Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 oz high-quality feta cheese, crumbled
- 2–3 tablespoons cream cheese or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 baguette or crusty Italian bread, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
- Olive oil, for brushing crostini
- Hot honey, for drizzling (about 1/4 cup or to taste)
Optional Garnishes and Variations
- Fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano for garnish
- Toasted pine nuts, walnuts, or sesame seeds for topping
- Smoked paprika or smoked sea salt for smoky flavor
- Thin slices of figs or pears for fresh fruit topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Crostini: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the baguette or Italian bread into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp, flipping halfway through for even toasting.
- Whip the Feta Mixture: In a food processor or mixing bowl, combine crumbled feta cheese with cream cheese or Greek yogurt. Add lemon juice and cracked black pepper. Blend or whip until smooth, creamy, and spreadable, scraping down sides as needed for an even texture.
- Assemble the Crostini: Allow the toasted crostini to cool slightly. Spread a generous amount of the whipped feta mixture on each slice. Drizzle hot honey over the top to add sweet and spicy flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Add fresh herbs such as basil or thyme and a sprinkle of extra cracked black pepper if desired. Serve immediately for the best contrast of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and spicy flavors.
Notes
- Use room temperature feta and cream cheese for easier whipping and smoother texture.
- Toasted crostini should be golden but not burnt to maintain the best crunch and flavor.
- Make your own hot honey by warming honey with chili flakes or fresh chopped peppers to adjust spice level.
- Taste the whipped feta mixture before spreading to balance lemon juice and pepper as preferred.
- Serve immediately after assembling to keep crostini crisp and whipped feta creamy.
- Leftover whipped feta can be refrigerated up to 3 days; store crostini separately to keep crunchy.
- Whipped feta can be frozen up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge overnight and stir before serving.
- Reheat crostini briefly in a warm oven (300°F/150°C) for 3-5 minutes to refresh crispness but avoid reheating whipped feta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 crostini
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: hot honey crostini, whipped feta, appetizer, easy snack, party food, sweet and spicy, crostini recipe