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

Published: Sep 21, 2021 · Updated: Aug 14, 2023 by Katy McAvoy

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·★★★★★5 from 1 review

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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.

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.

Ingredients

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.
Apple - 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.

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.

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.

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.

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About Katy McAvoy

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