Home » Appetizer
Published: | Updated: | By Jess | 35 Comments
Jump to Recipe
If you’re looking for a simple holiday appetizer then look no further than this easy goat cheese dip with fig jam and pecans!
This warmed goat cheese appetizer takes just 5 minutes to prepare and you can make it ahead of time.
Perfect for entertaining!
I love using creamy goat cheese all year round, like in this blueberry goat cheese crostini! So I knew I had to make a quick and easy version for the holidays.
To me, this goat cheese dip is perfect for when you’re entertaining and have guests over. It is ready in under 10 minutes and while it looks fancy, I promise it is so easy to make! How about pairing it with this apple cider bourbon co*cktail?!
Why you’ll love this goat cheese appetizer:
- You only need 7 ingredients to make this!
- It takes just 5 minutes to prepare and then another 5 minutes to warm up the fig jam topping.
- You can prepare this ahead of time so it’s a quick party food!
- It pairs beautifully with crostini or crackers!
Ingredients Needed
Goat Cheese & Fresh Thyme: Goat cheese and thyme is one of my favorite flavor combinations, but you could swap it out for rosemary if you prefer.
Honey: If you don’t have honey in your pantry then you can substitute it for maple syrup.
Fig Jam: Not a fan of fig jam or don’t have any on hand? In a pinch you can swap it out for apricot jam, cranberry sauce or my pear-cranberry chia jam!
Pecans: Feel free to swap out pecans for chopped walnuts.
Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil: Gives a savoury note along with the balsamic vinegar.
Step by Step Process for this goat cheese appetizer
- Step 1: Spread the softened goat cheese in a shallow bowl or plate and drizzle with olive oil.
- Step 2: In a small pan, whisk the honey, fig jam and balsamic vinegar over medium heat. Heat for about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for another 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Drizzle this fig jam topping over the goat cheese.
- Step 5: Sprinkle over your chopped pecans and thyme sprigs.
- Step 6: Add a pinch of sea salt and serve with crostini or crackers. Enjoy!
Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans
4.83 from 70 votes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: goat cheese
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Jess
A simple holiday appetizer, this easy goat cheese dip with fig jam and pecans is sure to please all your guests! Make it in under 10 minutes!
Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 300 g softened goat cheese (about 0.66lb, 10oz or 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups goat cheese)
- 1/2 cup fig jam
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2-3 sprigs of thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- crostini or crackers for serving
Instructions
To a low bowl or plate, spread goat cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
In a small pot warm honey, fig jam, balsamic over medium heat, whisking to combine. Heat for about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
Drizzle the fig jam mixture over the goat cheese.
Top with fresh thyme and pecan pieces.
Add a pinch of sea salt and then serve with crackers or crostini.
Notes
Want to make your own crostini? Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted.
Want to make this goat cheese appetizer ahead of time? Warm up the fig jam mixture on the stove and then let it cool completely. Drizzle it once you’re ready to serve! It won’t be warm but it will still be delicious.
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookinginmygenes or tag #cookinginmygenes!
FAQ
How do I make this ahead of time?
Warm up the fig jam mixture on the stove and then let it cool completely. Drizzle it once you’re ready to serve! It won’t be warm but it will still be delicious.
How can I make crostini?
Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted.
What else can I serve with this goat cheese dip?
I love having this appetizer with crackers or crostini, but you can also serve it with crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery or just serve with bread!
Expert Tips to make this goat cheese appetizer
- If you’re making crostini in the oven, keep an eye on them so they don’t burn! You want it golden and toasted.
- I recommend using fresh herbs rather than dried herbs for this dip, it makes all the difference!
- The best thing about goat cheese is how versatile it is, it goes with so many flavors! So feel free to swap out the herbs, nuts and jam depending on your tastes or what you have in the pantry.
Storage
Keep the goat cheese drizzled with the fig jam in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More holiday appetizers to love from the blog
Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer
Festive Market Cheeseboard
A Sparkling New Years Eve Party Menu
Decadent Hot Chocolate Board
Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess
Related Posts:
- Easy and Quick Holiday Brie Crostini Appetizers
- 40 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes (few ingredients!)
- Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer
About Jess
I started Cooking in my Genes to bring people around my virtual table and share simple and seasonal recipes that make you smile and fill your belly. I hope to help inspire you to create your own meals and memories around the table with the people that matter to you. Read more...
Claim Your Free E-Book Now!
Receive email updates and
my FREE e-cookbook with simple & seasonal recipes.
Previous Post: « What’s In Season – Recipes to Make in November
Next Post: Snickerdoodle Blondies »
Reader Interactions
Comments
Pamela Chavez
Very good and very easy. Even people who said they didn’t like goat cheese, liked it! The fig jam makes all the difference…a combination of sweet and tart.Reply
Jess
This is so wonderful to hear Pamela! So glad everyone enjoyed the recipe – one of my all-time favourite recipes too!
