Crispy crostini topped with melted brie, apple slices, and candied pecans drizzled with warm honey—apple brie crostini is the perfect fall appetizer.
When it comes to fall appetizers, few can beat this yummy and easy-to-make apple brie crostini. These bite-sized treats feature toasted baguette slices topped with melted brie, crisp apple slices, candied pecans, and a drizzle of warm honey.
Find What You’re Looking for:
🥖 What is crostini? Crostini is an Italian appetizer made by thinly slicing and toasting bread, often brushed with olive oil, until it becomes crispy. These toasted bread slices are then topped with a variety of ingredients like diced tomatoes, cheese, cured meats, and spreads. Crostini can be enjoyed as a delicious starter or a light snack.
We’ll take you step by step through the easy process of making this delightful treat and share some helpful tips along the way. Get ready to enjoy the flavors of fall with this easy appetizer.
Here’s What You’ll Need
All you need are these simple ingredients to make this yummy brie and apple appetizer.
Ingredients
1 baguette: You’ll want a fresh baguette with a crisp crust and a soft, airy interior. Look for one that’s about 12 inches in length to ensure you have enough slices for your crostini.
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil: Use good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
Salt: Opt for sea salt or kosher salt for the best results. (Although regular salt is fine if that’s all you have.) It balances the sweetness of the apples and honey while enhancing the savory notes of the brie.
Brie: Choose a quality, creamy wheel of brie, for example, brands like Marin French or Président.
1 apple: Select a crisp, slightly tart variety like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady. You could also use a Granny Smith apple.
1/4 cup candied pecans: You can find sugared or candied pecans in the salad topping section of the produce aisle or in the snack and baking aisles. We buy them chopped, but you can also chop them at home.
1/4 cup honey: Pick high-quality honey to enhance the overall taste. Possibly find a local specialty honey store with delicious, pure honey.
Supplies & Favorite Tools for Making Crostini
- Baking sheet
- Basting brush
- Cutting board and knife
- Honey wand
- Serving board or platter
How to Make Apple Brie Crostini
Follow these easy steps to make this delicious apple appetizer.
Step 1 | Preheat oven to 400°F
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2 | slice baguette
Slice the bread into 1/2-inch pieces on a bias (diagonally).
Step 3 | Place on baking sheet and brush with olive oil
Arrange slices onto a baking sheet. Very lightly brush both sides with olive oil.
Note: Normally we use parchment paper for easy cleanup, but in this case, we want the baguette slices directly on the pan to help with crisping.
Step 4 | Bake initially for 5 minutes
Bake the one side for 5 minutes.
Step 5 | Slice the brie
While the bread is baking, slice the brie into thin slices (about 1/4-inch).
Note: We remove all rind from the brie, but you don’t have to if you prefer to leave it on.
Step 6 | Remove bread from oven, Flip, and salt
Remove the baguette slices from the oven. Flip and lightly salt each piece.
Step 7 | Add Slices of brie
Top each piece of bread with a slice of brie.
Step 8 | Bake for another 5 to 7 minutes
Bake for another 5 to 7 minutes until the brie is melted and the bread is crisp.
Step 9 | slice apples & Heat honey
While the bread and brie is in the oven, slice the apples into thin slices (about 1/4-inch) and heat the honey until warm and easy to drizzle. (You can do this in the microwave for a few seconds.)
Step 10 | Remove from oven & top with apples
Remove the toasted bread and brie from the oven and top each with an apple slice.
Step 11 | Drizzle honey over each piece
Drizzle warm honey over each crostini piece using a honey wand or spoon.
Step 12 | ADD candied pecans
Sprinkle each crostini with chopped candied pecans.
Step 13 | Plate, serve immediately & Enjoy!
Transfer the crostinis to a serving platter and serve right away while warm and the cheese is melty.
More About This Recipe – Why You’ll Love It
- Simple yet fancy: This recipe doesn’t require a lot of complicated steps or ingredients, just basic items like brie cheese, apples, and honey. We love that it comes together so beautifully and can elevate your fall spread.
- Cozy and comforting: When autumn gets chilly, these crostini give you a warm, comforting feeling. The combination of melted brie cheese, crisp apples, sweet honey, and sugared pecans tastes just right for the season.
- For any occasion: You can serve this dish as a tasty starter for Thanksgiving dinner or make it for date night while relaxing near the fireplace. It works for any event.
Tips for Making Brie and Apple Crostini
Here are tips for making the best apple brie crostini.
