Homemade Happy Hour

  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Etsy Store
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Etsy Store
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Mocktails
    • Recipes
    • My Book
    • Etsy Store
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Snacks

    Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini is the Perfect Fall Appetizer

    Modified: Apr 18, 2025 · Published: Sep 21, 2021 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    170 shares

    This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

    Skip to Recipe
    Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini

    This easy appetizer recipe combines creamy goat cheese, salty bacon, and sweet honey with crisp apples and fresh sage for a delicious fall flavor combo in these Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini. 

    Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini
    Jump to:
    • What's in Apple Goat Cheese Crostini
    • How to Make Apple, Bacon and Goat Cheese Crostini
    • Looking for More Tasty Apple Recipes?
    • FAQs and Substitutions
    • Easy, Fall Happy Hour Cocktail Pairings
    • More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini Fall Appetizer

    In the fall it seems like menus jump directly to pumpkin, well, everything and skip over apples entirely. Not in my house. I’m very much Team Apple, especially when we’re still enjoying those last warm days.

    These delicious Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini are a fun way to celebrate fall, but are made with ingredients that are easy to find year-round so you can enjoy them no matter the season. 

    Crostini are a great choice for entertaining because they’re simple to put together but look super impressive. Crostini is also endlessly customizable.

    Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini can easily be made into Apple, Pecan, and Goat Cheese Crostini with the swap to diced pecans so your vegetarian friends can enjoy it too. 

    I love serving these with a refreshing fall drink like my tart Apple Cider Sangria or sparkling Citrus Apple Mocktails.

    They're also easy to serve alongside my Caprese Crostini since the toasts for both recipes can be made ahead of time but the toppings make the flavors of each appetizer super different.

    What's in Apple Goat Cheese Crostini

    Ingredients for Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini - French bread, olive oil, honey, apples, goat cheese, bacon, garlic, sage, salt, pepper.
    • French bread or French baguette - You want a long loaf of bread for creating the crostini. Cut it on a diagonal for larger pieces, or slice it straight across the width for smaller pieces.
    • Goat cheese - Plain goat cheese (no herbs or seasoning on/in it) is best for this recipe.
    • Fresh sage - Do not substitute dried sage for this crostini recipe. Use fresh sage only.
    • Fresh Apples - I love gala apples for this recipe because their crisp, juicy and not too tart.
    • Bacon - Choose your favorite cut of bacon for this recipe.

    How to Make Apple, Bacon and Goat Cheese Crostini

    Cook bacon according to package directions. Drain on a paper towel. Dice or crumble cooked bacon into small pieces. Set aside. 

    Cooked, diced bacon in a dish

    Cut the bread into 12 thin slices. Brush one side of the bread slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

    Place under broiler on low heat to toast the bread. Remove from the oven, flip the bread over.

    Brush the other side with remaining tablespoon olive oil and put it back under the broiler to toast.

    Remove from the oven. 

    Toasted sliced of bread

    Rub the peeled garlic clove over 1 side of each slice of toasted bread. 

    In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of honey with the goat cheese, salt, and pepper. 

    Goat cheese, honey, salt and pepper mixed together in a dish

    Spread the goat cheese on the crostini slices. Lay two slices of apple on top of the goat cheese mixture. 

    Drizzle all of the crostini pieces with the remaining honey. Sprinkle them with diced bacon (or pecans) and fresh sage.

    Apple, bacon, and goat cheese crostini ready to be served

    Serve immediately.

    Enjoy! 

    Looking for More Tasty Apple Recipes?

    Love apples as much as I do? My favorite apples - galas - are some of the first varieties of apples that are ready in Michigan orchards come September. Which means I start picking apples early, do it often, and end up with tons of apples in the house.

    I always use those fresh picked apples in my Apple Cider Applesauce as well as Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal. Both are easy, delicious, and fall favorite in our house.

    Apple Cider Applesauce
    Apple Cider Applesauce

    FAQs and Substitutions

    How do I make these crostini vegetarian? 

    Swap the bacon for 1 tablespoon of finely diced pecans. 

    How can I make this recipe ahead of time? 

    You can make parts of this dish ahead of time, but wait to assemble it until right before you’re ready to serve. You can toast the crostini, mix together the honey and goat cheese mixture, and cook and dice the bacon up to 1 day ahead of time. This will leave you with only needing to assemble the crostini just before serving. 

    What kind of apples should I use? 

    You want a juicy, crispy apple here to play off the saltiness of the bacon. I use gala apples in almost all of my cooking. A more tart jonathan apple or granny smith apple would be delicious as well. 

