This 5-Minute appetizer is the BEST way to enjoy a quick taste of Greece! This feta cheese wrapped in phyllo dough, cooked in olive oil, and then drizzled with honey and sesame seeds will impress anyone you serve it to. Enjoy it with pita chips, tomatoes, or even by itself.
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Recipe Origins
Just like grilled halloumi in Cyprus, this fried feta cheese in phyllo dough is a popular meze — or Mediterranean appetizer — in Greece.
You can find it on the menu at many restaurants in Greece, and for good reason! It’s amazing.
Why Make this Recipe
- Quick Appetizer: When I tell you this recipe took me 5 minutes to make, that’s no joke! If you want the fastest and tastiest appetizer possible, this is the right one to make.
- “Travel” to Greece: Greece is at the top of many people’s travel bucket lists, but it can be hard to get to. If you want to visit Greece, but can’t, try making this recipe in your kitchen. You can bring the taste of Greece to you!
What Do I Need to Make this Recipe?
Ingredients
- Feta Cheese: Get an 8 oz block of cheese that is 1 centimeter thick. I had a thicker block, and had to cut it in half to make it thinner. I wrapped the second one in phyllo, too, and instead ended up with 2 (4 oz) fried feta blocks. This will work, too!
- Phyllo Dough: You will only need one sheet, unless you need to cut your feta thinner like I did. In that case, you may use two sheets of phyllo instead.
Tools
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Tongs
Watch the Recipe Video
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How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cheese
Place the cheese in the center of the phyllo dough, and wrap the cheese in it (see video for more instruction). Use a dot of honey to secure the phyllo dough in place.
Step 2: Fry the Cheese
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil to a cast iron skillet, just a little but enough to come about ¼ – ½ of the way up the side of the feta block.
Add the phyllo wrapped feta. Fry for 2 or so minutes, until the phyllo browns and turns crispy.
Once crispy, use your tongs to flip the feta block to the other side. Fry on the other side until completely crispy.
Step 3: Add the Final Touches
Remove the cheese from the cast iron and place it in a serving dish. Drizzle it with honey and top it with sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- If you are looking for other recipes to use up the remainder of your phyllo dough, I recommend this Burek from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Be careful when flipping your feta cheese as the phyllo dough can rip very easily.
- Add some lemon zest to the olive oil for a fresh zing! You can also add thyme, black pepper, or even basil to the top of your fried feta cheese.
- In Greece, this dish is sometimes served with black sesame seeds instead of white. You can use either.
Recipe FAQs
You are going to want to eat this fried feta any way you can get it. We enjoyed it with fresh pita chips.
You can also cut it up and serve it in a salad, enjoy it at the center of a charcuterie board, or with fresh cherry tomatoes!
Yes, if you want to, you can use 2 sheets of phyllo instead! Depending on how long you cook your feta cheese, it could get melty and two sheets of phyllo might hold it in better! It’s completely up to you.
You may have heard of saganaki before, and, while this appetizer is similar, it’s not exactly the same.
Saganaki is a form of pan-fried cheese, but it is usually made with graviera cheese. In Greek-American restaurants, it is often doused in brandy, then lit on fire with the passionate exclamation, “OPA!”
This Fried Feta Cheese is different because it is wrapped in phyllo dough first and then topped with the sweet honey, for a salty and sweet combo.
Did you enjoy this Fried Feta Cheese recipe? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
- Loukoumades from Cyprus
- Easy Tzatziki Sauce from Greece
- Gyro Meat Recipe
- Tomatoes and Peppers with Feta
Fried Feta with Phyllo Dough and Honey
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz block Feta Cheese
- 1-2 sheets Phyllo Dough, thawed according to the package instructions
- ⅓ cup Olive Oil, more or less depending on the size of your cast iron skillet
- 1 tbsp (ore more) Honey
- 1 tsp Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Place the 8 oz block of feta cheese in the center of 1 sheet of phyllo dough, and wrap the cheese in it (see video for more instruction). Use a dot of honey to secure the phyllo dough in place.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add ⅓ cup olive oil to a cast iron skillet, just a little but enough to come about halfway up the side of the feta block. Add the phyllo wrapped feta. Fry for 2 or so minutes, until the phyllo browns and turns crispy.
- Once crispy, use your tongs to flip the feta block to the other side. Fry on the other side until completely crispy.
- Remove the cheese from the cast iron and place it in a serving dish. Drizzle it with 1 tbsp honey and top it with 1 tsp sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
- Feta Cheese: Get an 8 oz block of cheese that is 1 centimeter thick. I had a thicker block, and had to cut it in half to make it thinner. I wrapped the second one in phyllo, too, and instead ended up with 2 (4 oz) fried feta blocks. This will work, too!
- Phyllo Dough: You will only need one sheet, unless you need to cut your feta thinner like I did. In that case, you may use two sheets of phyllo instead.
- Be careful when flipping your feta cheese as the phyllo dough can rip very easily.
- Add some lemon zest to the olive oil for a fresh zing! You can also add thyme, black pepper, or even basil to the top of your fried feta cheese.
- In Greece, this dish is sometimes served with black sesame seeds instead of white. You can use either.
Leslie says
We just got back from Greece and this was one of my favorite things to eat. Your recipe tasted EXACTLY like what I had there. Fantastic!! 😍😍
The Foreign Fork says
Hurray Leslie!! I’m so glad this reminded you of your trip 🙂 I’m jealous, I’d love to go back to Greece soon!
TYNA says
LOVE YOU BUTTER TARTS
The Foreign Fork says
Thank you!!