Description
This Parmesan Crusted Crostini with Pear, Walnuts & Hot Honey is a delightful appetizer combining crispy, cheesy crostini with the sweet and juicy flavor of fresh pears, crunchy toasted walnuts, and a spicy drizzle of hot honey. Perfect for entertaining, these crostini offer a sophisticated blend of textures and tastes that are quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Cheese
- 1 French baguette, cut diagonally into ½ inch slices
- ¾-1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (about 3 ounces)
Toppings
- 2 Bartlett pears, cores removed and thinly sliced
- 1 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
- Hot honey, for drizzling
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Cheese Layer: Using a microplane or the fine side of a box grater, finely grate Parmigiano Reggiano cheese directly onto the parchment paper in an even layer. This will form the crispy cheese crust under the bread.
- Bake the Crostini: Place the baguette slices directly on top of the grated cheese on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and turns golden brown and the bread becomes crispy.
- Add the Toppings: Once the crostini have cooled enough to handle, carefully flip each slice over so the cheese crust is on top. Add one to two thin slices of pear on each crostini, sprinkle with toasted walnuts, drizzle with hot honey, and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt for contrast.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect combination of warm, crispy, sweet, and spicy flavors in each bite.
Notes
- Use ripe Bartlett pears for the best flavor and texture; other pear varieties can also be used but may vary in sweetness and firmness.
- To toast walnuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Hot honey is honey infused with chili peppers; if unavailable, you can lightly mix honey with a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes for a similar effect.
- Serve these crostini fresh for optimal crispness as the cheese crust may soften if left out too long.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crostini
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
