Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Strawberries (An Easy Starter)

There are some appetizers that are so stunningly beautiful and unexpectedly delicious, they instantly elevate any gathering. This Whipped Feta Dip with Balsamic Roasted Strawberries is, without a doubt, one of those dishes. It’s a true showstopper that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy in the most incredible way. Imagine a cloud of light, airy, and tangy whipped feta, so smooth and creamy it’s like a savory mousse. Now, picture that beautiful white dip topped with a jewel-toned cascade of strawberries, roasted with balsamic and honey until they are soft, jammy, and their sweetness is deeply concentrated. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil, it’s a dish that hits every single note. The first time I served this, my guests were completely mesmerized, and the bowl was scraped clean in minutes. It’s the ultimate no-fuss, high-reward appetizer that looks and tastes incredibly gourmet but is secretly so simple to make.

Save

Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Go-To Appetizer!

• A Stunning Sweet & Savory Combination: The tangy, salty feta paired with the sweet, jammy balsamic strawberries is an absolutely incredible and sophisticated flavor pairing that always wows.
• Incredibly Easy to Make: The feta is whipped in a food processor in minutes, and the strawberries roast away in the oven with minimal effort. It’s an entertainer’s dream.
• Perfect for Making Ahead: Both the whipped feta and the roasted strawberries can be made a day in advance and chilled, leaving you with just a quick assembly before your party.
• Luxuriously Creamy Texture: Blending feta with Greek yogurt and olive oil creates a wonderfully light, airy, and ultra-creamy dip that’s much more elegant than just crumbled cheese.
• Versatile and Elegant: This is perfect served as a dip with crusty bread for a crowd, but it’s also stunning served as individual crostini for a more formal starter.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Simple, Elegant Shopping List

This beautiful dip comes to life with a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need.

Save

→ For the Balsamic Roasted Strawberries

• Fresh Strawberries: 2 lbs. Look for ripe, fragrant berries.
• Balsamic Vinegar: 2 tablespoons. It brings a wonderful tangy depth that complements the sweetness of the berries.
• Honey: 2 teaspoons. For a touch of floral sweetness and to help with caramelization.

→ For the Whipped Feta

• Feta Cheese: Approximately 8 oz. A block of feta packed in brine will give you the best flavor and creamy texture.
• Plain Greek Yogurt: 1/2 cup. This is the secret to a light, airy, and extra-creamy texture.
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, plus more for drizzling at the end.
• Black Pepper: Freshly cracked, to taste.

→ For Serving

• Crusty Bread: Sliced and toasted sourdough or a fresh baguette are the perfect vehicles for this dip.
• Fresh Basil: For a final, fresh, aromatic garnish that ties all the flavors together.

Let’s Get Whipping! Your Guide to the Perfect Feta Dip

This recipe is a breeze. The oven does most of the work on the strawberries, and the food processor handles the dip in minutes!

Phase 1: Roast the Strawberries (Time: ~30-35 minutes)

Roasting strawberries concentrates their sweetness and creates a beautiful, syrupy sauce. Your kitchen will smell amazing!

Save

1. Preheat and Prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Prep the Strawberries. Wash and hull the strawberries, then slice them in half or quarters depending on their size. Spread them on your prepared baking sheet.
3. Dress and Roast. In a small bowl, whisk the balsamic vinegar and honey together. Drizzle this mixture over the strawberries and toss gently to coat. Spread them back into a single, even layer. Roast for 30-35 minutes.
   Visual Cue: You’ll know they’re done when they have softened, released their juices, and are just beginning to caramelize around the edges.
4. Cool. Let the strawberries cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them (along with all the delicious juices!) to a container to chill in the fridge.

Phase 2: Make the Whipped Feta (Time: ~5 minutes + chilling)

While the strawberries roast, you can whip up the creamy, tangy feta base in just a few minutes.

Save

5. Combine and Blend. In the bowl of a food processor, add the crumbled feta cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, and a few cracks of fresh black pepper.
6. Whip Until Smooth. Blend on high for a few minutes until the mixture is completely smooth, light, and airy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula once or twice.
7. Chill. Transfer the whipped feta to a bowl or container and place it in the fridge to chill and firm up for at least 30-60 minutes.

Phase 3: Assemble and Serve!

Save

8. Assemble Your Masterpiece. When you’re ready to serve, spread the chilled whipped feta into a shallow serving bowl, using the back of a spoon to create some beautiful swirls.
9. Top and Garnish. Spoon the chilled roasted strawberries and all their syrupy juices over the top of the feta.
10. The Final Flourish. Garnish with freshly chopped basil, an extra drizzle of good olive oil, and another sprinkle of black pepper. Serve with toasted crusty bread for dipping and enjoy!

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Whipped Feta!

