For a simple, refreshing and spring-like appetizer look no further than some kitchen staples for Baked Lemon and Goat Cheese Dip. This appetizer comes together quickly will be loved by all.
Oh Spring you fickle friend.
You tease us with mild temperatures, sun filled days and the feeling of hope leading up to your official launch. Then suddenly wham, bam, 3 inches of snow on the first day we can finally call spring.
Not only that, somehow, someway you decided to cause me to have spring allergies in the middle of all this.
I don’t get it, there is nothing in bloom. It’s all covered in snow, yet I’m sneezing, puffy and itchy. I’m baffled, my friends are baffled, even the poor pharmacist was baffled.
If it wasn’t for the delicious fruits and vegetables you are about to bring, I might consider breaking up for the season.
It’s a good thing I’m ready to breathe some fresh air into life, my cooking, heck even my apartment with open windows – so you are getting off with a warning just this one time.
Despite the wretched start to spring, I’m ready for lighter meals and more fruits and vegetables filling up my refrigerator. This is the time of year when I’m excited about getting back outside and to the farmers market to see what’s growing each week.
While it’s still too early for a lot of my favorites, we can get into the spring spirit with this quick and easy appetizer.
Goat cheese and lemons are two ingredients that I always equate with spring even though it’s something I eat year round. The bright flavors of the two go along with the themes of spring with new life in the ground and longer days.
Plus you can’t go wrong with a warm goat cheese appetizer.
This would be perfect for Easter or even during Passover spread over some matzos! Although, honestly I don’t think you need any reason to bake it up except to treat yourself to something delicious.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
- juice from 1/2 lemon + lemon zest
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- toasted baguette slices or crackers to serve
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a bowl add the softened goat cheese, lemon juice, zest, leaves from the thyme sprigs, pepper and salt. Mix together.
- Transfer to an oven safe ramekin and drizzle the olive oil on top
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly and the cheese is heated all the way through.
- Serve warm.
Check out more spring themed recipes below from #SundaySupper contributors!
Beverages
- Easter Egg Smoothie by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Home-made Limoncello by Manu’s Menu
- Meyer Lemon Rosemary Martini by The Redhead Baker
Appetizers
- Asparagus and Roasted Garlic Hummus by Palatable Pastime
- Baked Lemon and Goat Cheese Dip by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Cauliflower Salad by Wallflour Girl
- Green Asparagus Soup with Seared Scallops by An Appealing Plan
- Panzanella Primavera by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Salmon Berry and Almond Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing by Family Foodie
- Skillet Spinach Artichoke Dip by Life Tastes Good
Sides
- Asparagus Gribiche by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Early Peas with Pearl Onions in Cream by Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Mustard Vinaigrette by Food Done Light
- Sauteed Artichokes & Potatoes by Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen
- Spring Green Rice by Magnolia Days
Entreés
- Artichoke Pesto Pasta by PancakeWarriors
- Crispy Honey Chicken Spring Salad by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Early Spring Risotto by Cooking Chat
- Honey Lemon Shrimp by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Irish Lamb Stew by Food Lust People Love
- Perfect Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Chives by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Quiche Florentine by Curious Cuisiniere
- Roasted Lamb Chops, Fontina Cheese Polenta with Asparagus and Mushrooms by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Root Vegetable Risotto by Momma’s Meals
- Spring Lemon Pasta by MealDiva
- Spring Pea & Chèvre Souffle by FoodieTots
- Spring Vegetable Risotto by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Salmon and Strawberry Spinach Salad with a Kentucky Maple Vinaigrette by Dandelion Greens
- Tilapia with Classic Pesto by Whole Food | Real Families
- Veal Stew with Spring Greens by The Texan New Yorker
Desserts
- Berry Shortcakes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Blueberry Coconut Macaroons by Pies and Plots
- Blueberry Rhubarb Muffins by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Carrot Cake Cookies by Noshing With The Nolands
- Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Gluten Free Healthy Hummingbird Cake by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Lemon Cream Pie with Girl Scouts Lemonade Cookie Crust by Our Good Life
- Lemon Meringue Pie by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Low-Fat Strawberry Muffins by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Matcha Strawberry Cake by Brunch with Joy
- Palm Sunday Easter Bread by Love and Confections
- Pretzels, Peanut Butter, and Beer Cake Recipe by Recipe for Perfection
- Sticky Carrot Squares by What Smells So Good?
- Three Berry Coconut Crispies by Simply Healthy Family
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So true that you can never go wrong with a warm goat cheese appetizer. Nice freshness with the citrus too.
Just a beautiful platter, Susan! This dip sounds marvelous!!!
I have made baked ricotta like this before and it was the bomb. I bet this is even better! I am insanely in love with goat cheese!
Lemon and goat cheese…two of my favorite foods. This looks delish but I need to wait until my daughter comes home for a visit, or I’d eat the whole thing myself!
Baked goat cheese is awesome and I love that you added lemon zest.
This sounds just lovely.
I hear you, we have had so many incredible spring days, today included and then the next day 38 degrees and raining. 🙁 But this incredible dip is sure to chase the lack of spring blues away. I love goats cheese.
Lemon and goat cheese, sounds delicious! 🙂
This is quite simple, but the flavors must be so intense! The thyme and lemon with the goat cheese sound wonderful!
This dip sounds SO good! I seriously need to be making more dips 🙂
Looks like a sinfully delicious appetizer! Mmmmm
Your photos of this are amazing! I can almost taste the deliciousness!
Susan I know what you mean with the uncanny allergies this season. We’ve been experiencing the same thing here. I just love the simplicity of this dip and the flavor combination sounds wonderful.I can’t wait to try this recipe and I hope you feel better!
What wonderful flavor combinations!
Oh boy! I have been obsessed with goat cheese lately so you KNOW this is going to be happening at my house soon!!
I couldn’t wait to come check out this recipe as I love anything with goat cheese and lemon! And so weird on the allergies… hope you’re doing better!
Thanks Diana! I am finally feeling better and I know, it is really weird. I hope you enjoy this recipe once you have a chance to make it.
Oh Susan, as I type this, it is snowing here. We currently have a lovely three inches. And it is still coming down. Also, I was just in the midst of an allergy attack that turned into a head cold for the past two weeks. Ugh. It suuuucks. You know, I love me some goat cheese plus lemon helps to get rid of colds sooooo we should all eat lots of this dip.
I would hoard this dip all to myself — no one else allowed!!!
What a wonderful dip for a party, Susan! Or just for lunch :-). Really gorgeous photos too – the texture of the dip is perfect. You’ve had just a rough few months between the harsh winter that seems to have no end, and now Spring allergies!! Really unfair.
Thanks Susan and this dip was totally my lunch the day I made it! 🙂
Oh, this looks so great and perfect for those hopefully warmer temps we have coming our way! Sorry about the premature allergies though. 🙁
I just want to go over to your house and eat nothing but delicious dips
You are always welcome Kayle!
I’m with you, Susan, I can’t wait to open windows and enjoy shopping for spring foods!
Is Spring cleaning the best or what! we did it this past weekend as well and it just feels so good – especially if you get to have this tasty treat afterwards!
Yep, the first day of spring here it rained too, yet I also have allergies. I’ll have to try this dip to compensate.
I LOVE THIS! I am hit or miss with goat cheese, but warm and gooey cheese can’t be wrong. Love the hint of lemon, too.
I have been on such a goat cheese tare recently and this looks SO good! May have to make it for Easter!