Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini Recipe

This Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini is an easy and elegant appetizer, which is made with salty blue cheese and sweet Anjou pear. It’s the perfect appetizer for parties, ready in about 15 minutes.

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Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini Ingredients

12 slices (1/2 Inch Thick) Baguette
6 Tbsp. Crumbled Blue Cheese
1 Red Anjou Pear, Cored, Cut Into 12 Slices
1 1/2 tsp. Agave Nectar (or Honey)
1/2 tsp. Fresh Thyme Leaves

How To Make Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini

Toast the bread: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 2 minutes, until they are lightly crisped.
Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese evenly over the toasted baguette slices (about 1 ½ teaspoons per slice). Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 3 to 4 minutes, just until the cheese begins to melt.
Toss the pears: While the cheese melts, place the pear slices in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the agave nectar or honey and toss gently with your hands to coat each slice.
Assemble and serve: Top each warm, cheesy baguette slice with a honey-coated pear slice and a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

What’s the best bread for crostini? A good quality baguette is the perfect choice. Slicing it on a slight diagonal gives you more surface area for the delicious toppings.
What kind of pear should I use? The recipe calls for a Red Anjou, which is a great choice. Bosc or Comice pears would also be wonderful as they are firm enough to hold their shape and have a sweet flavor that complements the cheese.
Can I make these ahead of time? These crostini are best assembled and served fresh to ensure the bread is crispy and the cheese is warm. However, you can save time by slicing the baguette and pears a few hours in advance.
What if I don’t like blue cheese? If blue cheese is too strong for your taste, you can easily substitute it with crumbled goat cheese or feta for a different but equally delicious tangy flavor.

What To Serve With Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini

These are a perfect standalone appetizer, especially when paired with a glass of wine. For a more substantial offering on a charcuterie or appetizer board, serve them alongside:

Thinly sliced prosciutto
A small bowl of toasted walnuts or pecans
A drizzle of balsamic glaze over the top

How To Store Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini

Best Eaten Fresh: Crostini are best enjoyed immediately while the bread is still crisp and the cheese is warm. Assembled crostini do not store well and will become soggy in the refrigerator.

Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 crostini
Calories: 95 kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Sugar: 5g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Do I have to use agave or honey?

The touch of sweetness from the agave or honey is what perfectly balances the salty, pungent flavor of the blue cheese. A light drizzle of maple syrup would also work as a substitute.

Should these be served warm or at room temperature?

They are most delicious when served warm, right after the cheese has melted. However, they are still very tasty if they sit and cool to room temperature at a party.

Can I use a different herb instead of thyme?

Yes. Finely chopped fresh rosemary would be a wonderful, more robust herbal alternative to the fresh thyme.

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