Crostini with Roasted Cherries
These elegant goat cheese crostini feature crisp toasted baguette slices topped with creamy, tangy goat cheese and sweet-tart roasted cherries, finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and honey. The combination delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures—crunchy bread, smooth cheese, and juicy caramelized fruit—making it an impressive yet easy appetizer ready in under 45 minutes. Cherries provide antioxidants and vitamin C, while goat cheese adds protein and calcium.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes,
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
3 cups fresh sweet cherries pitted and halved
2 tbs California olive oil
2 tbs local honey
1 tsp lemon zest
Kosher salt, pinch
1 baguette, sliced diagonally into ½-inch thick pieces
2–3 tablespoons California olive oil (for brushing)
8 oz soft room temp goat cheese
1 tablespoon local honey
Fresh basil
Balsamic glaze (for drizzling)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toss the pitted, halved cherries with olive oil, honey, lemon zest, and Kosher salt.
Spread in a single layer. Roast for 12-15 minutes until the cherries are tender, juicy, and slightly caramelized. Let cool slightly.
Brush both sides of the bread slices lightly with olive oil on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake for 5–10 minutes until golden and crisp. Do not burn.
Let crostini cool.
Soften goat cheese slightly at room temp.
Mix goat cheese and honey together
Spread a generous layer of cheese on each crostino. Top with roasted cherries
Garnish with any roasted cherry juice with fresh basil or thyme, a balsamic glaze.
Serve and enjoy
Make it your own
Use Trader Joes honey goat cheese for the unflavored goat cheese
Substitute whole milk ricotta with 1 tsp lemon jest, salt, and pepper
Cherries not in season substitute red grapes, figs, cherry tomatoes, or strawberries
Drizzle with honey instead of balsamic glaze
Substitute thyme leaves for fresh basil
Nutritional Highlights (per crostini, approx.):
~150–180 calories
5–7g protein (thanks to the goat cheese)
Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C from the cherries
Lower in sugar than many sweet appetizers when using minimal honey