Spicy Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)
This Spicy Feta Dip (Tirokafteri) is bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavor! Tangy feta cheese and smoky roasted red peppers form the base of this creamy dip, and cayenne pepper gives a fiery kick. Perfect for any occasion, serve it with pita wedges or cut veggies at your next party or get-together!
What is Tirokafteri?
Tirokafteri is the Greek name for this delicious Spicy Feta Dip! Tirokafteri means “cheese” (tiri) + “spicy” (kafteri) in Greek. Also referred to as Htipiti, they’re essentially identical, both referring to a Greek spicy feta dip (or spread). The name varies in usage across different regions of Greece. Greek yogurt is added in some variations for an extra creamy touch.
Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
This Greek feta dip is packed with Mediterranean flavor! Tangy feta cheese makes it creamy, while sweet and smoky roasted red peppers add depth of flavor and color. Cayenne pepper brings the heat but can be adjusted to suit different preferences and tolerance for spiciness. Everything gets brightened up with fresh lemon juice and rich, peppery olive oil!
Greek feta dip is easy to make, and no cooking is necessary–simply blitz everything together in a food processor! Serve it alongside pita wedges or fresh-cut veggies. Top with fresh parsley, a sprinkle of more feta cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes for a beautiful topping that adds even more bold flavor.
This Spicy Feta Dip recipe is:
- Easy! No cooking is required!
- The perfect appetizer for any occasion.
- Customizable! The heat level in this recipe can be easily adjusted to suit personal preference.
- Delicious! Bold flavors combined with tangy and creamy feta make this dish irresistible!
How to Make Spicy Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Greek feta dip recipe, along with how to prep the ingredients. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Feta Cheese: Use a block of feta instead of the crumbled. The crumbled feta is fine for salads but can have additives to prevent it from clumping, which makes it more challenging to blend into a dip or spread, resulting in a gritty texture.
- Roasted Red Peppers: I roasted my own for this recipe, but jarred roasted red bell peppers are a great convenience product. To roast your own, follow the directions for How to Roast Hatch Green Chiles.
- Olive Oil: Use good, high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for this dip to give good flavor, especially since it is also added on top. If you have it, use Greek olive oil.
- Lemon Juice: There’s no substitute for fresh lemon juice! Many tirokafteri recipes call for red wine vinegar, but I love the punch of fresh lemon juice.
- Cayenne Pepper: This is where the heat in this Greek feta dip comes from, so adjust the amount to your preference.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Gather and prep all the ingredients.
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the red bell peppers, garlic, lemon juice, feta cheese, olive oil, and cayenne pepper.
- Process until fairly smooth, and the feta is in small pieces.
- Add additional cayenne if desired and salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional cayenne, crushed red pepper flakes, crumbled feta, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Drizzle on some more olive oil!
- Serve with naan or pita bread cut into wedges and cut vegetables such as bell pepper, carrot, or celery sticks. We find it a good excuse to enjoy some Kalamata olives, too!
Chef Tip:
- Using a block of feta instead of the crumbled kind is always a good idea because it’s additive-free and more flavorful. For dips such as this Tirokafteri, a block that you crumble yourself will blend better for a creamier result.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can make this dip a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
It’s a pretty good keeper! This Spicy Feta dip will last for three to five days. You may need to stir it to combine and smooth the dip out again.
Storage:
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Serve this Spicy Feta Dip with:
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Spicy Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)
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Ingredients
- 3 large red bell peppers - roasted and peeled, coarsely chopped -OR- 1 jar (12-ounce) roasted red bell peppers, drained and coarsely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic - chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 block (8-ounce) feta cheese - broken into chunks plus 1-2 tablespoons crumbled for garnish
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil - plus more for drizzling over the dip
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper - or to taste and tolerance, plus more for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes - for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley - for garnish
- Kalamata olives - for serving
- Naan or pita bread cut into wedges or cut vegetables - for serving
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the red bell peppers, garlic, lemon juice, feta cheese, olive oil and cayenne pepper.
- Process until fairly smooth and the feta is in small pieces.
- Add additional cayenne if desired and salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional cayenne, crushed red pepper flakes, crumbled feta, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve with naan or pita bread cut into wedges, cut vegetables such as bell pepper, carrot or celery sticks with Kalamata olives on the side.
Recipe Notes
- Using a block of feta instead of the crumbled kind is always a good idea because it’s additive-free and more flavorful. A block that you crumble yourself will blend better for a creamier result.
- Can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.