Creamy, zesty, and guaranteed to wow your taste buds, Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip is a total showstopper that takes simple ingredients and transforms them into a crave-worthy appetizer or snack. Each bite bursts with tangy feta, mellow roasted garlic, and herbaceous freshness—a combination that’s somehow both luxurious and totally fuss-free.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatably Creamy and Tangy: The marriage of Greek yogurt and feta creates a velvety dip with bright, irresistible flavor.
- Garlic Lovers’ Dream: Slow-roasted garlic gets sweet and mellow, infusing every bite without a hint of harshness.
- So Simple, Yet Elegant: With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll impress guests or treat yourself to a restaurant-worthy snack.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Use Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip as a dip, spread, or even a base for grain bowls or roasted veggies—the options are endless!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what goes into this Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip! Each ingredient truly plays a starring role—from the rich, caramelized garlic to the briny feta and creamy yogurt, you’ll understand why there are no fillers needed in a dip this flavorful and fresh.
- Head of garlic: Roasting a whole head brings out its sweet, mellow side, infusing the dip with pure, garlicky goodness (don’t use jarred or pre-chopped garlic—trust me!).
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Used both for roasting the garlic and as a finishing drizzle—it adds lushness and depth of flavor.
- Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk): This is the secret to that dreamy, tangy creaminess; choose full-fat for the richest dip.
- Feta cheese (crumbled): Go for a high-quality block feta (not pre-crumbled), for the creamiest and most authentic flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice: A splash of citrus brightens everything and ties the tangy and savory notes together beautifully.
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper: Add these to taste—feta is naturally salty, so taste before adding extra.
- Fresh chopped herbs (parsley, chives, or dill): These bring a pop of color and a burst of herby freshness on top.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Sprinkle on a pinch for a little background heat, if you love a kick!
Variations
Want to make this Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip your own? There are so many tasty add-ins and swaps to explore, depending on what you have on hand or your own flavor cravings. Customizing is not just welcome—it’s encouraged!
- Herbed Whipped Garlic Dip: Blend in a couple of tablespoons of your favorite chopped fresh herbs (like dill, cilantro, or basil) for even more aromatic lift and gorgeous color.
- Tahini Whipped Feta: For a nutty twist, add two tablespoons of tahini before blending, and finish with toasted sesame seeds for extra savory richness.
- Vegan Variation: Swap in your favorite plant-based feta and thick coconut yogurt—you’ll still get plenty of creamy, garlicky flavor, dairy-free!
- Extra Spicy: Drizzle in some hot honey or swirl in a little harissa paste to add color and gentle heat that takes the dip somewhere brand new.
How to Make Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Peel away the loose, papery outer layers of a whole head of garlic, but leave the skins intact on the individual cloves. Slice about ¼ inch off the top to expose each clove, then set the head on a piece of foil and drizzle with olive oil. Loosely wrap it up, place on a small baking sheet, and roast for 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen smells intoxicatingly delicious and the cloves are soft and golden. Let it cool for a few minutes before handling.
Step 2: Blend the Dip
Once the garlic is just cool enough to handle, squeeze those buttery roasted cloves right out of their skins and straight into your food processor or blender. Add the Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, olive oil, and lemon juice, then blend until everything is silky smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and give it one final blend to combine.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
Spoon the dip into a pretty, shallow bowl and swirl it with the back of your spoon. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, shower with fresh chopped herbs, and finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like it spicy. Get ready to dip in and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip
- Roasting for Sweetness: Let the garlic roast until it’s deeply golden and super soft—this transforms the flavor from sharp to almost caramel-like and makes blending a breeze.
- Use Block Feta for Creaminess: Block feta (rather than pre-crumbled) breaks down smoother and delivers richer, bolder Mediterranean flavor.
- Don’t Rush the Blend: Take your time with the food processor—blend until it’s truly fluffy, scraping the bowl so you don’t miss any little chunks of feta or garlic.
- Adjust Lemon and Salt Last: Feta can be salty and tang is personal—so blend first, then add extra lemon or salt to dial the flavor exactly to your liking.
How to Serve Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip
Garnishes
This dip is absolutely irresistible topped with a glug of good olive oil, lots of chopped fresh herbs (think dill, parsley, or chives), and just a hint of red pepper flakes. A few extra crumbles of feta or lemon zest on top can be that extra touch of wow if you’re feeling fancy!
Side Dishes
Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip is a natural with crispy pita chips, fresh-cut cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, or an overflowing crudités platter. It also makes an amazing companion for roasted potatoes, grilled chicken, warm naan, or spread over toast for a luxe snack.
Creative Ways to Present
Layer the dip on a platter under roasted or grilled veggies for a beautiful, Mediterranean-inspired board. Use it as a sandwich spread, swirl it onto flatbreads, or pipe it into cucumber cups or roasted mushrooms for a chic party appetizer. The color and texture make it the star of any table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip in an airtight container in the fridge. It actually tastes even better after a few hours as the flavors meld together—plan for 3-4 days of peak deliciousness.
Freezing
While you can technically freeze this dip, the creamy texture is best enjoyed fresh. If you do freeze, thaw overnight in the fridge and give the dip a vigorous stir—or quick blend—to restore some of the creaminess.
Reheating
This dip is designed to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t required. If it gets too firm in the fridge, let it sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving for the silkiest scooping consistency.
FAQs
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Can I make this Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, making it ahead lets the flavors deepen and mingle. Prep the dip up to three days in advance and keep it chilled, then give it a stir before serving for best texture.
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Is there a substitute for Greek yogurt?
Yes—for a thicker, even richer dip, labneh is a wonderful substitute. If you need a dairy-free option, try a plant-based yogurt with a similar tang and thickness.
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Do I need a food processor to make this dip smooth?
A high-powered blender or food processor will give you the smoothest results, but you can get a rustic, slightly chunky texture by mashing everything together with a fork or potato masher in a pinch.
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Can I use pre-minced garlic or jarred garlic instead?
For this Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip, fresh roasted garlic really is key for that soft, sweet, almost buttery flavor—jarred garlic just doesn’t compare and can taste harsh in this silky dip.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to experience just how irresistible Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip is—the velvety texture, the punchy flavor, and all the fresh garnishes come together in a way that makes every bite feel special. Make a bowl for your next party, movie night, or quiet afternoon snack, and watch how it disappears!
Print
Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Dip is a creamy and flavorful appetizer that will impress your guests. The roasted garlic adds a delicious depth of flavor to the tangy feta and yogurt mixture, perfect for dipping with chips, veggies, or spreading on sandwiches.
Ingredients
For the roasted garlic:
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
For the whipped feta yogurt:
- 3/4–1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk preferred!)
- 4 ounces feta, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
To garnish:
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh chopped leafy herbs, such as parsley, chives or dill
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Prepare the roasted garlic: Peel and discard the outer layers of the garlic head. Cut off the top of the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 40 minutes.
- Make the whipped feta yogurt: Squeeze the roasted garlic into a blender, add yogurt, feta, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Assemble the dip: Transfer the mixture to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with herbs and red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Herbed Whipped Garlic Dip: Add 2 tablespoons of a mix of chopped fresh leafy herbs (such as dill, parsley, cilantro or basil) before blending.
- Tahini Whipped Garlic Dip: Add 2 tablespoons tahini to the blender and process until smooth. Top with toasted sesame seeds on top.
- For more tips and customization ideas, refer to the full recipe post.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
