Roasted Plum Crostini Appetizer with Goat Cheese

Wow your guests by making this Roasted Plum Crostini Appetizer for your next gathering!

Plums are a seasonal fruit that boast a delightful, sweet flavour.

When paired with savory black pepper soft cheese, it’s a bite you don’t want to miss out on.

Plums are a stone fruit that are in season in late summer and make the perfect summer appetizer.

Roasting fruit like in this strawberry or blackberry appetizer brings out so much amazing flavour. The roasted plums in this recipe are truly addictive as they get jammy as they roast; it’s a favorite way of mine to enjoy plums in the summertime.

Why you’ll love this roasted plum appetizer

• The prep time for this appetizer is really quick! While the sliced plums are cooling, you can make the crostini and then you’re all set.
• It’s a unique flavour combination that has gotten me rave reviews at get-togethers! This recipe is sure to delight your family and friends.
• This roasted plum crostini will take you from Summer into Fall. It’s a great transition recipe to make in August and through to the next season.

Ingredients needed

Plums: To get the gorgeous red hue from the plums when roasted, you’ll want to use red-fleshed plum slices. The red fleshed plum varieties are Santa Rosa Plums, Blood Plums or Elephant Heart Plums. I used Blood Plums for this recipe which have a dark red skin and flesh.

Soft cheese: Black pepper goat cheese or cracked pepper Boursin cheese make a delightful base for this recipe (remove from fridge 10-15 minutes before serving to soften)

Maple syrup: Just a bit of sweetness for the roasted plums.

Balsamic vinegar: A perfect pairing with the maple syrup when added to the plums before roasting.

Baguette: Sliced baguette brushed with olive oil and baked make the best homemade crostini.

Almonds: Slivered almonds add the perfect crunch to this appetizer!

Fresh herbs: Fresh thyme adds the perfect final touch to the roasted plums.

Step by step process

Step 1: Heat oven to 375F.

Step 2: Add sliced plums to a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet or baking dish along with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Stir together and then roast 15-20 minutes until tender. Set aside to cool.  Leave the oven on.

Step 3: While the plums are cooling, bake the crostini (if making). Slice the baguette into 12-16 pieces and add to a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush top and bottom of each bread slice. Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp and starting to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool the toasts.

Step 4: Once the plums have cooled, spread the softened Boursin cheese or goat cheese on a low plate or bowl and then top with cooled roasted plums. Garnish with almonds and fresh thyme.

Step 5: Serve with crostini or crackers!

Expert tips for making this roasted plum crostini

• Make sure to let the plums cool fairly well before using as a topping for this appetizer. See my notes in the ‘storage’ section for how-to make the plums ahead of time.
• Instead of serving this appetizer with the crostini on the side, you can dress each crostini and serve as a delicious bite instead!. Spread 1-2 tbsp goat cheese or Cracker Pepper Boursin cheese on each crostini; top with a few plum slices; and then add a sprinkle of sliced almonds and fresh thyme. Serve on a serving board or plate.
• You can make the crostini ahead of time, let it fully cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• If you love the roast plums in this recipe and want to enjoy them in other ways try the as a topping for ice cream or with yogurt.

FAQ

What if I don’t want to make my own crostini?
If you don’t want to make your own crostini, there are pre-made crostini you can generally find in the cracker or deli aisle of the grocery store. Alternatively, you can serve this appetizer with crackers too!

If I can’t find a red-fleshed plum, what should I use?
You could try any other type of plum you can find, something on the sweeter side will work best like a black plum.

What if I don’t like goat cheese?
Cracked pepper Boursin cheese is a lovely option instead of goat cheese and you could also try using a creamy ricotta mixed with a 1/2 teaspoon pepper to emulate the same flavour combination. Spread the ricotta on low bowl or plate and place the plums on top of the ricotta.

Storage

You can store the plums in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a day. When you want to make the crostini appetizer, remove the plums from the fridge about an hour before serving so they come to room temperature and then follow the instructions to assemble the appetizer.

More quick summer appetizers to make from the blog:

Roasted Balsamic Strawberry Appetizer with Crostini

Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer

Cream Cheese Dip with Fresh Raspberries and Lemon