The perfect baked cheese appetizer or a warm and cozy snack! This Portuguese creamy Baked Cheese recipe with honey and olive oil is made in just 15 minutes with only three ingredients. It’s the perfect appetizer to whip up in a pinch and makes a tasty pairing with fresh fruit, crackers, or vegetables.
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This was inspired by my Honeycrisp Baked Apples; and pairs well with my Herb Spiced Nuts With Sage or the simple Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip.
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More often than not, the simple recipes are the best, and it doesn’t get easier than this one. This baked cheese with honey is a creamy blend of your favorite dried cheese paired with a drizzle of oil and a hint of honey for flavor.
My husband and I first discovered this recipe while we were in Portugal. We always take cooking classes when traveling abroad and we were lucky enough to meet Chef Sofia and spend a fun afternoon cooking with her. This appetizer was the first thing we made and it was so delicious!
You can easily adapt this appetizer to suit your flavor cravings of the day but the base of it is pure simplicity. I chose an aged manchego cheese for this recipe.
Use this creamy baked cheese for your next party as a 15-minute appetizer or serve it up as comfort food during movie night. Whichever way you choose to present it, it’ll be a hit.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It's one of the tastiest baked cheese appetizers.
- It is simple to make with only three ingredients.
- You can change up the type of cheese you use and there are variations to explore.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make this baked cheese recipe:
Ingredient Notes:
Cheese: any dried firm cheese will work with the easiest being a goat or sheep cheese. However, something like manchego cheese (shown in the pictures) or even firm feta is wonderful and each brings a unique flavor to the dish. Usually the harder the cheese is, the more aged it is; the more aged it is, the more intense it is. Consider also trying an aged cheddar cheese, Parmigiano, gruyere, or an aged swiss cheese.
See the recipe card for quantities.
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Variations
Though this baked cheese recipe is simple, it is also easy to vary if you want to switch it up.
- Herbs: for aesthetic purposes as well as flavor, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs like thyme or oregano onto the cheese before baking. Just make sure they’re finely chopped.
- Add some heat: if you like spicy, swirl in some red pepper flakes or even hot honey. The contrast of spicy and sweet is wonderful.
- Nuts: you can add some chopped nuts to the cheese for a bit of a toasted, crunchy flavor. I like toasted pecans with cheese.
- Flavored honey: change the taste of the dish by changing the honey! Cinnamon-infused honey is a wonderfully sweet option that lends a whole new level of comfort and taste.
- Pomegranate seeds - for a pop of color and flavor.
How to Make Baked Cheese: Step-By-Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the recipe card:
Step 1: Slice your cheese into thin slices, or grate the cheese, and place it in an oven-safe serving dish like this one, if you can't find a decorative dish.
Step 2: Add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the cheese.
Step 3: Add one tablespoon of honey to the cheese and toss gently. Add thyme or other herbs if using.
Step 4: Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until it’s warm, creamy, and beginning to brown. Serve.
Recipe Tips
You can serve the baked cheese piping hot or let it cool and serve it at room temperature. If you cool the cheese down, cut the cheese into bite-sized portions before serving. Both options are delicious.
Confidence Tip
Since there’s no transferring the baked cheese with honey once it’s cooked, make sure you bake it in a dish you like and that will be presentable when serving it.
Storage And Reheating
- Storage - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Reheating - Baked cheese is always best eaten fresh as that’s when it’s most creamy. However, if you have leftovers they can be reheated. First, allow the dish to cool fully before wrapping it in plastic wrap and putting it into the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3 days. To reheat it, let the dish come to room temperature before baking it again in the oven (remove the plastic wrap) at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through. If you would like, broil it for one minute so that the top turns a delicious golden brown.
- Freezing - This recipe does not freeze well and I do not recommend doing so.
How To Serve It
- Crackers: grab your favorite crackers and enjoy this creamy blend. Seasoned crackers are always fun so you get different flavor profiles.
- Raw veggies: used the baked cheese as a dip for raw carrots, cucumber, broccoli, and celery.
- Fresh fruit: you can pair the cheese with sliced apples or pears. Or top the cheese with fresh pomegranate seeds for pops of flavor.
- Keep in mind that this dish also works as the base for wraps or sandwiches the next day or two if you have leftovers. I love using the cheese for a delicious grilled cheese sandwich!
Frequently Asked Questions
Baked cheese with honey pairs beautifully with absolutely everything. Try pairing the cheese with fruit, nuts, crackers or vegetables or some homemade pita chips.
Almost everything pairs well with goat cheese as it’s extremely adaptable. A few common flavors are almonds, hazelnuts, pomegranates, chives, salami, and parsley.
Once baked, the cheese becomes ultra-soft, gooey, and truly decadent. However, there is a sweet spot to baking with cheese. You want it warm and gooey but if overbaked the moisture will evaporate and leave it a bit congealed and firm.
Other Delicious Appetizers
Use this creamy baked cheese for your next party as a 15-minute appetizer or serve it up as comfort food during movie night. Whichever way you choose to present it, it’ll be a hit.
Did you try this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section and leave a ⭐️ rating and review. Share it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
xoxoxo
Gwen
Baked Cheese
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Ingredients
- Firm aged cheese grated or sliced thinly, enough to fill your bowl
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- fresh oregano or thyme leaves to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Grate or slice your cheese. Place your cheese into an oven-safe container.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey. Toss gently.
- Top with fresh herbs if using. Bake for 15 minutes or until warm, melted, and bubbly.
Notes
- Crackers: grab your favorite crackers and enjoy the creamy blend. Seasoned crackers are always fun so you get different flavor profiles.
- Raw veggies: used the baked cheese as a dip for raw carrots, cucumber, broccoli, and celery.
- Fresh fruit: you can pair the cheese with sliced apples and have everyone portion some onto their slices. Or top the cheese with fresh pomegranate seeds for pops of flavor.
- Keep in mind that this dish also works on the base of wraps or sandwiches the next day or two if you have leftovers.
Anonymous
Can’t wait to make this!