Grilled Polenta Bites with Roasted Red Pepper, Feta, and Thyme: Your Essential Spring & Summer Appetizer

Grilled polenta bites crowned with a vibrant homemade roasted red pepper, creamy feta, and aromatic thyme topping. A sophisticated yet simple bite-sized appetizer perfect for any spring or summer gathering!

Let’s talk about the magic of bite-sized appetizers. Who isn’t a fan? If I’m being honest, I could happily live on them. There’s something inherently delightful about a perfectly crafted, miniature culinary creation that tantalizes your taste buds and leaves you wanting just one more. Appetizers are quite possibly one of my favorite things in the entire world! I’m always more than happy to skip the main course on any menu in favor of a selection of exciting appetizers or tapas. They offer a fantastic opportunity to sample a variety of flavors and textures, making social gatherings more dynamic and enjoyable.

One of the biggest highlights during my wedding planning journey was undoubtedly the tasting and choosing of our passed hors d’oeuvres. It took considerable willpower to narrow down our choices to just five—and even that was one more than we originally planned! Sadly, during the actual wedding, the whirlwind of activity meant I didn’t get to enjoy many of those delicious bites myself (a reality I was prepared for, but it still made me a little sad). These grilled polenta bites, however, more than make up for that missed opportunity! They embody everything I love about a great appetizer: elegant, flavorful, and perfectly portioned.

The Unexpected Inspiration Behind These Delicious Polenta Bites

The creation of these grilled polenta bites came about in a wonderfully serendipitous way. A couple of months ago, my husband Connor and I embarked on an impromptu dinner adventure in Washington D.C. Our initial plan was to finally use a gift certificate at one of our absolute favorite restaurants, Roses Luxury. However, upon arrival, we were met with the news that the wait could exceed three hours (yes, I’m not exaggerating, this is surprisingly normal for them!). While their food is undoubtedly worth it, our stomachs couldn’t wait that long.

Being a bit crazy, we then decided to try our luck at yet another ridiculously popular D.C. establishment, Little Serow, for which we also happened to have a gift certificate. Long story short, we still faced a wait of over two hours to be seated. To pass the time, we ventured across the street to a charming little Greek restaurant. There, amidst the cozy ambiance and a glass of wine, we indulged in a few tapas dishes. One particular tapa featured an absolutely delicious roasted red pepper and feta spread, which I could have happily devoured all night long.

Immediately, I knew I wanted to recreate that incredible flavor profile for a blog recipe. As I brainstormed ways to adapt it, the idea of serving it on top of grilled polenta rounds suddenly clicked. The combination of the smoky, sweet red pepper spread with the savory, slightly crisp polenta seemed like a match made in heaven. And just like that, these irresistible grilled polenta bites were born!

Crafting the Perfect Roasted Red Pepper, Feta, and Thyme Spread

The heart of this appetizer is undoubtedly the roasted red pepper spread. Despite its incredibly rich and complex flavor, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring only a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. We start with fresh red bell peppers, which are charred beautifully under the broiler until their skins are blackened and blistered. This charring process is crucial, as it imparts a wonderful smoky sweetness to the peppers and makes them incredibly easy to peel, resulting in a smooth, intensely flavored base for our spread.

Once the peppers are roasted and peeled, they are roughly chopped – a task easily accomplished in a small food processor or by hand if you prefer a chunkier texture. To this vibrant base, we add good-quality feta cheese, preferably feta in brine, which offers a delightful tang and creamy texture when crumbled. Fresh thyme sprigs contribute an earthy, herbaceous note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the peppers. And my favorite secret addition? Garlic confit (or roasted garlic cloves!), which lends a wonderfully mellow, sweet garlic flavor without any harshness.

Okay, I realize this is now the third recipe I’ve shared in the past month or so that features or mentions garlic confit. Please don’t hate me! I simply can’t help myself. I did warn you that this stuff was incredibly versatile (and I happened to have quite a lot of it in my fridge at one point), so I figured I might as well share a few delicious ways to put it to good use. One of the delightful side effects of making garlic confit is that you will inevitably want to add it to everything you cook, and this spread is no exception.

A quick note regarding garlic confit: several of you have asked in the comment section whether you can make garlic confit in a slow cooker. At this point, I don’t personally know the answer, as I’ve never owned a slow cooker before. Truthfully, I don’t anticipate it would save time or energy compared to the stovetop or oven method, so my current recommendation is “I don’t recommend it for garlic confit.” However, one of our thoughtful wedding gifts was indeed a slow cooker, so hopefully, I’ll have a chance to test this out at some point in the future. I’ll be sure to share the results and any findings with you all!

The Simplicity and Versatility of Grilled Polenta

Preparing the grilled polenta discs for these bites is incredibly easy, thanks to a fantastic culinary shortcut: pre-cooked polenta logs. I have to admit, these logs initially looked a bit like weird sausage things (and I avoided them for quite a long time), but they are truly one of the best cooking shortcuts available. If you haven’t tried them, you’re missing out on a world of convenience and delicious possibilities.

Not only do these logs save an enormous amount of time that would otherwise be spent cooking and stirring traditional polenta from scratch, but they are also absolutely perfect for grilled applications. They hold their shape exceptionally well under heat, ensuring you get beautifully crisp-edged, tender polenta rounds every time. This makes them ideal for creating little bite-sized appetizers like these, or even mini polenta pizzas – yes, those are quite delicious too and highly recommended for a quick snack or party treat!

To prepare them, simply slice the polenta logs into ½-inch thick rounds, creating perfect canvases for our flavorful topping. Then, brush both sides of each disc generously with a good quality extra virgin olive oil. This not only prevents sticking but also helps develop that gorgeous golden-brown crust and enhances the flavor. While you could use an outdoor grill, I recommend grilling these polenta rounds on a grill pan, especially since they are quite small (two bites max!). A grill pan minimizes the risk of them falling through the grates of a larger outdoor grill, giving you more control and perfectly seared results. Grill them for just a few minutes on each side until they have attractive grill marks and are heated through.

Assembly, Serving, and Customization

Once your polenta rounds are grilled to perfection and lightly seasoned with salt, and your roasted red pepper, feta, and thyme spread is ready, it’s time for the final, satisfying step: assembly! Simply top each warm or room-temperature polenta disc with a generous spoonful of the vibrant spread. The beauty of these appetizers is that they taste just as good when warm as they do at room temperature, making them an excellent choice for entertaining. You can prepare them a little bit in advance, allowing you to relax and enjoy your guests when the time comes.

For an extra flourish and burst of fresh flavor, don’t forget the garnishing! A few fresh thyme leaves scattered over the top add an appealing visual touch and reinforce the herbaceous notes. You could also easily add all sorts of other little touches to customize these bites, such as fresh basil for a Mediterranean twist, or a small handful of peppery arugula for an added layer of flavor and texture. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts could also elevate them further.

Imagine serving these at a lively spring brunch, a casual summer cookout, or an elegant garden party! Their bright colors, fresh flavors, and appealing bite-sized format make them an absolute crowd-pleaser. They pair wonderfully with a crisp white wine, a light rosé, or even a refreshing sparkling water with lemon. These grilled polenta bites are not just food; they’re an experience – a testament to simple ingredients transforming into something truly special. So, go on, give them a try!