This roasted red pepper feta dip is creamy, smoky, and packed with Mediterranean flavors! Made with roasted red bell peppers, feta cheese, smoked paprika, olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, it's a delicious appetizer that's perfect for sharing.
P.S. You will love my cream cheese and corn dip recipe or baked brie with hot honey!
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The roasted peppers add a lovely natural sweetness, while the feta gives this whipped dip its rich, tangy flavor.
Everything is blended until smooth and creamy, making it perfect for dipping warm pita bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Ready in approximately 25 minutes, this easy homemade dip is also delicious as a sandwich spread or served alongside grilled meats.
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and whipped: Feta cheese is blended with roasted red peppers until smooth, creating a rich, creamy dip.
- Sweet and smoky: Roasted red peppers add natural sweetness, while smoked paprika gives the dip a lovely smoky flavour.
- Easy to make: With just a handful of simple ingredients, this homemade dip is ready in approximately 25 minutes.
- Perfect for entertaining: Serve it with warm pita bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables. It's also delicious spread on sandwiches and wraps.
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What to Serve with Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip
This creamy roasted red pepper feta dip is incredibly versatile! Here are a few of my favourite ways to enjoy it:
- Warm pita bread: Perfect for scooping up the creamy, smoky dip.
- Fresh vegetables: Try cucumber slices, carrot sticks, artichokes, celery, or sweet bell peppers.
- Crackers and breadsticks: A simple option for parties, snack boards, or entertaining.
- Sandwiches and wraps: Spread a generous layer inside your favourite sandwich or wrap for extra flavour.
- Pasta: Toss a few spoonfuls through warm pasta with a splash of pasta water for a quick, creamy sauce.
- Grilled meats: Serve alongside grilled chicken or steak for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this creamy roasted red pepper feta dip. Here are a few helpful tips and substitutions.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full ingredient quantities and instructions.
- Feta cheese: Use a block of feta cheese for the best flavour and creamy texture. You can substitute plant-based feta if you'd like to make this dip vegan.
- Red bell peppers (capsicums): Fresh red peppers are roasted until soft and slightly charred, bringing out their natural sweetness. For a quicker option, use drained jarred roasted red peppers.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy consistency. A good-quality olive oil works best.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice balances the richness of the feta and adds a lovely tangy flavour. Lime juice can work as a substitute.
- Smoked paprika: Gives the dip its delicious smoky flavour. I recommend using smoked paprika rather than regular sweet paprika for the best results.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste. Feta is naturally salty, so taste the dip before adding extra salt.
Jarred Peppers vs Freshly Roasted Peppers
Both fresh and jarred roasted red peppers work well in this creamy feta dip. Here's how they compare:
- Flavour: Freshly roasted red peppers develop a lovely sweetness and slightly smoky flavour, especially when the edges become lightly charred.
- Convenience: Jarred roasted red peppers are a fantastic shortcut because they're already cooked and ready to blend. Just drain them well before using.
- Texture: Both options create a smooth, creamy dip when blended with the feta. Jarred peppers can contain more moisture, so draining them helps prevent a watery dip.
My kitchen tip: I prefer roasting fresh red peppers for their flavour, but jarred peppers are perfect when I'm short on time!
👩🏼🍳 How to make Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Step 1: Roast the Red Peppers
Preheat your oven to 220°C / 425°F. Place the chopped red peppers on a lined baking tray.
Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
Roast for 10–15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and lightly charred. Allow to cool slightly.
Shortcut: Using jarred roasted red peppers? Skip the roasting step and drain the peppers well before blending.
Step 2: Blend Until Creamy
Add the roasted red peppers, feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice to a food processor.
If using jarred peppers, add the smoked paprika at this stage.
Blend until smooth, creamy, and whipped. Scrape down the sides as needed, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
Spoon the whipped feta dip into a serving bowl. Top with crumbled feta cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Add a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like a little heat.
Serve with warm pita bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
❓FAQS
While both paprika and smoked paprika start with dried peppers, the key difference is that smoked paprika undergoes a smoking process, which gives it a unique smoky taste.
Yes, you can use ground paprika as a substitute for smoked paprika in your Paprika Dip. However, remember that ground paprika does not have the smoky flavor that smoked paprika provides.
Sweet paprika or Chipotle powder will work.
If you don’t have a food processor, simply mash the ingredients together by hand using a fork or potato masher. You can also use an immersion blender and blend in small batches.
Yes! You can make this roasted red pepper feta dip vegan by replacing the regular feta with a plant-based feta alternative. Choose one that blends smoothly for the creamiest results. Keep in mind that the flavour and texture may be slightly different.
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Make-Ahead and Storage
MAKE-AHEAD: You can prepare this roasted red pepper feta dip up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. Give it a good stir before serving.
STORAGE: Store any leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors may become even more delicious as they develop!
FREEZING: I don't recommend freezing this dip, as the creamy feta mixture can become grainy once thawed.
Recipes to try next time
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚
Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip (Creamy & Whipped)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1.5 cups / 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This roasted red pepper feta dip is creamy, smoky, and packed with Mediterranean flavors! Made with roasted red bell peppers, feta cheese, smoked paprika, olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, it's a delicious appetizer that's perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 2 red bell peppers (capsicums), deseeded and chopped (about 2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 225 g (8 oz) block feta cheese, plus a little extra for garnish.
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for blending)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
To garnish
- dried chili flakes, chopped fresh basil, a sprinkle of feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Red Peppers
- Preheat your oven to 220°C / 425°F. Place the chopped red peppers on a lined baking tray.
- Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
- Roast for 10–15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and lightly charred. Allow to cool slightly.
- Shortcut: Using jarred roasted red peppers? Skip the roasting step and drain the peppers well before blending.
Step 2: Blend Until Creamy
- Add the roasted red peppers, feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice to a food processor.
- If using jarred peppers, add the smoked paprika at this stage.
- Blend until smooth, creamy, and whipped. Scrape down the sides as needed, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
- Spoon the whipped feta dip into a serving bowl. Top with crumbled feta cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like a little heat.
- Serve with warm pita bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Notes
BALANCING FLAVORS: Taste the dip as you blend, and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. If you like it spicier, add more chili flakes, if you need more acidity, a bit of extra lemon juice can do wonders.
MAKE-AHEAD: Prepare the dip a day in advance to save time on the day you plan to serve it. This allows the flavors to develop even more.
STORAGE: If you have leftovers, store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last for 3 days and the flavor often intensifies over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Sauces
- Method: Blending, Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: per serving
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
The nutritional information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the information listed is not guaranteed.
Let me know if you have any questions. 💛 Nikki