When it comes to party food, crostini appetizers are always a good choice.
They’re super simple to put together and you can easily customize them depending on the theme of your party. Plus, they always come out looking way fancier than the effort it actually takes to prepare them.
This pear and blue cheese crostini recipe is one of my holiday favorites.
The bold, strong flavors from the blue cheese combined with the sweet taste of pears and maple syrup make them perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas parties when dressing them up with fresh arugula and cruncy walnuts.
What You’ll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients to make these elegant appetizers:
- A French baguette for the base
- Blue cheese to add flavor
- Fresh pear slices for natural sweetness and a pop of color
- Arugula, crushed walnuts, and maple syrup for decorating
How to Make These Pear and Blue cheese Crostini
Start by preparing the bread base. Slice your baguette on a slight diagonal angle to give your breads a prettier presentation and get a little extra surface to work with.
Place a slice of blue cheese on each piece of bread, then pop them under the grill (or broiler) for about five minutes. Your base will be ready when the cheese starts to soften and lightly melt while the edges of the baguette turn golden brown.
While the toast is in the oven, get the toppings ready:
- Slice your pear thinly and cut each slice in half so it fits the small breads
- Gently wash and dry the arugula
- Crush the walnuts with your hands or the back of a spoon.
Once the crostini come out of the oven, it’s all about putting them together. Top each cheesy slice with a pear slice, then add a leaf or two of arugula.
Sprinkle over the crushed walnuts and finish with a drizzle of maple syrup. Serve immediately while the bread is warm and crisp, and the cheese is perfectly soft.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These crostini are perfect for entertaining: They look fancy but are ready in less than 20 minutes.
- They’re full of balanced flavors: Sweet, savory, tangy, and crunchy in one bite.
- There are endless varieties you can make: Swap pears for apples, walnuts for pecans, or drizzle with honey instead of maple syrup.
- Seasonal and festive: With pears and arugula, they feel fresh and special for holidays or dinner parties.
Tips for Success
- Use a good-quality baguette: A fresh, crusty baguette makes all the difference.
- Don’t over-melt the cheese: You want it softened, not completely liquified.
- Thin pear slices keep the crostini easy to bite.
- Add toppings right before serving so the bread stays crisp.
- Put effort into your presentation: Serve the crostini on a bed of arugula, sprinkle crushed walnuts over your plate, or add a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for some holiday color.
📌 Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini Appetizers (Recipe Card)
Ingredients (Makes 12 crostini)
- 1 French baguette
- 3–4 oz blue cheese
- 1 pear, thinly sliced
- A handful of arugula leaves
- A handful of walnuts, crushed
- Maple syrup, for drizzling
Equipment
- Baking tray
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Small bowl for walnuts
Instructions
- Slice the baguette diagonally into 12 pieces and cut 12 slices from your cheese. Place a slice of blue cheese on each piece of bread.
- Arrange on a baking tray and broil (grill) for about 5 minutes, until the cheese softens and the bread edges are golden.
- While bread is baking, slice the pear, wash the arugula, and crush the walnuts.
- Remove crostini from the oven and top each with a pear slice, a few arugula leaves, and crushed walnuts.
- Drizzle with maple syrup just before serving.
