Goat Cheese Appetizer with Pomegranate and Pistachios

5 from 6 votes

Nov 27, 2023, Updated Dec 10, 2023

This beautiful goat cheese appetizer offers a scrumptious variety of textures and flavours: sea salted slices of lightly fried baguette spread with creamy goat cheese and topped with pomegranate arils and crunchy pistachios.

Goat Cheese appetizer with pomegranate and pistachios.

Goat Cheese Crostini with Pomegranate: A Festive Appetizer
The Perfect Goat Cheese Appetizer
Ingredients for this Beautiful Goat Cheese Appetizer
Goat Cheese Crostini Variations and Substitutions
Grab these Tools
How to Make this Goat Cheese Crostini with Pomegranate and Pistachios: An Easy Guide
Make Ahead and Storage
Serving Tips
Goat Cheese Appetizer with Pomegranate Recipe

Goat Cheese Crostini with Pomegranate: A Festive Appetizer

Are you looking for a simple yet elegant appetizer that’s sure to impress at your next gathering? Look no further than this Goat Cheese Crostini with Pomegranate recipe. It’s a delightful combination of creamy goat cheese, tart pomegranate, and crunchy pistachios, all on a perfectly toasted baguette slice.

Fresh herbs and balsamic reduction are options to take it to the next level.

This recipe makes 8 slices but can easily be doubled or tripled for a holiday party! Watch your Christmas (or Thanksgiving) guests ooh and ahh as they empty the serving dish.

The Perfect Goat Cheese Appetizer

Here’s what you’ll love about this easy recipe.

Easy to Make: With minimal cooking and simple assembly, these crostinis are a breeze to whip up.
Burst of Flavors: The tangy goat cheese perfectly balances the sweet freshness of the pomegranate and the salty crunch of pistachios.
Visually Appealing: The vibrant red of the pomegranate and the green of the mint make these crostinis as beautiful as they are delicious.

Close up shot of the goat cheese appetizer.

Ingredients for this Beautiful Goat Cheese Appetizer

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect bite:

Olive Oil: Used for toasting the baguette, it adds a rich, fruity flavor.
Baguette: The base of the crostini, it provides a crispy, crunchy texture.
Sea Salt: Enhances the flavors of the bread and toppings.
Soft Goat Cheese: a goat cheese log offers a creamy, tangy base for the toppings.
Pomegranate: Adds a burst of tart, juicy sweetness.
Salted Pistachios: Provide a salty crunch and nutty flavor.
Mint Leaves: Gives a fresh, aromatic finish to the crostini.
Baslamic glaze (optional): This reduced balsamic vinegar makes a beautiful, glossy drizzle at the end. I buy Nonna Pia from the grocery store with the other vinegar products.

Goat Cheese Crostini Variations and Substitutions

Feel free to experiment with these alternatives:

Feta Cheese: In place of goat cheese for a more crumbly texture.
Cranberries: As a substitute for pomegranate for a different kind of tartness.
Walnuts, Pine Nuts or Pecans: Instead of pistachios for a different nutty flavor.
Fresh Basil, Fresh Rosemary or Fresh Thyme: If mint isn’t your thing, try basil, rosemary or thyme for an herby twist.
Honey or Fig Jam: A drizzle of honey or warmed fig jam are also delicious for added sweetness in place of balsamic glaze.
Crackers: Instead of making homemade crostini, you could assemble this mixture on your favorite cracker. A fruit and nut cracker would be nice!
Black Pepper: A few cracks of fresh black pepper adds a deeper savory note. A little bit of minced jalapeno peppers or red pepper flakes would also be a nice add in for heat lovers.

I love this pomegranate appetizer for the holidays, but in the warmer months, I love to make this goat cheese crostini with strawberries.

Goat Cheese Appetizer Crostini on a plate.

Grab these Tools

Here are the tools you’ll need to make these delicious appetizers:

Large Skillet: For toasting the baguette slices.
Knife: To cut the baguette and chop the pistachios.
Cutting Board: For slicing and preparing the ingredients.
Tongs: Helpful for flipping the baguette slices in the skillet.
Spatula: To spread the goat cheese on the crostini.
Serving Plate: To present your beautiful creation.

How to Make this Goat Cheese Crostini with Pomegranate and Pistachios: An Easy Guide

Perfect for any gathering, these bites are easy to prepare and bursting with flavor. I love that you don’t need to bake anything in the oven. It’s so quick and simple to make the best crostini on the stovetop.

Toast the Baguette

Heat the Skillet: Begin by warming olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Toast the Bread: Place bread slices in the skillet in a single layer. Cook until the underside turns golden, about 2 minutes.
Season: After flipping, sprinkle the baguette slices with a pinch of sea salt. Then, transfer them to a plate.

Flipping the crostini when golden brown.

Prepare the Toppings

Spread Goat Cheese: Once the baguette slices are toasted, spread about 1 tablespoon of soft goat cheese on the toasted side of each slice.
Add Pomegranate Arils: Sprinkle each crostini with about 1 teaspoon of pomegranate arils.
Garnish with Pistachios: Top with a scant teaspoon of chopped salted pistachios.

Adding the toppings to the goat cheese appetizer.

Final Touches

Mint for Freshness: If using, scatter torn mint leaves over the crostinis for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Serve Promptly: For the best experience, serve the crostinis within 1 hour. This ensures the bread remains crisp and the pomegranate juice doesn’t make it soggy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Planning ahead and storing your Goat Cheese Crostini with Pomegranate properly can make your preparation smoother and extend the freshness of your appetizer.

Prep Baguette in Advance: Toast the baguette slices a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Store Goat Cheese Separately: Keep the goat cheese in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before spreading.
Pomegranate Arils: You can remove the arils from the pomegranate a day in advance and store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Chop Pistachios Ahead: Pre-chop the pistachios and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Assemble Just Before Serving: For the best texture and to prevent sogginess, assemble the crostinis close to serving time.
Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator, but be aware that the bread may soften. They are best eaten within a day.

Ingredients for this goat cheese appetizer.

Serving Tips

Best Served Fresh: Serve these crostinis within an hour of making them. This ensures the bread stays crisp, and the pomegranate doesn’t make the bread soggy.
Pairing: These crostinis pair wonderfully with a crisp white wine or a light, fruity cocktail.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a casual get-together, or just looking for a quick and tasty snack, these Goat Cheese Crostinis with Pomegranate are sure to be a hit. Enjoy the burst of flavors and the compliments that are sure to come your way!

Puff Pastry Baked Brie with cranberries.

Other Festive Appetizers to Try

Here are some of my other favorite holiday party nibbles!

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5 from 6 votes