Follow this easy step-by-step guide to make the best Tirokafteri (Greek spicy feta dip) in less than 10 minutes! This Greek appetizer recipe has a simple method to get the same texture and incomparable taste as the one served as a meze in Greek taverns.
Mediterranean spreads and dips can be divided into two large categories.
The dairy-free, like the smoky Baba Ganoush (Lebanese eggplant dip), the creamy and healthy chickpea-based homemade smooth hummus or the famous (and fishy-tasting) Greek Greek taramasalata (Traditional Fish Roe Dip).
And the dairy-based ones which include appetizer dishes like the Greek tzatziki (cucumber yogurt sauce), the versatile Labneh (yogurt cheese) and the spicy Tirokafteri.
Tirokafteri (or Tyrokafteri) means spicy (hot) cheese in English. You may also know it as Htipiti, which means (whipped) because in order to make it, you have to whip the feta with some Greek yogurt to give it a creamy texture.
With a creamy but never runny texture, this irresistible red pepper and feta cheese spread is bound to make your taste buds dance with delight!
😍 Why this recipe works
I really love this spicy feta cheese dip recipe for all the following reasons:
✓ Simple and easy: You only need a handfull of ingredients to make it. Plus, if you don't have a food processor you can also make it with just a fork.
✓ Just like in a Greek tavern: This red pepper feta spread has the exact traditional taste that you'll find in Greek taverns. Trust me, I've eaten a lot of Tirokafteri in my life!
✓ Authentic Texture: Using a very simple method you get the right consistency. Never runny, always creamy with small bits of feta to provide texture.
✓ Customizable: You can adjust the hotness level by adding more hot chili pepper if needed.
📋 Spicy Feta Dip Ingredients
Tirokafteri is made of the following simple ingredients:
Feta cheese: A creamy Greek feta that you enjoy eating plain will be fine. Note that according to Greek regulation, real feta cheese must be made from at least 70% sheep milk (or more). The rest of the milk must be goat milk. You can read more in this feta Q&A.
Red pepper: Roasted sweet red bell pepper will provide flavor and a nice hue to your whipped feta and red pepper dip. You can buy the ones in a jar or use fresh ones and roast them yourself. In Greece there is a variety called Piperies Florinis (from the town of Florina), but red bell peppers taste the same.
Green or red chili pepper: For 14oz (400 grams) feta, half or one hot chili pepper should be enough if you want the tirokafteri to be mild. You should always taste and adjust the hotness level to your liking. In this article about Chili Pepper Types you can find the type that will suit your taste.
Greek yogurt: You can use full fat or reduced fat Greek strained yogurt. Being thicker than normal yogurt it will guarranty the right texture (not runny). I don't reccommend nonfat (0%) Greek yogurt because in most cases the taste won't be as good.
Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is best for this recipe.
🥣 Substitutions / Variations
Anthotiro (or fresh Mizithra): In some cases, a fresh cheese called anthotiro (similar to ricotta or cream cheese) is used in some percentage. I personally believe that the main reason it's used, is because it is cheaper than feta.
Peppers: Any type of sweet red pepper will be great. Though not usually the case, I have also tasted recipes which used both red and green peppers. You can also try that if you love green peppers.
Vinegar: White or red wine vinegar and also apple cider vinegar will work just fine. I wouldn't suggest replacing the vinegar with lemon juice, there isn't one Greek recipe that I know that uses lemon juice.
Sour cream: I have seen recipes using sour cream instead of Greek yogurt, but I haven't tried that so I can't say for sure how it will work. However, sour cream is one of the best substitutes for Greek yogurt, so if you try it, please let me know!
Garlic: I don't personally suggest this, but you can add 1 minced garlic clove for a garlicy taste.
Spicy honey variation: Honey and cheese is a classic Greek combination! For a sweet and savory variation with an added touch of spice, just warm some honey in a small saucepan and add a chooped chili. Let it infuse for 5 minutes and drizzle over the bowl with the tirokafteri.
🔪 How to Make Tirokafteri
Follow this easy step-by-step guide to make the perfect Greer spicy feta dip every time:
Step 1: Transfer half the feta cheese and the rest of the ingredients to a food processor or a mini chopper and run on high until the feta is whipped and you get a creamy mixture.
Step 2: Mash the rest of the feta with a fork until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Transfer the whipped feta mixture and the mashed feta to a medium bowl and mix with a fork or a spatula until everything is combined.
