If you’re looking for a festive holiday appetizer you can make in 10 minutes that everyone will love, this Whipped Feta with Cranberry Sauce is perfect. It looks beautiful and is made right in your food processor. The lusciously creamy, rich, and tangy whipped feta is topped with a naturally sweetened homemade cranberry sauce, pistachios and fresh herbs.
Why You’ll Love This Whipped Feta
I love how the holidays naturally bring us together this time of year. Simple, festive dishes like this make gathering feel easy and joyful. The sharing of seasonal food becomes a source of pleasure, warmth, and connection.
The creamy whipped feta cheese is topped with sweet-tart cranberry sauce, fresh herbs, and crunchy pistachios. The textures are irresistible, the colors are beautifully festive, and the whole dish feels effortlessly special for the holidays.
- Easy to make with minimal ingredients, ready in 10 minutes with just a food processor
- Balanced flavors of salty, tangy, sweet, and tart
- Gorgeous holiday presentation with colors that make any table sparkle
- Crowd pleaser perfect for family gatherings, parties, or just the two of you
- Naturally gluten-free and pairs well with vegetables or crackers
Ingredients
This recipe blends feta cheese, thick Greek yogurt, and extra virgin olive oil to create a fluffy, ultra-creamy whipped feta dip in just 10 minutes. Paired with my naturally sweetened cranberry sauce it becomes an effortless, delicious holiday appetizer. The homemade cranberry sauce is simple to make and can be prepared ahead or use your favorite store bought. This is what you need:
- Feta cheese – Use high quality block feta, stored in brine. It’s moister, creamier, more flavorful. Do not use already crumbled feta, which tends to be too salty and dry.
- Greek yogurt – Whole milk, unsweetened, thick Greek yogurt to get a smooth, creamy texture that’s good for dipping.
- Garlic – Gives the dip extra flavor but it’s optional.
- Orange zest – Adds a bright, fresh, citrusy flavor. Lemon zest can be substituted.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Provides a rich texture when blending and also drizzled when serving for extra flavor.
- Cranberry sauce – My homemade cranberry sauce is super easy to make but you can use your favorite store bought. This is a good brand.
- Pistachios – They have a nice green festive color but any nuts will work to add a crunchy texture. Roasted pine nuts are another one of my favorites.
- Fresh herbs – Makes the flavors bright and floral. I like rosemary and mint but you can use thyme, parsley or any herbs you like.
How To Make Whipped Feta with Cranberry Sauce
This is a very easy appetizer to make, there are only a 2 steps. Make the whipped feta in a processor, transfer to a platter, then top with cranberries and garnishes and serve. Here’s how:
- Whip the feta. Combine the feta, Greek yogurt and orange zest in a food processor and pulse until combined. While the processor is running, drizzle the olive oil through the top opening, until the feta is whipped to a smooth texture.
- Transfer the whipped feta to a serving plate and smooth the top, making a well in the middle.
- Top and serve. Spoon the cranberry sauce into the well. Garnish with pistachios, herbs and drizzle more olive oil all over. I also like julienned orange zest. Serve with crackers, endive or crudités. These are my favorite grain free crackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
First be sure you use thick Greek yogurt. Regular yogurt will make it runny. Also stop blending once it’s just whipped. If you keep blending, it will soften and become loose very fast. If it’s runny, chill in the refrigerator for a few hours and it will firm up.
Any leftover can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
Yes absolutely. It’s best to enjoy the the whipped, creamy goodness immediately but it stores well. Once it chills in the fridge, the texture will thicken but you can reprocess or whip it by hand with a fork. It’s best to store the whipped feta and cranberry sauce separately. It will keep 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
You can top this with any fruity jam, fig jam, hot honey or chia jam. I also like the whipped feta with my Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.
More Holiday Appetizers
- Creamy White Bean Dip
- Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms
- Roasted Eggplant Caponata
- Appetizer Brussels Sprouts
- Baba Ganoush
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Creamy Whipped Feta with Cranberry Sauce
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeAn easy appetizer you can make in under 10 minutes. The lusciously creamy, rich, and tangy whipped feta is topped with a naturally sweetened homemade cranberry sauce, pistachios and fresh herbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Process
- Cuisine: Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Paleo friendly
Ingredients
- 8 ounces block feta cheese, broken into chunks
- 3/4 cup thick Greek yogurt, plain full fat
- 1 small garlic clove, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup naturally sweetened cranberry sauce
- Garnish: chopped pistachio nuts, fresh herbs, orange zest and a drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Add the feta, Greek yogurt, garlic and orange zest to the bowl of a food processor.
- Pulse to combine, scrape down the sides, until it begins to come together.
- While the processor is running, drizzle the olive oil through the top opening, until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the whipped feta to a serving dish, smooth the top and make a well in the center.
- Fill the well with the cranberry sauce.
- Garnish with chopped pistachios, fresh herbs, julienned orange zest and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Serve with crackers, endive or crudités.
Equipment
Notes
Click here for my favorite gluten free crackers.
Cook time does not include making the cranberry sauce.
The post Creamy Whipped Feta with Cranberry Sauce appeared first on Eat Well Enjoy Life – Pure Food, Radiant Energy (gluten free).