Make this Whipped Feta with Apple Pecan Topping as an appetizer at your next gathering! It's perfect for holiday celebrations, potlucks, or last minute get-togethers because it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish.
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Why You'll Love This Whipped Feta with Apple Pecan Topping
- Quick and easy! You can whip up this whipped feta with apple pecan topping in just about 30 minutes. It's a simple recipe, perfect for last minute hosting, along with cranberry brie crostini, pumpkin cheese ball, and pine nut hummus.
- Looks elegant! With the sweet and savory apple pecan topping, this whipped feta looks elegant enough to serve at holiday parties, like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The fresh herbs give great flavor and make the dip seem a lot more elevated and complicated than it is.
- Great fall flavor! Apples, pecans, honey, fresh sage, fresh thyme, and ground cinnamon are the best combination for a burst of fall flavor. Combined with the feta, it's a great balance of both sweet and savory.
Ingredients
A few notes about the ingredients:
- Block of Feta: I recommend using a whole block of feta, instead of crumbled feta, because crumbled feta usually has additives to prevent it from sticking together. A block of feta will result in a smoother, more whipped consistency.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: Plain greek yogurt helps make the whipped feta silky smooth. It also makes it ultra creamy and gives a slight tanginess.
- Honey Crisp Apple: I recommend using honey crisp apple, but granny smith or macintosh would work well too. I like the sweet and tart notes of honey crisp.
- Shallot: A shallot is my onion of choice for this because it's milder than other onions, yet gives this dip a nice savory flavor.
- Pecans: Pecans are great for added crunch and texture. They're also neutral in flavor, but pair well with the other fall-focused flavors in the dip.
- Fresh Herbs: Both fresh thyme and fresh sage are great additions, keeping this dip savory and flavorful, while pairing well with the apples and pecans as well. I don't really recommend dried herbs because they won't offer the same balanced flavor.
⭐️ See recipe card below for descriptions and quantities of each ingredient. Then, watch this brief tutorial on Instagram!
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the apple topping by heating a skillet over medium heat. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add apples and shallots. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until both begin to soften.
- Step 2: Add pecans, honey, sage, thyme, and cinnamon. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes, so the apples can caramelize.
- Step 3: Turn off heat and set aside to cool.
- Step 4: While the topping cools, make the whipped feta. Add feta, greek yogurt, and lemon zest to a food processor. Pulse until combined.
- Step 5: Slowly stream in 2 tablespoons olive oil and blend until creamy and smooth.
- Step 6: Spoon whipped feta into a bowl or serving dish. Top with apple topping and garnish with additional chopped pecans, thyme, and a drizzle of honey. Serve with crackers, fresh vegetables, or pita for dipping.
⭐️ Tip: Dice the apples and shallots really small. A small dice is best for dipping and scooping with crackers or toasted bread slices.
Substitutions and Alterations
- Feta Cheese - Feta cheese is recommended, but brie cheese or goat cheese would also work.
- Greek Yogurt - You can also use plain labneh.
- Honey Crisp Apple - I like honey crisp apples for their sweet and tart bite, but granny smith apples or macintosh apples would work well too.
- Pecans - You can use walnuts, chopped pistachios, or pepitas instead of pecans if you'd like.
- Honey - Pure maple syrup would also work instead of honey.
How to Store Whipped Feta with Apple Pecan Topping
To store: Store whipped feta and apple pecan topping in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To serve: Place whipped feta on the counter for 15 minutes prior to serving. Then, top with apples and pecan topping, fresh thyme, additional pecans, and a drizzle of honey. Serve with crackers, toasted bread, or fresh cut vegetables.
Top tip!
The whipped feta dip will thicken more as it sits. If you like a thicker dip, you can refrigerate it for 15 to 30 minutes prior to serving and it will become a thicker consistency. Then, add the apple pecan topping and garnishes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! This whipped feta with apple topping is a great make-ahead appetizer. Make the whipped feta and the apple topping, then store in separate containers in the fridge.
You can make it up to 3 days ahead of serving. Leave the whipped feta on your counter for 15 to 30 minutes before serving. The dip will thicken in the fridge and this will allow it to become more dip-able.
If your whipped feta dip is grainy, you may have used the wrong feta (crumbled feta, instead of a block), not enough greek yogurt, or didn't blend the dip long enough.
If your whipped feta is runny, you can stick it in the fridge to thicken for a little bit prior to serving. You can also blend in extra feta if you have it on hand to help thicken it.
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Share your cooking with me! If you make this recipe, I'd love to know. Leave a comment with a rating at the bottom of this page!
Whipped Feta with Apple Pecan Topping
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Whipped Feta
- 1 (8 ounce) block of feta, crumbled
- ¾ cup plain greek yogurt
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For the Apple Pecan Topping
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 honeycrisp apple, diced
- 1 shallot, diced
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, plus extra for topping
- 2 tablespoons honey, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, stems removed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Make the apple topping by heating a skillet over medium heat. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add apples and shallots. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until both begin to soften.
- Add pecans, honey, sage, thyme, and cinnamon. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes, so the apples can caramelize.
- Turn off heat and set aside to cool.
- While the topping cools, make the whipped feta. Add feta, greek yogurt, and lemon zest to a food processor. Pulse until combined.
- Slowly stream in 2 tablespoons olive oil and blend until creamy and smooth.
- Spoon whipped feta into a bowl or serving dish. Top with apple topping and garnish with additional chopped pecans, thyme, and a drizzle of honey. Serve with crackers, fresh vegetables, or pita for dipping.
Notes
- Dice the apples and shallots really small. A small dice is best for dipping and scooping with crackers or toasted bread slices.
- The whipped feta dip will thicken more as it sits. If you like a thicker dip, you can refrigerate it for 15 to 30 minutes prior to serving and it will become a thicker consistency.
Nutrition
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