Crisply toasted crostini topped with tangy goats cheese, sweet char-grilled apricots, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of golden honey. Delicious!
Summer! Not only is the sun shining, but all the wonderful soft fruits are in season and the shops are practically giving them away. I got a huge punnet of apricots for 65p. 65p! Don’t you just love a bargain?
Cooking with fruit
When fruit is so cheap, I don’t feel so bad cooking with it. Does that sound ridiculous? At the more usual prices I feel like we ought to just eat it and enjoy it and not muck about with it too much. But at 65p a punnet we can afford to be a little creative with some of it. Plus, the full plate of these delicious crostini only used about half the punnet, so we still have the rest of the apricots to eat plain…
Snack, starter or canapé!
These goats cheese crostini with griddled apricots are a fabulous summery snack, starter, or even just finger food with a few drinks for friends. To be honest, they’d also make a terrific breakfast, or a sophisticated dessert with a glass of sweet wine. So many options!
Grilled apricots – caramelised flavours
Grilling the apricots caramelises some of the natural sugars from the fruit, which really enhances the flavour and adds a wonderful slightly smoky accent. The fruity flavours go brilliantly with the tangy goats cheese, and the sweetness of the honey is the perfect addition. I also love the flavour of basil with these goats cheese and apricot crostini, but I know it’s not for everyone. Give it a try and let me know what you prefer – with or without?
Goats cheese crostini
Another great thing about these goats cheese crostini – apart from their deliciousness! – is that you can prepare the bread and grilled apricots in advance, then simply assemble when you’re ready to go. In fact, I usually let the toasty baguette slices and apricots cool down before making the crostini, otherwise the goats cheese has a tendency to get too melty and it all goes a bit gooey and hard to handle.
Keep the prepared toast in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. The apricots should be stored in the fridge but let them come up to room temperature before using them.
Grilling options
As you can see, I used my trusty le creuset griddle pan both to toast the crostini, and to cook the apricots. If you don’t have a griddle pan, you can use a regular frying pan, but you won’t get the same beautiful char marks. You could also try cooking them under the grill, but watch like a hawk to avoid burning.
FAQ and top tips
- Are these crostini suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
The recipe as written is completely vegetarian. If you want to make this recipe vegan, make sure to use oil for brushing the crostini before griddling, then substitute a plant-based soft cheese style spread in place of the soft goats cheese. There are some really good soft vegan spreads made with almonds or cashews, so pick any that you like for this recipe. - Can I make these crostini for a gluten-free diet?
The cheese and grilled apricots are already gluten-free. If you can find a gluten-free baguette to use then you’re all set! If you can’t find gluten-free bread, then these toppings are also great on a small oatcake or other suitable cracker. - Can these grilled apricot crostini be made ahead?
These delicious crostini are best eaten shortly after making them. Otherwise the toasty bread goes chewy and stale, and the fruit goes kind of sad and soggy. You can prepare the elements in advance and assemble just before eating, which is OK, but not as good as serving them freshly grilled and still a bit warm. - How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe makes 8 crostini, which I suggest makes a starter for 4 people – two crostini each.
Grilling other summer fruits
If you can’t find bargain apricots, these goats cheese crostini are also delicious with peaches, nectarines, or even firm plums. Simply halve and grill in the same way for a delicious result. Enjoy the summer’s fruity bounty!
The recipe makes 8 crostini but can easily be scaled up.
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📖 Recipe
Goats cheese crostini with griddled apricots, basil & honey
Ingredients
- ½ baguette (aka French stick/French bread) (or thereabouts)
- 3-4 tablespoon melted butter or oil
- 4 fresh apricots
- 50 g soft goats cheese
- 1 tablespoon shredded basil leaves
- 2-3 tablespoon runny honey
Instructions
- Heat a griddle pan over a medium-high flame.
- Slice the baguette into 8, 1cm (approx. ½ inch) thick slices. Brush with melted butter on both sides.
- Cook the sliced baguette in the hot griddle pan for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly toasted. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Halve the apricots and remove the stones. Place the apricot halves cut side down in the hot griddle pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly charred. Turn over and cook the other side for a further 1-2 minutes. Remove from the pan and cut each half into two pieces. Allow to cool.
- Spread about 1 teaspoon of goats cheese onto each piece of baguette. Top with one or two pieces of apricot and arrange the crostini on a serving plate.
- Sprinkle the shredded basil leaves over the crostini and then drizzle with honey. Serve, eat and enjoy!
Nutrition
More delicious recipes using stone fruits
Other ways to use delicious ripe stone fruits include this yummy plum and almond crumble cake, or these delicious muscat poached fruits with no-churn honey cake ice-cream.
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet
What beautiful canapés! I feel guilty too if I use prime ingredients not in their natural state, such as beautiful asparagus in a soup. Apricots and goat’s cheese sound great.
Munchiesandmunchkins
Oh wow these looks incredible ?. I love cooking with fruit and combining with cheese so these are right up my street.
Helen
Thanks! Yes, fruit and cheese is always a winner as far as I’m concerned too!
choclette
Gosh these sound delicious, especially with the basil. I do indeed love a bargain, especially one that enables being extravagant with precious summer fruit.
Helen
Thanks Choclette 🙂
I’m hoping for a few more fruity bargains before the summer ends!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I know what you mean about not wanting to cook with fruit when it is expensive. But there are some recipes that just need to be made especially in the summer. I love this one.
Helen
Thanks Bintu. Yes, there are definitely some recipes that need to be made!