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    Home > Appetizers and Beverages > Apples on Horseback, Apple Appetizer with Crispy Pancetta

    Apples on Horseback, Apple Appetizer with Crispy Pancetta

    Published: Dec 2, 2013 · Modified: Jul 14, 2022 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Holiday Appetizer Recipe with apples and pancetta

    Apples on Horseback are a simple, elegant and clever appetizer recipe that’s big on flavor and impressive with presentation. Crisp sweet apples are skewered on stalks of rosemary, then paired with creamy cheese, wrapped in pancetta and then grilled. Perfectly fun holiday fare.

    Apples wrapped in pancetta with cheese and skewered on sticks of fresh rosemary.

    I hope everyone had a satisfying stuffed Thanksgiving and that you’re ready to take the leap into the Christmas festivities. 

    Holiday entertaining is on us and is all about family, friends and neighbors gathering around lots of food, drink and cheer.

    I must let you know, right off the bat, that this pancetta appetizer is a holiday tradition for us. We usually start off the season, just the two of us with this pancetta appetizer and glass of Chambord Prosecco Cocktail. Yup, just the two of us. Let the holiday games begin. 🙂

    And if you’re looking for apple appetizers, look no further. This is fun and absolutely festively dilicious.

    Besides the formal sit-down prim and proper dinners, fun and casual cocktail and appetizer parties are my favorite way to bring folks together. Small bites, dips, spreads, chips and crackers are about all you need.

    Something about the informality of eating with your hands, or from a skewer on a small plate alongside a glass of wine or cocktail is a great formula for comfortable conversation.

    Today I’m posting a simple and delicious hors d’oeuvre that is made with sliced apples, cheese and pancetta, Apples on Horseback.

    And don’t you just feel special when served an appetizer that been skewered on a stalk of fresh rosemary? Such an appealing presentation and intoxicating aroma.

    But before we get started. I’m always confused about one thing and have to Google it to remind myself:

    What’s the difference between Pancetta and Prosciutto?

    It’s important, since one needs to be cooked and the other doesn’t.

    Pancetta and prosciutto are often confused because they’re both Italian cured meat products.

    Pancetta is seasoned salt cured pork belly. It must be cooked before eating. It’s usually cut into small chunks and sauteed to add intense flavor to soups and stews.

    Prosciutto comes from the hind leg of the pig and is salt cured ham. It can be purchased in a chunk or thin sliced from the deli. Prosciutto is safe to eat without cooking. You’ll find prosciutto commonly on antipasto platters, or wrapped around fruit or vegetables. It can also be crisped and crumbled on salads.

    Why Are Appetizers Called On Horseback?

    “On Horseback.” There are lots of variations to this simple appetizer.

    Angels on Horseback are oysters wrapped in bacon. Some recipes include dates wrapped in bacon and are baked.

    Some recipes stuff a prune with mango chutney, cheese, almonds or smoked oysters. But all are wrapped in some sort of bacon and are riding on the stick of your choice. I always associate them with the Christmas season.

    How To Make Apples On Horseback

    Easy Apple Appetizer

    Using an apple slicer, I sliced the apple into easy wedges. You can cut those wedges in half if you’d like them smaller.

    Just place an apple wedge and a stick of cheese on a piece of pancetta.

    Apple appetizer with Rosemary

    Roll them up nice and snug, pulling the meat around the cheese and apple. 

    Secure each by spearing it with the stick end of a cleaned stalk of rosemary, making sure it goes through the cheese and apple.

    Preheat a grill pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Saute the Apples on Horseback until the pancetta is slightly browned and the cheese is melting. Delicious and ready in thirty minutes, I adapted this from Food and Wine Magazine. Their recipe is below.

    So here’s a toast to the season :::clink. What’s your favorite quick appetizer to serve at parties?e

    Pink Lady Apples

    This recipe calls for Pink Lady Apples. A crisp, gorgeous, perfectly round apple that’s hard to miss while browsing the apple section at the store.

    The pink lady apple is a sweet tart apple with a crisp bite and firm texture. The pink lady is slow to oxidize (turn brown) so is a great selection for serving on a appetizer platter as apple wedges. This benefit also makes them a great apple choice for dicing into salads.

