Pear Crostini Recipe

Simple & Sweet Pear Crostini Recipe: A Delightful Snack

Pear and brie crostini represent a sophisticated snack that refines simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Crisp bread serves as the perfect canvas for creamy, rich cheese and sweet fruit slices.

Each bite offers a harmonious balance of textures that dance across your palate with remarkable grace.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these elegant morsels appeal to both casual gatherings and refined dinner parties.

The combination of soft cheese, fresh fruit, and crunchy bread creates a sensory symphony that delights sophisticated taste buds.

Contrasting flavors and textures make this appetizer both complex and remarkably accessible.

Prepare to impress your guests with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Pear and Brie Crostini: A Savory, Sweet, and Crunchy Delight

  • Quick Gourmet Appetizer: Transform simple bread into an elegant starter with minimal effort, blending classic French ingredients in under 10 minutes.
  • Luxurious Flavor Combination: Creamy Brie melts perfectly with sweet pear slices, creating a delightful balance of rich and fresh tastes that dance on your palate.
  • Easy Broiler Magic: Achieve restaurant-quality results using basic kitchen equipment, making sophisticated cooking accessible for home chefs with any skill level.
  • Versatile Party Pleaser: Ideal for impromptu gatherings, fancy brunches, or sophisticated wine nights, these crostini impress guests without complicated preparation.

What You Need for Pear and Brie Crostini

Base Ingredients:
  • Baguette: Classic French bread perfect for crispy base of crostini.
  • Brie Cheese: Creamy French cheese that melts beautifully and adds rich flavor.
  • Pear: Sweet, fresh fruit that provides a light and juicy topping.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and savory notes to the crostini.
  • Rosemary, Thyme: Fresh herbs that provide earthy and fragrant undertones.
  • Olive Oil: Helps bread crisp and browns evenly during broiling.
Finishing Touches:
  • Balsamic Reduction: Sweet and tangy sauce that adds gourmet complexity to the dish.

How to Make Pear and Brie Crostini at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your broiler to get it ready for some delicious toasting action.

Step 2: Slice the Baguette

Cut the baguette into 1/2-inch thick slices, creating perfect little platforms for your tasty toppings.

Step 3: Prepare Cheese and Fruit

Thinly slice the creamy Brie cheese and ripe pear, getting them ready for their starring role.

Step 4: Create Garlic Oil

Mix crushed garlic with olive oil to add a flavor-packed punch to your crostini.

Step 5: Brush and Toast Bread

  • Brush each baguette slice with the garlic-infused olive oil
  • Broil for 2 minutes on each side until golden and crispy

Step 6: Add Cheese Layer

Carefully top the toasted bread with delicate Brie cheese slices and broil for 2 minutes until melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Final Topping and Broil

Add pear slices and sprinkle with:
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Fresh thyme

Broil for 1 additional minute to blend the flavors.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Drizzle with rich balsamic reduction and garnish with extra herbs for a sophisticated touch.

Tips for Perfectly Toasting Pear and Brie Crostini

  • Slice Strategically: Cut baguette and pear uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor in every bite.
  • Garlic Brush Technique: Mix olive oil and crushed garlic thoroughly for maximum flavor infusion on bread slices.
  • Watch Broiling Closely: Keep a close eye during broiling to prevent burning, as these delicate ingredients can quickly turn from golden to charred.
  • Cheese Melting Secret: Let Brie sit at room temperature before slicing to help it melt more smoothly and evenly on crostini.
  • Herb Harmony: Use fresh rosemary and thyme sparingly to complement, not overpower, the delicate pear and creamy Brie flavors.

Storing Pear and Brie Crostini for Maximum Freshness

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover crostini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap them carefully to prevent the bread from becoming soggy and preserve the crispy texture.
  • Reheating: Restore the crunch by warming crostini in a preheated oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes. Avoid using the microwave, which can make the bread soft and compromise the delicate cheese and pear toppings.
  • Freshness Tip: For best taste and texture, consume leftover crostini within 24 hours. If you can't reheat in the oven, enjoy them cold as a quick snack straight from the refrigerator.

Pair Your Pear and Brie Crostini with These Drinks

  • Sip Sparkling Elegance: Pair this crostini with a crisp prosecco or champagne to complement the creamy brie and enhance the delicate pear flavors.
  • Pour Rich Red Harmony: A light Pinot Noir with soft tannins will beautifully match the earthy rosemary and sweet pear notes, creating a balanced taste experience.
  • Create Appetizer Companion: Serve alongside a simple mixed green salad with walnut vinaigrette to add freshness and provide a delightful textural contrast to the rich crostini.
  • Boost Herbal Infusion: Add a small glass of herbal tea like chamomile or lavender to highlight the delicate thyme and rosemary herbs used in the recipe.

Fun Twists on Pear and Brie Crostini

  • Caramelized Onion Companion: Replace pear with slowly caramelized onions, adding sweet depth and rich complexity to the classic crostini.
  • Honey Walnut Edition: Sprinkle toasted chopped walnuts and drizzle local honey over the crostini for a nutty, sweet enhancement.
  • Prosciutto Pepper Blend: Layer thin prosciutto slices between Brie and pear, then add cracked black pepper for a salty, spicy kick.
  • Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap rosemary and thyme with fresh basil and oregano, then add a light sprinkle of za'atar spice blend for an aromatic Mediterranean touch.
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Pear Crostini Recipe

Pear Crostini Recipe


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4.8 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

French-inspired pear and brie crostini elevate simple ingredients into an elegant appetizer. Crisp baguette slices topped with creamy cheese and caramelized pears create a perfect balance of textures that will delight your palate.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 Anjou pear
  • 10 ounces (283 grams) Brie cheese
  • 1 baguette (about 25 inches long)

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed

Liquids and Oils:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 23 tablespoons balsamic reduction

Instructions

  1. Activate the broiler setting on the oven to its highest temperature, positioning the rack approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) from the heat source.
  2. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the baguette into uniform half-inch (1.25 centimeters) thick diagonal slices.
  3. Carefully slice the Brie cheese into thin, elegant pieces and cut the pear into delicate, translucent slivers.
  4. Mince fresh garlic cloves and blend with extra virgin olive oil, creating a fragrant herbed infusion.
  5. Meticulously brush both sides of each baguette slice with the garlic-olive oil mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  6. Place the prepared baguette slices under the broiler, toasting for approximately 2 minutes until edges become golden and crisp.
  7. Remove the toasted slices and strategically layer thin Brie cheese pieces across the surface, returning to the broiler for an additional 2 minutes until cheese melts slightly.
  8. Artfully arrange pear slices atop the melted cheese, sprinkling fresh rosemary and thyme leaves for aromatic complexity.
  9. Broil for one final minute to gently warm the pear and enhance the herb fragrance.
  10. Finish by elegantly drizzling balsamic reduction and garnishing with additional fresh herb sprigs for visual appeal.

Notes

  • Elevate your appetizer game with this gourmet twist on classic crostini.
  • Perfectly toasted baguette slices create a crispy canvas for creamy Brie and sweet pears.
  • Garlic-infused olive oil adds a robust flavor that complements the delicate cheese and fruit.
  • Fresh herbs bring a bright, aromatic touch that transforms simple ingredients into an elegant bite.
  • Balsamic reduction provides a tangy-sweet finish that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 600 kcal
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 40g
  • Saturated Fat: 20g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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