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This Pan-Fried Feta with Peppered Honey is the perfect (EASY) appetizer that everyone loves. Salty feta cheese, coated in Panko bread crumbs and pan-fried to golden perfection. Nothing beats that crispy fried layer surrounding an entire block of feta. Serve this warm, drizzled with peppery honey, fried lemon zest, fresh cherry tomatoes, and baked pita chips. A great quick-and-easy appetizer for any occasion that’s gone within minutes…and always the first app to disappear!
And so it begins, the start of the 4th of July appetizers, side dishes, snacks, and sweet treats. Hard to believe the 4th is only a few weeks away (actually it’s exactly 3 weeks from today), but as we all know, time moves quickly, and somehow it is mid-June. This currently means two things for me. First, it’s finally starting to warm up here in the mountains. Things have slowly gotten green (if you follow along on Instagram then you know what I’m talking about). The temperatures, while still a bit cool, are at least in the upper 60’s during the day. And it’s been pretty sunny too, so yessss, summer is here!
Very excited to see green leaves and sunshine, it makes such a difference for me and I could not be happier.
Second? Mid-June means the summer produce is really starting to show up, and I have 4th of July entertaining on my mind. I know it’s just a little early to be talking 4th of July recipes, but then I know some of you like to plan, so maybe it’s not? Regardless, I’m excited to start rolling out all the summery recipes over the next few weeks (and months). I’m kicking off my 4th of July appetizers with this pan-fried feta cheese.
It’s a good one.
For those of you who have a copy of the HBH cookbook, you might recall that I have a recipe for pan-fried feta in the appetizer section of the book. Honestly, I had completely forgotten all about that recipe up until a couple weeks ago when brainstorming new summer ideas. It’s one of my favorite appetizers from the book, the feta cheese marinates with the olives, and is so so good. If you haven’t made that recipe yet, I highly recommend it as well. It’s different from today’s but just as delicious.
For whatever reason, I always love to serve feta in the summer months. Maybe because I find it particularly delicious when paired with tomatoes? Or possibly because I see it as a “lighter” cheese that most people really enjoy?
Either way, it’s a great summer cheese. Trust me though, pan-frying it in just a smidge of olive oil (so no deep-frying) makes it even more delicious.
This recipe is EASY, here are the details…
Start with the honey, it’s literally just honey, thyme, and black pepper mixed together. Simple, simple, but so delicious.
The next step is cooking the lemon zest in oil. Yes. You must do this. It’s key. Before you cook the feta, first cook the lemon zest in oil. Not only is fried lemon delicious, but it infuses the oil with lemony flavor and adds a really nice hint of citrus throughout the dish.
Now, let’s talk about the fried feta. Which isn’t really “fried” since we’re only cooking it in a little bit of (lemon infused) olive oil. The feta is first dipped through Panko bread crumbs and then pan-fried in a skillet. It takes maybe 10 or so minutes total to put together and the outcome could not be more delicious.
Since feta is a non-melting cheese, it’s really easy to work with and will not melt all over. Instead, the outside of the cheese remains crispy, while the inside is warm, soft, and perfectly crumbly.
You can serve the feta at room temperature, and it will, of course, be delicious. But personally? I love serving the feta warm, drizzled generously with that peppered honey. The honey seeps into the feta creating the perfect salty, sweet, and peppery flavor with every single bite.
Mouthwatering!
Top with summery cherry tomatoes and enjoy with pita chips.
So darn delicious, EASY, and pretty too! This is going to make the perfect appetizer/snack for Father’s Day this weekend. I mean what Dad doesn’t love fried cheese? Then put it on repeat a few weeks later on the 4th. I already cannot wait to make this over and over all summer long!
If you make this pan-fried feta with peppered honey, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Can this be made in advance and kept warm in a low oven?
Hey Toni,
How far in advance? If it’s just for a couple hours then yes that will be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xx
Even when it’s cool outside it’s perfect !
Hey there,
Happy Friday🍁 I appreciate you making this recipe and love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
So decadently delicious without being decadent. Easy too. Made it for a dessert and served with Pita. I didn’t include the tomatoes and the recipe did not suffer as a result. My friend asked for the recipe to serve as an appetizer. Thank you for this lovely summery taste.
Hey Anne Marie,
Amazing!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback:)
Good taste but the photo made it look easier. I found it difficult to get enough panko crumbs to stick. I also had trouble flipping the feta to keep the crumbs on – most of mine scrapped off/feel off when flipping!! 🙁 I also thought the cheese would be more melty?!
Hi Mary,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, so sorry to hear you had some issues! What kind of pan did you use? I find I have the best results using my cast iron skillet, it gets super hot preventing the panko from falling off and gets the cheese nice and melty. xTieghan
Hi! This recipe sounds amazing! Quick question, though… The feta I buy comes in a cube-like brick, probably roughly 4 inches wide, 6 inches long, 4 inches high… How would you recommend I cut this to fry, it in slabs of roughly 1 to 2 inches high?
Thanks so much.
Pam S.
Hey Pam,
Sure, I probably wouldn’t make them any thicker than 1 inch. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Would preserved lemon be good in this (in place of the fresh zest)
Hey Lena,
Sure, I don’t see why not!! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!! xx
This is like so amazing! ?
Love it! The fried lemon zest is amazing!! #5star
Hey Penny,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
SO good! Love the peppered honey in it will definitely make again?
Hi Katie,
I really appreciate you giving the recipe a try, so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great week! xxT
Tried this recipe but used Berry Jalapeño Honey Jelly in place of the honey and pepper. It was delicious! And such a hit at my last party. I’ll definitely keep this one in my repertoire!
Hey Carol,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan
Very tasty!
Hey there,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Have a great weekend:) xx
This has become my go to, signature appetizer. Every time I serve it people go crazy. I had it last week-end and one of the guests said “I can’t stop eating this, it’s so addictive. This could be my dinner” I started making my own pita chips, since we found it kind of tricky to put on the store bought chips…they’re uneven and tend to break when you put the feta on. Definitely don’t skip the fresh thyme…it’s essential!
Thanks, Tieghen from a California chef
P.S. I think French feta works best!
Hey Linda,
Awesome!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
Delicious. It’s technically fried but retails that fresh taste of feta. It was devoured in minutes.
Hey Steve,
Fantastic! I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Loved it!
Hey Jennie,
Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Totally wowed! I love this!!!
Hey Nancy,
Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
This looks scrummy! Can you clarify what is one serving of this, please? How many serves do you get out of this one block of feta?
Cheers
Mexie
Hey Mexie,
Thanks so much! Since this is just an appetizer, I do not have an exact serving size. This should be a perfect appetizer for about 6 people to have several crackers with cheese. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Easy to make and so delicious! The peppered honey is the key.
Hey Anne,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan