Spicy Feta Cheese Spread Recipe

Prepare base

Crumble feta into a medium bowl. Add Greek yoghurt and softened cream cheese. Use a fork or hand blender to mash and combine until mostly smooth but with a bit of texture (about 30–45 seconds with a fork, 10–15 seconds with a blender).

Add lemon juice, olive oil and minced garlic. Season with black pepper and 1/4 tsp salt. Taste and adjust: feta is salty so add more salt sparingly. Mix thoroughly until creamy and homogenous.

Transfer the spread to a shallow serving dish and smooth the top with the back of a spoon, leaving a slight well in the center for the chili oil.

Make chili oil

Place neutral oil in a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat until it is hot but not smoking (around 140–160°C / 280–320°F). Remove from heat and immediately stir in dried chili flakes, smoked paprika and honey. Let the spices steep in the hot oil for 2–3 minutes to bloom flavors.

If using diced red pepper, stir it into the chili oil to soften slightly and release sweetness. Allow the oil to cool for 3–4 minutes so it is warm but safe to pour on the spread.

Pour the warm chili oil into the well you made in the spread. Drizzle any remaining oil over the top. Sprinkle chopped parsley and lemon zest over the spread. Scatter a few extra chili flakes or a pinch of smoked paprika for color.

Toast filo

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Lay one sheet of filo on a flat surface and brush lightly with melted butter. Lay the next sheet on top, brush again, and repeat until all 4 sheets are stacked and brushed. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the stacked filo into 6–8 rectangles or triangles depending on desired size.

Sprinkle sesame seeds and a light pinch of salt over the top of the stacked sheets for extra flavor before baking.

Place pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment, spaced slightly apart. Bake 8–12 minutes until golden and crisp — watch closely as thin filo browns quickly. Remove and cool on a rack; they will crisp further as they cool.

Alternatively, for faster crisping, you can pan-fry small stacked pieces in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes per side until golden.

Serve the warm or room-temperature filo crisps alongside the spicy feta spread for scooping.