Spinach and Pepperoncini Baked Feta Dip Recipe
Spinach and Pepperoncini Baked Feta Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and zesty appetizer perfect for parties. It combines tangy baked feta with spinach, pepperoncini peppers, Greek yogurt, mayo, garlic, and mozzarella cheese, baked until golden and bubbly. Serve warm with pita chips, crostini, or fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (8-oz.) block feta cheese
- 1 (12-16 oz.) bag frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably avocado oil mayo)
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- A generous pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups grated fresh mozzarella cheese, divided
- Non-stick cooking spray or oil for greasing pan
For Serving
- Homemade or store-bought pita chips, crostini, seeded crackers, or raw veggies
Sesame Pita Chips (optional)
- 4 large pita rounds, sliced into triangles
- 3–4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 400ºF. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or small cast iron skillet with non-stick cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Feta: Place the block of feta cheese in a large bowl. Use a fork to crush and crumble the feta into small pieces, which will help it incorporate well into the dip.
- Combine Ingredients: Place thawed spinach into a clean kitchen towel and wring out as much water as possible to avoid a watery dip. Add the dried spinach to the bowl with feta, then add Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, grated garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped pepperoncini, and 1 cup of the grated mozzarella. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Smooth the surface evenly with a spatula and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake the Dip: Bake the dip in the preheated oven for 26 to 30 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the edges are golden. For extra browning, switch the oven to broil for the final 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with pita chips, crostini, seeded crackers, or raw vegetable sticks for dipping. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy, and tangy flavors!
Notes
- If feeding a large crowd, double the recipe and bake in a 9×13-inch baking dish, increasing baking time by 5 to 10 minutes as needed.
- For hosting, bake the dip in a small cast iron skillet to retain heat longer, or transfer to a crockpot to keep warm for extended periods.
- You can fully assemble the dip one day in advance; cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, warm in the oven at 350ºF for about 15 minutes or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally.
- To make sesame pita chips: Toss pita triangles with olive oil, toasted sesame seeds, dried oregano, granulated garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper; bake at 400ºF for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
Keywords: Spinach dip, baked feta dip, pepperoncini dip, party appetizer, Mediterranean appetizer, cheesy dip, easy dip recipe
