Sesame-crusted feta with honey is a Greek-inspired dish that I first tasted at a friend’s house and immediately fell in love with.
The combination of contrasting flavors and textures captivated me from the first bite.
They blend extremely harmoniously, merging the salty and savory feta cheese with the sweetness of honey and the crunchiness of sesame seeds.
It appears like a small golden ingot or rectangular, completely wrapped in toasted sesame seeds, creating a crunchy crust.
The outer surface is an intense golden color, thanks to the toasting of the seeds, which take on an amber hue.
During cooking, strictly in the oven, the inside remains soft and creamy, while the exterior hardens forming a solid and crunchy crust. The savory taste of the cheese is balanced by the sweetness of the honey, creating an irresistible flavor contrast.
Its origin dates back to ancient times and is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Greece.
Cheese production in Greece dates back to the Mycenaean era
In Homer’s “Odyssey”, there is one of the earliest accounts of cheese use and production that could be associated with it. The Cyclops Polyphemus is described making cheese from sheep and goat milk, storing it in caves for aging. This primitive process resembles that of modern feta, which is preserved in brine.
Indeed, it has always been a cheese appreciated for its ease of preservation.
You can pair this recipe with
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: Air Frying, Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for Preparing Feta
- 7 oz feta
- as needed toasted sesame seeds
- as needed honey
- 1/2 leek
- as needed extra virgin olive oil
- as needed balsamic vinegar
Tools
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Plate
- 1 Brush
- Paper Towel
Steps for Preparing Sesame-Crusted Feta
Pat the feta dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. It is important that it is well dried to better adhere to the coating.
Gently cut the feta into rectangular slices about 1 cm (around 0.4 inches) thick, trying to keep them regular and without breaking.
Using a kitchen brush, brush each slice with honey on all sides.
On a plate, pour the toasted sesame seeds and bread each feta slice.
Bake in an air fryer for 5 minutes at 390°F or in a static oven at 390°F for 10 minutes or until golden.
Once cooked, garnish with thin slices of fresh leek or spring onion and optionally with a dash of balsamic vinegar and EVO oil, and the sesame-crusted feta is ready to be enjoyed.
And happy tasting from Barbara!
Storage
The sesame-crusted feta with honey is a dish that is best enjoyed freshly made, thanks to the crunchiness of the crust and the warm, soft consistency of the feta.
If you have cooked the feta and want to store it for later consumption, it is best to do so before adding the honey.
Wrap the crispy feta pieces in plastic wrap or a hermetic container and refrigerate
The breaded feta can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
To restore the crunchiness, you can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes until it is warm again and the crust is slightly crunchy. Again, reheat it without adding the honey.
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