Goat Cheese Crostini with Pesto Easy Recipe

Goat cheese crostini are one of those appetizers that look like you put in much more effort than you actually did. This recipe layers a creamy blend of goat cheese and cream cheese, seasoned simply with garlic powder and black pepper, onto toasted crostini and finishes with a spoonful of pesto. The cheese spread can be made up to two days ahead, making it an ideal choice when you’re hosting and need a reliable, low-stress appetizer. Assemble just before serving for a fresh, polished result that suits dinner parties, casual gatherings, or any occasion that calls for good finger food.

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Crostini are small slices of toasted bread used as a base for savory toppings. The word is Italian plural for “little crusts,” and the singular is crostino. They can be bought ready-made or prepared at home from a sliced baguette, and they hold toppings without getting soggy quickly, which makes them a practical choice for serving to a crowd.

In this recipe, crostini are topped with a smooth, spreadable mixture of goat cheese and cream cheese, then finished with pesto and an optional garnish of fresh basil or parsley. The result is a two-bite appetizer that balances creamy, tangy, and herbal flavors in every piece.

Goat cheese is the key ingredient here. Unlike feta, which is grainier and more crumbly, goat cheese (also called chèvre) is soft and spreadable when blended. It has a mild tang that pairs naturally with the herbal richness of pesto.

Why this recipe works

The combination of goat cheese and cream cheese creates a spread that is stable, smooth, and easy to work with. Goat cheese alone can be slightly dense. Cream cheese loosens it and makes it pipe or spread cleanly onto crostini without tearing the toast.

Letting the cheese mixture rest for at least one hour before spreading is an important step. During that time the garlic powder and black pepper bloom into the cheese and the flavors come together more fully. Skipping the rest time produces a noticeably blander result.

Pesto on top adds an herbal, slightly oily counterpoint to the richness of the cheese, and visually it makes each piece look finished and intentional. Because the pesto sits on top rather than being mixed in, you get the flavor in each bite without it muddying the color or texture of the spread.

Crostini With Pesto and Goat Cheese Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients you will need for tasty pesto crostini:

• Crostini – The toasted bread base that holds the toppings and provides crunch.
• Goat cheese – Provides a creamy, tangy base for the spread. Use a log-style chèvre, not crumbles.
• Cream cheese – Smooths out the goat cheese and makes the spread easy to apply evenly.
• Garlic powder – Adds savory depth to the cheese mixture without overpowering the other flavors.
• Black pepper – Contributes a mild, grounding heat that balances the tang of the goat cheese.
• Pesto – Spooned on top of each crostino, it adds herbal, garlicky flavor and visual appeal.
• Fresh basil or parsley – An optional garnish that adds color and a fresh finish.

Ingredient Notes

You can buy crostini or easily make homemade crostini. You can make crostini up to 3 days in advance. Store them in a sealed container at room temperature.

Avoid goat cheese crumbles because they have anti-caking agents that won’t come together easily to make creamy, spreadable cheese.

Interested in the best wine pairings for goat cheese? Check out this goat cheese wine pairing guide on Wine Folly.

How to make crostini with goat cheese

These goat cheese canapes are really easy to make. Here’s what to do:

1. Place the cheeses and seasonings in a bowl.

2. Stir to blend the cheeses and seasonings.
3. Allow the flavors to marry for at least 1 hour.

4. Spread the cheese mixture onto each crostino.

5. Top with pesto. 

6. Garnish with a sprinkle of basil or parsley (optional).

Recipe Variations

Crostini are a fabulous party snack because they’re so versatile and delicious.

You have lots of options for topping off the goat cheese, including sun-dried tomatoes, spiced nuts, or spicy pickles.

Here are a few more ideas:

• Prosciutto goat cheese crostini: Prosciutto is ideal if you want to add some meat.
• Tomato goat cheese crostini: Fresh or roasted tomatoes combined with salt, minced garlic, and chopped basil.
• Bruschetta goat cheese crostini: Bruschetta is the perfect complement to goat cheese.
• Onion goat cheese crostini: Caramelized onions and fresh thyme.
• Olive goat cheese crostini: Top with kalamata tapenade.
• Asparagus goat cheese crostini: Top with roasted asparagus.
• Blackberry goat cheese crostini: Fresh blackberries (or cherries), mint, and balsamic reduction. 
• Pear goat cheese crostini: Sliced pears, fresh thyme, and balsamic reduction. 
• Honey goat cheese crostini: Savory, creamy goat cheese combined with the sweetness of honey is truly magical. Add fresh ground black pepper and fresh mint, basil, or thyme! Another option is honey and walnuts.
• Fig jam goat cheese crostini: Fig jam is another wonderful topping. Consider adding a curl of caramelized onion.
• Marmalade goat cheese crostini: Blood orange marmalade and freshly ground black pepper.

How to Serve Goat Cheese Crostini

Crostini with pesto and goat cheese is an easy finger food idea for a party.

Place your goat cheese crostini on an attractive platter along with other tasty finger food. 

Grilled bread, creamy goat cheese with lots of different toppings, and, voila! – Your crostini summer party is done! 

Favorite Cheesy Appetizer Recipes

• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers with cheddar and cream cheese
• Baked Goat Cheese
• Beer Cheese Dip
• Chili Cheese Dip
• Cream Cheese Ball
• Cream Cheese Wontons
• Fried Cheese Curds
• Mississippi Sin Dip with cream cheese
• Rotel Cheese Dip
• Smoked Cream Cheese

Popular Recipes for Game Day

• Buffalo Chicken Sliders
• Parmesan Garlic Wings
• Smoked Deviled Eggs

Check out more of my easy appetizer recipes and the best game day food on CopyKat!