Description
Delight in the rich and creamy texture of Greek feta wrapped in crispy, golden phyllo dough, finished with a drizzle of sweet honey, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh thyme. This baked feta appetizer balances savory and sweet flavors perfectly and makes an elegant yet simple dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Phyllo
- 2 blocks of quality feta (3 ounces each)
- 2 sheets of phyllo dough (thawed)
Toppings and Garnish
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (more to your liking)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (for garnish)
- Extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees F and position the rack in the center for even baking.
- Prepare Phyllo: Carefully lay each sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface or cutting board, then brush the side facing you generously with extra virgin olive oil to ensure crispiness upon baking.
- Wrap Feta in Phyllo: Place one block of feta near the bottom edge (closest to you) on the oiled phyllo sheet. Fold the sides over the cheese to partially cover it, brushing with olive oil as you go to seal and layer the phyllo. Continue to wrap the phyllo dough over the feta block, moving the cheese block away from you. Repeat with the second feta block and the remaining phyllo sheet. Brush the final top layer with olive oil.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the phyllo-wrapped feta blocks seam side down on a small baking sheet to prevent unwrapping during baking.
- Bake: Bake the wrapped feta in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden and crispy. If after 20 minutes the bottom is golden but the top is not, carefully flip the blocks and bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the top evenly.
- Serve with Honey and Garnish: Remove the baked feta from the oven and transfer carefully to a serving plate using a spatula. Immediately drizzle with raw honey, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and finish with fresh thyme leaves for garnish. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- This dish is known as Greek feta me meli, a delightful combination of warm, creamy feta wrapped in crispy phyllo and drizzled with raw honey.
- The recipe takes under 30 minutes, making it a quick yet impressive appetizer.
- Using only a couple of phyllo sheets, it’s great to prepare alongside other phyllo-based dishes like spanakopita or crispy meat pies.
- Be gentle when handling phyllo as it is delicate and can tear easily.
- Adjust honey and sesame seed quantities to your taste preference for sweetness and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 74 kcal
- Sugar: 11.8 g
- Sodium: 16 mg
- Fat: 7.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0.3 mg