    Pink Lady apples are my choice for this apple appetizer recipe, but if you can’t find them reach for any large round crisp red apple. Red delicious or honey crisp comes to mind.

    Recipe for Apples On Horseback

    I hope you give this holiday apple pancetta appetizer recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating.

    And of you have a favorite apple appetizer recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.

    More Holiday Appetizer Recipes

    • Jalapano Bacon Cheeseball Recipe, This Jalapeno Bacon Cheese Ball Recipe is hands down the best cheese ball appetizer we’ve ever served! Everyone’s favorite ingredients rolled into one tidy package.
    • Stuffed Celery Appetizer, Stalks of celery are filled with cream cheese, chopped green olives and walnuts. A holiday appetizer family favorite that’s so easy to make and so satisfying with flavor.
    • Whipped Goat Cheese with Raspberry Chili Jam, Super easy. Grab a sturdy cracker for this super easy Whipped Goat Cheese and Raspberry Red Chile Jam Appetizer. Salty, creamy, sweet and spicy it makes for an incredible flavor experience.
    • Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Baked Brie, Brie is stuffed with a luscious mixture of sun dried tomato and basil. Sounds like a perfect appetizer for your next Italian Wine Tasting Party doesn’t it? 

    And if you’re looking for more appetizer recipes, don’t miss my Appetizer and Beverage Category, you’ll find a ton of ideas, including the most popular appetizer recipe on my site for Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini.

    Holiday Appetizer Recipe with apples and pancetta

    Apples On Horseback

    An impressive holiday appetizer recipe thats big on appearance and flavor.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 90kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 16 thin slices pancetta
    • 1 Pink Lady apple peeled and cut into 16 wedges
    • 3 ounces Manchego cheese sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut into 2-by-1/2-inch sticks. Or cheddar cheese.
    • 16 2-inch rosemary sprigs or toothpicks for skewers
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat a grill pan. Arrange the pancetta slices on a work surface and place an apple wedge and a cheese stick in the center of each slice. Wrap the pancetta around the filling and secure with a rosemary sprig or toothpick.
    • Grill the skewers until the pancetta is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted, 5 to 6 minutes. Serve hot.

    Notes

    If you can’t find pink lady apples, use a large sturdy crisp apple.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 72IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Apples on Horseback …It’s what’s for a Holiday Apple Appetizer.

    More Appetizers and Beverages

    • A Simple Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe
    • Crispy Baked Limoncello Chicken Wings
    • Spiced Lamb Meatballs, Wine Tasting Appetizer
    • Stuffed Date Appetizer, Wrapped In Bacon

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris says

      December 17, 2013 at 11:00 am

      This is a new one to me, never heard of “on horseback”. But this idea is fantastic, sure beats the heck out of meatballs in grape jelly BBQ sauce, right?

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 18, 2013 at 6:49 am

        Maybe it’s a “wild west” thing.

        Reply
    2. Lea Ann says

      December 09, 2013 at 6:22 am

      Thanks so much Ansh.

      Reply
    3. eddie says

      December 09, 2013 at 2:55 am

      they look great, but it looks like prosciutto (your uncooked picture) not like pancetta (rolled bacon). the cooked picture on Food and Wine Magazine site looks like pancetta (more fat)?
      love your site, just found it tonight

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 09, 2013 at 6:15 am

        Thanks for the comment. I did use prosciutto. I’ll change it in the post. I just looked at the package that’s still in the fridge.. I had both in the freezer. My mistake and thanks for pointing it out.

        Reply
    4. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says

      December 05, 2013 at 5:39 pm

      Oh these look wonderful!! Easy enough for even me to make them!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 09, 2013 at 6:25 am

        Thanks Pam.

        Reply
    5. Karen says

      December 05, 2013 at 12:44 pm

      Love the rosemary in there… these must have incredible flavor!

      Reply
    6. Larry says

      December 04, 2013 at 12:01 pm

      These sound and look very good LA. I like the rosemary branch touch.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 04, 2013 at 12:11 pm

        I like that Rosemary touch also, plus it adds a touch of rosemary flavor to the mix.

