Description
Baked Feta Potatoes is a deliciously savory and comforting dish featuring crispy roasted potatoes infused with herbs and olive oil, topped with creamy baked feta cheese, fresh basil, and a hint of honey and lemon for a perfect balance of flavors. This simple, oven-baked recipe delivers a perfect side or light main dish with a Mediterranean twist.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Potatoes
- 2 large baking potatoes
Cheese & Flavorings
- 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 chilli 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 200°C (390°F) to prepare for roasting your potatoes and baking the feta.
- Parboil Potatoes: Wash and cube the potatoes. Place them in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Parboil the potatoes for 6-8 minutes, ensuring not to exceed 10 minutes. Drain and steam dry for 2-3 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Coat Potatoes: Transfer the parboiled potatoes to a baking dish. Add the dried thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well to coat the potatoes evenly with the seasonings and oil.
- Roast Potatoes: Roast the seasoned potatoes in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes until they turn golden brown, crispy on the outside, and nearly cooked through.
- Add Feta & Lemon: Place the block of feta in the center of the baking dish. Optionally, dip one side of the feta in the seasonings before flipping it. Squeeze half of the lemon over the feta and potatoes.
- Prepare Garlic: Remove the whole head of garlic from the dish after initial roasting and allow it to cool slightly. Then squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins and mash with the flat side of a knife. Set aside the mashed garlic.
- Bake Feta & Potatoes Again: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the feta to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Mix Garlic & Basil: Remove the dish from the oven and gently stir in the mashed garlic, juice from the remaining half of the lemon, and fresh basil leaves. Use a spoon to combine the roast potatoes with the melted feta, creating a creamy mixture.
- Finish & Serve: Drizzle the honey over the top and garnish with additional shredded basil if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, flavorful baked feta potatoes.
Notes
- Parboiling the potatoes ensures they cook through while roasting and develop a crispy exterior.
- Use fresh basil for a vibrant flavor contrast to the salty feta and roasted garlic.
- If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red chili flakes.
- Honey adds a subtle sweetness to balance the tangy feta and lemon juice.
- This dish can be a vegetarian main or a hearty side for meat dishes.
- Ensure garlic is softened well during roasting for easy mashing and mellow flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
