If you’re craving rich, savory comfort food with a Mediterranean twist, these Baked Feta Potatoes will become your new obsession. Creamy feta, crispy golden potatoes, and sweet roasted garlic get a burst of lemony brightness and fresh basil in every forkful—this is side dish heaven, but honestly, you’ll want to eat it straight from the pan.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Creamiest Feta Experience: Baking feta right on top of the potatoes transforms it into a melty, tangy sauce that hugs every crispy edge.
- Easy, No-Fuss Preparation: Minimal prep and hands-off oven time mean you get maximum reward for surprisingly little effort.
- Show-Stopping Flavor Combo: Classic Mediterranean flavors—herbs, lemon, garlic, and basil—make every bite vibrant and crave-worthy.
- Perfect Crowd Pleaser: Serve Baked Feta Potatoes as a hearty side or a vegetarian main; everyone always asks for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something magical about a few humble ingredients coming together to create a dish you just can’t stop eating! Each element here plays a starring role: from the creamy feta to vibrant basil and zippy citrus, these Baked Feta Potatoes wouldn’t shine without every single part.
- Baking potatoes: These give the dish a fluffy inside and crispy outside; Yukon Golds or Russets work beautifully.
- Block of feta (200g): Go for a real block of feta, not crumbled—this melts into the potatoes for that iconic creamy tang.
- Olive oil: The potatoes drink up this Mediterranean staple, helping them roast to golden perfection.
- Dried thyme & oregano: These dried herbs infuse each bite with savory, earthy depth.
- Salt & black pepper: Elevate all the flavors—don’t be shy, potatoes can handle seasoning!
- Red chili flakes: For a subtle warmth that balances the dish. You can increase or omit based on your spice level.
- Head of garlic: Roasted whole, this becomes sweet and mellow, then gets mashed into the potatoes for maximum flavor.
- Lemon: Adds a punch of brightness that complements the richness of feta and potatoes.
- Honey: A finishing drizzle brings unexpected and delightful sweetness that ties all the flavors together.
- Fresh basil: Stirred in at the end, basil adds a hit of color and freshness that makes these Baked Feta Potatoes irresistible.
Variations
Baked Feta Potatoes are endlessly adaptable! With just a few tweaks, you can tailor this recipe to your cravings, dietary needs, or whatever’s stocked in your pantry. Don’t be afraid to mix things up.
- Add more veggies: Toss in cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini before roasting for extra color and veggie goodness.
- Switch up the herbs: Try rosemary, marjoram, or herbes de Provence to change the flavor profile completely.
- Go dairy-free: Use a plant-based feta substitute; coconut-based varieties bake up deliciously well!
- Make it a meal: Add chickpeas or white beans before baking for a protein-packed, vegetarian main dish.
How to Make Baked Feta Potatoes
Step 1: Par-Boil and Prep Your Potatoes
Start by washing and cubing the potatoes—no need to peel unless you want to! Cover them with cold water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and par-boil for just 6-8 minutes. This jump-starts the cooking and gets the centers perfectly soft, while a quick steam-dry ensures maximum crispiness when roasted.
Step 2: Season and Roast
Transfer your dried potato cubes into a roomy baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, scatter over the thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper, and give everything a good toss to coat. Roast at 200°C (390°F) for 30–40 minutes until the potatoes are golden, crisp, and nearly cooked through.
Step 3: Garlic & Feta Magic
Now it’s time for those signature flavors! Nestle the whole block of feta right in the middle—dip one side in the herbs for extra oomph, then flip. Squeeze over half a lemon, nestle your prepared head of garlic into the pan, and return everything to the oven for 15 minutes. The feta bakes until soft and golden, the garlic caramelizes, and the aroma is irresistible.
Step 4: Mash, Mix & Finish
Pull out the garlic (careful, it’s hot!), squeeze out the sweet, roasted cloves, and mash with your knife. Stir the mashed garlic, the rest of the lemon juice, and plenty of fresh basil into the potatoes and feta, gently folding everything together. Drizzle with honey and more basil just before serving—your Baked Feta Potatoes are ready to steal the show!
