This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Flaky layers of phyllo brushed with honey butter and sprinkled with sesame, then wrapped around feta and baked until crisp and golden. These Greek-inspired baked feta phyllo bites are the perfect balance of sweet and savory – the kind of appetizer that disappears fast.
I hit 900K on FoodMyMuse Instagram the other day and wanted to celebrate with one of my favorite Greek-inspired appetizer recipes – just in time for the holidays! These crispy feta phyllo bites always disappear fast at dinner parties, and you can prep most of the work a day ahead – which we all love 😉.
Why You’ll Fall For These Baked Feta Phyllo Bites
This Greek and Mediterranean feta appetizer is a twist on a classic recipe from Greece called feta me meli (feta with honey) – and let me tell you, it’s beloved for a reason. The buttery, flaky layers wrap around warm, creamy honey-butter-glazed feta with nutty sesame seeds. It’s the perfect mix of crunch and caramelized flavor. These bites feel special enough for the holidays but are easy enough to make anytime – and trust me, they never last long.
Table of Contents
Prep Your Ingredients: Crispy Phyllo Feta Bites
The Feta
8 oz Block Feta | Use a firm feta that holds its shape once baked – sheep’s milk or a sheep-and-goat blend is ideal. Cut the block in half horizontally, then slice each half into thirds to make six long rectangles. Pat dry with paper towels so the phyllo stays crisp, not soggy.
The Honey Butter
4 tbsp Unsalted Butter | 4 tbsp Honey | Melt the butter and whisk it with honey until smooth. This honey butter blend gives you that beautiful golden crunch on your phyllo!
The Phyllo Layers
12 Sheets Phyllo | 1 Pinch Flour | Honey Butter | Lightly flour your board to prevent sticking, then layer the phyllo three sheets at a time, brushing a bit of honey butter between each set. Repeat until all 12 sheets are used, and brush twice the amount on the top sheet so you get that beautiful honey-glazed feta when you wrap. Keep any unused phyllo covered with a damp towel – it dries fast. See my Baked Feta Video if you need to see this done.
Pro Tip: Don’t know what to do with the leftover phyllo sheets? I have just the recipe for you! Check out my crispy phyllo brie bites.
The Finishing Touch
⅓ Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds | 4 tbsp Melted Butter | Cut Feta | Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly on top. Then brush the sides with melted butter so they don’t get dry and flaky. Add the feta and roll tightly. Chill to rest before slicing – or pause here if prepping this sesame feta appetizer ahead of time.
The Bake : Golden Baked Phyllo Bites
Preheat your oven to 425℉ | Take your phyllo wrapped feta out of the fridge. Leaving the plastic wrap on for cleaner cuts, evenly slice 12 bites. Add half the melted butter evenly to your 12-cup muffin tin. Place the bites in, and top with the rest of the butter. Bake for 18 – 20 minutes, until you have golden and crispy phyllo feta bites.
The Sesame Feta Appetizer Garnish
Honey | Toasted Sesame Seeds | Once baked, drizzle each bite with a touch more honey and finish with an extra sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve warm – and check out my Perfect Pairings for dinner ideas!
Substitutions and Variations
Ingredient Swap
- Feta: Try halloumi for a milder option. You can also use shredded Gruyere which is a creamier, nutty cheese, but it will melt into the bite instead of having that block in the middle. Adjust the oven temp to 400°F for this option.
- Honey: Swap in maple syrup or date syrup instead.
- Butter: Use ghee for a nutty flavor.
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted and chopped pistachios or almonds are a great nutty swap if you’re out of sesame or want something a little different for this feta appetizer.
Flavor Twist: Similar Baked Feta Phyllo Bites Recipes
If you are looking for something to do with the left over phyllo sheets, I got you:
- Crispy Phyllo Brie Bites – For the people who want these bites but don’t love feta, this is for you. These are crispy, buttery, sweet, cheesy, savory and gorgeous all in one bite!
- Phyllo Gruyere Bites – These are similar to this recipe, but they are made with gruyere and toasted almonds instead.
- Baked Feta Cranberry Bites – Creamy feta, cranberries, sage, crispy pancetta, raspberry preserves all wrapped with phyllo dough and baked until golden and crispy.
The Perfect Pairings
Grapefruit Elderflower Sour: This cocktail hits the sweet, it hits the sour, and the floral notes are the perfect pairing for the honey butter, feta and sesame flavors.
Miso Glazed Short Ribs: This Asian-inspired miso maple boneless short ribs recipe combines miso, gochujang, and maple glaze for tender, fall-apart short ribs with rich umami flavor.
Arugula Fennel Salad – Every dish needs a fresh salad and this is my go-to! It has the most amazing honey dijon dressing!
Cherries Jubilee – The caramelized cherries with a hint of orange go so well with the cold, creamy ice cream and shaved chocolate. The perfect dinner party menu – from beginning to end!
Crispy Phyllo Feta Bites: Questions Answered
Yes! Wrap your feta in phyllo and cover it in the fridge – it can rest for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready, just slice, butter, and bake. No need to bring them to room temp before baking!
Keep your unused sheets covered with a damp towel and work quickly. Phyllo dries fast, so only uncover what you’re using at that moment. A light dusting of flour underneath also helps prevent tearing.
A firm, block-style feta made from sheep’s or mixed sheep-and-goat’s milk holds up beautifully. Avoid crumbled feta, it won’t wrap cleanly or melt the same way.
You can, but the sesame adds that nutty flavor that really balances the honey in these flaky feta phyllo pastry appetizers. If you don’t have sesame, crushed pistachios or almonds make a great alternative.
Chef Nadia’s Tip
Hosting Tip: You can make everything 1 day ahead, wrap it really well in plastic and leave it in the fridge. Before serving, just cut and bake!
Baked Feta Phyllo Bites – Sesame and Honey
Equipment
- pastry brush
- plastic wrap
- 12-Cup Muffin Tin
Ingredients
Baked Feta Phyllo Bites
- 8 oz feta block
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 tbsp honey
- 1 pinch flour
- 12 sheets phyllo
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup toasted sesame seeds
Toppings
- honey
- toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the feta: Cut the block of feta in half horizontally, then slice each half into thirds to create six long, even rectangles. Pat dry with paper towels.8 oz feta block
- Honey Butter: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter and honey.4 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 tbsp honey
- Layer the Phyllo: Flour your cutting board and place 3 sheets of phyllo on a cutting board, brush just little bit of the honey butter. Repeat 3 more times for a total of 12 layers of phyllo dough. Use twice the amount of honey butter on the top.1 pinch flour, 12 sheets phyllo
- Add sesame and shape: Sprinkle the sesame seeds all over and brush all for sides of the phyllo layers with the melted butter.⅓ cup toasted sesame seeds
- Wrap the Feta and Chill: Place the feta rectangles in a straight ling on the edge of the phyllo dough. Wrap the dough around the feta very tightly. Cover well in plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425℉.
- Slice and Arrange: Keep the plastic on your phyllo feta log and sllice into 12 even rounds. Divide ½ melted butter on the bottom of each muffin tin well, add the phyllo rounds and spoon remaining butter evenly on top.4 tbsp unsalted butter
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden.
- Finish and serve: Before serving, drizzle a bit more honey and a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!honey, toasted sesame seeds
Kitchen Cam
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
