This delicious Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini with Roasted Grapes is the perfect appetizer for fall and winter. It can be served at parties or small get-togethers as finger food or you can swap the crostini for toasted bread and serve it as a savory snack or quick lunch!
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Why This Recipe Works
- It's made with only a handful of simple ingredients but it can look incredibly fancy and like it took hours to make! The fact that it took almost no effort will be our little secret.
- It's perfect for your holiday table! It can be served both as an appetizer or finger food for your party or a small gathering. The roasted grapes are tasty both warm and cold so these crostinis can stay on the table for 2-3 hours and still be delicious!
- All the flavors and textures balance each other out really well. The crunchiness of the baguette and the softness of the roasted grapes. The saltiness of the goat cheese and the sweetness of the caramelized grapes. So good, you just have to give it a try!!
Ingredients
This dish is made with three primary ingredients:
- A baguette - Sliced into thin slices and toasted in the oven.
- Soft goat cheese - Whipped in a food processor with roasted garlic, milk, olive oil, thyme, and chili flakes.
- Grapes - Roasted with fresh thyme and honey. I prefer the seedless kind for this dish.
I'm using roasted garlic in the whipped goat cheese because it gives it so much more amazing flavor and it's much better than raw garlic. Raw garlic is too strong and pungent for most people. Roasted garlic has a milder, caramelized, garlicky flavor. If you've never made roasted garlic before, I highly recommend my guide on How to Roast Garlic in the Oven.
Both are slices of baguette with various toppings. Bruschetta is usually served with a tomato mixture but doesn't have to be. The difference is in how thin the slices are. Crostini is cut into very thin slices which makes it extra crunchy. Bruschetta has thicker slices which are slightly more chewy and soft.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Toasted Baguette:
First, you thinly slice your baguette and drizzle with some avocado oil. I like to use oil in a spray to coat them evenly.
Toast the slices in the oven for 8-10 minutes, no need to flip them. They should be golden and super crunchy. Set aside until ready to serve.
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Whipped Goat Cheese:
To make the whipped goat cheese, simply add the goat cheese, olive oil, milk, fresh thyme, and chili flakes to a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Scoop out and set aside until ready to serve. Cover and refrigerate it if you're preparing it the night before.
Roasted Grapes:
Roasting the grapes is super simple. Just add them with some fresh thyme to a baking dish with a splash of water and roast for 20 minutes. You can roast them with or without any honey. I like to add a light drizzle halfway through roasting to caramelize them even more. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Serving
To serve, spread the whipped goat cheese on the toasted baguette slices, and top with the roasted grapes, fresh thyme leaves, and drizzle with honey.
This is an appetizer that can sit on your table for a while so it's great for parties. You don't have to serve it hot or cold so you can easily have these crostinis available as finger food for 2-3 hours at room temperature.
Storing:
I recommend storing everything separately.
- The toasted baguette should last 1-2 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
- The whipped goat cheese keeps for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Same goes for the grapes, though those are best roasted the same day you serve them because the flavor will change slightly and won't be as sweet after you refrigerate them.
FAQs
You can make the toasted baguette and the whipped goat cheese 1-3 days ahead but I recommend roasting the grapes the day you're planning to serve them. The flavors are just not the same after they've been refrigerated.
Yes, definitely! Just use maple syrup instead of honey and vegan soft cheese or vegan cream cheese instead of goat cheese.
Butternut squash or sweet potato would work great here, they will just take more time to roast. Check out my Sweet Potato Rounds with Hummus, Pesto, and Goat Cheese for cook time.
More Appetizers With Goat Cheese
Soft goat cheese is my favorite type of cheese and I didn't even realize how many recipes I have on my site that use it! You can spread it on bread, add it to salads, or use it to make dips. Here are 5 appetizers think you'd enjoy!
- Butternut Squash Crostini with Goat Cheese and Fig Glaze
- Sweet Potato Rounds with Hummus, Pesto, and Goat Cheese
- Whipped Goat Cheese Toast with Shiitake Mushroom
- Asparagus Tart with Pesto and Goat Cheese
- Goat Cheese Lentil Dip with Dill and Capers
📖 Recipe
Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini with Roasted Grapes
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This crostini is the perfect fall and winter appetizer! Sweet caramelized grapes, crunchy garlicky baguette, and creamy goat cheese.
Ingredients
Whipped Goat Cheese:
- 200g goat cheese (about 1 cup)
- 2-3 tablespoon milk (I used cashew)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3-4 cloves of Roasted Garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder (see notes)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 1 tsp dried thyme
- ¼-½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Toasted Baguette:
- 1 baguette, sliced into thin slices (about 30 slices per baguette)
- Avocado oil in a spray or 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 clove garlic
Roasted Grapes:
- 3 cups grapes (seedless if possible)
- Handful fresh thyme springs
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (plus more for serving)
Instructions
Whipped Goat Cheese:
- Add all the ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth. Start with 2 tablespoon of milk and add more if needed.
- Transfer to a bowl or a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
Toasted Baguette:
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
- Arrange the sliced baguette in a single layer on a baking sheet and spray with cooking oil. You might have to toast the slices in two batches.
- Toast for 8-10 minutes or until slightly golden brown. No need to flip.
- When the slices are cool enough to handle, rub them with the garlic on top.
- Set aside until ready to serve.
Roasted Grapes:
- Raise the oven temperature to 425F (220C).
- Add the grapes to a baking sheet, they will be easier to serve if you bake them without the vine.
- Add the thyme in between the grapes, a small splash of water, and roast for 10 minutes.
- Drizzle with the honey and roast for 10 more minutes.
- Cool slightly before serving.
To serve:
- Spread the whipped goat cheese on the toasted slices, top each with 2-3 grapes, drizzle with more honey, and garnish with more fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Notes
I'm using roasted garlic from this recipe of mine for the whipped goat cheese because it has a much milder flavor than raw garlic has. If you don't mind the sharp flavor of raw garlic, you can use it but I would only add one clove. I highly recommend roasting some garlic, though! It's super easy and so delicious.
The thinner the baguette slices, the crispier they will be. If you don’t want them to be too crispy, cut them thicker as you would bruschetta.
You can make the whipped goat cheese a day ahead but the baguette and the grapes are best when prepared right before serving. You can toast the slices 1-2 hours before serving and make the roasted grapes when you’re ready to eat.
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Amanda Dixon says
This is such a great appetizer! It's so quick and easy, and the goat cheese came out so perfectly creamy.
Heather says
roasting the garlic and grapes really elevates these appetizers to a whole new level
Cathleen says
On New Years eve, me and my husband always go to his parents' place and we just eat appetizers all night. I know what I'm bringing this year! Thanks so much for this recipe, bookmarked for later :)
Erin says
These crostini were so delicious, thank you! Everyone just loved them.
Alex says
Made this for dinner and we couldn't get enough! I'm making them again tomorrow. So good!
Marie says
I love the sweet and savory flavor combination here, these crostini look irresistible! I've never roasted grapes before, but it sounds so clever and delicious. Can't wait for a taste!
Jacqueline Debono says
There was a time I was making roasted grapes often. I somehow forgot about them. Thanks for the reminder! These crostini will be perfect for our Christmas party. Adding this recipe to my party food list!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Such a crowd favorite anytime of the year! We love roasted grapes! Them paired with goat cheese is perfect!
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
I love crostinis, I love goat cheese and I love thyme. This is the first time I see roasted grapes. I have to make your recipe asap.
Chenée says
I had never had roasted grapes but I'm so obsessed now! These crostini were such a hit!