• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Wimpy Vegetarian
  • Home
  • About Susan
    • About Susan
    • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Recipe Index
  • Essential Pantry
    • Reduced Balsamic Vinegar
  • Contact Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » APPETIZERS + SNACKS

    Honeyed Warm Feta with Dates

    Modified: Oct 26, 2022 by Susan Pridmore · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

    Easy warm appetizer of baked feta topped with blue cheese, honey and dates.

    Honeyed Warm Feta with Dates 600LT : The Wimpy Vegetarian

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    I have friends who are appetizer rock stars, but I'll be the first to admit I'm challenged in this area. By the time I've planned a first course, the main event, and dessert, the appetizer becomes an afterthought. At the last minute, I'm invariably raiding the refrigerator for some forgotten olives that might be stashed away, and testing boxes of crackers to see if they've gone stale. Each time swearing I won't let this happen again.

    It's not that I find appetizers daunting. This is a bandwidth issue. I need something easy that won't steal time from preparations for the rest of the meal. After years, ok maybe even decades, of trying to present multiple impressively complicated dishes to wow friends and family, I'm trying hard to simplify my menus so I can actually spend time with my guests, and still create a memorable meal.

    This little appetizer was inspired by one I saw in Amanda Hesser's The Essential New York Time Cookbook a couple of years ago, and is still one of my favorites. Assuming I remember to pick up a block of feta cheese and some Point Reyes Blue, the other ingredients are standard pantry items in my kitchen. It only takes a few minutes to pull together, and hits the notes of rustic elegance I like. I serve it with a variety of crackers and some of those olives I always have hanging around the refrigerator. If you're looking for a last minute appetizer for tonight, or any night, this might fit the bill.

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe
    Honeyed Warm Feta with Dates : The Wimpy Vegetarian
    No ratings yet

    Honeyed Warm Feta with Dates

    Print Recipe Save Saved! Pin Recipe Add to Recipe Collection Go to Collections Add to Shopping ListGo to Shopping List
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Servings: 6
    Author: Susan Pridmore
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 block feta cheese
    • Coarsely ground pepper
    • 2 tablespoons blue cheese I use Pt. Reyes Blue
    • 2 tablespoons honey divided (preferably Orange Blossom)
    • 5 - 6 dates
    • Fresh thyme
    • Your favorite crackers

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. A toaster oven works great for this. Line a baking sheet with foil, and place the block of feta on it. Grind a few twists of pepper over the top. Bake for five to seven minutes, or until softened.
    • Remove and crumble the blue cheese over the top, and drizzle with one tablespoon of honey. Slide back into the oven for another couple of minutes to melt the blue cheese.
    • Remove, sprinkle the dates on top, drizzle with the remaining honey, and sprinkle on the thyme as a finishing touch.
    • Serve with your favorite crackers.

    Notes

     
    « Mamma's Refrigerator Orange Sweet Rolls
    Homemade Granola Bars »

    About Susan Pridmore

    Susan Pridmore is an award-winning cookbook author and the owner of The Wimpy Vegetarian. She has been featured in Huffington Post, Healthline, BuzzFeed, and has written for and developed recipes for The Food Network and Parade Magazine. She is professionally trained and focuses on easy vegetarian recipes for busy lives, bread-baking, and tips for new vegetarians. Susan lives in the mountains in Lake Tahoe with her husband and mini-labradoodle.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rodger Helwig

      December 31, 2012 at 1:14 pm

      Just another intriguing recipe from my talented friend from across the bridge.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 31, 2012 at 3:26 pm

        Thanks so much my friend! A very, very Happy New Year to you. I hope 2013 bring you everything you wish for.

        Reply
    2. Rosemary

      December 31, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      I'm like you when it comes to appetizers. This is one that fits my style! My latest easy app is toasted walnuts, almonds and pecans drenched in honey then drizzled over sliced Toscano cheese (from Trader Joe's) on crackers or thinly sliced toasted bread.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 31, 2012 at 3:27 pm

        We're definitely on the same page for appetizers. Sadly I can't eat nuts, but your appetizer sounds fantastic, Rosemary!!

        Reply
    3. Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious

      December 31, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      That looks spectacular! Great flavor combo you have going on.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 31, 2012 at 3:27 pm

        Thanks so much Dorothy! Happy New Year!

        Reply
    4. Rita

      December 31, 2012 at 2:54 pm

      As Rosemary said, this appetizer is my style too. Almost anything with a good cheese make a simple satisfying starter.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 31, 2012 at 3:29 pm

        Thanks Rita! And I totally agree - and warm cheese is just heavenly. Happy New Year!

        Reply
    5. apuginthekitchen

      December 31, 2012 at 3:04 pm

      Couldn't be simpler or more delicious, another wonderful recipe Susan. Happy New Year to you and your family, continued creativity, health and happiness in 2013. (And lots of good food!!!)

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        December 31, 2012 at 3:29 pm

        Thanks so much Suzanne! A very Happy New Year to you and your family. I hope 2013 is a fantastic year for you!!

        Reply
    6. Norma Chang

      January 01, 2013 at 6:17 am

      My kind of appetizer, simple, easy and tasty. Happy New Year!

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        January 01, 2013 at 12:06 pm

        Thanks so much Norma! Happy New Year to you too!

        Reply
    7. TasteFood

      January 01, 2013 at 11:26 am

      This will certainly make you a rock star! I like how blue cheese is combined with the feta.

      Reply
      • The Wimpy Vegetarian

        January 01, 2013 at 12:07 pm

        Thanks Lynda, but not as much as your Almond Butter Cookies 🙂

        Reply
    8. mjskit

      January 02, 2013 at 6:52 pm

      I definitely want a block of this! Feta can be used in so many ways, but I've never seen it served like this. This is a recipe that I could make as a meal because I would have a hard time sharing it with anyone as an appetizer. 🙂 Love the honey and dates!

      Reply
    9. Mary @ Fit and Fed

      January 06, 2013 at 5:08 pm

      So much prettier and tastier-looking than a plain old block of cheese, and looks easy, thanks!

      Reply
    10. Hannah

      January 08, 2013 at 11:05 am

      I love all you share! These photos are stunning and so enticing. And you had me at warm feta... Happy new year to you!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Susan at The Wimpy Vegetarian

    about the author:

    Susan Pridmore

    Hi there! I'm an award-winning cookbook author, culinary school graduate, professional photographer and recipe developer. My cookbook Simply Vegetarian was named #1 best cookbook for new vegetarians, and I want to make it easier for you to cook fabulous vegetarian meals. Come join me in the kitchen!

    More about me →

    READER FAVORITES

    • Summer peach cake topped with fresh peaches and blueberries on a marble counter.
      Lazy Summer Peach Cake Recipe with Blueberries
    • A bowl of fresh strawberry salsa with a crostini spread with cheese and topped with salsa.
      Easy Strawberry Salsa Recipe with Chocolate Nibs
    • A bowl of cooked, fluffy brown rice topped with a little fresh thyme.
      How to Cook Fluffy Rice with Tips (White AND Brown Rice)
    • Four dishes from a vegetarian St. Patrick's Day roundup of recipes with text overlay.
      Irish Vegetarian Recipes (St. Patricks Day)

    15 Tips for Going Vegetarian (Updated!)

    A colander filled with freshly washed apples with text overlay.

    Purchase My Cookbook!!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Purchase my cookbook
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe Index

    Copyright © 2025 The Wimpy Vegetarian

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required