Pear Appetizer

Last Updated on October 21, 2025 by Lisa Keys

I am taking part in the "USA Pears Blogger Recipe Challenge". The most festive pear crostini is my pear appetizer category entry.

It's holiday time and that means partying with USA Pears. At their peak of freshness right now, pears are a beautiful versatile fruit that need little embellishment. Sliced on a cheeseboard or tossed into a salad pears are an easy addition to every festive table. Come on now. They come in both red and green Christmas colors! If that doesn't just get you excited about cooking with USA Pears during the holidays then the flavor will.

The most festive pear crostini is a crowd pleasing pear appetizer recipe for holiday entertaining. With a few flavorful ingredients you will WOW your guests with this delicious pear bite. The sweetness of the pears, not only complements the nutty cheese, but balances out that little pop of pomegranate.

Pear Appetizer

Lisa Keys

Festive and healthy pear appetizer.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Servings 12

Calories 135 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• 2 USA Pears (1 red like Anjou and 1 green like Bartlett), cored, halved, and cut into ¼-inch slices
• 1 large baguette cut on an angle into ½-inch slices
• 4 tablespoons butter divided
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ cup shredded mild Spanish Manchego cheese
• Freshly ground black pepper optional
• ¼ cup fresh pomegranate seeds

Instructions

 

• Heat oven 375F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
• Spread several thyme sprigs over bottom of one baking sheet. Fan pear slices over top of thyme.
• Using two tablespoons of butter, spread butter lightly over 1 side of each bread slice and place butter-side-up on other baking sheet.
• Melt remaining butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add sugar and swirl until melted and starting to brown.
• Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.  Spoon mixture evenly over sliced pears.
• Bake pears and bread for 10 minutes.
• Arrange baked pears on top of crostini.
• Sprinkle each with some cheese. Return crostini to oven and bake for 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• Sprinkle with pepper, if desired and top with pomegranate seeds and fresh thyme leaves. 

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 154IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 1mg

Keyword crostini, fall season, finger food, holiday, manchego, pears

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For more information and delicious recipes check out the website USA Pears and their social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram) @usapears