Spinach and Pepperoncini Baked Feta Dip Recipe
This Spinach and Pepperoncini Baked Feta Dip is a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy appetizer perfect for parties or cozy nights in. Combining crumbled feta, sautéed spinach, creamy Greek yogurt, zesty pepperoncini peppers, and melted mozzarella, this baked dip offers a delightful blend of Mediterranean flavors with a gooey, golden finish. Serve it warm with pita chips, crostini, or fresh veggies for an irresistible crowd-pleaser.
- 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
Dip Ingredients
- 1 (8-oz.) block feta cheese
- 1 (12-16 oz.) bag frozen spinach, thawed
- 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
- Raw veggies (such as carrots, celery, cucumber sticks)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or a small cast iron skillet using non-stick cooking spray or a light coating of oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Feta and Spinach: Place the block of feta cheese in a large mixing bowl. Using a fork, crush and crumble the feta into small pieces. Take the thawed spinach and place it into a clean kitchen towel; wring out as much excess water as possible to avoid a watery dip. Add the dried spinach to the bowl with the feta.
- Mix in Remaining Ingredients: To the bowl containing feta and spinach, add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, grated garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped pepperoncini peppers, and 1 cup of the grated mozzarella cheese. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the cheesy spinach mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake and Finish: Bake in the preheated oven for 26 to 30 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly and the edges turn golden brown. For extra browning and a slightly crispy top, switch your oven to broil for the final 2 minutes—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve the dip warm with your choice of homemade or store-bought pita chips, crostini, seeded crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure to thoroughly squeeze out the spinach to prevent the dip from becoming watery.
- If using fresh spinach, cook and drain it well before adding to the mixture.
- You can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
- For a dairy-free twist, substitute feta and mozzarella with appropriate vegan cheeses.
- Use a cast iron skillet if you want a rustic presentation that can go directly from oven to table.
Keywords: spinach dip, baked feta dip, appetizer, Mediterranean dip, party dip, pepperoncini, feta cheese, Greek yogurt, mozzarella, easy dip recipe
