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
Amanda
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!
Jess
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!
Nicole M
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!
Jess
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!
Suzanne
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?
Jess
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!
Patti Keefe
This was a big hit at last night’s dinner party. Quick and easy! I used walnuts because I didn’t have pecans.
Jess
So great to hear this was a hit at your dinner party! Subbing walnuts for the pecans is a great choice too 🙂
Adrienne
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.
Jess
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!
Sim
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
Jess
Hi there! Serves 6 as in 6 people. I hope that helps!
Cathy Martin
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?
Jess
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!
nadine
loved!!! subbed pecans with chopped pistachios!!!
Jess
Wonderful to hear! Love the pistachio substitution – I’ll have to try that myself!
Rosie
Delicious!! This was a huge hit!
Jess
I love to hear that! So glad everyone enjoyed the appetizer!
Jill
Looking forward to trying this for NYE. Should I use fig spread or preserves?
Jess
I think either fig spread or preserves will work! I’d pick whichever is more ‘jam-like’ if that makes sense 🙂
IMM
This was so simple and a huge hit at Christmas! Three people asked for the recipe. I will definitely make it again.
Jess
Lovely to hear! Glad it was enjoyed by all and that you’ll make it again 🙂
Tricia Allen
My guests loved this appetizer and so did I. I used hot honey instead of regular for an extra kick.
Jess
Ohhh good choice adding hot honey, yum! So glad you loved the appetizer – thanks for stopping by the blog!
Barb
Do you remove the sprigs of thyme, or do people just dip around them? Or do you strip the leaves off?
Jess
Remove the leaves of thyme from the sprigs and sprinkle on. Good catch! I’ll make sure to change that note in the recipe.
Jessica
Can you add chopped pears to this? Would that taste good?
Jess
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!
Sarah Warburton
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.
Jess
This is so wonderful to hear! I’m glad it didn’t take long to make and that the appetizer was a big hit!
Robin
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?
Jess
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.
Stacey
This is so easy to make, and delicious. Thanks.
I’ll have to make your Blueberry and Goats cheese appetizer next.
Jess
Wonderful to hear! I hope you enjoy the blueberry & goat cheese appetizer as well!
Jana
Fabulous…easy to make and presents well. Everyone at my event loved it!
Jess
Wonderful, I’m so happy to hear everyone enjoyed it!
Bails
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.
Jess
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!