Smoked Feta Cheese With Hot Honey

If you are looking for a unique, delicious, and super-easy appetizer, then look no further than this Smoked Feta With Hot Honey. The balance of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors works so well in this effortless dish. You only need a few ingredients to make this delightful smoked cheese.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy Appetizer: Smoked Feta with hot honey is a simple and easy appetizer. If you are prepping for a holiday or dinner party, all you have to do is stick a block of feta on the smoker, then tada, an hour later you have a delicious appetizer that will impress your guests.
• Fun Flavors: The combination of the salty feta cheese, the sweet honey, and the kick of spice really play well together. It's a new spin on a classic cheese!
• Simple Ingredients: You don’t need any fancy ingredients for this dish. You likely have everything in your pantry or fridge already!
• Dress Up Other Meals: You can use this smoked feta cheese to top burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

What Is Feta Cheese?

Feta Cheese is brined white cheese that originated in Greece. It is made with sheep’s milk or sometimes a combination of sheep’s milk and goat’s milk. Additionally, when you compare feta cheese to other cheeses, you’ll find that it is lower in fat and overall calories. It also contains a high amount of B vitamins, phosphorus, and calcium.

Feta’s tangy and salty taste makes it a popular addition to salads, pastas, and appetizers.

Smoked Feta

I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a few easy appetizer recipes tucked away in their back pockets! Smoked Feta is one of those recipes. While smoking cheese might sound a bit odd, the smokey flavor adds extra depth to the cheese, making it a truly unique appetizer.  Once you smoke the feta cheese it is best served warm as the inside of the cheese will be slightly melted and gooey. It’s incredibly delicious with crackers or over a crostini. 

You can use smoked feta in many ways.  You can whip it up in the food processor and serve it as a delicious dip. It is also the perfect addition to sandwiches, or you just enjoy it as is with some crackers. 

 Its tangy and salty taste makes it a popular addition to salads, pastas, and appetizers.

What Kind Of Feta Cheese Should I Use?

When shopping for Feta Cheese it’s important to buy the real deal! Look for cheese that is made in Greece and only contains Sheep and possibly some goat’s milk. If your Feta cheese has cow’s milk in it, I’d recommend searching for a different brand. Ideally, your feta cheese should come stored in a brine, and be white, not yellow.  

The best place to buy true whole milk feta cheese is at a Greek or Middle Eastern grocery store. If you are in a pinch, you can certainly find some good picks at your regular grocery store. My personal favorite is Mt. Vikos. They make a fantastic feta cheese, and just by tasting it you know it’s the real deal! You can either buy organic or regular.

Ingredients 

• Olive Oil: You don’t need to use any sort of fancy olive oil. Whatever you use for cooking will be perfect. You can also use avocado oil if you choose.
• Feta Cheese: Make sure you are buying real feta cheese.  It should be made in Greece, and if it’s not, it’s technically not feta cheese! My favorite store-bought feta cheese is Mt. Vikos Organic Feta Cheese.
• Hot Honey: Mike’s hot honey is my favorite! I also really enjoy Savannah Bee Company’s hot honey, which you can get at Costco!
• Thyme: I enjoy using a few sprigs of fresh thyme in this recipe. If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can use fresh rosemary, or skip the herbs altogether.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees.
2. Lightly oil the bottom of a small cast iron skillet.
3. Place your block of feta cheese on the cast iron skillet.
4. Drizzle a little of the hot honey over the feta cheese, then place the fresh thyme leaves next to the feta cheese
5. Place the cast iron skillet directly on the grill grate of your pellet grill.
6. Smoke the feta cheese for 60-75 minutes or until the cheese has warmed through.

What To Serve With Smoked Feta

Smoked feta cheese is a wonderful appetizer, however, you can also use it to level up almost any dish. Try serving smoked feta with:

• Crackers
• Crostini
• Pita Chips
• On A Meat And Cheese Board
• On Salads
• Burgers
• Sandwiches
• Quiche
• Gratins
• Omelets Or Scrambles
• Over Roasted Veggies
• On Grilled Meats
• In Pasta Dishes (try using it in the viral feta pasta)

Variations And Substitutions

• Mix Up The Flavors: If you don’t like hot honey, use regular honey. You can also top it with fig jam, for extra flavor, which is so delightful. 
• Dairy-Free: If you don’t eat dairy, you can also make this recipe by using dairy-free cheese. While it won’t be traditional feta, it’s a good substitute for our vegan friends.
• Whip It Up: Whipping feta in the food processor with a bit of sea salt adds airiness and creaminess to the cheese. Try giving it a pulse or two and serving this as a creamy feta dip.
• Honey: If you don't have hot honey, you can use regular honey and sprinkle a few red pepper flakes over the top. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Feta Cheese Melt When It Is Smoked?

Smoking feta cheese occurs at a low to medium heat, therefore the cheese does not fully melt. When the smoked feta is ready, the inside should be a little gooey, but certainly not melted. You will also notice that the cheese will form a delicate skin of smokiness when it's ready.

How Do You Know If Feta Cheese Has Gone Bad?

Your feta cheese may have gone bad if it has a sour, unpleasant, or rancid odor, it may have gone bad. Additionally, feta cheese should be white, so if you see any green, black or yellow on the cheese, you may want to toss it.

How Long Does Feta Cheese Last In The Fridge?

Generally speaking, feta cheese will last up to two weeks after it has been opened. This is true for both hard and soft cheeses. For best results, always store feta cheese in the refrigerator, and keep it tightly wrapped to prevent it from drying.

How To Serve

Serve this smoked feta while it is warm. It’s best served with some extra hot honey. You can enjoy it with crackers or spread over crostini or toast.

How To Store 

Store any leftover smoked feta in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Other Smoker Recipes

Smoked Cream Cheese

Smoked Whole Chicken

Juicy Traeger Smoked Burgers

Traeger Smoked Salmon

Smoked Asparagus

 

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