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.
If you liked this recipe, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I always appreciate your feedback and hearing how everything went.
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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
Nutrition
Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini …It’s what’s for an Appetizer.
Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.
This looks just mouthwatering to me! I have to make it! Thanks for the inspiration and excuse to have have champagne!
Oh my, this looks mouth watering! Never had a cheese & pear combination but would love to try out this recipe one day… very elegant appetizer for a party 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping in the the comment. We really liked this one. Let me know if you give it a try.
My mouth was watering as I was reading your post! I agree, blue cheese and pears are a perfect combination!
Thanks Nazneen. My work is done. 🙂
I love that flavor profile – actually I make pear/blue cheese salad all the time…
Need to make this one soon!
I have a pear and blue cheese salad that I love. Wonder why I’ve not made it recently? Thanks for the reminder RMW. 🙂
Dear LeeAnn, I agree. Pears and such go so well with the blue cheese saltiness. It is a wonderful combo.
I would love to enjoy this appetizer.
Blessings dear. Catherine xo
Thanks Catherine.
What a great combination of flavors! I would love this appetizer, Lea Ann. Thanks for introducing me to Drizzle and Dip. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Cathy, Drizzle and Drip is a great blog.
A delightful match, indeed! I am the only one in my family that enjoys the taste of bleu cheese. I even like Stilton if it’s paired with pears 🙂 What a delicious appetizer,
I served this to my God Daughter when she was here and she took a couple of bites and announced she didn’t like blue cheese. I forget it is a strong flavor a not all will like it like we do. darn it. 🙂
This looks amazing! and nice photo!
Thanks Nancy.
Oh my. These crostini look heavenly! I could eat just this for dinner and be perfectly happy.
I agree Pam, it is a hearty appetizer.
I’ve never had these together but like all of the flavors so believe I could go for it.
You must give it a try Larry.
What a beautiful post! And I heartily agree about pears and blue cheese. Such perfection! Your blog is amazing, Lea Ann!
Thanks Vickie.
Love is Ansh. We need another get together don’t we.
Sounds like a great appetizer… or honesty, I could make a meal out of it!!!
Jenn, with just the two of us, we did make a meal out of it.
Very sophisticated appetizer Lea Ann and I too think pears and blue cheese go together very well. I could almost make this my dinner 🙂
Sam
Thanks Sam. For the two of us, it was dinner. And with some wine …. yum.
Sounds like a winning combo and one I will try! I love crostinis for party food. Speaking of parties — I’m ready for another one 😉
Thanks Yvette. Yes another gathering is in order.
I just about swooned when I saw the title of your post. This looks gorgeous!
Thanks so much Cheri.
Well done, a great dish and what a picture! You’re getting so artsy, I love it!
Thanks Chef Mick! Always love a compliment from you.
I hardily concur! What a beautiful and easy appetizer. (One of our favorite restaurants does a pear and fig and Gorgonzola flat bread that is out of this world!)
ok, I’ve got to make that flatbread.
That is one of my favorite combinations too. I tested out a possible Pillsbury entry the other day with pears and nuts– I was trying to get the idea of a cheese platter into a dessert form like a tart. Still going to keep working on it! I am happily eating my results of all this recipe testing. : ) Your dish looks wonderful!
I love your idea. I’ll be interested to see what comes out of your kitchen.
I agree that pears and blue cheese work so well together. This dish is inspired! Thanks.
Thanks John.