Feta cheese is a staple ingredient in many Greek dishes and salads. Its crumbly, tangy texture pairs perfectly with fresh vegetables, olives, and herbs. While feta is most often served at room temperature, you may wonder if it’s safe or advisable to heat it.
Can you cook feta cheese?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook feta cheese. Heating feta will make it softer and creamier. It can be baked, grilled, sautéed, or melted into hot dishes.
When cooked, feta retains its signature salty, tangy flavor. The cheese softens but does not fully melt into a smooth liquid, thanks to its high fat content. The proteins in the cheese coagulate when heated, creating a soft, spreadable texture.
Does feta cheese melt when baked?
Yes, feta cheese becomes soft and spreadable when baked. It will not melt into a fully smooth, gooey consistency like mozzarella. But it does become warm, creamy, and easy to incorporate into baked dishes.
To bake feta, add crumbled or cubed pieces to casseroles, pasta bakes, savory tarts, quiches, or egg dishes. Bake at 350°F until the feta is warmed through and spreadable, 15-20 minutes.
Can you cook feta on the grill?
Grilling is a delicious way to prepare feta cheese. The heat warms and softens the feta while infusing it with smoky barbecue flavors.
To grill feta, cut a block into 1/2 inch slices and place directly on a hot grill. After 2-3 minutes per side the feta will soften and have attractive grill marks. Pair grilled feta with vegetables, bread, or olives.
You can also wrap feta in foil with olive oil and herbs before grilling. The steam inside the packet keeps the feta moist while absorbing the flavors. Grill for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
Is it OK to sauté feta cheese?
It’s absolutely fine to sauté feta cheese. Doing so warms the cheese and gives it a delicious golden crust.
To sauté feta, cut it into cubes no larger than 1/2 inch. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the feta and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Remove immediately so the feta doesn’t overcook. Enjoy sautéed feta tossed into pasta, on pizza, in omelets, or on salads.
Can you melt feta in the microwave?
The microwave can be used to quickly melt feta cheese. This is handy when making appetizers, dips, or hot sandwiches.
To melt feta in the microwave, break it into small pieces in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on HIGH in 30 second bursts, stirring between intervals, until melted and warm. For a creamier texture, combine the crumbled feta with a tablespoon or two of milk or cream before microwaving.
Is melted feta cheese stringy?
No, melted feta cheese is not stringy like mozzarella. When heated, feta softens into a thick, creamy texture. But it does not become smooth or develop strings due to its lower moisture content.
Can feta cheese be fried?
It’s absolutely possible to fry feta cheese for an indulgent flavor and texture. Breaded, fried feta makes a delicious appetizer or snack.
To fry feta, cut the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes and pat dry. Dip the cubes into flour, then beaten egg, then breadcrumbs. Fry at 350°F for 1-2 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Fry in batches to avoid crowding the pan and lower the oil temperature.
Is feta cheese good on pizza?
Feta cheese is delicious on pizza. Its salty, tangy flavor pairs well with the rich tomato sauce and savory toppings. The high heat of the pizza oven warms and softens the feta so it’s spreadable.
For best results, add crumbled feta cheese on top of the pizza about 3 minutes before it’s done baking. This prevents the feta from overcooking or becoming tough. Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley complement feta cheese pizza.
Can you put feta cheese in the oven?
Baking feta cheese in the oven is a great cooking technique. It warms the cheese through and gives it a slightly melted texture. Baked feta is a handy ingredient to add flavor and protein to casseroles, tarts, pastas, and more.
To bake plain feta cheese, simply place a block in a small baking dish and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes until warmed through. For added flavor, drizzle with olive oil and herbs before baking.
Is feta cheese good in quiche?
Feta cheese adds delicious flavor when baked into a quiche. It pairs well with classic quiche ingredients like spinach, tomatoes, bacon, and herbs.
When adding feta to quiche, crumble or cube the cheese into small pieces first. Sprinkle the feta over the bottom pie crust before adding the egg filling. This prevents the feta from sinking during baking. Bake as directed until set, about 30-40 minutes.
Can you put feta cheese in lasagna?
Feta cheese makes an excellent addition to lasagna. Its salty tang complements the rich meat sauce and seasoned ricotta filling.
For best results, crumble the feta and sprinkle it over the top of the lasagna about 10 minutes before finishing baking. This warms the cheese just enough without compromising its texture.
You can also mix crumbled feta directly into the ricotta cheese before layering your lasagna, though the feta flavor will be subtler.
Is feta cheese good on eggs?
Feta cheese pairs deliciously with eggs. Its briny flavor complements the rich, creamy eggs perfectly. There are many tasty ways to enjoy feta cheese with eggs:
- Crumble feta over a frittata or omelet before cooking
- Sprinkle feta over scrambled eggs just before serving
- Add diced feta to an egg casserole or strata before baking
- Top a breakfast sandwich with sliced tomato, feta, and fried egg
- Make feta cheese shakshuka with poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce
What cheeses melt well with feta?
