Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans
If you’re looking for a simple holiday appetizer then look no further than this easy goat cheese dip with fig jam and pecans!
This warmed goat cheese appetizer takes just 5 minutes to prepare and you can make it ahead of time.
Perfect for entertaining!
I love using creamy goat cheese all year round, like in this blueberry goat cheese crostini! So I knew I had to make a quick and easy version for the holidays.
To me, this goat cheese dip is perfect for when you’re entertaining and have guests over. It is ready in under 10 minutes and while it looks fancy, I promise it is so easy to make! How about pairing it with this apple cider bourbon cocktail?!
Why you’ll love this goat cheese appetizer:
- You only need 7 ingredients to make this!
- It takes just 5 minutes to prepare and then another 5 minutes to warm up the fig jam topping.
- You can prepare this ahead of time so it’s a quick party food!
- It pairs beautifully with crostini or crackers!
Ingredients Needed
Goat Cheese & Fresh Thyme: Goat cheese and thyme is one of my favorite flavor combinations, but you could swap it out for rosemary if you prefer.
Honey: If you don’t have honey in your pantry then you can substitute it for maple syrup.
Fig Jam: Not a fan of fig jam or don’t have any on hand? In a pinch you can swap it out for apricot jam, cranberry sauce or my pear-cranberry chia jam!
Pecans: Feel free to swap out pecans for chopped walnuts.
Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil: Gives a savoury note along with the balsamic vinegar.
Step by Step Process for this goat cheese appetizer
- Step 1: Spread the softened goat cheese in a shallow bowl or plate and drizzle with olive oil.
- Step 2: In a small pan, whisk the honey, fig jam and balsamic vinegar over medium heat. Heat for about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for another 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Drizzle or spread this fig jam topping over the goat cheese.
- Step 5: Sprinkle over your chopped pecans and thyme sprigs.
- Step 6: Add a pinch of sea salt and serve with crostini or crackers. Enjoy!
Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans
Ingredients
- 300 g softened goat cheese (about 0.66lb, 10oz or 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups goat cheese)
- 1/2 cup fig jam
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 sprigs of thyme, leaves removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- crostini or crackers for serving
Instructions
- To a low bowl or plate, spread goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
- In a small pot warm honey, fig jam, balsamic over medium heat, whisking to combine. Heat for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Drizzle or gently spread the fig jam mixture over the goat cheese.
- Top with fresh thyme leaves (remove the leaves from the sprigs) and pecan pieces.
- Add a pinch of sea salt and then serve with crackers or crostini.
Notes
- Want to make your own crostini? Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted.
- Want to make this goat cheese appetizer ahead of time? Warm up the fig jam mixture on the stove and then let it cool completely. Once you're ready to serve, gently spread the fig jam mixture over the goat cheese. It won’t be warm but it will still be delicious.
- Feel free to swap out pecans for chopped walnuts.
FAQ
How do I make this ahead of time?
Want to make this goat cheese appetizer ahead of time? Warm up the fig jam mixture on the stove and then let it cool completely. Once you’re ready to serve, gently spread the fig jam mixture over the goat cheese. It won’t be warm but it will still be delicious.
How can I make crostini?
Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted.
What else can I serve with this goat cheese dip?
I love having this appetizer with crackers or crostini, but you can also serve it with crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery or just serve with bread!
Expert Tips to make this goat cheese appetizer
- If you’re making crostini in the oven, keep an eye on them so they don’t burn! You want it golden and toasted.
- I recommend using fresh herbs rather than dried herbs for this dip, it makes all the difference!
- The best thing about goat cheese is how versatile it is, it goes with so many flavors! So feel free to swap out the herbs, nuts and jam depending on your tastes or what you have in the pantry.
Storage
Keep the goat cheese drizzled with the fig jam in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More holiday appetizers to love from the blog
Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer
A Sparkling New Years Eve Party Menu
Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess
Easy to make…and delicious!
Wonderful!! Thanks for stopping by the blog and making one of my recipes!
SO delicious!!! I made this for Thanksgiving this year, and it was a HUGE hit!! And SO fast and easy to make. I used finally chopped rosemary instead of thyme, and balsamic glaze (as I was out of balsamic vinegar). I forgot to add the olive oil, but didn’t miss it. And I toasted the pecans for more flavor. This will definitely be my go-to dip/ app from now on!
I’m so so happy to hear this recipe was a hit! I love the idea of toasting the pecans – delish!! Thanks for stopping by the blog – I so appreciate it 🙂
So good. Made it several times last year and always a hit. I use serve with both apple slices and crackers for dipping. The pecans are the perfect finish for this dish. It has not failed me yet!
