Baked Feta in Filo Rounds with Jam, Pistachios, and Honey Recipe
A delightful appetizer featuring creamy sheep's milk feta cheese wrapped in crispy, golden filo pastry rounds, baked to perfection and topped with sweet jam, crunchy pistachios, and a drizzle of honey. Perfect for serving warm as a sophisticated snack or starter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese and Pastry
- 8 ounces sheep's milk feta cheese (square)
- 8 phyllo sheets (filo)
Filling and Toppings
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 tbsp jam of choice (fig, apricot, or marmalade)
- 1/2 cup crushed pistachios
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp crushed pistachios
- Edible crushed rose petals (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup mini-muffin pan with oil or cooking spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Slice Feta: Slice the block of feta cheese into 4 equal rectangular pieces to fit inside the filo rolls.
- Melt Butter and Oil: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and olive oil together for about 30 seconds until combined and warm.
- Layer Filo Sheets: Lay 2 filo sheets at a time on a clean, flat surface. Brush or drizzle the melted butter and olive oil mixture generously over the edges to keep the layers moist and help them stick together.
- Assemble Filling: Place the feta pieces about 2 inches from the bottom edge of the filo sheets, in a single row closest to you.
- Add Jam and Pistachios: Spoon your choice of jam evenly over each feta piece, then sprinkle a generous amount of crushed pistachios over the jam and the remaining filo surface for texture and flavor.
- Roll Filo Around Filling: Carefully lift the edge of the filo closest to you and roll it up and over the filling tightly. Continue rolling until the filo is fully wrapped, then place seam side down. Repeat for all pieces. Measure and cut into 12 even sections using a serrated knife.
- Bake: Place the filo rolls in the prepared mini-muffin pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the filo is golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the filo rounds from the pan and arrange on a serving tray. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with the remaining crushed pistachios, and add edible crushed rose petals if desired. Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can use any jam you prefer, but fig, apricot, or orange marmalade complement the feta beautifully.
- Be gentle when handling filo as it is delicate and tears easily; keep unused sheets covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
- For a nut-free version, omit pistachios and replace with toasted breadcrumbs or seeds of choice.
- Serving warm enhances the contrast between the crispy filo and creamy feta.
- Edible rose petals add a lovely floral note and decorative touch but are optional.