Taste your spicy cheese spread and if you want it hotter, take a small portion of the spread, and whip it in the food processor with some extra chili pepper, then mix it with the rest of the spread. Or, you can just add some crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Instruction notes:
For a completely smooth Tirokafteri, you can put ALL of the feta and the rest of the ingredients in the food processor and whip until smooth.
Only with a fork: Traditionally, this Greek cheese spread was made without a food processor (they didn't have that in the past). In this case, you can chop very finely the roasted pepper and the chili pepper with a sharp knife, mash all the feta with a fork and combine everything in a large bowl.
👨🍳 Expert Tips
I always use fire roasted red peppers from a jar because it's much easier than making them yourself and the flavor is just as good. If you use fresh red peppers, roast or broil them until charred and tender and peel off their skin while they're still warm.
Pat dry the roasted red pepper with kitchen paper towels before adding it to the food processor.
Taste and adjust the quantity of the hot chili pepper. If you need more heat, whip a small quantity of tirokafteri with some extra chili pepper. You can always add more but you can't remove some once you add it to the feta mixture.
How to prevent your whipped feta dip from being runny:
- Use Greek strained yogurt.
- Don't whip the whole amount of the feta cheese, but crumble some of it with a fork.
💭 FAQs
Tirokafteri and Htipity are actually the same thing, which is a Greek spicy feta dip (or spread) made with feta, red peppers, yogurt and olive oil.
Htipiti is just another name for this cheese spread, used in different parts of Greece.
On the other hand, Kopanisti is a type of spicy cheese with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) which is produced in the Greek islands of the Cyclades such as Mykonos, Tinos, Naxos. Kopanisti doesn't contain any other ingredients and gets its peppery and spicy taste from the fermentation process during production which involves repeated kneading or pounding, hence the name (kopanisti means pounded in English).
There are many reasons why a whipped feta dip turned out runny, some of them are the following:
The recipe followed has too much liquid (such as vinegar, olive oil) or yogurt.
You didn't use Greek strained yogurt.
You didn't pat-dry the roasted red bel pepper or just used a lot of it.
You over-whipped the feta (in many cases, once the mixture is store in the fridge, it gets thicker).
According to Greek regulations, feta cheese must be made from at least 70% sheep milk (or more). The rest of the milk must be goat milk. Also, the milk should come from Greek, specific areas. In any other case, the cheese is named white cheese and not feta.
🍳 Food Pairing
Serve this pepper and feta spread plain or as part of a Greek meze platter with some homemade pita bread (which you can easily make it into pita chips) and vegetables (celery, cucumber, carrot sticks, etc).
Also, slather it on sandwiches, or use it to accompany dishes like the following:
Love dipping? This simple olive oil bread dip will elevate any dinner with no effort at all!
If you tried this easy Greek Spicy Feta Dip Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
🎥Recipe Video
📖 Recipe
Greek Spicy Feta Dip Recipe (Tirokafteri)🌶️
Ingredients
- 14 oz (400 g) feta cheese
- ½ cup (120 g) Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 hot chili pepper
- 1 (120 g) roasted sweet red pepper
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Bukovo (crushed red pepper flakes)
- Optional: Kalamata olives for garnish
Instructions
- Transfer half the feta cheese and the rest of the ingredients to a food processor or a mini chopper and run on high until the feta is whipped and you get a creamy mixture.
- Transfer the rest of the feta to a medium bowl and mash with a fork until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Transfer the whipped feta mixture into the bowl with the mashed feta and mix with a fork until everything is combined.
- Taste and if you want it hotter, take a small portion of the feta mixture and whip it in the food processor with some extra chili pepper. Then, mix it with the rest of the spread. Or, you can just add some crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.Garnish with a few Kalamata olives for a classic Greek presentation!
Notes
- Once stored in the fridge, it will firm up more. For better release of flavor, let it come to room temperature before serving.
- Fire-roasted red peppers from a jar are perfect for this easy recipe. If you prefer roasting them yourself, then broil 1-2 red bell peppers until charred and tender and peel off their skin while they're still warm.
- Pat dry the roasted red pepper with kitchen paper towels before adding it to the food processor.
- Use Greek strained yogurt.
- Don't whip the whole amount of the feta cheese, but crumble some of it with a fork.
Nutrition
Sam Petro says
Made it last night and I have to say that this is the best spicy feta dip and just like the one we had in a tavern in Greece!
Thank you very much!
Makos says
Thanks for the feedback!
Mary Papas says
Just made it and it tastes exactly like the one we had in Greece. Will be making it very often form now on
Makos says
Hi Mary, that's great! Bon appetit 🙂