• Use a Block of Feta in Brine: For the best flavor and creamiest texture, always start with a block of feta packed in brine. The pre-crumbled kind is often drier and won’t whip up as smoothly.
• A Food Processor is Key: For that signature light, airy, and perfectly smooth texture, a food processor is your best friend. A high-powered blender can also work, but you may need to scrape it down more often.
• Don’t Skip the Chilling Step: Chilling both the whipped feta and the roasted strawberries is important. It allows the feta to firm up to the perfect scoopable consistency and prevents the warm strawberries from melting the dip.
• Keep the Components Separate: For the most beautiful presentation and the best texture, store the whipped feta and roasted strawberries in separate containers until you are ready to serve.
• Serve as Crostini: For an elegant, easy-to-handle party option, toast slices of baguette, spread each one with the whipped feta, and top with a spoonful of the roasted strawberries and a piece of basil.

Save

Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Strawberries

This whipped feta dip with Greek yogurt is paired with balsamic roasted strawberries and fresh basil. It’s a sweet, savory, and DELICIOUS appetizer or starter that’s easy to make in advance. Perfect for parties and holiday gatherings!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Appetizer, Starter

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Roasted Strawberries

• 2 lbs fresh strawberries, hulled and halved/quartered
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp honey

For the Whipped Feta

• 8 oz feta cheese crumbled
• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp olive oil plus more for serving
• as needed Black pepper, to taste

For Serving

• as needed Crusty bread, toasted
• as needed Fresh basil, chopped

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Food Processor

Method

 

Roast the Strawberries

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Spread the prepared strawberries on the lined baking sheet. Whisk balsamic vinegar and honey together, drizzle over the strawberries, and toss to combine.
3. Spread in an even layer and roast for about 30-35 minutes, until they have softened and released their juices. Let cool, then chill in the fridge.

Make the Whipped Feta

1. Meanwhile, add the feta cheese, greek yogurt, olive oil, and pepper to a food processor. Blend for a few minutes until completely smooth and airy.
2. Transfer the whipped feta to a bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 30-60 minutes to firm up.

Assemble and Serve

1. When you’re ready to serve, spread the chilled whipped feta in a serving bowl. Top with the chilled roasted strawberries and all their juices.
2. Garnish with freshly chopped basil, an extra drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve with toasted crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

Make Ahead: Both the whipped feta and the roasted strawberries can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator and assemble just before serving for the best presentation.

Serving Tip: This is also wonderful served as individual crostini. Simply toast baguette slices, spread with the feta, top with the strawberries, and garnish.

Use Block Feta: For the creamiest, smoothest whipped feta, use a block of feta that has been packed in brine rather than the pre-crumbled kind.

Creative Twists: Delicious Ways to Customize Your Dip!

• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the strawberries before roasting for a little bit of heat.
• Try a Different Fruit: Roasted cherries or figs would also be absolutely incredible with the tangy feta.
• Add a Savory Topping: Instead of strawberries, try topping the whipped feta with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and thyme for a completely different flavor profile.
• Swap the Herb: Fresh mint or even a little bit of finely chopped rosemary would be a delicious alternative to the basil.
• Make it Nutty: A sprinkle of toasted, chopped pistachios or walnuts over the top would add a wonderful crunch.

Keep It Fresh! Storing & Make-Ahead Tips

This is the perfect make-ahead appetizer, which is a lifesaver for any host.

Make-Ahead Prep

This recipe is ideal for making ahead! You can prepare both the whipped feta and the roasted strawberries up to 2-3 days in advance. Just keep them stored in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When it’s party time, all you have to do is toast some bread and assemble the dip, which takes about 5 minutes!

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, they will keep for a few days in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best to store the feta and strawberries separately if you can, but they will still be delicious if stored together.

FAQs: Your Whipped Feta Questions, Answered!

Can I make this without a food processor?

You can try, but the texture will be different. You would need to make sure your feta is very soft and use a hand mixer to beat it with the yogurt for several minutes. It will likely be more rustic and less light and airy than the food processor version, but still delicious!

What if I don’t like goat cheese? Wait, there’s no goat cheese in this?

You’re right, there’s no goat cheese in this recipe, it’s all about the feta! Feta is a brined cheese made from sheep’s milk (or a mix of sheep and goat) and has a salty, tangy flavor that is different from the earthy tang of goat cheese (chèvre).

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes, frozen strawberries will work well for the roasting part of this recipe. There’s no need to thaw them first. Just be aware that they may release a bit more liquid, so you might need to roast them for an extra 5-10 minutes.

What else can I serve with whipped feta?

Whipped feta is incredibly versatile! It’s fantastic with a drizzle of honey and some nuts, topped with roasted tomatoes and olives, or served as a simple dip with warm pita bread and fresh veggies like cucumber and bell peppers.

This Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Strawberries is a true showstopper. It’s a simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious appetizer that proves you don’t need complicated ingredients or techniques to create something truly special. It’s the perfect, sophisticated starter for any celebration. I hope you and your guests love every single creamy, sweet, and savory bite. Let me know if it becomes your new party staple in the comments below!