This flavorful and fiery Spicy Feta Dip features creamy feta blended with garlic and Calabrian chili paste served alongside all your favorite dippers for a perfect party appetizer. This speedy dip is ready in just 5 minutes!
There’s a cute little international market back in Pensacola that I’ve been missing terribly since our move to Texas. Four Winds is famous for their deli case of house-made feta dips and to say I’m obsessed with them would be the understatement of the year. I legit dream of these dips.
I’ve been recreating them at home for ages now and this past week I came up with an absolute banger of a feta dip.
It starts with the classic combination of feta, garlic, and greek yogurt, then amps things up with a hearty dose of flavor and fire from Calabrian chili paste.
I could write a dang poem about my love affair with this spicy feta dip but let’s get down to details, shall we?
Here’s what you’ll need!
Spicy Feta Dip Ingredients
- feta cheese
- fresh garlic
- Greek yogurt
- Calabrian chili paste
- extra virgin olive oil
Seriously — that’s it!
You’ll use one 8 oz block of feta cheese. I always make a point to use regular feta and not the reduced fat kind, same goes for the Greek yogurt. I find the feta is naturally salty enough that I don’t need additional salt in this dip but you’re welcome to add some if preferred.
As for the star ingredient, here’s what you need to know!
Calabrian Chili Paste
This trendy spread has been popping up in restaurants and food magazines, and for good reason too. It’s fiery and flavorful and a fantastic way to jazz up dips, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and more! One of my favorite sandwich shops uses it as a spread for their ciabatta paninis and it jump started my love affair with this tasty condiment.
Calabrian Chili peppers are a variety of peppers that originates from the Calabrian region of Italy. They may be small but these peppers are packed with flavor! Calabrian chili paste is a spread made with oil, vinegar, Calabrian hot chili peppers, and, in the case of the variety I buy, basil. You can find it in the International section of most grocery stores, World Market, and even on Amazon.
As written this spicy feta recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, low-carb, and keto friendly. Simply choose the corresponding dippers that fit your dietary needs and you’re good to go!
Q: Can I make this dip in advance?
You absolutely can! This speedy dip can easily be made in advance for a party or for weeklong snacking. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-3 days. Right now I have a small cup of it in my fridge along with a baggie of sliced vegetables so I can have an easy grab-and-go snack after the gym.
Spicy Calabrian Chili Feta Dip
Read to get this delicious 5-minute dip in your face? Heck yes!
This recipe yields a little over a cup and a half of feta dip. It can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd and makes the most amazing addition to Mediterranean Mezze Platters, Charcuterie Boards, and Cheese Boards.
I love serving it with fluffy pita (or pita chips), sliced baguette, and fresh vegetables.
Spicy Feta Dip
Equipment
- food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 8 oz block of feta
- 1 clove fresh garlic (peeled and minced)
- 2 TBSP Calabiran Chili Paste
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
DELISH DIPPERS – choose your favorites
- cucumber
- celery
- carrots
- bell pepper or sweet mini peppers
- broccoli or cauliflower
- pita bread or pita chips
- fresh sliced baguette (my fav!)
Instructions
- Add an 8 oz block of feta and 1 clove of garlic to food processor and pulse a few times to finely chop.
- Add 1 TBSP Calabrian chili paste to start. You can add the remaining spoonful at the end if it's not already too spicy for you.
- Add ⅓ cup Greek yogurt and 1 TBSP olive oil and blend until smooth and creamy.
- If you would like to thin the dip further, an extra TBSP of olive oil may be added along with that remaining TBSP of chili paste, to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with all your favorite dippers!
- Leftover dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
OPTIONAL GARNISH
- For an out of this world spicy dip, you can garnish the dip with additional Calabrian chili paste. It will be face-fanning spicy when you do this so feel free to skip that option or instead top it with chopped roasted red pepper.
- Crumbled feta and a drizzle of olive oil also make a fantastic garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions + Delish Dippers
One of the best parts about making feta dip is serving it with a mountain of healthy dippers! Here are some tasty options for you to choose from. Mix and match your favorites!
- carrot sticks
- cucumber sticks or slices
- sweet mini peppers or bell pepper slices
- celery sticks
- broccoli
- cauliflower
This dip is also amazing on fresh sliced baguette (this is how my fav FL deli serves their feta dip so it totally reminds me of home) fluffy pita and/or pita chips. You can also serve it with assorted crackers.
The star-shaped lavash flatbread crackers I used in the photos are by Valley Lahvosh and come in stars, hearts, and rounds. They’re super fun for snack boards, mezze platters, and antipasto inspired charcuterie!
Looking to spice things up even further? Spicy condiments like Chili Oil (aka chili crisp), Sriracha Chili Paste, Sambal Oelek, and Harissa are excellent flavors to play around with.
If you get a chance to try this Calabrian chili spiked spicy feta dip recipe, let me know! Leave me a comment below (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your tasty creations.