Description
Whipped Feta Crostini with Hot Honey offers a delightful blend of creamy, tangy feta cheese and sweet-spicy honey drizzle atop crispy baguette slices. This Mediterranean-inspired appetizer is perfect for parties, easy to prepare, and garnished with optional fresh herbs and nuts for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Oil
- 1 French baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces feta cheese (block-style, not crumbled)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Hot Honey Drizzle
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh thyme
- Chopped pistachios
- Crushed walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare the Crostini: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil to ensure they toast evenly and become golden and crisp. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through to crisp both sides.
- Make the Whipped Feta: While the bread fries, place the block feta, softened cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper into a food processor. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, pausing to scrape down the sides as needed for an even texture.
- Prepare the Hot Honey: In a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl, gently warm the honey combined with red pepper flakes for 30–60 seconds. This process infuses the honey with a mild spicy kick. Allow it to cool slightly before use to prevent melting the cheese spread.
- Assemble the Crostini: Once the baguette slices are crisp and cool enough to handle, spread a generous spoonful of the whipped feta mixture onto each piece. Drizzle the infused hot honey evenly over the crostini.
- Add Optional Garnishes: Top with fresh thyme leaves, chopped pistachios, or crushed walnuts to add aroma, crunch, and visual appeal. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and spicy flavors.
Notes
- For extra flavor, rub a peeled garlic clove on the warm crostini before spreading the cheese.
- The whipped feta mixture can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator; bring it to room temperature before serving.
- You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in the honey to control the spice level.
- Serve these crostini fresh to maintain their crispness.
