Whipped Feta with Hot Honey topped with pistachios is a simple, creamy appetizer that comes together in minutes and makes a great make-ahead option for boards and parties.
Hot Honey Whipped Feta
This Whipped Feta with Hot Honey is creamy, salty-sweet, and completely addictive. I tested this dip with a mix of feta and cottage cheese, and the cottage cheese makes all the difference. It not only balances the feta’s sharpness, it also lowers the overall fat and calories while keeping the dip creamy and ultra-smooth. Finished with a drizzle of hot honey and pistachios, it hits that perfect balance of rich, tangy, and gently spicy with a little crunch. If you’re looking for a classic version, I also have a simple whipped feta dip that uses yogurt instead of cottage cheese.
Why This Works
In the past, I have made whipped feta with Greek yogurt. This time, I wanted to try it with cottage cheese and add a little spice. I loved how it turned out, and I can’t wait to make it again the next time I have friends and family over for dinner!
- Easy make-ahead appetizer: It comes together in minutes in a food processor, making it an easy, low-effort appetizer.
- Rich and creamy without feeling heavy: Cottage cheese lightens it while keeping the texture smooth.
- Lighter: The cottage cheese also lowers the overall fat and calories while keeping the dip rich and creamy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are all the ingredients for this whipped feta recipe. See the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Feta: For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using block feta instead of pre-crumbled. It blends more smoothly and has a more pronounced feta flavor.
- Cottage Cheese: You can use 2% whole milk cottage cheese. Good Culture is my favorite, but if you can’t find it, I also like Daisy.
- Olive Oil for richness
- Hot Honey adds the perfect amount of spiciness and sweetness. Mix some into the dip and drizzle the rest on top for a pretty presentation. Mike’s Hot Honey is the one I used.
- Garnish with roasted pistachios for crunch and red pepper flakes for extra heat.
How to Make Hot Honey Whipped Feta
This easy whipped feta with hot honey doesn’t take long to make. Just blend everything in a food processor and garnish before serving. See the recipe card below for printable directions.
- Puree the dip: Place the feta, cottage cheese, oil, and hot honey in a small food processor and pulse until the feta is broken up. Scrape down the sides, and continue processing until the mixture is smooth.
- How to serve: Use a spatula to scoop the feta into a bowl. Drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle with pistachios and red pepper.
Variations
- Make it milder: Don’t like spice? Use regular honey! You can also skip the red pepper flakes.
- Nut options: Substitute chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
- Allergic to nuts? Omit the pistachios.
- Brighten it up with fresh lemon zest.
Yield: servings
Serving Size: 1 /4 cup
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Add the feta cheese, cottage cheese, olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of hot honey to a small food processor. Pulse to break up the feta as much as possible, then run the machine until the mixture is completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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Spoon the feta mixture into a low bowl and smooth into an even layer. Drizzle with hot honey. Sprinkle on the chopped pistachios and red pepper flakes.
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Serve with apple slices, pretzel chips, crackers, and/or veggie sticks.
Last Step:
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- This can be made and served immediately. If making ahead, cheese mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance.
- Dip makes 1 heaping cup.
- I loved this with apple slices
- I prefer using the block of feta rather than the pre-crumbled for this because it has more of a feta flavor and better consistency for making a smooth dip.
Serving: 1 /4 cup, Calories: 155 kcal, Carbohydrates: 9 g, Protein: 9.5 g, Fat: 9 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 26 mg, Sodium: 450 mg, Sugar: 6 g
Why Add Cottage Cheese To Whipped Feta?
Cottage cheese is not a common ingredient added to most whipped feta dips. Here’s why it works:
- Cottage cheese is lower in calories and fat than feta, making it a simple way to lighten the appetizer.
- It adds some extra protein.
- It makes the dip even smoother, resulting in the best texture.
- Cottage cheese’s creaminess balances feta’s sharpness, enhancing the flavor.
Make-Ahead Tips
This whipped feta dip is good for entertaining because it can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.
- 2 days before the party: Store the cheese mixture in an airtight container. You can also refrigerate it in your serving bowl if you tightly cover it with plastic wrap.
- Right before the party: Garnish it with hot honey, pistachios, and red pepper flakes. Set out the crackers and vegetables to serve with it.
- During the party: Ideally, the appetizer shouldn’t sit out for more than 2 hours to keep it at a safe temperature.
- After the party: The dip will last up to 7 days total in the fridge. So, if you made it 2 days early, refrigerate it for up to 5 more days. It makes a great snack!
More Easy Appetizers to Share
For more appetizer recipes, check out these five healthy appetizers to make for your next party!