So so happy to hear this has become a go-to appetizer for you! I love your idea of serving with apple slices too – yum!
Loved this so much that I had to come here and do a review! Made this last night for book club and it was a HUGE hit. I used apricot jam (only because I couldn’t find fig jam) and it was divine. Will be making this again and again! Easiest, tastiest app ever!
Nicole, thank you for the lovely review!! I’m so happy to hear you and your book club loved this appetizer. So glad you’ll be making it on repeat!
Hi, made this with walnuts and it’s a great combo! I used Dalmatia Fig Orange Spread.
My question is about the make-ahead version. When you say to “cool the fig jam mixture completely, then drizzle” that doesn’t make sense to me. A cooled sugary spread won’t drizzle, unless the fig jam is reheated first. It will glob. 🤪
Am I missing something?
Glad you enjoyed it! Good note on the ‘drizzle’ part – I think it makes more sense to spread. I’ll make that change in the recipe notes too!
This was a big hit at last night’s dinner party. Quick and easy! I used walnuts because I didn’t have pecans.
So great to hear this was a hit at your dinner party! Subbing walnuts for the pecans is a great choice too 🙂
Preparing this recipe was as easy and quick as was promised.
I brought it to a gathering of friends. Everyone kept telling me how delicious it was.
I received thanks that evening, in person and then the next day via texts.
This is so wonderful to hear! I’m so glad it was a hit with all of your friends. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Hi! how many does these quantities make? it says “6” but I wasn’t sure if that’s for 6 people or six individual crostinis
Hi there! Serves 6 as in 6 people. I hope that helps!
I had this at a party and loved it. Will plan to use it at a gathering coming up. What kind of
crackers do you suggest to use?
Great to hear! I like to use a more plain / salted cracker since the appetizer has alot of flavour already. I’ve also enjoyed a rosemary / sea salt cracker with this dip too!
loved!!! subbed pecans with chopped pistachios!!!
Wonderful to hear! Love the pistachio substitution – I’ll have to try that myself!
Delicious!! This was a huge hit!
I love to hear that! So glad everyone enjoyed the appetizer!
Looking forward to trying this for NYE. Should I use fig spread or preserves?
I think either fig spread or preserves will work! I’d pick whichever is more ‘jam-like’ if that makes sense 🙂
This was so simple and a huge hit at Christmas! Three people asked for the recipe. I will definitely make it again.
Lovely to hear! Glad it was enjoyed by all and that you’ll make it again 🙂
My guests loved this appetizer and so did I. I used hot honey instead of regular for an extra kick.
Ohhh good choice adding hot honey, yum! So glad you loved the appetizer – thanks for stopping by the blog!
Do you remove the sprigs of thyme, or do people just dip around them? Or do you strip the leaves off?
Remove the leaves of thyme from the sprigs and sprinkle on. Good catch! I’ll make sure to change that note in the recipe.
Can you add chopped pears to this? Would that taste good?
That could be very tasty! I would try to chop the pears small so it’s easy to eat still with crackers and crostini. Let me know how it goes!
Made this last night. Found recipe at 5pm and was able to grab the few ingredients I didn’t have already, prepare it, shower, and wrap a gift all within an hour. Big hit. Will make again for sure. I toasted the pecans just because I like them that way.
This is so wonderful to hear! I’m glad it didn’t take long to make and that the appetizer was a big hit!
this looks delicious… I’ll follow up with a review after I bring it to my event. Question… They didn’t have fig jam at my store so I bought fig butter, which is just more concentrated. Will that work or do I need to shop at another store?
Look forward to you trying it out! I’ve never used fig butter so I can’t entirely say if it will work the same as fig jam. You could try it and if you find the mixture too thick, you could thin it with 1 tsp at a time with orange juice – that flavour will match well.
This is so easy to make, and delicious. Thanks.
I’ll have to make your Blueberry and Goats cheese appetizer next.
Wonderful to hear! I hope you enjoy the blueberry & goat cheese appetizer as well!
Fabulous…easy to make and presents well. Everyone at my event loved it!
Wonderful, I’m so happy to hear everyone enjoyed it!
Hi, this looks wonderful. I’d like to take this in an esky for a picnic. Should l assemble the jam and goat cheese when I get there, or take it completely assembled. Thanks.
It depends on how long you’re going to have it assembled before taking it on the picnic – You could do 1 of 2 things (1) fully assemble and keep in the fridge and then take it from the fridge to the picnic, giving it a bit of time to come to room temp so the goat cheese is spreadable. OR, (2) as you said take the topping and goat cheese separately and assemble when you get there. Truly either would work depending on your preference / how you’re packing for the picnic!
