Baked pancetta, crumbled goat cheese, and a drizzle of honey top apples slices for an easy, salty-sweet appetizer that’s light and delicious!
Perfect for serving alongside heavier hors d’oeuvres for a holiday party or cocktail hour!
I ran across this recipe in Southern Living Magazine in my search for recipes for apple week with The Novel Bakers. Southern Living’s version calls for Bartlett pear slices instead of apples. I used Honeycrisp apples while in season for a crisp, juicy bite.
Ingredients
thin slices pancetta
apple (I used Honeycrisp)
(4-oz.) package goat cheese, crumbled
Freshly cracked pepper
Honey
Garnish: fresh thyme sprigs
Preparation
Arrange pancetta slices in a single layer on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
Bake at 450° for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack using a spatula. Let stand 10 minutes or until crisp.
You can do this step in advance, for a quick assembly right before serving.
Core apple with an apple corer. Cut apple crosswise into thin rings. I sliced the apple and then just removed the seeds to enjoy most of the apple.
I like to use a small cans of pineapple juice, (convenient and sweeter than lemon juice), for tossing apples or pears in, to keep them from oxidizing when I’m slicing them in advance.
Arrange slices on a serving platter. Top evenly with pancetta and goat cheese; sprinkle with pepper. Drizzle with honey just before serving. Garnish with thyme, if desired.
I hope you’ll try this with apple or pear for a sweet & salty appetizer.
It’s ideal for the holidays since you can assemble it quickly and would make a delicious pairing with a glass of something bubbly!
You can find the original, printable recipe from Southern Living, here.
Cheers!
Great tip about the pineapple juice Mary! While I can’t use the “D” word (diet) I’d like to cut back a bit… This looks like a healthier snack for the new year!
PS-Why do I find myself pronouncing “pancetta” the way Giada does in my mind???:@)
Nice cocktail appetizer ! I made your chicken salad to put on little rye slices and it was a hit! Thanks for the great recipes ! Have a great Sunday!
This looks so good. I love all these things and they must be wonderful together. Thanks for sharing.
This looks wonderful, I like the creaminess of pears for winter, apple for fall!
These look wonderful, Mary!
These sure look pretty! I agree with the idea of using pineapple juice to keep the apples from turning brown. I HATE lemon juice on them. *pucker~shudder*
Beautiful photos…that last one positively GLOWS!!
Happy New Year, Honey…thanks for all the wonderful inspiration you share
Love this combination. Pinning so I remember to serve it at our next wine tasting party.
Lovely recipe…Thank you!
That looks sooo nice! Will try soon. :D
What a beautiful appetizer and perfect with some bubbly! Wish I had some right now. xo
Elegant! … : )
This is sooooo perfect Mary, all my favorite tastes in a light version, yum!
Jenna
YUMMY! These and a little bubbly sounds just right! Happy New Year!
These look so wonderful with the apples, and since pears are my dear husband’s all time favorite fruit, I want to try it with the pears too.
I just decided to start a specific pin board for finger foods, and this will be the first entry.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I know I’ve been very AWOL. I’ve missed blog land.
These are perfect for New Years…or any ole time! Thanks so much for sharing at Marvelous Mondays. Featuring this on Facebook and Twitter today! Have a wonderful day! :)
Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes and always SO beautifully!