Description
Baked Feta Bites are delightful, savory puff pastry cups filled with a blend of sweet jam, roasted red peppers, tangy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs. These bite-sized appetizers offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures, from the flaky golden pastry to the creamy feta and vibrant toppings. Ideal for parties or as an elegant snack, they are easy to prepare and bake to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- All-purpose flour, for surface
- 1 (17.3-oz.) package puff pastry, thawed if frozen
- Cooking spray
Filling
- 2 Tbsp. fig jam, apricot jam, or peach jam
- 2 Tbsp. sliced shallots
- 1 (10-oz.) jar roasted red peppers, cut into 24 (2″ x 1/2″) pieces
- 8 oz. feta, cut into 24 (1″ by 1/2″) cubes
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp. chili oil
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pastry: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly flour a surface and roll out the thawed puff pastry to smooth any creases. Using a chef’s knife, cut the pastry into 24 equal squares.
- Shape the pastry cups: Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Gently press each puff pastry square into a cup, ensuring the edges slightly protrude beyond the cup’s rim to create a cup shape after baking.
- Assemble the fillings: Fill each puff pastry cup starting with a small amount of jam, then layer sliced shallots and roasted red pepper pieces. Place a cube of feta cheese on top, sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Bake the bites: Place the filled muffin tin in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until the puff pastry is cooked through, puffed up, and golden brown. After baking, allow the bites to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Carefully transfer the baked feta bites to a platter. Finish by sprinkling additional thyme leaves and lemon zest on top, then drizzle with chili oil before serving.
Notes
- Jams can be swapped based on your preference or seasonal availability.
- Make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed for easy handling and best texture.
- Use a sharp knife to cut pastry squares cleanly without tearing.
- Allow bites to cool slightly to avoid burning when serving.
- Chili oil adds a spicy kick, but can be omitted for a milder flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
