Introduction

This roasted pear, walnut, and honey crostini is a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a light appetizer or elegant snack. Tender pears roasted to perfection pair beautifully with creamy ricotta, crunchy walnuts, and fragrant thyme.

Roasted Pear, Walnut & Honey Crostini Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 pears, peeled and cored, then cut into eighths
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, plus 1 tsp
2 tbsp honey
Small handful of thyme sprigs, leaves picked
250g ricotta
1 large baguette, sliced on the diagonal
60g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Place the pear pieces in a roasting tin that fits inside your air fryer. Drizzle with olive oil, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, half of the honey, and most of the thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper, then toss to coat evenly.
Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Roast the pears for 15–20 minutes until they are tender and lightly browned.
Step 3: While the pears roast, whisk the ricotta until smooth and set it aside.
Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 teaspoon of vinegar, the rest of the honey, and the reserved thyme leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Toast the baguette slices under a hot grill until both sides are golden and crisp. Allow them to cool slightly.
Step 6: Spread the smooth ricotta evenly over each toasted bread slice. Top with the roasted pears and drizzle any cooking juices over them.
Step 7: Sprinkle the toasted walnuts over the crostini, then drizzle with the thyme honey mixture before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a richer flavor, substitute ricotta with mascarpone or cream cheese.
Add a sprinkle of chili flakes to the honey drizzle for a hint of heat.
If you don’t have an air fryer, roast the pears in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20-25 minutes.

Storage

These crostini are best enjoyed fresh. If needed, store the roasted pears and ricotta separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Toast the bread fresh before assembling again. Reheat the pears gently in the oven or microwave before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?

Yes, pecans or almonds work well as alternatives and add a different crunch and flavor profile to the crostini.

What kind of pears are best for roasting?

Firm varieties like Bosc or Anjou hold their shape well during roasting and develop a lovely sweetness, making them ideal for this recipe.

Roasted Pear, Walnut & Honey Crostini Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 135 reviews

This Roasted Pear, Walnut & Honey Crostini recipe combines the sweetness of roasted pears with the creamy smoothness of ricotta cheese, topped with crunchy toasted walnuts and fragrant thyme honey. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or light snack, it’s quick to prepare using an air fryer and grill for toasting the baguette slices.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8–10 crostini 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: European
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit and Nuts

2 pears, peeled and cored, then cut into eighths
60g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

Dressings and Spreads

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, plus 1 tsp
2 tbsp honey
250g ricotta cheese

Herbs and Seasoning

Small handful of thyme sprigs, leaves picked
Salt and pepper, to season

Bread

1 large baguette, sliced on the diagonal

Instructions

Prepare the pears: Peel, core, and cut the pears into eighths. Place them into a roasting tin suitable for an air fryer.
Season the pears: Drizzle the olive oil, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, half of the honey, and most of the thyme leaves over the pears. Season with salt and pepper, then toss everything gently to coat evenly.
Air fry the pears: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F). Roast the pears in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes until they are tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through if needed.
Prepare the ricotta spread: While pears roast, whisk the ricotta until smooth and creamy. Set aside in a bowl.
Make the thyme honey dressing: Combine the remaining honey, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and the reserved thyme leaves in a small bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Toast the baguette slices: Place the baguette slices under a hot grill and toast both sides until golden and crisp. Allow to cool slightly before assembling.
Assemble the crostini: Spread a generous layer of smooth ricotta on each toasted baguette slice. Top with the roasted pears, drizzle over any juices left in the roasting tin, scatter with toasted walnuts, and finish with a drizzle of the thyme honey dressing.
Serve: Arrange the crostini on a platter and serve immediately as an elegant appetizer or snack.

Notes

You can substitute the air fryer roasting with a conventional oven preheated to 180°C, roasting the pears for 20-25 minutes.
For vegan variation, substitute ricotta with a plant-based soft cheese or cashew cream.
Make sure to toast the walnuts separately to enhance their flavor.
Adjust honey quantity based on desired sweetness.
Store any leftover roasted pears and ricotta mixture separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: crostini, roasted pears, walnut appetizer, ricotta, honey, thyme, air fryer appetizers, easy party snacks