A delicious no-bake appetizer, this cranberry whipped feta dip saves time by using canned whole cranberry sauce. A perfect blend of savory and sweet, it comes together in less than 10 minutes!
This dip gives the flavors of the holidays and the elegance of a cheese board with zero fuss. The feta is whipped with lemon zest and low-fat cream cheese to cut down on calories, and is topped with a simple canned cranberry sauce. Garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, rosemary and walnuts, this dip is for sure to be a hit!
Why this Recipe Works
- Two words: Cheese. Dip. Really, that’s all you need to know, but I’ll further add that this whipped feta cheese dip has lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper for a zingy, creamy base! When topped with the sweet and tart cranberries, plus walnuts and rosemary, it just all works together deliciously!
- Easy 10 minute no-bake appetizer! Whether you’re hosting or just a guest, it’s always a bonus when you can make an impressive dish without turning on the oven.
- Minimal ingredients – 3 main ingredients, and a few others to flavor and garnish the dip with makes this a simple and affordable appetizer!
- Healthy-ish – okay hear me out! Compared to the average appetizers you’ll see at holiday gatherings, loaded with sugar and salt and minimal protein, this at least offers some nutritive benefits. Feta is a great source of calcium and phosphorus, vitamin B12 and yes, protein! Combined with the reduced fat cream cheese, just 2 tablespoons of this dip offers 4 grams of protein.
what is ‘whipped feta’?
Whipped feta is a smooth, creamy dip made by blending feta cheese with ingredients like cream cheese or Greek yogurt, along with olive oil to achieve a lighter, whipped texture. The result is a tangy base that’s versatile for pairing with toppings like herbs, honey, roasted vegetables, or fruit compotes. We top this dip with cranberry sauce, but it can work with savory nut & seed toppings, honey or any other flavor of fruit jam.
ingredients to make this easy appetizer
To make the whipped feta Dip
- 8 ounces feta cheese – it’s most cost effective to buy a block instead of pre-crumbled feta. If you can find a French feta that is creamier than Greek feta, opt for that. This guide from bon Appetit offers a great explainer of the different types of feta.
- ⅓ cup reduced fat cream cheese – many whipped feta dips use Greek yogurt but I like the thicker texture the cream cheese gives the dip. And we recommend reduced fat to save a few calories.
- Lemon zest – to help highlight the creamy saltiness of the cheese, add lemon zest from 1 small lemon.
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil to help smooth out the texture of the feta dip. Add 1 tablespoon of oil, then a second if needed.
- Kosher salt or sea salt and black pepper
For the cranberry sauce topping & Garnish
- ¼ cup canned whole berry cranberry sauce. This is the a great opportunity to use any leftover cranberry sauce you may have from thanksgiving.
- 1 tablespoon each maple syrup and water. I have recipe tested it by just using water to loosen up the sauce, but I felt it go too watery. A mixture of both the sweetener and water helps liquify the cranberry sauce without adding too much excess water.
- Garnish with some rosemary sprigs, chopped walnuts or other nuts of choice, and fresh ground black pepper.
how to make whipped feta dip
Add inredients
Break up the block of feta cheese and cream cheese into large chunks and add to the bowl of a food processor. This will make it quicker to process. Add the lemon zest, olive oil and salt.
blend till smooth
Process the cheese mixture until well blended and smooth. If need be, drizzle in up to 1 additional tablespoon of olive oil. The mixture should be thick & creamy.
Make the cranberry sauce
In a small bowl, add the canned cranberry sauce along with the maple syrup and water and stir till smooth. Add a bit more water if you desire a more runny consistency.
plate & Garnish
Spoon the whipped feta dip onto a serving dish and smooth out. Top with the cranberry sauce and then drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, rosemary sprigs and black crushed pepper. Serve with crackers or baked crostini, fruit slices or even celery!
Recipe faq’s & serving tips
Feel free to use any flavor of your favorite fruit jam. Or you can make a batch of my holiday freezer jam, and top with that. Additionally, you can keep it simple and top this whipped feta dip with honey.
The dip on its own can be made up to 4 days in advance. Just store in an airtight container in the fridge, and top with cranberry sauce just before serving. Leftovers, including the dip with the cranberry sauce, can be refrigerated and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
The dip with or without the cranberry sauce is excellent as a spread in wraps and on toast. It’s delicious in a turkey wrap and wonderful on hearty toast for a sweet & savory breakfast treat!
Additional Holiday drinks and appetizers!
Need a few more ideas for hosting or sharing at your next holiday function? Here are a few reader favorites:
- Hosting brunch or want an easy to make Christmas morning breakfast? Try this simple but delicious Christmas Quiche.
- Make an elegant Christmas Charcuterie Board alongside this delicious dip.
- Need a little something sweet to munch on? Make this White Chocolate Holiday Chex Mix. This makes great teacher and friend gifts too!
- For a fun cocktail, try this low ABV Cranberry St. Germain Spritz or a Cranberry Gin Spritz.
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Did you make this recipe?
If you gave this recipe a try, I’d love your feedback! Any tips or recipe additions you’d like to share, I’d love to hear it! Let’s connect down in the comments below.
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Feta
- ⅓ cup Cream cheese low-fat
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil plus more for drizzling
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon
- 1 Garlic clove
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
For the cranberry compote
- ¼ cup Cranberry sauce whole berry, canned
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Water
- Rosemary and walnuts for the garnish
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, crumble up the block of feta cheese into small pieces. Cut up the cream cheese into smaller sections and add to the food processor as well. Breaking them into smaller pieces will allow for quicker processing.8 ounces Feta, ⅓ cup Cream cheese
- Add olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper to the cheese mixture. Pulse on high until all ingredients are incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula, and process on high until feta cheese mixture is nice and smooth. You may need to add 1 more tablespoon of olive oil to achieve a smoother consistency.1 tablespoon Olive oil, Lemon zest, 1 Garlic clove, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- To make the cranberry compote, simply add cranberry sauce along with the water and maple syrup to a small bowl. Mix till well combined and cranberry sauce has a bit of a runnier texture.¼ cup Cranberry sauce, 1 tablespoon Maple syrup, 1 tablespoon Water
- Spoon out the whipped feta onto a serving plate, the spoon dollops of the cranberry mixture on top.
- To garnish, drizzle cranberry whipped feta with olive oil, then sprinkle with fresh rosemary sprigs, chopped walnuts, and a bit of crushed black pepper.Rosemary and walnuts
- Serve with crackers or homemade crostini.
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