Ingredients
- Feta Cheese: 8 ounces block (drained)
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces (softened)
- Baguette: 1 loaf (sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons
- Hot Honey: 1/4 cup (plus extra for serving)
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
- Fresh Mint or Basil: 1 tablespoon (finely chopped, for garnish)
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet, brush both sides lightly with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden brown. Set aside to cool.
- Step 2: Prepare the whipped feta by combining the feta cheese, softened cream cheese, lemon juice, remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and black pepper in a food processor. Process for 2-3 minutes, pausing to scrape down the sides, until the mixture is completely smooth and airy.
- Step 3: Spread a generous layer of the whipped feta mixture onto each cooled crostini slice, ensuring even coverage. Arrange the assembled crostini on a serving platter.
- Step 4: Drizzle the crostini heavily with the hot honey. The honey should pool slightly on top of the feta layer.
- Step 5: Garnish the sweet and spicy crostini immediately with a sprinkle of fresh chopped mint or basil before serving.
Notes
- Store the leftover whipped feta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; for best results, always store the crostini separately to keep them crisp.
- While the feta mixture should not be reheated, you can easily restore day-old, un-topped crostini by popping them back into a 300°F oven for 5 minutes until dry and crisp again.
- Ensure both the feta and cream cheese are at room temperature before processing; this guarantees the smoothest, lightest, and most airy whip, preventing any grainy texture.
- To enhance the spicy-sweet complexity, serve this appetizer alongside chilled, sliced green grapes or a scatter of toasted walnuts for crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American