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
- Creme Fraiche Cranberry Pear Tart
- Fresh Crispy Pear Salad
- French Pear Tart
- Pear and Walnut Salad
- Pear Risotto with Peppered Steak
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.
Pear Blue Cheese Honey Crostini with Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Ciabatta sliced 1/4 inch thick, or baguette
- 8 ounces Blue Cheese crumbled
- 2 pears sliced
- 1/2 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.
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.