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Caramelized Feta with Chili-Honey – Irresistible & Easy Appetizer


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  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 24 as an appetizer 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A golden, skillet-seared block of feta bathed in lemony chili-honey glaze and topped with toasted walnuts. It’s sweet, spicy, creamy, and crunchy. Serve it hot from the pan with bread for dipping.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Feta Block:

1 block feta cheese (150200 g), drained

1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Hot Honey:

4 tablespoons honey

½ to 1 teaspoon chili flakes (to taste)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the Topping:

2 tablespoons walnuts, roughly chopped

Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

Cracked black pepper

To Serve:

Warm pita, flatbread, or crusty bread


Instructions

1. Toast chopped walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.

2. In a small saucepan, warm honey, chili flakes, and lemon juice over low heat until gently bubbling. Remove from heat and keep warm.

3. Pat feta dry. Heat olive oil in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Sear feta for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden.

4. With the feta still in the skillet, pour the hot honey over it carefully. Let it sizzle and begin to caramelize.

5. Top with toasted walnuts, herbs if using, and cracked black pepper. Serve hot with warm bread.

Notes

Use a firm feta block packed in brine for best results.

Adjust the heat level with your choice of chili flakes.

Substitute walnuts with pecans, pistachios, or almonds for variation.

Reheat gently in a skillet or oven, not microwave.

Perfect as an appetizer or part of a mezze spread.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Pan-seared
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 240
  • Sugar: 10
  • Sodium: 480
  • Fat: 18
  • Saturated Fat: 8
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 14
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 7
  • Cholesterol: 25