This post is sponsored by Oléico Safflower Oil. All opinions are my own.
This Whipped Goat Cheese with Toasted Crostini is a versatile goat cheese appetizer that only requires a few basic ingredients and comes together in mere minutes. The crusty bread gets its golden toast from Oléico Safflower Oil, which also enriches the creamy goat cheese spread. It’s a crowd pleaser that will make any cheese lover go wild!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Versatility and customization – You can customize and try different toppings and mix-ins to create countless flavor combinations.
Effortless – In addition to being a quick and easy appetizer, it’s also a great addition to any charcuterie or cheese board. Plus, you only need a few minutes and a few simple ingredients that you can find at just about any grocery store.
Perfect appetizer for any party or get-together – Whether it’s a holiday celebration, birthday party, or casual gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to be a favorite! If you use pistachios and dried cranberries for toppings like I did – the red and green combo is perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredient Needed
- Oléico Safflower Oil
- Baguette
- Goat cheese (sometimes labeled with the French translation, “Chèvre”)
- Cream cheese
- Honey
- Pistachios (or your favorite toasted nuts)
- Dried cranberries (or other dried fruit)
- Fresh herbs (like fresh thyme leaves, rosemary, basil, etc.) and seasonings (salt, pepper, etc.)
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients with their measurements.
Why I recommend Oléico Oil for this recipe:
Oléico is available many different retailers – here in South Carolina, it’s available at Publix, which is where I buy my bottles.
This oil is important for the success of both parts of this recipe – the goat cheese dip AND the crostini:
- For making the creamy whipped goat cheese dip, the oil has a neutral flavor profile that helps with texture, making it creamy without overshadowing the distinct flavor of the goat cheese.
- For making the crostini, toasting your bread with this oil makes it less prone to burn compared to other oils thanks to its high smoke point. If you use an air fryer to toast your crostini, this is especially important as the air fryer’s hot air circulation can make food burn easily.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Slice the baguette into thin slices. Brush each side of the slices with Oléico Safflower Oil and toast the bread in a single layer in the air fryer, flipping halfway through. (Regular oven directions are included in the recipe card below if you do not have an air fryer.)
Step 2: Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, Oléico Safflower Oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Puree the mixture until it is completely smooth, fluffy, and increased in volume. Transfer to a shallow bowl or small serving dish. Top with fresh herbs, nuts, dried fruits, and cracked black pepper. Drizzle honey to your liking.
Step 3: Spread the creamy whipped goat cheese onto a crostini slice and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Variations
- If you don’t own a food processor, you can also use a stand or hand mixer, immersion blenders, or a good old-fashioned whisk (with some elbow grease) to still achieve the creamy consistency of the whipped goat cheese.
- If the dip begins to soften too much at room temperature, pop it in the fridge for 30-60 minutes or the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm it back up.
- If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or heavy cream in about the same amount as the cream cheese. (Extra tip: If you use heavy cream, make sure to whip it a little longer so that the heavy cream has time to fluff up.)
- Instead of pistachios, dried cranberries, honey, and thyme, try your hand at different toppings that can be mixed and matched such as almonds, fig jam, leftover cranberry sauce, fresh fruit, crumbled bacon, fresh rosemary, or olives just to name a few options.
FAQ
How long can I store the whipped goat cheese and the crostini?
- Store leftover whipped goat cheese in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing it as a means of preservation as it can affect the texture.
- Store leftover crostini slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months in a single layer and transfer them to a ziplock bag; reheat them in an oven or air fryer to regain crispiness. Avoid storing in the fridge, as this can make them soggy.
Can I make a batch in advance?
You can make a batch of whipped goat cheese up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain its flavor and creamy texture. Before serving, allow it to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to make it more spreadable. I recommend waiting until just prior to serving to toast the baguette; otherwise, it could easily go stale. (Plus, everyone loves warm, fresh baguette slices!)
Is there a nutritional advantage to using Oléico Safflower Oil?
As a Registered Dietitian, I always prefer an “addition” rather than a “subtraction” approach to nutrition. Oléico Safflower Oil is a high OLEIC acid safflower oil. Oleic acid-rich safflower oils provide more monounsaturated fats (“heart-healthy fats”) than standard safflower oil, which is rich in LINOLEIC acid. This is an important distinction, and it would be wise to choose oils like Oléico if adding more heart-healthy fats to your diet is important to you.
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Whipped Goat Cheese with Crostini Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Oléico safflower oil (plus extra for brushing bread)
- 1 loaf baguette
- 8 ounces goat cheese (1 large log)
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Honey for drizzling, to taste
- 1 small handful nuts (such as pistachios)
- 1 small handful dried fruit (such as dried cranberries)
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (such as thyme leaves)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F or a regular oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the baguette into thin slices. Brush each side (or drizzle) of the slices with Oléico safflower oil.
- Toast bread in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or in the oven for 10 minutes or until browned on each side, flipping halfway through.
- Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, 2 tablespoons safflower oil, and salt and pepper to a food processor bowl. Blend until completely smooth and volume has increased in size with a fluffy, airy texture. Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Top the whipped goat cheese with a drizzle of honey, nuts, dried fruit, and herbs. Season with extra salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve with toasted crostini and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you don’t own a food processor, you can also use a stand or hand mixer, immersion blenders, or a good old-fashioned whisk (with some elbow grease) to still achieve the creamy consistency of the whipped goat cheese.
- If the dip begins to soften too much at room temperature, pop it in the fridge for 30-60 minutes or the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm it back up.
- If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or heavy cream in about the same amount as the cream cheese. (Extra tip: If you use heavy cream, make sure to whip it a little longer so that the heavy cream has time to fluff up.)
Nutrition
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