Pro Tips for Making Baked Feta Potatoes
- Crisp to Perfection: Steam-drying the potatoes for a few minutes after draining is the secret to achieving that irresistible golden crunch.
- Choose the Right Feta: Always use a whole block of feta in brine for the best melting and flavor—pre-crumbled just won’t do justice to this dish.
- Layer Your Herbs: Toss some dried herbs with the potatoes before roasting, and reserve a pinch for sprinkling on the feta before baking for layers of Mediterranean flavor.
- Balance the Flavors: Don’t skip the honey and lemon at the end; their sweetness and acidity round out the saltiness of the feta and create a truly unforgettable bite.
How to Serve Baked Feta Potatoes
Garnishes
A generous scatter of fresh basil is a must, both for its color and its peppery brightness. If you love a little heat, throw on a pinch more chili flakes or even lemon zest for an extra zing right before serving. A drizzle of good olive oil at the table can’t hurt, either!
Side Dishes
Baked Feta Potatoes are a stunning sidekick to grilled chicken, roast lamb, or even a simple fillet of fish. For a complete vegetarian feast, pair them with Greek salads or lemony green beans. Don’t forget some warm pita or crusty bread to mop up the sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve these potatoes family-style in a beautiful baking dish right on the table. For an elegant twist, pile individual servings into small bowls and crown each with a wedge of lemon and a basil leaf. Or try them as part of a mezze platter, surrounded by olives and colorful salads for an instant wow-factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate—they’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days. The potatoes will soften a little as they chill, but the flavors meld deliciously over time.
Freezing
While you can technically freeze Baked Feta Potatoes, both potatoes and feta can change texture after thawing, becoming slightly grainy or watery. If you do freeze, let everything cool completely first, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to one month.
Reheating
To bring back the magic, reheat leftovers in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until hot and the feta is melty again (about 10–15 minutes). A quick zap in the microwave works too, but for the best texture, the oven is your friend.
FAQs
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Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?
For this recipe, a whole block of feta is highly recommended. It bakes up creamy and slightly golden, while crumbled feta tends to dry out and won’t melt in quite the same way. If needed, you can try to press crumbled feta together, but the texture will be a bit different.
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Do I have to par-boil the potatoes first?
Par-boiling is the secret to that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside potato. Skipping this step will make the roasting take longer and you may end up with drier or unevenly cooked potatoes.
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Can I make Baked Feta Potatoes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep and roast the potatoes in advance, then finish with the feta and last bake when you’re ready to serve. Just add the fresh basil and honey immediately before serving for the best flavor and color.
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Is this recipe spicy?
The spice level from the chili flakes is subtle and just enough to balance the rich feta and potatoes. You can easily dial the chili up or down to suit your own taste—or omit it entirely if you prefer mild!
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you’ll make these Baked Feta Potatoes soon—it’s a dish that always adds a little extra joy to my table. The combination of crispy potatoes, melty feta, and zingy lemon is simply unforgettable. Give it a try, serve it to friends, and watch it disappear—don’t forget to let me know how you make it your own!
PrintBaked Feta Potatoes Recipe
Baked Feta Potatoes is a flavorful and satisfying dish where crispy roasted potatoes are paired with creamy baked feta, aromatic herbs, and a touch of citrus sweetness. It’s a simple yet impressive recipe that makes a great side dish or even a light meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Potatoes:
- 2 large baking potatoes
Baked Feta:
- 1 200g block of feta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 head of garlic (top cut off)
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup | 20g fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200C | 390F.
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash and cube the potatoes. Par-boil for 6-8 minutes, then drain and steam dry for 2-3 minutes.
- Season Potatoes: Toss potatoes with thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Roast for 30-40 minutes until golden.
- Add Feta: Place feta in the middle of the tray, squeeze lemon over it. Roast for another 15 minutes.
- Prepare Garlic: Remove garlic, squeeze out and mash. Mix with lemon juice and basil.
- Combine: Stir garlic mixture into potatoes with basil. Drizzle with honey.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
