Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini. Toasted ciabatta, with crumbled blue cheese, sliced pears and toasted walnuts. Finished with a drizzle of honey = bliss. Easy to put together this appetizer will give your next party a gourmet feel.
Pear and Blue Cheese Should Get Married
In my little humble foodie opinion, pears and blue cheese are classic flavor partners. The sweet crunch of a perfectly ripe pear combined with salty, creamy, savory blue cheese = bliss.
One of my favorite things for a simple appetizer is to place a wedge of blue cheese, alongside some sliced pears and crackers. Try it, it makes a great snack.
Blue Cheese, Bleu Cheese or Gorgonzola?
Bleu cheese (French term), or blue cheese (Americanized spelling) is a category of cheese that contains the mold Penicillium. Gorgonzola is a specific type of blue cheese from Northern Italy.
Both are used extensively in cooking and are very popular with wine and food. Gorgonzola has a unique taste and appearance. Both blue cheese or gorgonzola will work beautifully for this appetizer.
And are a perfect cheese pairing for pears. Both are sharp and salty with a strong smell. It’s delightfully funky.
Pear Blue Cheese Appetizer
Toasted ciabatta or a baguette, topped with crumbled blue cheese, sliced pears, more crumbled blue cheese and toasted walnuts. And finished with a drizzle of honey. Oh my goodness.
Presentation Tip: Slice your baguette diagonally. This will give the bread a larger and more elegant appearance.
It’s easy to make.
- Preheat your oven by turning on the broiler.
- Slice the bread and pop it into a toaster for a light browning.
- Place the pieces of toast on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Smear the toast generously with blue cheese.
- Top with a thin (lengthwise) slice of pear, and crumble on some more blue cheese. Place it under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the baking sheet and sprinkle on some chopped walnuts.
- Return to the broiler just long enough to heat the walnuts.
- Watch closely so the walnuts don’t burn.
- Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with honey.
Recipe for Blue Cheese Pear and Honey Crostini
Absolutely perfect little appetizer to serve at a wine tasting party. Pears take on a new character when combined with cheese and wine. A crisp glass of champagne is fabulous with this.
More recipes using pears
And if you’re looking for more party appetizer recipes, don’t miss my Appetizer Category. You’ll find a ton of great ideas, including one of the most popular appetizer recipes on my site for Caramelized Onion Tart.
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Pear Blue Cheese Honey Crostini with Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Ciabatta sliced ¼ inch thick, or baguette
- 8 ounces Blue Cheese crumbled
- 2 pears sliced
- ½ cup walnuts chopped
- 3 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat your oven by turning on the broiler.
- Slice the bread and pop it into a toaster for a light browning.
- Place the pieces of toast on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, smear the toast generously with blue cheese.
- Top with a thin (lengthwise) slice of pear, crumble on some more blue cheese and place it under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the baking sheet and sprinkle on some chopped walnuts.
- Return to the broiler just long enough to heat the walnuts. Watch closely so the walnuts don't burn. This will only take a few seconds.
- Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with honey.
- Serve immediately on your favorite serving platter.
Notes
Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini …It’s what’s for an Appetizer.
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What type of pear do you use?
Any type of firm peat will work. Bartlett pears work well here.
For someone not totally experienced in the kitchen, about how long should one expect this step to take?:
“Place it under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly.”
Love these flavors in a salad so I know this will be a hit. Thanks!
Great question Mary. This should only take about 15 seconds. Watch it like a hawk so it doesn’t burn.
Thanks, Lea Ann!! Also, is it best to use FRESH bread, or is this a case where day-old break yields a better crostini? Excited to make this in a few days!
I LOVE pears so I’m always looking for new simple delicious recipes and this one did not disappoint! It really was so easy to make and was packed with so much flavour. Thanks for this, its a keeper!
Hi. I’m not the biggest fan of blue cheese would a different cheese work well with this? Gouda, Goat or Brie?
Hi Catherine and thanks for your note. I like the idea of brie. It melts beautifully and has enough flavor to carry the recipe.
Goat cheese is tangy and not a good melting cheese. Gouda is mild and would work ok.
Let me know if you try it and how it worked.
Thanks for sharing! How far ahead of time can I make them?
This looks so good! What a great blend of flavors! I wouldn’t have thought to put those together!
Made these to bring to a holiday party where there were several gluten free attendees. I omitted the bread completely and sliced the pears slightly thicker and in half (so topping wouldn’t fall through the cored center) these were a huge hit with everyone! This has become my favorite fall wine hour treat at home! Thank you!
Hi Karen!
You don’t know how much I appreciate you taking the time and sending me the note about the crostini.
I love that you made these gluten free. Thanks for the idea.
Made these this weekend, they were a HIT, so easy, and made me look like Martha Stewart! FABULOUS recipe!!