        Reply
    7. Tanya Schroeder says

      December 04, 2013 at 11:45 am

      Appetizers??? I’d call these lunch! My favorite kind of food!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 04, 2013 at 11:55 am

        Tanya, thanks for stopping by and the note. And yes, that’s exactly what we did. I made these for lunch as a guinea pig test run. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Vickie says

      December 03, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      What a beautiful appetizer, Lea Ann! (stunning photo) I look forward to having friends over for finger food and wine now that things are finally settling down. This will be on the menu.
      p.s. Thank you for the sweet card and your warm note. The world will always be a little different without my mother.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 04, 2013 at 11:55 am

        Thanks for your comment, even with things so important going on in your life. And well said, yes, the world will be different.

        Reply
    9. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

      December 03, 2013 at 5:31 pm

      This is pretty much the food I want on the table whenever I reach for anything. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 7:29 pm

        Thanks Pamela. So nice for you to stop by and the comment. Love to hear from my readers.

        Reply
    10. Coffee and Crumpets says

      December 03, 2013 at 4:38 pm

      These look perfect for cocktail party or appetiser! I love sweet and salty together, add a bit of spicy and I’m set!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 7:28 pm

        Thanks so much Nazneen. Me too about that sweet and salty.

        Reply
    11. Rocky Mountain Woman says

      December 03, 2013 at 3:42 pm

      They are so pretty – I’m adding them to my menu for Christmas

      My favorite appetizer is smoked salmon – I smoke it myself and serve with crackers, caper, cream cheese and red onion – it’s a lot of work but really quite impressive!!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 7:27 pm

        RMW, I’m officially inviting myself over for your smoked salmon. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Lea Ann says

      December 03, 2013 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      Testing for new “comment” plug in usage.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:27 pm

        Let’s see if it works.

        Reply
    13. Pam says

      December 03, 2013 at 9:40 am

      They look so simple, pretty, and delicious! Bookmarked!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:25 pm

        Thanks so much for stopping by Pam and the comment. Always love a new visitor.

        Reply
    14. Cathy at Wives with Knives says

      December 03, 2013 at 7:27 am

      I love the idea of using apples in this yummy appetizer. I like chicken livers and dates wrapped in bacon but my family won’t touch them so I never make them. I know the apples and pancetta would win them over.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:25 pm

        I have to make the chicken liver thing for Bob, he’s a big fan. Is it just chicken livers and bacon? or is there anything else I need to know?

        Reply
    15. Jenn says

      December 03, 2013 at 5:26 am

      What a great and tasty idea!! This would be perfect for any party… heck, I might make some just for Chris and I next weekend 🙂

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:24 pm

        Jenn, that’s what I did for this post. I made them for Bob and I for lunch. Perfect little snack.

        Reply
    16. Abbe@This is How I Cook says

      December 02, 2013 at 9:10 pm

      I just did a version with dates and bacon. Oh, these are soo good. I vote for anything simple and sweet and salty. YUM!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:24 pm

        Abbe, have you ever been to JaJa Bistro in Littleton? They have dates wrapped in bacon that are to DIE for.

        Reply
    17. Patty says

      December 02, 2013 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      How fun Lea Ann -love the name of these bites and the look of them-just delicious and perfect for holiday entertaining! Let the holiday eating begin!!!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:23 pm

        The Holiday Eating has officially begun. 🙂 Now I have to make those cookies I just saw on your site.

        Reply
    18. Holly says

      December 02, 2013 at 4:05 pm

      Oh looks wonderful! I love anything wrapped in bacon and your choice of pancetta is even better. I’ll keep these in mind when I need an appetizer in the coming weeks.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:22 pm

        I couldn’t agree more with that “wrapped in bacon” thing. As always, thanks for stopping by.

        Reply
    19. Karen Harris says

      December 02, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Your photos look so pretty Lea Ann! These look delicious. Perfect for a holiday get together.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:22 pm

        Thank you Karen!

        Reply
    20. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

      December 02, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      These are so pretty and festive. I love small bites like these.
      Sam

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 03, 2013 at 2:21 pm

        Thanks Sam. I’ve been meaning to ask you, is your back better?

        Reply
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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad obsessed with South of The Border cuisine. Mexican, Southwestern and Wild West Recipes. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration for reliable, approachable recipes.

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