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Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans

November 9, 2022 By Jess 8 Comments

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goat cheese dip on crostini
easy goat cheese appetizer with fig jam
easy goat cheese appetizer with fig jam
goat cheese dip on crostini

If you’re looking for a simple holiday appetizer then look no further than this easy goat cheese dip with fig jam and pecans!

easy goat cheese appetizer with fig jam

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?!

goat cheese dip on crostini

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.

pecans and fig jam in goat cheese dip

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 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

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: goat cheese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

A simple holiday appetizer, this easy goat cheese dip with fig jam and pecans is sure to please all your guests! Make it in under 10 minutes!

Print

Ingredients

  • 300 g softened goat cheese 
  • 1/2 cup fig jam
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2-3 sprigs of thyme
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • crostini or crackers for serving

Instructions

  1. To a low bowl or plate, spread goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

  2. In a small pot warm honey, fig jam, balsamic over medium heat, whisking to combine. Heat for about 5 minutes.

  3. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

  4. Drizzle the goat cheese with 1 tbsp olive oil and then with the fig jam mixture.

  5. Top with fresh thyme and pecan pieces.

  6. Add a pinch of sea salt and then serve with crackers or crostini.

Recipe 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. Drizzle it once you’re ready to serve! It won’t be warm but it will still be delicious.

easy goat cheese appetizer with fig jam

FAQ

How do I make this ahead of time?

Warm up the fig jam mixture on the stove and then let it cool completely. Drizzle it once you’re ready to serve! 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!

goat cheese dip on crostini

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.

easy goat cheese appetizer with fig jam

More holiday appetizers to love from the blog

Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer

Festive Market Cheeseboard

A Sparkling New Years Eve Party Menu

Decadent Hot Chocolate Board

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

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Filed Under: Appetizer, Gatherings, Recipe Tagged With: appetizer, easy, food, goat cheese, goat cheese appetizer, goat cheese dip, party, quick

Previous Post: « What’s In Season – Recipes to Make in November
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Deborah Potts Novgorodoff

    May 16, 2023 at 5:56 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Jess

      May 17, 2023 at 8:16 pm

      Deborah, I love to hear this! Toasting the pecans – such a fab idea. So happy to hear you all enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. CZ

    February 2, 2023 at 7:24 pm

    Simple and delicious!

    Reply
    • Jess

      February 7, 2023 at 9:00 pm

      Happy to hear you loved it!

      Reply
  3. Carla Gossman

    November 29, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jess

      December 4, 2022 at 2:43 pm

      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!

      Reply
  4. Robin

    November 15, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Jess

      November 15, 2022 at 8:18 pm

      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!

      Reply

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