If you’ve ever wanted a surefire way to wow your guests or brighten up your own snack time, let me introduce you to Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives. This Mediterranean-inspired appetizer blends the creamy, salty goodness of whipped feta with a vibrant, punchy olive topping that truly delivers on flavor. Every bite feels like a mini escape to a sun-drenched terrace, whether you scoop it up with chips or pile it onto fresh veggies. It’s as easy to make as it is to devour, and it manages to hit all the right notes: creamy, tangy, herby, and just a little bit irresistible!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up something truly spectacular. Each one brings something special to the party—whether it’s the briny richness of feta or the bold pop of marinated olives, you can count on every component to shine.
- Feta cheese (8 oz, crumbled): The superstar base for our dip, lending its unmistakable salty-tangy flavor and creamy texture.
- Cream cheese (3 oz, softened): Softens and smooths out the feta, resulting in that ultra-luxurious whipped consistency.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons, plus more): Adds richness and helps blend everything together—drizzle extra on top to finish.
- Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens the whole dip, balancing the flavors with a little zing.
- Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Delivers a concentrated citrus aroma and an extra burst of color.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): For a touch of warmth and subtle spice.
- Mixed olives (1 cup, pitted & roughly chopped): Go for a combination of Kalamata, Castelvetrano, or green for robust color and flavor.
- Red wine vinegar (1 tablespoon): Gives that tangy punch to the olive topping, making the flavors sing.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon, for olives): Helps all the olive flavors meld together beautifully.
- Oregano (1 teaspoon fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried): Infuses Mediterranean herby magic into the olives—use fresh if you can!
- Crushed red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): For a gentle, exciting hint of heat.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): Adds a savory depth that absolutely elevates the olive mix.
How to Make Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives
Step 1: Whip Up the Feta Base
Pop your crumbled feta, softened cream cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cracked black pepper into a food processor. Blitz everything together until smooth and dreamy, scraping down the sides as needed so you don’t miss a single crumb. Once it’s creamy and well-blended, transfer it to a serving bowl and let it chill out in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes. This is when the flavors get cozy and really come alive!
Step 2: Prepare the Tangy Olive Topping
While your feta base is chilling, grab a separate bowl for your olives. Combine the roughly chopped olives with red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes if you want some heat, and minced garlic. Mix it all up, then let it marinate for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. It’s amazing how the sharp vinegar and savory herbs transform those olives into a downright addictive topper.
Step 3: Assemble and Finish
Ready for the grand finale? Take your chilled whipped feta out of the fridge. Spoon the vibrant olive mixture generously over the top, letting some juice seep down for extra flavor. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and, if you want to get fancy, sprinkle on a little fresh oregano or parsley for color. Now it’s officially ready to steal the spotlight on your table!
How to Serve Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or oregano adds a pop of color and a dash of freshness on top of your Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives. For something extra, try a pinch of lemon zest or even a few crumbles of feta. These little touches make the dish look as stunning as it tastes!
Side Dishes
When it comes to sidekicks, this appetizer shines with pita chips, warm slices of baguette, crispy crostini, or even crunchy crudités. The tangy, creamy spread pairs beautifully with hearty salads, grilled veggies, or a simple Mediterranean mezze platter if you’re dreaming up a full spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives is as much about presentation as it is flavor. For a casual vibe, swirl the dip onto a rustic platter and pile the olives in the center. Hosting a party? Spoon individual portions into little jars or cups for grab-and-mingle snacks. You can even use it as a vibrant topping for flatbreads or grain bowls to add color and big personality.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The beauty of Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives is how well it holds up in the fridge. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store for up to three days. The flavors only deepen and improve, making for a perfect “secret stash” snack on day two.
Freezing
While the whipped feta base can technically be frozen, the texture may become a little grainy once thawed because of the cheese. I recommend enjoying it fresh or, if you must freeze, just the whipped feta portion in a well-sealed container for up to one month. Let it thaw in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before using.
Reheating
Luckily, Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature—no reheating required! If you’ve stored it in the fridge, just give it a few minutes on the counter before serving so it can soften back to its creamy best.
FAQs
Can I use just feta cheese and skip the cream cheese?
You’ll still get great flavor with feta alone, but the cream cheese really softens the tang and creates that luscious, spreadable texture. If you want to skip cream cheese, try adding a tablespoon or two of Greek yogurt to keep it nice and creamy!
What olives work best for the tangy topping?
A mix of Kalamata, Castelvetrano, and green olives creates a beautiful blend of flavors, textures, and colors for the topping. Feel free to use whatever good-quality mixed olives you love most or happen to have on hand.
How far in advance can I make Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives?
You can prep both the whipped feta and olive mixture up to a day ahead. Just keep them separate until you’re ready to serve—then assemble for the freshest flavor and stunning presentation.
Can I make this dish vegan?
Absolutely! Use a quality vegan feta and a plant-based cream cheese. The olive topping is naturally vegan, so the switch is quick and easy for any plant-based pals.
What can I serve with this if I want to skip bread?
For a gluten-free or lower-carb option, serve Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives alongside cucumber rounds, sweet bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, or crunchy endive leaves. They’re just as dippable and add a fresh, crisp bite!
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve tried Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives, you’ll find yourself thinking of every excuse to make it again. Its bold, sun-soaked flavors and creamy texture always steal the show, and it’s wonderfully easy to pull together. Grab some feta and olives and give it a go—you’ll be grateful you did!
Print
Whipped Feta with Tangy Olives Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy decadence of whipped feta paired with tangy marinated olives, a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer that is perfect for entertaining or a simple snack.
Ingredients
Whipped Feta:
- 8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tangy Olives:
- 1 cup mixed olives (such as Kalamata, Castelvetrano, or green), pitted and roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the Whipped Feta: In a food processor, blend the feta, cream cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper until smooth. Chill for 15–30 minutes.
- Marinate the Olives: Mix chopped olives with vinegar, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Let sit for at least 10 minutes.
- Assemble: Spoon the marinated olives over the whipped feta. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with herbs. Serve with pita chips or veggies.
Notes
- You can prepare the whipped feta and olive topping ahead of time and assemble before serving.
- For a creamier texture, add 1–2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt to the whipped feta mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
