whole block in a baking dish. Make sure to pat it dry first with a paper towel, since we don't want any of that watery cheese juice mixing with the ingredients to come. And if you have the time, let your block sit on the counter for a little less than an hour to bring it to room temperature. Then drizzle olive oil on top and carefully toss your feta until the entire thing is coated. Feel free to also pile on any seasonings you like here — some delicious ones include pepper, thyme, oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Then stick the whole thing in the oven and bake it until it's nice and hot. 

The honey only comes in afterwards, when you remove the cheese from the oven and drizzle it on top. If you'd like a more picturesque coating, you can also briefly zap your honey in the microwave to thin it out a little, which will allow you to brush it all over your feta more easily. Then carefully broil your cheese, typically for about five minutes, until the edges turn golden and the honey caramelizes. As a finishing touch, drizzle even more honey and fresh herbs or seasonings on your sweet and savory treat.