This spread is tzatziki/Mediterranean-inspired. It's made with feta cheese, cream cheese, fresh dill, diced cucumber, lemon zest and juice, and Italian parsley. Spread it on bagels to start your morning off deliciously!
Every once in a while, I love a good bagel. They are just so convenient especially when you're on the go. What goes best with bagels? A good cream cheese spread or schmear. Looking for fancy cream cheese to make your morning ah-mazing!? Check out this Tzatziki Feta Cream Cheese Spread. It's super fresh and delicious! Tzatziki is a dip or sauce in Southeast Europe and the Middle East and is made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs.
There are a few changes that make this spread more Tzatziki-inspired/Mediterranean-inspired. Instead of greek yogurt, feta and cream cheese are blended in a food processor with dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper (and chili flake for a little heat). It's topped with a diced cucumber, sliced cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and fresh herbs.
Why you'll love this recipe:
- Quickly blended together in a few minutes! (Thanks to my mini Hamilton Beach Food Chopper)
- Stunning presentation
- Flavorful and fresh
- Spread on all the bread (bagels, toast, pita, naan, crackers, pita chips, you name it!)
Tzatziki Feta Cream Cheese Spread Ingredient Photos
The ingredients for the spread:
The toppings for the spread:
See the full list of ingredients and quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step-by-Step Process Photos
- Toast pinenuts in a small saucepan over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant by continuing to shake the pan. It will take 3 minutes for it to start browning, 5-7 minutes total. Pour onto a plate and set aside.
- Slice cherry tomatoes, dice cucumbers, and pull Italian parsley. Place on a plate and set aside.
- Place crumbled or cubed feta into a food processor along with the cream cheese. Blend until smooth.
- Add in lemon juice, zest, and olive oil and pulse until smooth. Scrap carefully as needed with a butter knife.
- Add in the dill, minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and chili flake (optional). Blend until smooth.
- Remove the lid and carefully remove the blade. Using a spoon or spatula to give everything a quick mix. Pour feta cream cheese mixture into a bowl.
- *Top with cucumber, tomatoes, pine nuts, and herbs.
- Spread onto toasted bagels and enjoy!
Variations on the Tzatziki Feta Cream Cheese Spread
- No pine nuts? Try toasted almonds instead.
- Instead of a bagel, spread on toast, pita, naan, or with crackers
- Use any kind of tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes
- Use an English cucumber or Persian instead of an American.
More Food-Processor Sauce/Dip Recipes?
Tzatziki Feta Cream Cheese Spread
Equipment
- Hamilton Beach 3-Cup Stack and Press Food Chopper
Ingredients
Tzatziki Feta Cream Cheese Spread
- 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 4 oz feta crumbled or cut into cubes
- 1 small lemon zested and juiced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh dill not packed
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- flaky sea salt + fresh ground pepper to taste
- pinch dried chili flake optional
Tzatziki Feta Cream Cheese Spread Toppings
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- ½ cucumber
- 3 tbsp pine nuts
- 2 tbsp italian parsley
Instructions
- Toast pinenuts in a small saucepan over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant by continuing to shake the pan. It will take 3 minutes for it to start browning, 5-7 minutes total. Pour onto a plate and set aside.
- Slice cherry tomatoes, dice cucumbers and pull Italian parsley. Place on a plate and set aside.
- Place crumbled or cubed feta into a food processor along with the cream cheese. Blend until smooth.
- Add in lemon juice, zest, and olive oil and pulse until smooth. Scrap carefully as needed with a butter knife.
- Add in the dill, minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and chili flake (optional). Blend until smooth.
- Remove the lid and carefully remove the blade. Using a spoon or spatula to give everything a quick mix. Pour feta cream cheese mixture into a bowl.
- Top with cucumber, tomatoes, pine nuts, and herbs.
- Spread onto toasted bagels and enjoy!