Emilie Meyer
Feta cheese is a delicious addition to any appetizer platter, salad, or snack board. But did you know that you can also cook feta? Pan-searing feta is a unique way to prepare this popular cheese, resulting in a warm, soft, and crumbly texture with a crispy exterior. The process is simple: coat the feta in breadcrumbs or Panko, sear it in a pan with oil, and serve it with your choice of toppings and sides. This innovative cooking method transforms feta into a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed as a mouthwatering appetizer, a tasty salad topping, or a creative snack.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can feta be pan-seared? | Yes |
| Pan-searing method | Heat oil in a skillet or pan on medium-high heat. Dunk feta in egg and then in breadcrumbs. Place feta in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. |
| Pan-searing time | 2-3 minutes on each side |
| Pan-searing temperature | Medium-high heat |
| Best served with | Honey, basil, tomatoes, lemon zest, crackers, crostini, or bread |
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What You'll Learn
Pan-searing feta with honey
Ingredients
- Feta cheese
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Breadcrumbs or Panko
- Egg
- Seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper)
- Lemon zest
- Fresh herbs (e.g. basil)
- Accompaniments (e.g. pita, crackers, bread, cherry tomatoes, olives)
Method
Start by preparing the honey. You can simply heat honey in the microwave or on a pan until fluid, or you can make a more complex mixture by combining honey with thyme and black pepper.
Next, prepare the feta. Gently pat the block of feta dry with a paper towel. In a shallow bowl, whisk an egg. In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the seasonings. Dunk the feta in the egg, then place it in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring all sides are coated well.
Warm olive oil in a skillet or pan on medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the feta in the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the breadcrumbs are browned and crispy.
Place the feta on a serving dish and drizzle honey over it generously. Top with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and accompaniments of your choice. Enjoy!
Tips
Be gentle with the feta to prevent it from crumbling apart. You can also soften the feta by microwaving it for 30 seconds before serving. Regular honey can be used instead of thyme honey, and fresh cherry tomatoes can be substituted for sun-dried tomatoes.
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Pan-searing feta with breadcrumbs
Ingredients:
- Feta cheese (a block)
- Breadcrumbs (Panko or regular)
- Egg
- Olive oil
- Honey (regular or peppered)
- Seasonings (optional): garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper
- Accompaniments: cherry tomatoes, lemon zest, basil, pita chips, crackers, or bread
Method:
Step 1: Prepare the feta by patting it dry with a paper towel and setting it aside.
Step 2: In a shallow bowl, whisk an egg. In a separate shallow bowl, prepare the breadcrumbs and any desired seasonings.
Step 3: Dunk the feta into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, and then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the feta to ensure an even coating.
Step 4: Warm olive oil in a skillet or pan on medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, turn the heat down to medium.
Step 5: Place the coated feta into the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, being gentle when turning, as feta can crumble easily. Cook until the breadcrumbs are browned and crispy.
Step 6: Remove the feta from the pan and place it on a serving dish. Drizzle honey over the feta, followed by your choice of accompaniments such as basil, tomatoes, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Step 7: Serve with pita chips, crackers, or bread and enjoy!
Tips:
- Feta is a non-melting cheese, so it won't melt in the pan and is easy to work with.
- You can soften the feta by microwaving it for 30 seconds before serving if desired.
- This dish pairs well with a variety of accompaniments, such as salads, olives, and charcuterie boards.
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Pan-searing feta with peppered honey
Pan-seared feta with peppered honey is an easy appetizer that can be prepared in about 10 minutes. It is a unique dish with a salty, sweet, and peppery flavour. The feta is coated in a crispy layer of fried breadcrumbs, while the inside remains warm and soft.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese
- Egg
- Breadcrumbs/Panko
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Black pepper
- Thyme
- Lemon zest
- Cherry tomatoes
- Basil
- Pita chips or pita bread
Method
To make the peppered honey, combine honey, thyme, and black pepper in a bowl and set aside. Next, whisk an egg in a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, add the breadcrumbs. Dunk the block of feta in the egg, then coat it with the breadcrumbs. Heat olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Place the feta in the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Transfer the feta to a serving dish and drizzle the peppered honey on top. Garnish with fried lemon zest, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Serve with pita chips or bread.
