Baked Feta Dip with Fig Preserves and Toasted Pecans Recipe
This Baked Feta Dip is a warm, creamy appetizer featuring golden baked feta cheese topped with a luscious fig preserve and toasted pecans mixture. Perfect for serving with baguette, pita, or crackers, it’s an easy yet elegant dish that combines savory, sweet, and crunchy elements in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese Base
- 14 to 16 ounces block feta cheese
- 3 Tbsp avocado oil
- ½ tsp dried oregano (or dried parsley)
- 1 pinch black pepper
Topping
- ½ cup fig preserves
- ½ cup raw pecans (chopped)
- ½ tsp fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the feta cheese until it turns golden and creamy.
- Toast the pecans. Place the chopped pecans in a small skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Stir occasionally and toast them for 1 to 3 minutes until they become crunchy and aromatic. Remove from heat immediately and transfer them to a bowl or measuring cup. Mix in the fig preserves to combine the sweet topping ingredients.
- Prepare feta for baking. Remove the feta blocks from their packaging and place them in a small oven-safe dish such as a small casserole dish. Drizzle the avocado oil evenly over the feta, then sprinkle with dried oregano and a pinch of black pepper for flavor.
- Bake the feta. Bake the feta cheese at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes until the surface turns golden brown. Then lower the oven temperature to 350°F. Transfer the baked feta to the serving dish, stirring with a spoon until it becomes creamy and spreadable.
- Add topping and finish baking. Spoon the fig preserve and toasted pecan mixture over the creamy feta cheese. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 12 to 17 minutes at 350°F until the topping is hot and the cheese bubbles.
- Garnish and serve. Remove the dip from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface such as a trivet or kitchen towel. Sprinkle fresh thyme over the hot dip if using. Serve warm with toasted baguette, pita bread, or crackers for dipping.
Notes
- Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the dip.
- You can substitute dried oregano with dried parsley if preferred.
- Fresh thyme is optional but adds a lovely herbal note to the finished dish.
- Use a small oven-safe casserole dish for even baking and easy serving.
- Serve this dip warm for the best creamy texture and flavor combination.
