Watermelon-Feta Appetizer Bites: Super Easy Recipe
Of all the party appetizers I’ve ever made—and there have been hundreds—watermelon-feta bites give me the biggest bang for my buck. And not just an expense buck, but also a huge savings in time and effort for something that provides so much enjoyment.
Truly, these watermelon bites are not only quite economical, they are also amazingly quick and easy to make. Yet they come out strikingly beautiful and so delicious too—a real crowd pleaser created in minutes!
Watermelon-Feta Bites Ingredients and Substitutions
Sweet melon, salty feta spread, tangy balsamic glaze, and zesty orange—just four ingredients deliver an incredible combination of flavors.
Watermelon
A ripe, juicy watermelon is a must, but not overly ripe. You don’t want it to be gritty (over-ripe). And although this is a savory watermelon appetizer, you want lots of sweet flavor (perfectly ripe) from the fruit.
If you have a problem cutting with a knife, use a melon baller and make your watermelon feta appetizers round instead.
Feta Cheese Spread
You can purchase whipped feta spread at the grocery store (Trader Joe’s makes one), or you can whip some up by combining 1/4 cup feta cheese and 1/4 cup cream cheese in a food processor.
Feta is a Greek cheese that is very unique and hard to replace. If, however, feta is unavailable or not your thing, you can substitute a goat cheese spread for feta spread.
Balsamic Glaze
Use your favorite balsamic glaze. Regular balsamic vinegar will not be thick enough or sweet enough.
I purchase my favorite glaze, Guisseppe Giusti from Modena, online. However, you can also find decent glazes at some of the better grocers.
If you are not fond of balsamic vinegar, honey or an infused olive oil can be a nice substitution.
Orange Zest
I love how orange zest interplays perfectly with every other ingredient in these watermelon bites. If you want an herb instead of the citrus, try fresh mint or basil.
Watermelon-Feta Appetizer Recipe
Makes 18 Pieces
Ingredients
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
18 1” cubes of seedless watermelon
½ cup feta spread
1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
1. Squirt the balsamic glaze onto your serving platter. I like to do a willy nilly squirt rather than a precise pattern. You can’t mess up willy nilly!
2. Evenly space out the pieces of watermelon on top of the balsamic glaze.
3. Transfer the creamy feta spread into a small ziplock baggie and then cut off the end of a bottom corner for piping. If you put your baggie in a short glass first, the transfer is an easy process.
4. Start at the back row of watermelon and pipe a dollop of feta on top of each watermelon cube. I like to almost cover the top square. Your dollops do not need to be perfectly shaped.
5. Sprinkle a little of the orange zest on each watermelon-feta bite. If you miss a bit and hit the plate, don’t worry, it will look pretty.
6. Serve immediately.
Serving Watermelon-Feta Appetizers
Presentation
If you want to change it up, try sticking your watermelon-feta bites on skewers. Watermelon skewers can have the stick through the top or the side.
Or make them into sandwiches with the feta in the middle.
Perfect For . . .
Watermelon-feta bites are the perfect appetizer for any summer party or get-together. Whether I’m going to a baby shower, a birthday party, or to a backyard BBQ, this is most likely the summer appetizer I’m bringing. It’s unique, flavorful, and refreshing.
Serve With
The best part: This dish is not just a perfect appetizer. I also serve it as a side dish with Mediterranean cuisine, American BBQ, and Italian food. Try it next to:
BBQ Ribs
Greek Meat Pie
Frittata di Pasta
Frittata di Zucchine
Panzanella Salad
I’ve even added watermelon-feta bites to a charcuterie board!
Make Ahead
Although this watermelon-feta appetizer is one of the easiest ever, it doesn’t lend itself to being made the day before.
You can, however, make the watermelon cubes 2–3 hours before, and store them in the refrigerator or a cool place until you are ready. Once the feta spread is on, avoid plastic wrap.
Leftovers
If you have leftovers (doubtful), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They may not be visually suitable for guests the next day, but you will enjoy them.
Try them cut up on a bed of greens for a refreshing watermelon feta salad.