- Choose the right baguette: Select a fresh baguette with a crisp crust and a soft, airy interior. Look for one that’s about 12 inches in length to ensure you have enough slices for your crostini.
- Use quality ingredients: Opt for high-quality ingredients, such as extra virgin olive oil, sea salt or kosher salt, a creamy wheel of brie, crisp and slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady, and premium honey. These quality ingredients will elevate the flavors of your crostini.
- Preheat the oven properly: Make sure to preheat your oven to 400°F before you start baking. This ensures that your crostini will cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness.
- Timing is key: Pay attention to the baking times. Initially, bake one side of the baguette slices for 5 minutes, then flip them, salt, and add the brie. Continue baking for another 5 to 7 minutes until the brie is melted, and the crostini is crisp. Be cautious not to overcook, as it can make the crostini too hard.
- Serve immediately: This appetizer is best enjoyed while warm and when the cheese is melty. Assemble the crostini by adding apples, honey, and candied pecans as soon as they come out of the oven. If you plan to take them to a gathering, consider doing the baking on site.
Recipe Variations
This recipe can varied in so many delicious ways. Here are a few ideas.
- Try different fruits like fresh or dried apricots, cranberries, figs, or pear slices that are also perfect for autumn.
- Use different cheeses like Camembert cheese, Mozzarella, goat cheese, or other soft cheeses that melt well.
- Change the nuts by adding toasted almonds, candied walnuts, pine nuts, or hazelnuts for different textures and flavors.
How to Store Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. However, it’s important to note that crostini may lose some of their crispness. When reheating, use an oven or toaster oven to help restore some of their crunchiness.
PrintApple Brie Crostini
Crispy baguette slices topped with melted brie, crisp apples, and candied pecans drizzled with warm honey to make the perfect fall appetizer.
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 pieces, 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- Baguette
- Olive oil (approx. 2-3 tbsp)
- Salt
- Brie, sliced
- Apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup candied pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch pieces on a bias (diagonally).
- Arrange slices onto a baking sheet (without parchment to crisp).
- Very lightly brush both sides with olive oil.
- Bake initially on one side for 5 minutes.
- While baking, slice the brie in thin slices (1/4-inch).
- Remove from the oven, flip, and lightly salt each piece and top with a slice of brie.
- Bake for another 5 to 7 minutes until the brie is melted and the crostini is crisp.
- While baking, slice the apple and heat the honey until warm and easy to drizzle (a few seconds in the microwave).
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and top each crostini with apple slices.
- Drizzle honey over each piece.
- Sprinkle with chopped candied pecans.
- Transfer to a plate and serve immediately.
Notes
- When you remove the crostini from the oven (after brie is melted and bread is crisp), you’ll want to quickly add the apples, honey, and candied pecans so you can serve the crostini warm.
- If you plan to take this appetizer to a friend or family’s house, be sure to do the baking at their house. This dish is best served immediately while still warm. You can prep everything ahead of time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 178
- Sugar: 9.1 g
- Sodium: 286.6 mg
- Fat: 5.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 9.5 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about crostini.
Can I use any bread for this recipe, or is a baguette essential?
While a baguette is traditionally used for this apple crostini recipe, you can experiment with different bread types if you prefer. However, remember that a baguette’s crisp crust and airy interior complement the toppings perfectly, so choose bread with similar characteristics for the best results.
Can I make the crostini in advance and reheat them later?
It’s best to serve the crostini immediately after they come out of the oven while the cheese is still melty and the crostini is crisp. If you need to prepare them in advance, you can slice the ingredients and assemble them just before serving, or consider baking on-site if you plan to take them to a gathering.
Are there any cheese alternatives I can use instead of brie?
Certainly! While brie cheese is the star of this recipe, you can experiment with alternative cheese options. Camembert cheese, Mozzarella, goat cheese, or other soft cheeses can work well.
Can I store leftover crostini, and if so, how should I do it?
Leftover crostini can be stored, but they may lose their crispness. If you have extra crostini, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating, use an oven or toaster oven to help restore some of their crunchiness. However, they are best enjoyed fresh and warm.
Final Thoughts
This apple brie crostini recipe will make a delightful and elegant addition to your fall menu. With its simple yet flavorful combination of crispy crostini, melted brie, fresh apples, candied pecans, and warm honey, this dish captures the essence of autumn.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Have You Tried This Recipe? Please rate it in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
More Appetizer Recipes
More Fall Recipes
Pin for later