Made exactly as described. it was eaten before all my guests arrived it was that good!
Oh wow, what a review! So glad you enjoyed the recipe – it’s one of my absolute favourites!
What nuts can be substituted? Walnuts, Hazelnuts? Thanks,
You bet! I like walnuts or almonds as a substitute for pecans.
Took this to a family get together and it was a hit. Even those who claimed they did not really like figs loved it. Super easy to make.
I love to hear this Mary! It’s such a crowd-pleaser isn’t it!
Very good and very easy. Even people who said they didn’t like goat cheese, liked it! The fig jam makes all the difference…a combination of sweet and tart.
This is so wonderful to hear Pamela! So glad everyone enjoyed the recipe – one of my all-time favourite recipes too!
Yet another positive review. Everyone at the dinner party loved this. I made it exactly as described in the recipe. The fresh thyme was a surprisingly nice addition. I also kept the goats cheese out of the fridge for a few hours so it was very soft and spreadable. Made the fig jam ahead of time and just lightly reheated it in the microwave. Will definitely make again!
Thank you Scott! I’m so happy to hear you and your dinner party guests enjoyed the recipe! One of my favs to serve at a dinner party too 🙂
Want to make this but don’t like goat cheese. May try it with cream cheese.
Softened cream cheese is absolutely delicious with this recipe! Let me know if you try it 🙂
Jess,
I made this appetizer tonight for a dinner party, and my guests devoured it! I got so many compliments!! Thank you for this delicious recipe!!
Yayyyy! You’re so welcome! So happy to hear everyone loved it 🙂
This dip looks delicious. What size plate is best for this recipe? Thanks.
Thank you! Generally I’ve used a medium-sized plate, about 8-10 inches wide. I hope that helps!
I made this last night for a dinner with friends. Easy and quick to put together. Everyone loved it! I will add it to my list of favorites. Thanks for a great recipe!
This is so wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you all loved this recipe and will be making it again 🙂
Just wondering what the best crackers are to serve with this if you do not want to serve with crostini.
Great question! I like to use a more plain
Great question! I like to use more of a plain, sturdy cracker, something that has a bit of salt on it pairs lovely with the appetizer. I hope that helps!
I made this a year ago for a Holiday get together….and everybody loved it, asking for the recipe!! I’m making it tomorrow for another party, and I know it’ll be so delicious. Great recipe…. and easy, win/win. Perfect!!!
Love love love to hear this! So glad everyone enjoyed the recipe – happy holidays!
I make something very similar but it calls for pistachios and you keep the goat cheese in a log. I love the idea of spreading the goat cheese. I think it would be easier to serve. I am definitely going to make this.
Love to hear that! If you like the other one you make, I bet you’ll enjoy this one too 🙂
He do I convert 300g to cups / pounds of goat cheese in this recipe?
You bet! It would be about 0.66lb, 10oz or about 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups. I’ll add this to the notes in the recipe as well!
Delicious and so easy! I made this for an outdoor pumpkin-carb carving party. Everybody loved it!
Wonderful! What a perfect idea to serve during a pumpkin-carving party! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Made this once for a party, after that, it was request at every party thereafter. if there were any leftovers, they were taken home by others. I would recommend this highly.
Matt, thank you for this lovely review! I’m so glad everyone enjoys the recipe!
So easy and oh so good.
I’m SO glad you enjoyed it! One of my personal fav recipes as well!
This is delicious and easy. I made it for a potluck dinner in May so not just for holidays! Prepared it ahead and served it with whole wheat crackers. There were 7 of us and this was completely devoured. Note that I toasted the pecans in a dry skillet ahead of time. And oops, I forgot the thyme. Next time.
Deborah, I love to hear this! Toasting the pecans – such a fab idea. So happy to hear you all enjoyed it!
Simple and delicious!
Happy to hear you loved it!
This easy goat cheese appetizer was a hit. The different flavors and textures make it so tasty and interesting. I served this as an appetizer at my family Thanksgiving. I had gluten free crackers or sliced pretzel bread to go with it. Everyone there loved it so much that I was asked to send the recipe to multiple people. My sister in law is making it for a friends gathering this weekend.
This makes me so happy to hear Carla! I’m so happy you and your family enjoyed this appetizer. And love to hear it’s being shared with more family and friends!
Looks scrumptious! I’m going to make this for a Thanksgiving app! Quick question – when does the olive oil come into play? It’s in the ingredient list but never mentioned in the step-by-step. Do you just mix it with the jam mixture on the stove?
Thanks!
Ah good question! I’ve fixed it in the recipe – it’s just a quick drizzle on the goat cheese. I hope you enjoy the recipe!