Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Crostini

This Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Crostini appetizer is a cinch to prepare and doesn’t require any special serving utensils. Perfect for holiday parties!

Creating This Easy Crostini Appetizer

Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Crostini are the perfect solution for simple entertaining. They look far more special than a plate of fruit and cheese, but they’re really a cinch to prepare and don’t require any special serving utensils.

Think of them as a little hostess cheat to keep in your back pocket. You can try all sorts of different combinations from sweet to savory.

Crostini are fun to get creative with and the possibilities are endless. 

This recipe for Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Crostini has diced sautéed pears and pomegranate arils in a cinnamon maple sauce with just a touch of balsamic vinegar to balance out the sweetness.

What Are Crostini?

Crostini are an Italian appetizer made with toasted bread slices garnished with various toppings.

Crostini can be sweet or savory, and the combinations truly are endless! You can use any variety of meats, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and sauces that you’d like.

Ingredients in Pear & Pomegranate Crostini

For this easy pear appetizer, all you’ll need is:

• Baguette
• Olive oil
• Pears
• Butter
• Ground cinnamon
• Pure maple syrup
• Balsamic vinegar
• Pomegranate arils
• Cinnamon cream cheese

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Crostini

Crostini might sound fancy, but the concept of crostini is actually pretty simple.

1. Thinly Sliced Bread

Start first with thin slices of toasted baguette. It is important to choose good bread — I like artisan loaves and baguettes.

Slice it thin, but not too thin. If it the bread is too thin it won’t be able to support your delicious toppings.

I find that about 1/2-inch thick slices work the best.

2. Toast the Bread

Brush the tops with olive oil before toasting. You can add extra flavor by rubbing the tops of the toasted bread with garlic cloves or citrus zests.

Or, try flavored olive oils, like blood orange olive oil or herbed olive oils, when toasting the bread.

3. Add the Toppings

Then, top the toasted baguette with almost any ingredient you like.

4. Garnish

For a little extra special presentation, garnish the assembled crostini with fresh herbs, a sprinkling of grated cheese, chopped nuts, or anything else you like that will compliment your toppings.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Should These Crostini Be Served Warm or Cold?

I recommend serving the crostini warm.

However, If you can’t serve this crostini appetizer warm, I think letting the pear and pomegranate come to room temperature would be ideal versus serving it chilled straight from the fridge.

Can the Crostini Topping Be Prepared in Advance?

Yes, you can make the topping the day before and reheat it gently on the stovetop just before assembling the crostini appetizer.

Tips for the Best Crostini

• I recommend using a baguette or a similar bread for this recipe. Something that toasts up nicely and has a good crust.
• Note that this recipe calls for pure maple syrup, NOT pancake syrup.
• Use any variety of pears that you’d like. Just make sure they’re ripe!

More Crostini Ideas:

Looking for more easy crostini recipes to serve as appetizers? Here are a few of my favorites below. You can also head over to the Recipe Index and browse the Appetizers and Snacks archives for even more tasty recipe ideas!

Grilled Summer Squash Crostini with Goat Cheese and Pesto is a great way to savor the abundance of zucchini and yellow squash during the summer months.

Take advantage of summer’s colorful and delicious produce and make this Roasted Tomato Crostini with Walnut Almond Pesto and Goat Cheese. Crostini is a great summer appetizer to serve while sitting out on the patio in the evening.

You can enjoy this Roasted Peach Goat Cheese Crostini with Brown Sugar and Ginger recipe as a simple fruit dessert after dinner or serve it as an appetizer or snack. It is perfect for either occasion.

Sun Dried Tomato Spinach Pesto Crostini is a great way to use up a big bunch of fresh garden basil. 

Ricotta cheese plus fresh tomatoes plus whole grain bread and a sprinkling of parmesan – these Herbed Ricotta and Tomato Crostini are divine!

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I am an official brand advocate for Bel Brands in 2013. While I receive compensation for participation as a brand advocate, opinions are my own.