This Easy Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer is an easy Christmas appetizer with walnuts, rosemary, and a drizzle of honey. This simple crostini dish, ready in minutes, combines sweet honey and earthy walnuts to balance the creamy tang of fresh goat cheese.
This goat cheese crostini dish with honey, nuts, and thyme is incredibly simple to make, and the tastes complement each other well. The honey's sweet overtones complement the smooth and creamy goat cheese, which is then topped with fresh thyme and walnuts for crunch.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy and quick: With little preparation, it's ready in minutes!
- Flavorful combination: On crisp toasts, sweet honey, crunchy pecans, and fresh thyme combine with creamy, tangy goat cheese.
- Elegant presentation: It looks nice yet doesn't need much effort.
- Crowd-pleaser: A favorite among cheese lovers and daring diners alike!
- Flavors: With the many tastes and textures, there is a lovely blend of flavors.
- Ahead of time: These can be made in advance.
- Different dietary requirements: There are simple ways to accommodate other dietary requirements.
Main Ingredients
This tasty goat cheese appetizer dish just requires five ingredients and around five minutes of hands-on effort to add a little extra pizzaz to snack spread! You'll need the following:
- Bread: Toast bread slices from a French baguette with olive oil to produce the greatest crostini. The baguette gives the creamy goat cheese a wonderful crunch and texture contrast.
- Goat Cheese: Choose a high-quality "chevre" or simple goat cheese. Use either whipped goat cheese or plain, creamy goat cheese. Both will be wonderful! Do you dislike goat cheese? Use soft, spreadable cheese such as ricotta, cream cheese, feta, or whipped.
- Fresh herbs: For a lovely touch of freshness, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top of each crostini. Alternatively, you may add fresh rosemary.
- Honey: add just the right amount of sweetness to counterbalance the other flavors.
- Seasonings: A dash of salt and pepper enhances this appetizer's savory taste.
How To Make Crostini With Goat Cheese
- Set the oven's temperature to 450 degrees. Put parchment paper on a large baking sheet.
- Cut a baguette into 1-inch-thick slices using a bread knife.
- Arrange slices of bread on a baking sheet. Bake until gently toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Let the crostinis cool until they are comfortable to handle. Cover each crostini with a thin coating of goat cheese.
- Add salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Top with a little thyme.
- In a small saucepan, heat the honey over medium heat for approximately two minutes. Then cover each slice with a good amount of honey.
- Serve with a honey drizzle.
Variations And Substitutions
- Cheese: You may use cream cheese or ricotta for goat cheese. Instead of preparing the cheese/honey combination, top a piece of brie with the honey and herbs.
- Herbs: If you'd like, you may use fresh basil, sage, or rosemary in place of the thyme.
- Spicy: Instead of using conventional honey, use hot honey to give them a burst of spice. Red pepper flakes are another option.
- Crackers: Instead of using crostini, use big, strong crackers.
- Make it gluten-free: Use your preferred gluten-free bread or baguette to create this dish.
- Nuts: For a different texture and taste profile, try pecans, almonds, or even pistachios instead of walnuts.
- Balsamic Glaze: I enjoy it on top of my Tomato, Basil, and Balsamic Chicken. A drizzle of balsamic Glaze can be used in place of or in addition to honey to lend a tangy sweetness.
- Different Bread: Although I adore the traditional baguette, you could substitute whatever crusty bread you have, such as ciabatta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although any kind of honey would work, I prefer to use high-quality, locally produced honey because it has a deeper flavor.
Nuts, fresh fruit, dried fruit, and honey all go nicely with goat cheese. Place some apple slices or pear slices on top of the crostini if you want to include fruit in this dish. It would also look great with a few dried cranberries on top.
Ricotta cheese, cream cheese, brie cheese, or even sharp cheddar cheese would make excellent alternatives to goat cheese. Something similar to goat cheese, such as cream cheese or "goat" cheese that is spreadable, can also be used if you must use a dairy-free or vegan cheese.
Use a gluten-free baguette or any other type of gluten-free bread to make them gluten-free.
Apples, pears, and berries such as strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries go nicely with goat cheese.
Make ahead
I suggest cutting and roasting the nuts the day before to save time when preparing this meal for a party or holiday get-together. The cheese/honey combination can also be prepared several hours ahead of time and refrigerated. For simplicity, cut the baguette into slices.
Storing tips
I suggest preparing the goat cheese crostini that will be consumed the same day because they are best consumed that day. Store the ingredients separately for this recipe for goat cheese crostini.
You may store the honey at room temperature, the goat cheese and walnuts in the refrigerator, and the toasted baguette pieces in an airtight container at room temperature.
If you tried this Easy Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
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Recipe
Easy Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer (Honey & Herbs!)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 French baguette
- 6 oz goat cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 5 tablespoon hot honey
- sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set the oven's temperature to 450 degrees. Put parchment paper on a large baking sheet.
- Cut a baguette into 1-inch-thick slices using a bread knife.
- Arrange slices of bread on a baking sheet. Bake until gently toasted, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Let the crostinis cool until they are comfortable to handle. Cover each crostini with a thin coating of goat cheese.
- Add salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Top with a little thyme.
- In a small saucepan, heat the honey over medium heat for approximately two minutes. Then, cover each slice with a good amount of honey.
- Serve with a honey drizzle.
NOTES
- Goat cheeses can be a little stinky or gamey. However, to balance the honey and herbs in this dish, I like mild, acidic goat cheese. Use your favorite!
- Ricotta cheese, cream cheese, brie cheese, or even sharp cheddar cheese would make excellent alternatives to goat cheese. Something similar to goat cheese, such as cream cheese or "goat" cheese that can be spread, can also be used if you must use dairy-free or vegan cheese.
- Use a gluten-free baguette or any other gluten-free bread to make them gluten-free.
Mallory Long says
Goat cheese crostinis are a go-to for me during parties! They’re so simple yet sophisticated, and they always impress my guests. I love the idea of using different herbs – fresh basil would be amazing here too!
Cora James says
This looks like such an easy yet elegant dish to serve! I love how you can customize it with whatever you have at home. Definitely planning to make these for my next get-together – everyone will love them!
Jasmine Bell says
'Easy' and 'delicious' are two of my favorite words when it comes to cooking! I'm excited about trying this crostini with different cheeses too. Maybe some creamy mozzarella for a twist? Yum!
Kaitlyn Butler says
'Goat cheese and honey' – now that’s a match made in heaven! This dish sounds so satisfying, especially with that hint of warmth from the hot honey. Can't wait to serve these at my next brunch!
Christina Jenkins says
This recipe is a lifesaver for busy days! The combination of creamy goat cheese with hot honey just sounds divine. I can't wait to make these for my next gathering; I know they'll be a hit!
Genesis Flores says
I love how versatile this Goat Cheese Crostini recipe is! You can switch up the toppings based on what's in season or what you have in your pantry. It's perfect for gatherings, and who doesn't love a good cheese and bread combo?
Andrea Wilson says
This crostini sounds absolutely delicious! I appreciate that it's easy to whip up at the last minute. I'm definitely going to try it with some fresh figs on top; that sweet and tangy combination is calling my name!
Michelle Butler says
I'm all about quick appetizers, and this Goat Cheese Crostini fits the bill perfectly! Plus, there are so many variations to try out. I might even throw some prosciutto on top for an extra kick!