Impress your guests with this delicious and easy-to-make apple crostini recipe. The perfect combination of sweet and savory for any fall occasion. This tasty recipe pairs honey baked apple slices with extra sharp cheddar cheese and a crunchy crostini for a delicious bite.
Apple and cheddar crostinis are popular during the fall months when apples are in season. Apples are such a versatile ingredient and their sweet flavors are enhanced as they bake in the oven in honey and cinnamon.
This easy vegetarian appetizer pairs well with an apple cider margarita! If you're in the mood for more apple recipes, make sure to try my bourbon cinnamon applesauce, apple oatmeal muffins or try these honey baked apples with a big scoop of ice cream.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crostinis make the best bite-sized appetizers for a party.
- Apple and sharp cheddar cheese are a classic pairing. The salty and savory cheese with the sweet honey apples are truly the perfect combo!
- You only need a few simple ingredients for this easy autumn recipe.
Ingredient Notes
- Apples - apple slices tossed in honey, cinnamon, cloves and touch of lemon juice.
- Cheese - for this recipe I like to use extra sharp cheddar cheese.
- French baguette - this gets sliced and toasted in the oven or the air fryer to make crostini.
Substitutions and Variations
- Brie cheese - replace the cheddar with slices of brie for a creamy flavor variation
- Spices - add your favorite fall spices to the apples such as nutmeg, allspice or ginger!
- Garnishes - instead of using fresh thyme try adding rosemary or pieces of arugula for a peppery bite.
Step by Step Instructions
1. Peel and slice the apples into even sized slices. Toss them in a bowl with honey, lemon juice, cinnamon and cloves.
2. Bake the apples for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. (Note: image shows a double batch of baked apples)
3. Toast the baguette slices on a large baking sheet until lightly crisp.
4. Assemble the apple crostini. Add a thick slice of cheddar cheese, 1-2 slices of baked apples and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
Hint: serve warm with the apple slices fresh out of the oven. This will slightly melt the cheese as the apples are added on top.
Emily's Top Tip
"Make sure to select an extra sharp cheddar cheese, which will help balance out the sweetness of the apples. In my opinion, the sharper the better!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Use your favorite apple variety. Make sure to choose firm and unblemished apples. I recommending using honeycrisp, gala, pink lady or Granny Smith apples.
You can make the baked apples and the crostini ahead of time and store them separately until ready to serve. If you assemble them too early the apples will make the crostini soggy after a while. Alternatively, serve all of the ingredients separately on a platter and allow your guests to assemble them on their plate.
No, if you're looking for a super quick appetizer simply slice fresh apples and toss them in touch of lemon juice to help prevent them from turning brown. Assemble the slice of cheese, apple slices, fresh thyme and a drizzle of honey on the crostini. This will be a fresh and crunchy bite!
Apple Cheddar Crostini
Ingredients
- 2 apples peeled and sliced
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 ½ tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 French baguette
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 5 oz cheddar cheese (sliced; measure with your heart)
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel the apples and slice them into evenly sized pieces.
- Mix together the sliced apples, lemon juice, honey, ground cinnamon and ground cloves.
- Pour the apple mixture into a 8x8 baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
- While the apples are baking, slice the baguette into ½" slices. Brush each side of the baguette with olive oil.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes until lightly browned.
- Assembly the crostini: place a slice of cheddar cheese and 1-2 baked apple slices on each crostini.
- Lightly sprinkle the thyme leaves on top. Serve & enjoy!
Em says
The sharp cheddar cheese and sweet honey apples balance each other out perfectly. I love the crunchy crostini too!