How long it takes: 5 minutes Equipment you’ll need: food processor Servings: 10 Serve this as part of your next cheese plate or charcuterie board and it’s going to be the one thing people keep inquiring about. What’s this spread? What’s in this? This is SO good! If you’ve tried my herbed feta dip, this recipe is similar but it’s more of a blank canvas, perfect for customizing with your favorite toppings.
Reasons To Love This Whipped Feta Dip
Easy to make. Whipped feta is the easiest party dip to put together. Just blend everything and put it into a bowl! When you’re entertaining, recipes like this are a sanity saver. Bold flavor. Feta is one of those love-it-or-hate-it ingredients, but if you’re a fan, you’ll appreciate the briny, tangy flavor of this whipped feta dip. (You’ll also love baked feta pasta and feta stuffed chicken breasts for dinner!) Two-ingredient recipe. Okay, you also need pepper and olive oil, but you probably have those on hand in your kitchen already! Make it ahead. Prep your whipped feta a day ahead of your party and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Ingredient Notes
Full-Fat Feta Cheese: I recommend buying a block of feta. Crumble it and let it come to room temperature so it’s easy to blend smoothly. I’ve found that containers of pre-crumbled feta tend to be too dry for this dip. Reduced-Fat Plain Cream Cheese: If you prefer, you can use regular cream cheese, but just make sure you use the kind that comes in a block, not a tub and not flavored. You’ll need 4 oz. (half a package). Olive Oil: This is an excellent opportunity to use a high-quality olive oil with a fruity flavor and aroma. Coarse Ground Black Pepper: Flecks of freshly ground black pepper add pep and interest. Crispy Bread or Pita Triangles: Choose any kind of dipper you like.
How To Make Whipped Feta
Process. Add the feta cheese, cream cheese, olive oil, and black pepper to your food processor. Blend until very smooth, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Taste. Add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Make it fancy. Transfer the dip to a plate or a shallow bowl. Add any toppings you’re using. It’s ready to serve! Serve whipped feta with crackers, crostini, crispy bread, or pita triangles. It makes a great veggie dip, too.
Tips For Making and Serving Whipped Feta
Use a block of feta cheese. It’s going to give you a better, smoother result than crumbled feta. Just say no to fat-free feta crumbles. Reduced fat maybe… but trust me, you really want a block of full-fat feta cheese for this recipe. Be choosy about cream cheese. Be sure to buy a package of plain cream cheese, not a whipped or flavored tub. I use reduced-fat cream cheese because it’s naturally softer and easier to blend into this whipped feta. Full-fat regular cream cheese will work just fine as long as you soften it on the counter for 45 minutes to an hour prior to preparing this recipe. Please stay clear of fat free cream cheese; it has more additives than regular cream cheese. Get creative with dippers. Pita chips, bread, and crackers are natural pairings. I like to make my own crostini (toasted slices of French bread). It’s so easy and very economical. This whipped feta also makes a delicious centerpiece to a crudité platter.
Topping Ideas
Olive oil: Drizzle a tablespoon or two of good quality olive oil onto the dip, then top with a few grinds of black pepper. A flavored olive oil like rosemary or chili pepper can add another dimension of flavor. Lemon zest and fresh dill: Sprinkle a teaspoon of lemon zest and a tablespoon of fresh dill over the top. Garnish with sprigs of fresh dill and a couple of decorative lemon twists, if you like. Tomatoes and chili crunch oil: Add diced tomatoes to the center of the whipped feta, then drizzle with chili crunch oil. I think this may be my favorite! Honey and toasted pistachios: For a sweet and salty contrast, drizzle the dip with honey and scatter pistachios over the top. Like a little heat? Try hot honey instead. Everything bagel: Drizzle the whipped feta with a tablespoon or two of olive oil, then add an equal amount of everything bagel seasoning.
Make Ahead Ideas
Prepare whipped feta up to 24 hours ahead of serving. Place it in the serving dish, without toppings, and refrigerate. Let the dip come to room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before topping and serving.
Storage Suggestions
Refrigerate: Store leftover whipped feta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 3 days. Freeze: Whipped feta keeps well in the freezer, too. Store whipped feta (preferably ungarnished) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Allow to come to room temperature before serving. If the texture is a little grainy, give the dip a quick whirl in the food processor.
Leftover Love
Use leftovers as a sandwich spread! Whipped feta is fabulous layered with crunchy veggies like thinly sliced cucumbers, lettuce, sprouts, and red bell pepper rings. Try it on a veggie wrap or a roasted vegetable wrap. Quick-Start Guide!
