Looking for the perfect bite to elevate your late summer wine-tasting party? This Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini appetizer combines the rich sweetness of roasted grapes with the smooth, tangy bite of goat cheese, making a deliciously simple yet elegant dish to share with friends.
It’s the final days of summer in the Northwest. The afternoons are long and warm, and the mornings are crisp and clear. It’s my favorite time in the garden when all the plants are positively bursting with their late summer offerings.
Two massive grape vines grow in the garden, curling and spiraling through a small stretch of chainlink fence that separates the kitchen garden from the courtyard. Throughout September, I snack on handfuls of the deeply sun-sweetened fruit with every pass through the garden.
This Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini recipe is ideal for late summer wine-tasting parties when fresh grapes are at their peak, and outdoor gatherings feel festive and cozy.
When roasted, the grapes release a natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully, creating a warm, slightly jammy flavor that complements the tangy, creamy goat cheese and toasty crostini. This appetizer is easy to prepare yet feels quite sophisticated; it is the perfect small bite to pair with your favorite wine or charcuterie as we head into fall.
Ingredients for Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini
- Baguette
- Olive Oil
- Red Seedless Grapes
- Goat Cheese
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Fresh Thyme
- Walnuts
- Honey (optional)
How to make Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini
Step 1. Prepare Crostini: Preheat oven to 400℉. Slice the baguette into 1/3 inch slices and lay onto an old baking sheet. Lightly brush the baguette slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake crostini for 10 minutes and remove from oven. Flip the crostini and continue to bake until golden brown, for about ten more minutes.
Step 2. Toast Walnuts: In the same warm oven, toast the walnuts on a small baking sheet or oven-safe pan. Walnuts will toast in 6-8 minutes. When walnuts become fragrant and golden, remove them from the oven and rough chop. Set aside.
Step 3. Roast Grapes: Increase the oven temperature to 450℉. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, toss the grapes with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and fresh thyme—season with salt and pepper. Roast the grapes for about 15 minutes, or until they begin to soften and their skin starts to pop.
Step 4. Assemble Crostini: To assemble the crostini, spread the goat cheese across the small toasts. Spoon the warm grapes on top and sprinkle with toasted walnuts. Drizzle with honey if more sweetness is needed – which is often the case with store-bought grapes. Arrange the crostini on a platter before serving. Enjoy!
Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20–24 pieces 1x
Description
This Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini appetizer is the perfect bite to elevate your late summer wine-tasting party.
Ingredients
- 1 ea. baguette, cut into 1/3-inch thick slices
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1 1/2 lb. red seedless grapes, stems discarded
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp fresh Thyme, stemmed and chopped
- 10 oz. goat cheese, softened
- honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare Crostini: Preheat oven to 400℉. Slice the baguette into 1/3 inch slices and lay onto an old baking sheet. Lightly brush the baguette slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake crostini for 10 minutes and remove from oven. Flip the crostini and continue to bake until golden brown, for about ten more minutes.
- Toast the Walnuts: In the same pre-heated oven, toast the walnuts on a small baking sheet or oven-safe pan. Walnuts will toast in 6-8 minutes. When walnuts become fragrant and golden, remove them from the oven and rough chop. Set aside.
- Roast the Grapes: Increase the oven temperature to 450℉. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, toss the grapes with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and fresh thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Roast the grapes for about 15 minutes, or until they begin to soften and their skin starts to pop.
- Assemble Crostini: To assemble the crostini, spread the goat cheese across the small toasts. Spoon the warm grapes on top and sprinkle with toasted walnuts. Drizzle with honey if more sweetness is needed – which is often the case with store-bought grapes. Arrange the crostini on a platter before serving. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Category: Appetizer