Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Roasted Grapes

Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Roasted Grapes is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s worthy of company, but so quick and easy to assemble, you’ll want to treat yourself and enjoy with a glass of wine for cocktail hour!

I’ve made this appetizer multiple times, it’s that good and that easy! If you like the flavor of blue cheese you’ll love this appetizer. If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, substitute another soft cheese like goat cheese, Boursin or Brie.

Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Roasted Grapes, courtesy Southern Living

Ingredients

2 cups halved seedless red grapes

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot (I’ve made with and without, omitted here)

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

French bread baguette, cut into slices

3 tablespoons butter, softened

2 ounces crumbled blue cheese, softened

Toasted pecans, chopped

Thyme for garnish, if desired

Directions

 Preheat oven to 425°. Toss halved grapes with vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and shallots, if desired. Arrange grape mixture in a single layer in a small roasting pan. Bake 15 minutes or until grapes wilt and develop a thin syrup.

Remove from oven. Increase oven temperature to broil with oven rack 7 inches from heat.

 Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Stir together softened butter and cheese and spread evenly over bread slices.

 Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

Spoon grape mixture over toasted bread, and sprinkle with pecans, garnish with fresh thyme before serving if desired.

This is a great appetizer to enjoy or serve with a glass of wine! You can roast the grapes in advance, allow to cool and refrigerate the grapes and syrup until ready to assemble. When ready to serve, spread softened blue cheese/butter mixture on baguette slices, and broil until bubbly. Turn the oven to 350°, top with roasted grapes and pecans and run back in oven for 5 – 7 minutes until grape mixture is warmed through.

Even easier, spoon these balsamic roasted grapes and syrup over a wedge of Brie, brick of cream or goat cheese and serve with baguette slices or crackers and let everyone help themselves.

Print Recipe

Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Roasted Grapes

Blue Cheese Crostini with Balsamic-Roasted Grapes is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s worthy of company, but so quick and easy to assemble, you’ll want to treat yourself and enjoy with a glass of wine for cocktail hour.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time17 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: appetizer, blue cheese, crostini, easy, roasted grapes

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups halved seedless red grapes
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot I’ve made with and without, omitted here
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 French bread baguette cut into slices
• 3 tablespoons butter softened
• 2 ounces crumbled blue cheese softened
• Chopped toasted pecans
• Garnish: chopped fresh thyme

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425°. Toss together first 6 ingredients.
• Arrange grapes in a single layer in a small roasting pan; bake 15 minutes or until grapes wilt and develop a thin syrup. Remove from oven.
• Increase oven temperature to broil with oven rack 7 inches from heat.
• Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Stir together butter and cheese, and spread evenly over bread slices.
• Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Spoon grape mixture over toasted bread, and sprinkle with pecans.

Notes

•  If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, substitute another soft cheese like goat, Boursin or Brie.
• You can roast the grapes in advance, allow to cool and refrigerate the grapes with their syrup. When ready to serve, spread softened blue cheese/butter mixture on baguette slices, and broil until bubbly. Turn the oven back to 350°, top with roasted grapes and pecans and run back in oven for 5 - 7 minutes until grape mixture is warmed through.
• To make it even easier, spoon these balsamic roasted grapes and syrup over a wedge of Brie, cream or goat cheese and serve with baguette slices or crackers and let everyone help themselves
• Toast pecans to bring out the natural oils and enhances the flavor. Spread nuts in an even layer on a sheet pan in a 350°oven for 6-8 minutes or until fragrant. Your nose knows :) when they’re done. Remove from oven and allow them to cool.

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