Tips
- Feta is a non-melting cheese, so it won't melt and is easy to work with.
- You can serve the feta at room temperature or warm.
- Be gentle when turning the feta in the pan to prevent it from crumbling.
- You can soften the feta by microwaving it for 30 seconds before serving.
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Pan-searing feta with olive oil
Pan-searing feta cheese is a unique and easy appetizer that can be served with crackers, crostini, honey, jam, or even as a salad. It is a simple and fun snack that can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pan-sear feta with olive oil:
Ingredients:
- Feta cheese
- Olive oil
- Breadcrumbs/Panko
- Egg
- Honey (optional)
- Basil/Pepper (optional)
- Tomatoes (optional)
- Lemon zest (optional)
Instructions:
Start by warming a skillet or pan on medium-high heat and adding enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. While the oil is heating up, prepare the feta cheese by cutting it into slices or blocks. The size and shape of the feta slices or blocks are up to your preference.
In a shallow bowl, whisk an egg. Dunk the feta slices or block into the egg, ensuring that all sides are coated. Then, quickly move the feta to a bowl of breadcrumbs or Panko, gently pressing the cheese and breadcrumbs together so that all sides of the feta are well-coated.
Once the olive oil is hot, reduce the heat to medium and carefully place the breaded feta in the pan. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy. Be cautious as the oil may splatter, and be gentle when turning the feta to avoid crumbling it.
After the feta is browned and crispy, remove it from the heat and place it on a serving dish. If desired, drizzle honey over the feta, along with any preferred toppings such as basil, pepper, cherry tomatoes, or lemon zest. Serve warm with pita, crackers, or bread.
Tips:
- Feta is a non-melting cheese, so it will not melt in the pan. This allows for a crispy exterior and a warm, soft, and crumbly interior.
- You can soften the feta by microwaving it for 30 seconds before serving if desired.
- If you prefer a more well-done cheese, leave the feta in the pan for a few extra seconds after it has browned to achieve a darker colour.
- For a salad option, let the cheese cool to room temperature until it solidifies, then cut into cubes and add to your salad mix.
Enjoy your delicious and crispy pan-seared feta!
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Pan-searing feta with halloumi
Feta and halloumi are both salty cheeses with distinct textures and flavours. While feta is crumbly and relatively soft, halloumi is semi-hard and has a rubbery, squeaky texture. However, they both share a similar Mediterranean origin and can be pan-seared to create delicious appetizers.
Pan-searing feta
To pan-sear feta, start by warming some olive oil in a skillet or pan on medium-high heat. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg. Dunk a block of feta into the egg and then coat it with breadcrumbs or panko. Place the feta in the hot oil and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the breadcrumbs are browned and crispy. Serve the feta warm, drizzled with honey, and accompanied by basil, tomatoes, lemon zest, and pita, crackers, or bread.
Pan-searing halloumi
To pan-sear halloumi, cut a block of the cheese into 1/2-inch planks and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as it will ensure the halloumi sears instead of steams. Heat some olive oil in a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the halloumi in the pan and cook until caramelized and browned on both sides. Transfer the cooked halloumi to paper towels to absorb any excess oil before serving.
Combining feta and halloumi
You can also experiment with combining feta and halloumi in a single dish. For example, you could create a pan-fried halloumi salad with feta dressing. Start by pan-frying the halloumi as described above. Then, serve it on a bed of arugula, quinoa, summer squash, pomegranate seeds, and fresh mint. For the dressing, blend feta with olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, and water until smooth. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, feta can be pan-seared.
To make pan-seared feta, first, dredge the feta in egg and breadcrumbs. Then, heat olive oil in a skillet or pan and place the coated feta in the pan. Sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until the breadcrumbs are browned and crispy.
Pan-seared feta is typically served with honey, lemon zest, and cherry tomatoes. It can be enjoyed with pita, crackers, or bread.
A block of feta cheese is typically used for pan-searing. It is important to be gentle when handling the feta to prevent it from crumbling.
Yes, you can omit the breadcrumbs and simply pan-sear the feta cheese. This creates a delicious, melted feta that can be added to salads or enjoyed as a topping for bread or crackers.