    Can I use dried sage instead of the fresh sage? 

    If you can’t find fresh sage, just leave it out. The texture of the dry sage won’t be a welcomed addition. Or you can swap the sage for fresh thyme if that’s easier to find or you have some on hand. 

    Easy, Fall Happy Hour Cocktail Pairings

    A delicious happy hour snack needs a great cocktail to go with it. I love my Apple Cider Sangria with these Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini. Too much apple for you? Try my Bourbon Ginger Cocktail.

    Apple Cider Sangria
    Apple Cider Sangria
    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail
    Bourbon Ginger Cocktail

    More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love

    • Quick and Easy Bacon Avocado Pasta
    • Four Ingredient Pecan Turtles
    • Easy Bacon Wrapped Dates Appetizer Recipe
    • The Perfect Fall Spiced Apple Cocktail
    • Easy, 6 Ingredient Honey Mustard Chicken with Bacon

    Print the Recipe Card

    Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini

    Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini Fall Appetizer

    Katy McAvoy
    This easy apple appetizer combines creamy goat cheese, salty bacon, and sweet honey with crisp apples and fresh sage for a delicious fall flavor combo. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Servings 12 pieces

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 slices french baguette or ciabatta bread
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 4 ounces goat cheese room temperature
    • 4 fresh sage leaves
    • 1 medium apple
    • 2 slices bacon
    • 2 tablespoons honey plus 2 teaspoons
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Cook bacon according to package directions. Drain on paper towel.
    • Dice or crumble cooked bacon into small pieces. Set aside. 
    • Brush one side of the bread slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place under broiler on low heat to toast the bread.
    • Remove from the oven, flip the bread over. Brush the other side with remaining tablespoon olive oil and put back into the broiler to toast. Remove from the oven. 
    • Rub the peeled garlic clove over 1 side of each slice of toasted bread. 
    • In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of honey with the goat cheese, salt, and pepper. 

    Assemble Crostini

    • Spread the goat cheese on the crostini slices.
    • Lay two slices of apple on top of the goat cheese mixture.
    • Drizzle all of the crostini pieces with the remaining 2 teaspoons of honey.
    • Sprinkle them with diced bacon and fresh sage.
    • Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    For a vegetarian option, swap 1 tablespoon diced pecans for the bacon. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pieceCalories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 354mgPotassium: 69mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 107IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    170 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kristi says

      November 30, 2022 at 9:20 am

      5 stars
      I would give this recipe more stars if I could. These are AMAZING!!! My husband and I ate them all just the two of us! HA! (I substituted a gluten-free baguette). I can’t wait to make them again for some upcoming family gatherings. Thank you for this recipe, Katy!

      Reply
      • Katy McAvoy says

        November 30, 2022 at 5:54 pm

        Yay! I'm so glad you liked them. 🙂

        Reply
    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Most Searched Recipes

    • Glass filled with mocktail drink and garnished with a cherry and orange slice.
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail for Kids (Without Sugary Soda)
    • Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktails
      Piña Colada Mocktail (Without a Blender)
    • Glasses filled with red drinks and fruit, with a pitcher of red drinks in the background.
      Easy Pitcher Drinks - Large Batch Cocktails and Mocktails for a Party
    • A glass of coconut margarita.
      Coconut Margarita Recipe (On the Rocks)
    • BBQ Meatballs in a bowl, garnished with parsley.
      Easy Stove Top Barbecue Meatballs (No Grape Jelly)
    • A glass of pineapple old fashioned garnished with a pineapple wedge.
      Pineapple Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe 
    • Raspberry Peach Martini being poured through a strainer into a cocktail glass.
      12 Easy Vodka Cocktails for Summer 
    • Pineapple Vodka Martini
      Bright and Refreshing Pineapple Martini with Citrus
    • A coupe glass of strawberry lemon drop martini cocktail with a white sugar rim and strawberry slice garnish.
      Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail
    • A small hand holding on to a glass of unicorn drink lemonade.
      Unicorn Drink for Kids (Color-Changing Lemonade) 

    Footer

    Website

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign up for weekly emails

    Contact

    Work with Me

    Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate and Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Mitten Girl LLC. All rights reserved.

    Advertisements displayed on this website do not in any way reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

    Mittengirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour are properties of Mitten Girl LLC.
    All photographs, text, and recipes on this site may not be copied to social media, or used for any commercial
    or AI purposes without the express written permission of the site owner.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.