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Easy Spiced Pear & Gorgonzola Halloween Crostini

Easy Spiced Pear & Gorgonzola Halloween Crostini - featured image
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A sophisticated Halloween appetizer featuring warm, honeyed pears spiced with cinnamon and cayenne, creamy Gorgonzola cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze on crispy baguette slices. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect elegant yet easy party snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 French baguette (sliced into ½-inch thick rounds, about 20–24 slices)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 2 ripe but firm Bosc pears (or Anjou pears)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey (plus extra for drizzling)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese (crumbled, about 1 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
  • Optional: Black sesame seeds or poppy seeds
  • Optional: Fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice baguette into ½-inch thick rounds (about 20-24 slices). Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly brush each slice with olive oil on both sides. Toast for 5-6 minutes until edges are golden but centers are still slightly soft. Remove and set aside.
  2. While bread toasts, slice pears: cut in half lengthwise, remove core, then slice each half into ¼-inch thick wedges. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, and a pinch of sea salt.
  3. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add butter. Once melted and foaming (about 30 seconds), add pear slices in a single layer. Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over pears. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip each slice gently. Drizzle honey over pears and cook for another 2 minutes until tender but still holding shape. Remove from heat.
  4. Arrange toasted baguette slices back on baking sheet. Place 1-2 pear slices on each piece. Top each with about 1 teaspoon crumbled Gorgonzola.
  5. Return assembled crostini to oven and bake for 4-5 minutes until cheese is slightly melted and bread edges are deeply golden.
  6. Remove from oven and let cool for 1 minute. Transfer to serving platter. Drizzle with balsamic glaze in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and black sesame seeds if using. Serve warm.

Notes

Don’t over-toast the bread the first time; it will crisp up during the final bake. Use room temperature Gorgonzola for even melting. Start with ⅛ teaspoon cayenne and adjust to taste. For best results, slice baguette and pears evenly. Can be made ahead: toast bread and cook pears up to 2 hours in advance; assemble and bake just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween appetizer, pear crostini, Gorgonzola crostini, spiced pear, easy appetizer, fall appetizer, party snack, vegetarian appetizer

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/easy-spiced-pear-and-gorgonzola-halloween-crostini/