Easy Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer With Honey

Goat Cheese Crostini is an easy appetizer made with sliced toasted baguette, topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey (hot or regular). Just 4 simple ingredients make this crostini appetizer an easy go-to for parties or get-togethers. Ready in minutes!

Why This Recipe Works

I love this easy recipe for so many reasons:

• Simple. This recipe comes together fast and uses just a handful of ingredients. It's such a great last-minute appetizer recipe.
• Delicious. Crusty bread and cheese? Sign me up! This is a no-fail combination, and adding fresh herbs and hot honey to the top helps to elevate it to dinner party status.
• Works well all year long. This goat cheese crostini recipe works well any time of year. Whether you're making this for a cocktail party during the holiday season or for a backyard barbecue in the summer, it pairs perfectly with almost any main dish (this Mediterranean Grilled Chicken is a standout), making it a perfect appetizer.
• Versatile. One of my favorite things about this simple app is that there are so many variations you can try here. Change up the cheese, add different crostini toppings (fig is a popular one!), or drizzle a different sauce (maybe some balsamic vinegar instead of the honey?). The possibilities are really endless, and it's a great platform for choosing your favorite seasonal ingredients. 

Key Ingredients

The ingredients for this delicious appetizer are so simple. Here's what you'll need:

• Baguette slices. A fresh baguette, sliced at an angle, provides the perfect canvas for building these crostinis.
• Goat cheese. Simple creamy goat cheese gives these toasts a delicious tang and wonderful texture. Opt for soft goat cheese at room temperature for a creamy texture and easy spreading.
• Thyme (or other fresh herb). Fresh herbs like thyme add a burst of aromatic freshness to each bite. Rosemary is also nice here.
• Hot honey (or plain honey). I used hot honey here, which gave each toast a nice little kick of heat and amped up the flavor in my opinion. But if you don't want the heat (it's really not very spicy), a drizzle of plain honey also works, adding a touch of natural sweetness and complementing the tang of the goat cheese.

Variations And Substitutions

The versatility of this elegant appetizer really provides endless possibilities to make it your own. Don't hesitate to use what's in your fridge to make this recipe. Here are some easy ways to change things up. 

• Caramelized onions. Add a layer of caramelized onions for a sweet and savory twist.
• Mushrooms.  Add some sauteed mushrooms to the top of the goat cheese for an umami burst of flavor.
• Fresh figs. Top with fresh figs or fig preserves for a burst of fruity flavor. (Similar to my fig toasts with cream cheese and honey.)
• Whipped goat cheese. Use a food processor to whip the goat cheese for an even creamier texture.
• Lemon zest. Incorporate lemon zest for a refreshing citrus kick.
• Cured meat. A thin slice of prosciutto would go well on these little toasts. 
• Salmon crostini. For a more indulgent option, add smoked salmon on top. (Like my avocado & smoked salmon toasts.)
• Alternate cheese. Goat cheese is great for its creamy spreadability, but you could use whatever type of cheese you have lurking in your refrigerator. Cream cheese is a great substitute, or try this easy old-fashioned pimento cheese recipe for another take.
• Change up the herbs. Switch out the thyme for whatever you have growing in your garden. Fresh rosemary, basil or even mint would give these goat cheese crostinis a different flavor. You could even mix the herbs into the goat cheese to make a herby goat cheese spread.
• Fresh fruit. For the summer months, I love adding fresh peaches or chopped cherries to the toasts. 
• Veggies. A small slice of tomato, some salted cucumber slices, or roasted red pepper would all go great on these warm crostinis. 
• Garlic! I love a good roasted garlic spread on top of the cheese. Delish!
• Balsamic vinegar. If you prefer something less sweet and a bit tangier than honey, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar can be a good alternative.
• Tomato bruschetta. This goes great with the creamy goat cheese.
• Pesto & bacon. Try a touch of pesto sauce on top of the goat cheese, topped with bacon crumbles.

How To Make Goat Cheese Crostinis

This simple appetizer comes together in a snap! Here's how to make these little cheese crostini appetizers.

Step One: Slice and toast. Slice the baguette at an angle into approximately 12-14 pieces and arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake the toasts for 8-10 minutes at 375°F, flipping them halfway. The edges of the bread should be a nice golden brown. Remove the crostini toasts from the oven and allow to cool for a couple of minutes while preparing the crostini toppings.

Step 2: Mix and spread. In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. This will make it a bit lighter and easier to spread onto the toasts. Spread ½ tablespoon of goat cheese onto each baguette slice.

Step 3: Add the herbs. Sprinkle fresh thyme over the goat cheese layer.

Step 4: Drizzle and serve. Drizzle the hot honey over the top of each crostini. Place the goat cheese crostini onto a serving tray or platter and serve. 

Expert Tips

• Make cleanup easy! Line your banking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze.
• Allow the crostini to cool slightly before adding your cheese to ensure the cheese doesn't melt!

Goat Cheese Crostini Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

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