Reply
Scott Jenson
Yet another positive review. Everyone at the dinner party loved this. I made it exactly as described in the recipe. The fresh thyme was a surprisingly nice addition. I also kept the goats cheese out of the fridge for a few hours so it was very soft and spreadable. Made the fig jam ahead of time and just lightly reheated it in the microwave. Will definitely make again!Reply
Jess
Thank you Scott! I’m so happy to hear you and your dinner party guests enjoyed the recipe! One of my favs to serve at a dinner party too 🙂
Reply
Mary Ellen
Want to make this but don’t like goat cheese. May try it with cream cheese.Reply
Jess
Softened cream cheese is absolutely delicious with this recipe! Let me know if you try it 🙂
Reply
Joycejoycenagel2@gmail.com
Jess,
I made this appetizer tonight for a dinner party, and my guests devoured it! I got so many compliments!! Thank you for this delicious recipe!!Reply
Jess
Yayyyy! You’re so welcome! So happy to hear everyone loved it 🙂
Reply
Joyce
See AlsoSpicy Peanut Butter NoodlesThis dip looks delicious. What size plate is best for this recipe? Thanks.
Reply
Jess
Thank you! Generally I’ve used a medium-sized plate, about 8-10 inches wide. I hope that helps!
Reply
Angie
I made this last night for a dinner with friends. Easy and quick to put together. Everyone loved it! I will add it to my list of favorites. Thanks for a great recipe!Reply
Jess
This is so wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you all loved this recipe and will be making it again 🙂
Reply
Karen
Just wondering what the best crackers are to serve with this if you do not want to serve with crostini.Reply
Jess
Great question! I like to use a more plain
Reply
Jess
Great question! I like to use more of a plain, sturdy cracker, something that has a bit of salt on it pairs lovely with the appetizer. I hope that helps!
Reply
Marty
I made this a year ago for a Holiday get together….and everybody loved it, asking for the recipe!! I’m making it tomorrow for another party, and I know it’ll be so delicious. Great recipe…. and easy, win/win. Perfect!!!Reply
Jess
Love love love to hear this! So glad everyone enjoyed the recipe – happy holidays!
Reply
Sarah
I make something very similar but it calls for pistachios and you keep the goat cheese in a log. I love the idea of spreading the goat cheese. I think it would be easier to serve. I am definitely going to make this.Reply
Jess
Love to hear that! If you like the other one you make, I bet you’ll enjoy this one too 🙂
Reply
Bonnie Axeman
He do I convert 300g to cups / pounds of goat cheese in this recipe?
Reply
Jess
You bet! It would be about 0.66lb, 10oz or about 1 1/4 – 1 1/3 cups. I’ll add this to the notes in the recipe as well!
Reply
Janice Clark
Delicious and so easy! I made this for an outdoor pumpkin-carb carving party. Everybody loved it!Reply
Jess
Wonderful! What a perfect idea to serve during a pumpkin-carving party! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Reply
Matt
Made this once for a party, after that, it was request at every party thereafter. if there were any leftovers, they were taken home by others. I would recommend this highly.Reply
Jess
Matt, thank you for this lovely review! I’m so glad everyone enjoys the recipe!
Reply
Kim
So easy and oh so good.Reply
Jess
I’m SO glad you enjoyed it! One of my personal fav recipes as well!
Reply
Deborah Potts Novgorodoff
This is delicious and easy. I made it for a potluck dinner in May so not just for holidays! Prepared it ahead and served it with whole wheat crackers. There were 7 of us and this was completely devoured. Note that I toasted the pecans in a dry skillet ahead of time. And oops, I forgot the thyme. Next time.Reply
Jess
Deborah, I love to hear this! Toasting the pecans – such a fab idea. So happy to hear you all enjoyed it!
Reply
CZ
Simple and delicious!Reply
Jess
Happy to hear you loved it!
Reply
Carla Gossman
This easy goat cheese appetizer was a hit. The different flavors and textures make it so tasty and interesting. I served this as an appetizer at my family Thanksgiving. I had gluten free crackers or sliced pretzel bread to go with it. Everyone there loved it so much that I was asked to send the recipe to multiple people. My sister in law is making it for a friends gathering this weekend.Reply
Jess
This makes me so happy to hear Carla! I’m so happy you and your family enjoyed this appetizer. And love to hear it’s being shared with more family and friends!
Reply
Robin
Looks scrumptious! I’m going to make this for a Thanksgiving app! Quick question – when does the olive oil come into play? It’s in the ingredient list but never mentioned in the step-by-step. Do you just mix it with the jam mixture on the stove?
Thanks!Reply
Jess
Ah good question! I’ve fixed it in the recipe – it’s just a quick drizzle on the goat cheese. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Reply
