Built on the classic combination of fruit, cheese and nuts, this Pear and Brie Crostini is a delicious, elegant and simple to make pear appetizer.
Have you ever been to a dinner party where all they served were appetizers? Well I love such parties. I think it's so much fun to be able to sample so many different nibbles and experience all the various flavours and textures.
Some of my favourite appetizers are those that combine both sweet and savoury elements in the same bite. This baked Pear and Brie Crostini does exactly that.
How to make this Pear Appetizer
This is such an easy canapé to prepare. Here's an overview of the ingredients and steps needed to make this pear and brie appetizer recipe.
Ingredients Overview:
- Baguette
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Brie
- Walnuts
- Pears
- Honey
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt
- Fresh thyme (optional)
- Ground pepper (optional)
Steps Overview:
To make it, start by slicing a baguette into one-half inch rounds. Place the slices of bread onto a baking sheet and brush the tops with a little olive oil.
Toast the bread under the broiler for a couple of minutes or just until the bread is golden. If you like you can do this step up to 3 days ahead of time. Simply let the crostini come to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container on the countertop.
To finish making the appetizer, add a slice of brie on top of the crostini and then top the brie with a slice of pear.
Put the tray of assembled crostini under the broiler until the cheese starts to melt. Remove from the oven and then drizzle with the honey and balsamic syrup.
Top each crostini with toasted crumbled walnuts, a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves and a dash of freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately.
Variations:
- Ready-made Melba toast can be used instead of homemade crostini.
- Camembert can be used instead of brie cheese.
- You can use apples instead of pears.
- Pecans can be used instead of walnuts. And if there's a nut allergy, pumpkin or pomegranate seeds can be used instead of nuts.
- Substitute fresh thyme for finely chopped fresh rosemary.
Serving Suggestions
This baked brie with pears crostini can be served alongside other canapés or with a meat and cheese platter. I like serving it with a bowl of these easy to make Maple Spiced Walnuts or these Rosemary Roasted Almonds.
With a season full of special occasions upon us, it's great to have delicious, elegant and yet simple to make appetizers in our repertoire.
Enjoy!
More Easy Appetizers
- Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini
- Strawberry Goat Cheese Crostini
- Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Dip
- Mixed Spiced Nuts
Pear and Brie Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 baguette sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
- 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 6 oz brie rind trimmed
- ½ cup walnuts toasted* and coarsely chopped
- 1-2 pears halved, cored, and thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- a few sprigs of fresh thyme optional
- freshly ground pepper optional
Instructions
- Start by placing a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high.
- Set the slices of baguette on a baking sheet. Brush the tops with a little olive oil.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler and toast the bread until they are crispy and lightly golden on top, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the honey with balsamic vinegar, add the salt and stir. Set aside.
- Layer the crostini with a slice of cheese topped by a slice of pear.
- Broil until the cheese starts to melt.
- Pull out of the oven and drizzle with the honey and balsamic syrup.
- Add a few pieces of crumbled walnuts, a sprinkling of thyme and a dash of freshly ground pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- *Toast the walnuts in a 350ºF oven for about 8-10 minutes or until they are fragrant, let cool and chop coarsely.
- Camembert can be used instead of brie.
Nutrition
Did Doughty
Friday 1st of March 2019
How far in advance can you make the bread for bruschetta?
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Friday 1st of March 2019
Hello, up to 3 days ahead of time. Make sure to let the bread cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Also, if there is a lot of humidity in your home you may need to crisp up the bread a bit before topping. Hope that helps!
Fae's Twist & Tango
Sunday 21st of December 2014
These costinis are to die for. I love the combination and the honey-balsamic drips. Yum!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Sunday 21st of December 2014
Thank you Fae, it really is a delicious combination!
Cindy
Wednesday 10th of December 2014
What a great appetizer! Looks so elegant and the taste would be amazing. Brilliant!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Wednesday 10th of December 2014
Thanks so much Cindy!
Mike
Thursday 27th of November 2014
OMG, this looks absolutely scrumptious! How do you think this would work with blue cheese or gorgonzola and walnuts? I love toasted blue cheese and almonds.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Thursday 27th of November 2014
Thanks! I think it would be delicious with blue cheese and even more so combined with walnuts :)
Nicky Corbishley
Friday 14th of November 2014
oh yum! I've just found a new addition to my xmas canapes list!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Friday 14th of November 2014
Hi Nicky, you're right they would make a great Christmas or New Year's canapé :). Thanks!