Description
Creamy whipped feta bruschetta delivers Mediterranean magic on a crisp slice of toasted bread. Zesty herbs and tangy cheese blend perfectly, offering a delightful appetizer you’ll want to savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Cream:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) feta cheese (block, not crumbled)
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
Tomato and Herb Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquid and Oil Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
Bread:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, cut in half (for rubbing)
Instructions
- Whip the feta mixture by combining cream cheese, crumbled feta, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and minced garlic in a food processor until achieving a velvety, smooth consistency.
- Transfer the whipped feta to a serving bowl and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
- Prepare the tomato medley by dicing cherry tomatoes and combining them with fragrant fresh basil, pressed garlic, high-quality balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Allow tomato mixture to marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, enabling the ingredients to release their aromatic essence.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, positioning the rack in the center for even toasting.
- Slice the baguette diagonally into thin, uniform pieces and arrange on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Lightly brush each bread slice with olive oil, ensuring a delicate, even coating.
- Bake the bread slices for 8-10 minutes, rotating halfway through to achieve a golden, crisp exterior and a light crunch.
- Remove toasted bread and gently rub with a halved garlic clove to infuse additional depth of flavor.
- Generously spread the whipped feta onto each toasted baguette slice, creating a creamy base.
- Top each slice with the marinated tomato mixture, allowing the juices to slightly soak into the bread.
- Optional: Drizzle with additional balsamic reduction for enhanced tanginess.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
- Serve immediately to preserve the perfect balance of textures and temperatures.
Notes
- Customize the whipped feta by adding herbs like dill or chives for extra flavor complexity.
- For a lighter version, swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and maintain creaminess.
- Replace baguette with gluten-free bread or use cucumber rounds as a low-carb alternative.
- Keep whipped feta refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, allowing flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg