Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer

This warm goat cheese appetizer takes just 15 minutes with only 4 ingredients! Perfect for entertaining, the gooey baked goat cheese with marmalade makes easy party food everyone loves.

Goat Cheese Appetizer

I’ll admit it: I’m a last minute party planner. So I’m always on the lookout for appetizer recipes with minimal ingredients and prep time and maximum flavor. That’s why I created this warm goat cheese appetizer! It’s got just 4 ingredients, takes just 10 minutes to bake, and tastes incredible.

It’s all about contrasts: tangy, gooey goat cheese meets citrusy marmalade, herbaceous thyme, and crunchy pistachios. It’s become a total go-to party snack in our house. (I love this recipe so much, I even included a version in my acclaimed cookbook!)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Got guests coming? Quick, grab these four ingredients for a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone parked around the dish. The simplicity here is magic: the creaminess of the cheese with the sweet tart jam is the perfect combination. Here’s what you’ll need

  • Goat cheese log: Also called chèvre, this tangy cheese is the star. This appetizer even impresses people who don’t think they love goat cheese!
  • Marmalade: I love orange apricot marmalade for its bright citrus notes, but any jam or preserves works.
  • Pistachios: Finely chopped nuts make a nice crunch: you can use almonds, pecans, or walnuts as substitutes.
  • Fresh thyme: The herb’s earthy flavor complements goat cheese and looks beautiful as a garnish.

5 Star Reader Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “We tried this recipe with fig jam and it was delicious and easy!” -Kathryn

Goat Cheese Appetizer

Preserves for Goat Cheese Hors d’Oeuvres

The marmalade or jam you choose greatly affects the flavor profile. I’ve tested this recipe with many different types of jam and each brings something different. My mom tried it with blueberry jam the same day I sent her the recipe, and she loved it!

My top recommendations: blueberry preserves add a sweet depth, fig jam makes a sophisticated flavor for fall and winter, and cranberry jam makes a festive holiday version. Tomato jam also adds a nice sweet savory flair.

How to Make This Baked Goat Cheese Appetizer

This couldn’t be simpler (or jump to the recipe below). Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a small baking dish. Spread about ⅓ cup of any type of marmalade across the bottom of the dish, then place the goat cheese log on top. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of marmalade over the cheese.

Bake for 10 minutes: just long enough to warm the cheese until it’s soft. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped pistachios and fresh thyme. Finely chopped fresh rosemary or mint also work!

What To Serve Alongside

Pull this goat cheese appetizer out of the oven, and you can serve it immediately! Baking the cheese is key, because it makes it warm enough to be spreadable. Here are a few ideas to use for dipping in:

Goat Cheese Appetizer

Make-Ahead Tips for Entertaining

Taking this goat cheese appetizer to a party? Here’s what to do:

  • Bake first. Bake it your house, then cover the dish in foil and warp it a towel to keep it warm. It should stay warm for about 20 minutes this way.
  • Bake at the party. Or, have the host preheat the oven for you in advance! Pop it in right when you get to the party.

Variations To Try

Once you master the basic formula, there are so many ways to mix up this recipe. Try my Blueberry Goat Cheese using blueberry preserves and toasted almonds. For holidays, try my Cranberry Goat Cheese with pecans is always a hit (it’s not baked).

Switch up the nuts based on what you have: hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans work well. You can also change the herbs: chopped chives, fresh rosemary, or sage go well with goat cheese.

For a savory version, skip the sweet preserves and use sun-dried tomato pesto!

Goat Cheese Appetizer

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cheese firms up again when cold, so I recommend reheating in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 8 minutes until warmed and spreadable again.

Dietary Notes

This goat cheese appetizer recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free (using gluten-free crackers).

Print

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer

Goat Cheese Appetizer
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

This warm goat cheese appetizer is perfect for entertaining! Just 4 ingredients make this tasty dip for crostini or crackers.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Appetizer
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces goat cheese log
  • ½ cup orange apricot marmalade, or preserves or jam of any flavor*
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Crostini, bread or crackers, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Spread ⅓ cup of the preserves in a small baking dish. Add the goat cheese log. Top with 2 tablespoons of the preserves. Bake for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove the dish from the oven and top with pistachios and fresh thyme. Use as a dip for crostini, bread, or crackers.

Notes

Variations: Other options for jams are blueberry, blackberry, fig, tomato jam, and more. Use hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, or almonds for the nuts, and mint, chives, rosemary or sage for the herbs. You can also try this with sun dried tomato pesto for a savory spin. 

Leftover storage: Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cheese firms up again when cold, so I recommend reheating in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 8 minutes until warmed and spreadable again.

Did you love this recipe?

Get our free newsletter with all of our best recipes!

More Goat Cheese Recipes

This goat cheese appetizer is one in a long list of favorite recipes starring this ingredient! (We’re goat cheese fanatics, in case you couldn’t tell.) Here are some great to try:



from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/xbNHYw7

0 Comments