You’ll thank us later
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 6 mins
Total: 21 mins
Servings: 4 (serving size: 1/4 cup)
Fried feta is a really simple recipe that packs a big flavor punch thanks to beautiful, briny, tangy feta. This recipe adds a sesame seed dredge and a simple honey drizzle for a nutty and sweet contrast to the salty cheese. This is a recipe to bookmark for potlucks, parties, and picnics as the feta doesn’t have to be served hot and will undoubtedly be a crowd-pleaser.
What Ingredients Are in Fried Feta?
This fried feta recipe is best made with a block of feta in brine. Feta in brine holds up better over time and is a hallmark of authentic, traditional Greek feta. You can find this type of feta at Mediterranean markets and some specialty stores.
The feta is coated in sesame seeds, which become golden and fragrant during the frying process. The fried feta is drizzled with a simple sauce of honey, garlic, orange zest and juice, and harissa powder. Don’t have or can’t find harissa powder? No worries! Use your favorite chile flakes or just leave it out. The feta will still be outstanding.
How To Make Fried Feta
The process of frying feta is quite simple. First, you dredge the feta block in flour, egg, and sesame seeds. Then you give it a quick shallow-fry in hot olive oil. In the same skillet, you combine the honey and aromatic ingredients and let it bubble briefly. After that, all you have to do is put the feta on your serving plate and drizzle it with the honey mixture.
How To Serve Fried Feta
The obvious pairing choice for fried feta is pita chips, but there are lots of other directions you could go. Try your favorite seeded crackers, flatbread crackers, or crusty bread. You may also want to change up the honey drizzle using different flavorings (lemon zest and juice instead of orange, for instance) or add other spices like cumin or coriander, which pairs beautifully with orange. Or use hot honey instead of regular honey for more of a kick.
Tips for Making Fried Feta
- Serving temperature—This can be served hot or at room temperature.
- Make ahead—The hot honey can be made up to a week in advance. Store, covered, at room temperature.
- Take care when turning—Using tongs to turn the feta works, but make sure you’re gentle so that you don’t pierce through the crust.
- Avoid hot oil splatters—Using a spatula works to turn the feta as well, but make sure you carefully flip it away from you, as it might plop back into the hot oil and spatter.
- Harissa powder substitutes—If you can’t find harissa powder or don’t want to buy it, feel free to leave it out or substitute smoked paprika or a mild chile flake like Urfa or Aleppo pepper.
- Make it gluten free—Substitute your favorite gluten free all-purpose flour to make this a gluten free dish.
«The salty feta gets a nice crust from the sesame seeds and the seasoned honey keeps it from being one note. The sweet-savory honey and briny feta with a crunchy crust is just a super snackable dish.» —The Spruce Eats Test Kitchen
A Note From Our Recipe Tester
Ingredients
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1 (7-ounce) block feta cheese in brine
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1/4 cup all-purpose flour
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1 large egg, lightly beaten
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2 tablespoons water
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1/4 cup white sesame seeds
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5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
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3 tablespoons honey
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1/2 teaspoon harissa powder
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2 medium garlic cloves, grated
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Finely grated zest of 1/2 orange
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2 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice
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4 sprigs fresh thyme
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Pita chips, for serving
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Place feta on a paper towel and dab dry; let sit while preparing dredging mixture.
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Place flour in a shallow dish or plate. Place egg in another shallow dish or plate and lightly beat with a fork. Add water to egg. Place sesame seeds in a third shallow dish or plate.
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Place feta in flour and turn to fully coat; shake off excess flour.
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Place feta in egg mixture. Turn to fully coat.
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Place feta in sesame seeds. Turn and press to fully coat feta in sesame seeds.
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Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once oil is hot and shimmering, add sesame-coated feta and cook, turning, until browned and crispy on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a serving plate.
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Remove and discard oil from skillet. Place skillet over medium heat and add honey, harissa powder, grated garlic, orange zest, orange juice, and thyme. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and honey is bubbly, about 1 minute.
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Pour remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil around feta on plate and drizzle feta and oil with honey mixture. Serve with pita chips.
How To Store
Refrigerate leftover feta in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Feta can be eaten cold, at room temperature, or warmed briefly in a microwave.
Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
These easy recipe variations will help you make this dish your own.
- Fried feta cubes—Cube the feta and coat/cook as written. Serve drizzled with the honey alongside some toothpicks.
- Sesame options—Opt for black sesame seeds or a mixture of white and black seeds for a different look.
- Try different flavors—Swap in different spices and herbs in the honey sauce. Za’atar would be really pretty in the honey, or even coating the feta instead of the sesame seeds.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 328 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 22g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol 60mg | 20% |
| Sodium 568mg | 25% |
| Total Carbohydrate 26g | 9% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
| Total Sugars 20g | |
| Protein 9g | |
| Vitamin C 35mg | 176% |
| Calcium 302mg | 23% |
| Iron 2mg | 9% |
| Potassium 214mg | 5% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
