This elegant Mediterranean Cream Cheese Appetizer Log is creamy, savory, colorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. A smooth herb-seasoned cream cheese mixture is shaped into a log and coated with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, fresh herbs, and optional nuts for a beautiful no-bake appetizer.

Serve it with pita chips, crackers, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or toasted bread for an impressive party snack!

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: None
Servings: 10–12
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Cream Cheese Log

16 ounces (450 g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste

Mediterranean Topping

⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
¼ cup Kalamata olives or black olives, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill or chives, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional

Optional Garnish

Whole Kalamata olives
Extra chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Fresh parsley
Fresh dill
Crushed red pepper flakes
Chopped walnuts, pecans, or pistachios only if desired

Instructions

Step 1: Soften the Cream Cheese

Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before preparing the recipe. Softened cream cheese will be much easier to mix and shape.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Herb Mixture

In a large bowl, combine:

Softened cream cheese
Crumbled feta
Greek yogurt or sour cream
Parsley
Dill
Chives
Lemon juice
Garlic
Oregano
Black pepper
Salt

Mix until everything is smooth and evenly combined.

Taste the mixture before adding extra salt, as feta and olives can already be quite salty.

Step 3: Shape the Log

Lay a large piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on your work surface.

Spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the center and shape it into a log, approximately 8 inches long.

Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour so it becomes firm enough to hold its shape.

Step 4: Prepare the Mediterranean Coating

In a small bowl, combine:

Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Chopped olives
Fresh parsley
Dill or chives
Olive oil
Lemon zest, if using

Mix gently.

Step 5: Coat the Appetizer Log

Remove the chilled cream cheese log from the refrigerator and unwrap it.

Spread the Mediterranean topping over the top and sides, gently pressing it into the cream cheese so it sticks.

Garnish with whole olives, extra herbs, and a few pieces of sun-dried tomato.

Step 6: Serve

Place the finished appetizer log on a serving board or platter.

Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

For the best creamy texture, let it sit at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes before serving.

What to Serve With It

This Mediterranean cream cheese log is delicious with:

Pita chips
Whole-grain crackers
Toasted baguette slices
Cucumber rounds
Carrot sticks
Bell pepper strips
Celery sticks
Cherry tomatoes
Pretzel crisps
Mediterranean flatbread

Tips for the Best Cream Cheese Log

Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese

Full-fat cream cheese creates the richest flavor and helps the log hold its shape.

Drain the Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, blot them with paper towels before chopping so the topping does not become overly oily.

Chop Everything Finely

Small pieces of olives, tomatoes, and herbs will stick to the log better and make it easier to spread on crackers.

Chill Before Serving

Chilling helps the appetizer firm up and allows the Mediterranean flavors to blend.

Make It Ahead

You can prepare the cream cheese log 1–2 days in advance. Add the fresh herb topping closer to serving time for the brightest appearance.

Nut Information

This recipe can be made completely nut-free.

The base recipe does not require peanuts or tree nuts.

However, always check the labels of:

Cream cheese
Feta cheese
Greek yogurt
Sun-dried tomatoes
Crackers or pita chips
Any store-bought toppings

Some packaged products may be processed in facilities that also handle peanuts or tree nuts.

If Adding Nuts

Walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or almonds can add a delicious crunch, but they are completely optional.

For a nut-free version, simply leave them out and use extra chopped olives, herbs, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds if desired.

Important: If serving someone with a serious nut allergy, avoid cross-contact from knives, cutting boards, serving boards, and shared containers.

Delicious Variations

Tomato & Basil Version

Replace the dill with fresh basil and add extra chopped sun-dried tomatoes for an Italian-inspired appetizer.

Spicy Mediterranean Version

Add:

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
A pinch of cayenne pepper
Finely chopped pickled peppers

Roasted Garlic Version

Replace the raw garlic with 1–2 cloves of roasted garlic for a sweeter, milder flavor.

Extra Olive Version

Mix additional chopped Kalamata olives directly into the cream cheese mixture for a stronger Mediterranean flavor.

Nutty Version

Roll the finished log in finely chopped pistachios or walnuts along with the herbs and sun-dried tomatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this appetizer ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cream cheese log up to 2 days ahead and keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator.

2. How long will leftovers last?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3–4 days.

3. Can I freeze a cream cheese appetizer log?

Freezing is possible, but the texture of cream cheese may become slightly grainy or watery after thawing. For the best texture, enjoy it fresh from the refrigerator.

4. Can I use goat cheese instead of feta?

Absolutely. Soft goat cheese adds a tangy, creamy flavor and works beautifully in this recipe.

5. Can I make this without Greek yogurt?

Yes. Simply leave it out or replace it with sour cream. The log may be slightly firmer without it.

6. Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, as long as all of your cheese ingredients are suitable for a vegetarian diet.

7. How do I make the appetizer log firmer?

Add a little more cream cheese, reduce the Greek yogurt, and chill the mixture for a longer period before shaping and serving.

8. Is this recipe gluten-free?

The cream cheese log itself is generally gluten-free, but always check individual ingredient labels. Serve it with gluten-free crackers or fresh vegetables for a completely gluten-free appetizer.

9. Can I make individual portions?

Yes! Instead of one large log, shape the mixture into small appetizer balls or mini logs and coat them with the Mediterranean topping.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

Mediterranean Cream Cheese Appetizer Log