These cheeses combine nicely when melted with feta cheese:
- Mozzarella: Adds stretch and a mild flavor
- Cheddar: Contributes a sharp cheddar bite
- Goat cheese: Provides tang and creaminess
- Parmesan: Offers nutty, salty accents
- Gruyere: Brings nuttiness and complex flavor
- Fontina: Melts smoothly and gives a rich flavor
Use a combo of cheeses when making dips, fondues, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, pizza, and baked pasta dishes with feta.
Is feta cheese good with spinach?
Feta cheese pairs exceptionally well with spinach. The bold, salty feta balances the earthy, slightly bitter spinach nicely. Some tasty ways to enjoy feta and spinach together include:
- Spanakopita – Greek spinach and feta pie
- Spinach salad with crumbled feta and red wine vinaigrette
- Pasta tossed with wilted spinach, feta, and olive oil
- Feta stuffed into baked portobello mushroom caps with spinach
- Cheesy spinach dip with sautéed spinach and melted feta
What foods complement baked feta cheese?
Baked feta cheese pairs well with these ingredients:
- Bread – pita, baguette, flatbread
- Olives – kalamata, green, niçoise
- Olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- Tomatoes – cherry, sun-dried, plum
- Garlic
- Onion
- Roasted red peppers
- Artichoke hearts
- Dukkah or ground nuts
- Honey
- Fresh herbs – basil, oregano, chives
Try combining baked feta with any of these ingredients to make a simple cheese board, bruschetta topping, salad, or dip.
Is it safe to reheat baked feta?
It’s perfectly safe to reheat previously baked feta cheese. Store leftover baked feta cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
To reheat, place the baked feta in an oven-safe dish and bake at 300°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat baked feta in the microwave in short 10-15 second bursts.
Check for signs of mold growth before reheating – if you see any, discard the cheese. Properly stored, baked feta should reheat safely.
Can you freeze feta cheese after baking?
Freezing is a great way to preserve baked feta cheese for longer term storage. Freeze baked feta within 2 hours of cooking.
Allow the baked feta to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Exclude as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Thaw frozen baked feta overnight in the fridge before using. Use within a week for best quality and flavor.
Is it safe to eat feta cheese while pregnant?
Pregnant women can safely enjoy feta cheese in moderation, according to food safety guidelines. Opt for pasteurized feta from the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
Avoid feta cheese at higher risk for contamination with listeria or other bacteria, including:
- Unpasteurized (raw milk) feta
- Feta made from sheep or goat’s milk
- Feta imported from outside the US
- Any feta with mold or an off smell or appearance
Properly stored pasteurized cow’s milk feta from the US or other developed countries should be safe for pregnant women when heated or cooked.
Is it safe to eat feta cheese when breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding women can also eat pasteurized feta cheese from the refrigerator section when cooked or heated. The same food safety guidelines apply as during pregnancy.
Avoid raw milk cheeses, soft cheeses like brie or feta made from unpasteurized milk, sheep or goat cheese, and imported cheeses when breastfeeding. These carry a higher risk of contamination.
Stick to pasteurized feta made from cow’s milk from reputable brands. Make sure any feta you eat smells and looks fresh. Cook the feta before eating to reduce any risk.
Can babies eat feta cheese?
It’s best to wait until 12 months to introduce feta cheese to a baby or toddler’s diet. At this point, their digestive system is better equipped to handle the contents of the cheese.
When introducing feta, opt for pasteurized varieties made from cow or goat’s milk, not sheep’s milk due to risk of allergies. Make sure the cheese has no mold or odd odors.
Crumble a small amount of feta over cooked foods your baby already tolerates well, like vegetables or pasta. Monitor for any signs of an allergic reaction. Introduce new foods slowly and one at a time.
Is feta cheese good for you?
Feta cheese provides some beneficial nutrients, but it does have drawbacks when eaten in large amounts. The main pros of feta cheese include:
- Protein: 6 grams protein per ounce for building muscles
- Calcium: 14% DV calcium per ounce for strong bones
- Phosphorus: 10% DV phosphorus per ounce supports energy levels
- Vitamin B12: 10% DV B12 per ounce for red blood cell health
Potential downsides of feta cheese include:
- High sodium: 600mg sodium per ounce
- Saturated fat: 5 grams per ounce may negatively impact heart health
- Calories: About 80 calories per ounce
Overall, feta cheese can be part of a healthy diet in moderation, along with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Conclusion
Feta cheese holds up beautifully to cooking and heating. Warming feta intensifies its tangy, salty flavor and gives it a soft, creamy texture. You can safely bake, grill, sauté, or melt feta for use in appetizers, salads, main dishes, and more. Opt for pasteurized cow or goat’s milk feta and handle it properly for the best flavor and food safety.