The Best Goat Cheese Crostini with Caramelized Onion
If you’re on the hunt for a go-to Goat Cheese Crostini recipe, you’ve come to the right place! This one’s a total crowd-pleaser, with creamy goat cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and fresh herbs, making it the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Whether it’s the holiday season or a warm summer evening, these crostini appetizers bring a little something special to the table.
I’m a big goat cheese fan, and I honestly cannot stop making this recipe. What makes this recipe great? It’s super simple! With just a few baguette slices, some whipped goat cheese, and a touch of balsamic vinegar, you’ve got all the basics. Bake your bread slices until they’re golden and crispy, then top them with herbed goat cheese and caramelized onions for a flavor-packed bite. Don’t forget to rub a garlic clove on each slice for an extra kick and drizzle a little honey or balsamic glaze on top!
The best part? You can totally make it your own. Add a dollop of fig jam, sprinkle on some pine nuts, or keep it simple with just the goat cheese and herbs. This recipe is great for parties, and since it keeps well in an airtight container, you can make parts of it ahead of time for easy entertaining!
This is truly such an easy appetizer! If you are looking for more easy appetizer recipes, check out my Baked Ricotta Dip, Baked Clams Casino, Marinated Mozzarella Balls, Jalapeño Corn Fritters, or Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: With just a handful of simple ingredients like fresh baguette, soft goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar, this crostini is quick to make and perfect for any time of year.
- The perfect balance of flavors: The combination of herbed goat cheese and caramelized onion offers a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors, making it a delicious appetizer for your next gathering.
- Customizable: This recipe is versatile and customizable, allowing you to experiment with toppings like fig preserves or a drizzle of honey for an extra touch of sweetness and flair!
Ingredients
- Baguette: A fresh, crusty baguette provides the perfect base for these crostini, offering just the right amount of crunch. Slice into ½-inch rounds for an ideal bite-sized appetizer.
- Olive Oil: Brushing the baguette slices with a little extra virgin olive oil before baking helps them crisp up to golden perfection, adding a light, rich flavor.
- Butter: A bit of melted butter adds richness and helps the baguette slices brown evenly, making your crostini irresistibly crispy.
- Garlic Cloves: Rubbing a clove of garlic on the toasted baguette adds a subtle but delicious burst of flavor, perfect for all the garlic lovers out there.
- Goat Cheese: The star of the show, soft goat cheese, brings a creamy, tangy bite that’s balanced perfectly by the other ingredients. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy spreading.
- Fresh Thyme and Rosemary: These fresh herbs—thyme and rosemary—infuse the goat cheese with earthy, aromatic flavors that elevate the whole dish.
- Lemon Zest: A touch of lemon zest adds a bright, citrusy note that complements the rich goat cheese and keeps the flavors fresh.
- Onions: Slowly cooked, caramelized onions add a sweet-savory depth to these crostini, pairing beautifully with the creamy goat cheese.
- Balsamic Vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar balances out the sweetness of the onions with its tangy, rich flavor, making the crostini more dynamic.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: A sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper ensures each ingredient’s flavors shine, adding just the right amount of seasoning.
Ingredient Substitions
- Goat Cheese Substitute: If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, you can easily swap it for cream cheese or ricotta for a milder, creamier flavor. Both spread well and pair beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Caramelized Onion Substitute: If you’re short on time, try fig jam or fig preserves instead of caramelized onions for a sweeter twist. It complements the tangy goat cheese and adds a lovely fruity flavor.
Ingredient Additions
- Fig Jam: For a little sweetness, spread a thin layer of fig jam on the toasted baguette before adding the goat cheese. It brings a sweet contrast to the creamy, tangy flavors.
- Toasted Pine Nuts: Add a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts on top for a bit of crunch and a nutty flavor, adding texture and depth to your crostini.
Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Crostini: Preheat your oven to 375°Fahrenheit (190°Celsius). Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the minced garlic and melted butter. Brush both sides of each baguette slice with this mixture. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the crostini are golden and crispy. Set aside.
Make the Herb-Infused Goat Cheese: In a medium bowl, combine the softened goat cheese with 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.
Mix until well combined. Set aside.
Make the Balsamic Caramelized Onions: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until they become soft and golden.
Add the balsamic vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and pepper.
Stir well and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized. Remove from heat.
Assemble the Crostini: Spread a generous layer of the herb-infused goat cheese on each crostini.
Top with a spoonful of the balsamic caramelized onions. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and rosemary, if desired.
Tips and Notes
- Perfect Caramelization: When caramelizing the onions, cook them low and slow to bring out their natural sweetness. Be patient! Stir occasionally to avoid burning, but give them enough time to turn golden and soft.
- Room Temperature Cheese: Make sure the goat cheese is at room temperature before spreading it. This helps it soften and spread easily over the toasted baguette, which creates a smoother texture and better flavor distribution.
Serving Suggestions
- Wine Pairing: For a perfect pairing, choose either a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy goat cheese with its bright acidity, or a light Pinot Noir to complement the sweetness of the caramelized onions without overpowering the dish.
- Charcuterie Board Addition: Serve these crostini as part of a larger charcuterie board with meats like prosciutto, salami, and cheeses like brie or manchego. Add some olives, fresh figs, and nuts to create a well-rounded spread.
- Light Lunch or Snack: These crostini can also be a lovely, light lunch when paired with a fresh green salad. They’re filling enough to satisfy, but light enough to keep you energized!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storage: You can store the toasted baguette slices and caramelized onions separately. Keep the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, and refrigerate the caramelized onions in a sealed container for up to four days.
- Make-Ahead Tips: You can toast the baguette slices and caramelize the onions ahead of time. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the onions in a skillet or microwave, and assemble the crostini by spreading the room-temperature goat cheese and topping with the warmed onions. This will make party prep much quicker and easier!
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @seasonedandsalted on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
The Best Goat Cheese Crostini with Caramelized Onion
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Pastry brush
- large skillet
- cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Small bowl
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Spoon or butter knife
Ingredients
- 1 baguette sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced (for brushing the bread)
- 8 ounces goat cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 large onions thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking the onions
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Crostini:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the minced garlic and melted butter. Brush both sides of each baguette slice with this mixture.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the crostini are golden and crispy. Set aside.
Make the Herb-Infused Goat Cheese:
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened goat cheese with 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.
- Mix until well combined. Set aside.
Make the Balsamic Caramelized Onions:
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until they become soft and golden.
- Add the balsamic vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelized.
- Remove from heat.
Assemble the Crostini:
- Spread a generous layer of the herb-infused goat cheese on each crostini.
- Top with a spoonful of the balsamic caramelized onions.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and rosemary, if desired.
These are delicious! So easy to make and really flavorful.
I made these goat cheese toasts for a potluck and everyone loved them.
Huge hit at our Friendsgiving this weekend! Sooo yummy!