Greek Baked Feta in Phyllo with Honey

Greek Baked Feta in Phyllo with Honey combines the creamy and tangy flavors of feta cheese with the buttery and flaky texture of phyllo dough, all drizzled with warm local honey.

It’s a simple yet impressive dish that requires only a few ingredients and takes just 30 minutes to prepare.

This traditional Greek appetizer, also called Feta me Meli in Greece, has the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory all in one.

Looking for more traditional Greek appetizers? Check out my Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip or Authentic Greek Tzatziki.

WHAT IS FETA ME MELI?

Feta me Meli is the Greek term for this very popular vegetarian dish and means feta with honey.

Traditionally, Greek baked feta in phyllo (filo/fillo) is shallow fried in olive oil and served as a meze item in many tavernas.

If you go to Greece, whether you go to Athens, or any Greek island, you will come across this feta dish and it’s a must order.

But in the meantime, you can enjoy Feta me Meli right at home with this easy-to-follow recipe.

WHAT IS THE BEST FETA TO USE?

When it comes to making so many Greek dishes like Spanakopita or Greek salad, feta cheese is an essential ingredient and should be chosen with a few things in mind.

1. Choose a Greek feta made with sheep or goat milk or a combination of the two. This is the ideal choice for any Greek dish.
2. Choose a high-quality feta chunk in brine. Feta in brine not only preserves it but is also a creamier texture which is ideal for this recipe.
3. Choose a feta block that is large enough to easily cut into 3 oz chunks. Never pick pre-crumbled.

Feta recommendations for Greek baked feta in phyllo: Belfiore, Dodoni, Athenos.

INGREDIENTS FOR GREEK BAKED FETA IN PHYLLO

Feta cheese – chunk of feta in brine is necessary for this recipe. If you can get a true Greek feta made with goat or sheep milk, even better.

Phyllo dough – using store bought phyllo dough works great and can be found in the freezer section near the puff pastry and pies.  

Unsalted butter – you can use all olive oil if you want to skip the butter, but we love a 50/50 mix for the best flaky phyllo result.

Extra virgin olive oil – any high-quality extra virgin olive oil is great, or you can go the extra mile and choose a greek evoo.

Honey – not all honey is created equal. Choosing a local, raw honey has numerous benefits like being fresher, alleviating allergies, and helps to sustain your local bee populations.

Sesame seeds – you can certainly use only one type of sesame seed or a mix of both like we do.

Fresh thyme – is optional for serving. However, this is an absolute must for me when finishing this dish because the freshness of the thyme pairs perfectly with the honey.

HOW TO MAKE GREEK BAKED FETA IN PHYLLO

Prep ingredients –

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Thaw phyllo according to package instructions (usually in the fridge overnight or for a few hours prior to cooking).

In a small bowl melt 2 tbsp butter and mix in 2 tbsp olive oil, set by your workstation with a pastry brush.

Prepare phyllo –

Set stack of phyllo sheets next to you and keep covered with a clean damp kitchen towel, working with one sheet at a time.

Place one sheet of phyllo on a clean flat surface. Brush the phyllo with butter/oil mixture until coated. Layer another sheet of phyllo on top and brush with butter/oil.

Wrap the feta blocks –

Place one 3 oz block of feta towards the bottom center of the phyllo, the short side closest to you.

Wrap the feta by folding the bottom flap over first and then folding the two long sides over to almost cover the feta.

Continue to brush the uncovered parts of the phyllo with butter/oil, as needed.

Fold the feta block over, moving away from you. Repeat until feta is fully wrapped in the phyllo.

Brush the top layer with more butter/oil.

Repeat with second block of feta and 2 more sheets of phyllo.

Bake –

Place wrapped feta blocks, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven, carefully turn feta over to the other side, return to oven and cook for 10 more minutes. Both sides should be crispy and golden, if not continue cooking for 5 more minutes.

Add toppings & serve –

Carefully transfer to a serving plate and immediately drizzle with warm honey.

Tip: warm honey in the microwave for 30 seconds so it’s easier to drizzle over.

Sprinkle with an equal amount of white and black sesame seeds and top with fresh thyme.  

EXPERT TIPS

• Two sheets of phyllo – after testing this recipe, two sheets of phyllo proved to be the perfect amount to keep the feta from oozing out as well as maintaining a crispy outer layer.
• Working with phyllo – make sure you follow the instructions for thawing the phyllo and that it’s thawed fully before using. Use a clean damp (not soaking wet) kitchen towel to keep the stack of phyllo covered.
• Using up leftover phyllo – since this recipe only uses a few sheets of phyllo, you can repurpose the rest to make spanakopita, cheese pies, or baklava.
• Butter/oil mixture – a 50/50 mix of melted butter and olive oil results in flaky, buttery, and pastry-like phyllo without being dry.

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Cooking method – cook it the traditional way by shallow frying in a pan with olive oil.

We prefer the baking method because you can make multiple at a time, it’s less messy, and a bit healthier than when fried in oil.

Mini version – cut the chunk of feta into small squares and use ½ sheet of phyllo to wrap up each one. Serve with toothpicks.

Ingredient substitutes – instead of sesame seeds use finely crushed pistachios or poppy seeds. Use fresh oregano, rosemary, or mint for garnish instead of thyme.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH GREEK BAKED FETA IN PHYLLO

• Serve as an appetizer with crackers or fresh bread.
• Enjoy as part of a meze spread with marinated olives, dips, and pita bread.
• Serve as a main dish with a fresh side salad.
• Enjoy as a dessert (European style) with some fresh berries.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

• Pastry brush
• Microwave safe bowl
• Large cutting board
• Knife
• Nonstick baking sheet
• Clean kitchen towel

recipe faq’s

more GREEK VEGETARIAN recipes

• Braised Green Beans and Tomatoes
• Greek Zucchini Patties
• Greek Yogurt Spinach Dip

STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE VIDEO

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