This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These Goat Cheese Crostini are crisp, creamy, and lightly sweet. It’s the perfect bite-sized appetizer for any occasion. Made with toasted baguette slices, whipped goat cheese, and pear slices drizzled with honey, they come together in minutes and look elegant on any holiday spread.
If you love easy appetizers, try my Cranberry Brie Bites, Cranberry Meatballs, or Goat Cheese & Marinara Dip — all perfect for entertaining this season.
3 Tips To Perfect Goat Cheese Crostini
- Use room-temperature goat cheese so it spreads smoothly.
- Toast the crostini until crisp but not rock-hard — it should have a light crunch with a tender center.
- Add toppings just before serving to keep the bread from getting soggy.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make Goat Cheese Crostini
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
Toast the bread: Slice the baguette on the bias, brush with olive oil, and bake until golden and crisp. This helps it stay crunchy when topped.
- Quick Note: Flip halfway for even browning.
Mix the topping: Combine goat cheese and Greek yogurt for a smoother, spreadable texture.
- Pro Tip: A food processor makes it extra fluffy if you prefer whipped goat cheese.
Assemble: Spread goat cheese on each crostini, top with pear slices, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Variation Note: Swap pears for figs, apples, or tomatoes depending on the season.
Serve: Arrange on a platter and serve immediately.
Variations and Serving Ideas
- Sweet options: peaches, figs with jam, or apples with honey.
- Savory options: Tomato + fresh basil, caramelized onion + fresh thyme, roasted red peppers, or prosciutto with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Cheese options: Try herbed goat cheese or whipped goat cheese for a lighter texture.
- Serving ideas: Arrange on a platter with other appetizers or add to a holiday charcuterie board.
Storage Tips
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
- Toast bread up to 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container.
- Mix goat cheese spread up to 3 days in advance; refrigerate until ready to use.
- Assemble just before serving to keep bread crisp.
- To re-crisp crostini, warm in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between crostini and bruschetta?
Crostini, Italian for ‘little toasts’, are slices of bread that have been brushed with oil and baked until golden and crisp. They are typically topped with more delicate, elegant toppings. Bruschetta has grilled bread with more rustic toppings like chopped tomatoes, olive oil, basil, or even meats and cheeses.
Should goat cheese be room temperature before spreading?
Yes, letting the goat cheese come to room temperature will help it spread easily.
Can I make the crostini or topping ahead of time?
You can make the crostini up to 2 days in advance. Feel free to whip the goat cheese ahead of time but fruit like pears and apples should be sliced immediately before serving as they will become brown.
What are the best toppings for goat cheese crostini?
Sweet flavors like pear, apple, figs, and peaches go well, as do savory options like prosciutto, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, and tomatoes. Garnish with fresh herbs, nuts, honey, or balsamic glaze.
More Finger Food Recipes
Goat Cheese Crostini (with Pear & Honey)
Ingredients
Crostini:
- 1 large baguette
- 1/4 cup olive oil for brushing
- Kosher salt
Topping:
- 6 ounces spreadable goat cheese from a log, not crumbled
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 4 ripe pears any variety will work but I prefer bartlett pears
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Honey for drizzling
Instructions
To Make the Crostini:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil, parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Slice the baguette into 1/4-inch thick slices. I like to cut on the bias for a prettier presentation. Arrange the bread side by side on the baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes, flipping the bread over halfway through. Depending on your oven it ma take more or less time. You want the crostini to be crispy but not so hard you can’t easily bite into it.
- Let the bread cool for 10-15 minutes before adding cold toppings.
Toppings:
- Thinly slice the pears into half moon shapes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese and greek yogurt until smooth.
- Spread onto and top each piece and arrange onto a serving platter. Top with a pear slice, drizzle lightly with honey and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Bring goat cheese to room temperature before spreading.
- Don’t over-toast the baguette; aim for light golden color.
- Assemble just before serving for best texture.
- Use any pear variety — Bartlett and Bosc are favorites.
- Drizzle honey and add nuts right before serving for best presentation.
- Try other toppings: figs, apples, peaches, tomatoes, or prosciutto. Garnish with fresh herbs, balsamic glaze, or chopped nuts.
- Re-crisp crostini in oven if needed.
- Great for holidays or make-ahead appetizers.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
