Creamy Poolside Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes
A smooth, tangy whipped feta dip combined with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in about 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 20-25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces block feta cheese (not crumbled)
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or thyme (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Honey or balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread halved cherry tomatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Roast for 15-20 minutes until soft, caramelized, and juicy.
- While tomatoes roast, combine block feta, softened cream cheese, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic (if using), and fresh lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes, scraping sides as needed.
- When tomatoes are cool enough to handle, add about two-thirds of them to the whipped feta mixture. Pulse briefly to fold in without breaking down all tomato chunks.
- Transfer dip to a serving bowl. Spoon remaining roasted tomatoes on top. Drizzle with extra olive oil, sprinkle chopped fresh herbs, and grind black pepper over the top.
- Serve immediately with warm pita chips, crusty bread, or fresh veggie sticks. For advance prep, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours; bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Use block feta for best whipping results; crumbled feta can be grainy. Do not overblend to avoid a dense, pasty texture. Roasting tomatoes enhances sweetness and depth. Adjust salt carefully due to feta’s saltiness. Can be made a day ahead and served at room temperature. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and feta with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 of
- Calories: 140
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 5
Keywords: whipped feta dip, roasted tomatoes, summer dip, easy appetizer, pool party snack, creamy feta dip, Mediterranean dip