• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Flavour and Savour
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads and Dressings
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads and Dressings
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers » Crostini Appetizers » Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini

    Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini

    Published: Nov 2, 2014 · Modified: Mar 12, 2018 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This caramelized onion, apple and cheese crostini is just a grown-up grilled cheese sandwich in disguise. Take your grilled cheese up a notch or two with this gourmet cheese crostini.

    Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini . An easy make-ahead appetizer. www.flavourandsavour.com
    My husband, Denis, (with one n, he'll remind you) is always appreciative of anything I cook. Anything. He never complains, even when I serve a Pinterest Epic Fail. He consistently thanks me when I make him something to eat.

    Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini.Not your everyday Grilled Cheese! An easy make-ahead appetizer. www.flavourandsavour.com

    Yesterday, I decided to throw together a quick lunch for him. "Throw" is the operative word here. I threw a slice of frozen bread (yup, you read that right) in a frying pan, put a slice of cheddar on top, popped another frozen bread slice on top, squished it all down with a flipper until the cheese melted, and I passed it to him on a plate with a few lonely cherry tomatoes.

    You'd think a food blogger could have done a little better than that. For someone who spends an inordinate amount of time in the kitchen, couldn't I have come up with something a little more interesting or adventurous?

    But still, he thanked me and told me it was really good. xoxo


    Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini. Not your everyday Grilled Cheese! An easy make-ahead appetizer. www.flavourandsavour.com

    So today I made him a more upscale grilled cheese sandwich. I caramelized onions and apples and arranged them on thinly sliced baguette slices. After topping them with cheddar cheese, I baked them in the oven until the cheese was melted.

    🔪 Instructions

    1. Start by caramelizing the onions. Over low to medium heat, heat oil and add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally. Once tender and translucent, add a pinch of sugar and a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to start the caramelization process.
    2. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the onions are a deep golden colour. Depending on the type of onion you use (as they all caramelize at different rates based on their natural sugar content) this may take up to 40 minutes.
    3. Meanwhile, peel and core the apples. Slice very thinly and cut into small pieces so they won't fall off the crostini. Toss with brown sugar and cinnamon.
    4. Heat oil in a skillet. When hot, add the apples and stir. Cook just until apples are tender. Remove from the heat.
    5. Heat oven to 350°F. Lay the sliced baguette or cracker on a baking sheet. Top with a small spoonful of the caramelized onions, a spoonful of the caramelized apples, and top with a thin slice of cheese. Bake for approximately 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
    6. Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves.

    This Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini is full of caramelized flavour and ooey-gooey cheesy goodness. It has that salty and sweet contrast that I crave.

    This Crostini recipe is one of my favourite appetizers to make, as the components can all be made in advance and quickly assembled just before serving. Not only that, but it works equally well served on a baguette slice or a gluten-free cracker.

    Hope you like it, too!

    🗒 More crostini recipes

    • Smoked Salmon Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese
    • Cranberry Whipped Ricotta Crostini
    • 5 Tips for Making Crostini - Ultimate Guide
    • Roasted Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini
    Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini . An easy make-ahead appetizer. www.flavourandsavour.com

    Apple, Onion and Cheddar Crostini

    This Caramelized Onion, Apple and Cheese Crostini is full of flavour and ooey-gooey cheese. It's an easy make-ahead appetizer that everyone loves.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 36 slices
    Calories: 93kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 medium onions, finely diced
    • 4 tablespoon oil, divided*
    • 1 pinch sea salt
    • 1 pinch sugar
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 4 medium apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
    • ¼ - ⅓ cup brown sugar or coconut palm sugar, amount will depend on the sweetness of your apples
    • 1-2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 16 oz thinly sliced cheddar
    • 1 medium gluten-free baguette sliced diagonally in ½ inch slices or use gluten-free crackers

    Instructions

    • Caramelize the onions. Over low to medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally. Once tender and translucent, add a pinch of sugar and a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to start the caramelization process. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the onions are a deep golden colour. Depending on the type of onion you use (as they all caramelize at different rates based on their natural sugar content) this may take up to 40 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, peel and core the apples. Slice very thinly and cut into small pieces so they won't fall off the crostini. Toss with brown sugar and cinnamon. Heat oil in a skillet. When hot, add the apples and stir. Cook just until apples are tender. Remove from heat.
    • Heat oven to 350F. Lay the sliced baguette or cracker on a baking sheet. Top with a small spoonful of the caramelized onions, a spoonful of the caramelized apples, and top with a thin slice of cheese. Bake for approximately 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
    • Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves.

    Notes

    *use 2 tablespoon oil for the onions and 2 tablespoon for the apples.
    The onions and apples can both be caramelized a day or two before and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The crostini can then be quickly assembled just before serving.
    I used Smoked Applewood Cheddar Cheese. You can or keep this recipe dairy-free by using Manchego or Pecorino or goat cheese.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    More Appetizers and Finger Food Recipes

    • Easy Lemon Curd Fruit Dip
    • Easy Make-Ahead Smoked Salmon Dip (Small Batch)
    • Cranberry Walnut Beggars' Purses Appetizer
    • Sweet and Spicy Pretzel and Nut Snack Mix

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jane Amstutz

      November 03, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      These crostinis were delicious and look so simple to make. Nice to be able to use all local ingredients, too! I will make them this weekend as an appie for a family dinner. Thanks for a great recipe, Elaine.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        November 03, 2014 at 8:06 pm

        So glad you liked them!

        Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Find the perfect recipe

    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. I’m here to show you that gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

    Popular Posts

    • Easy Baked Lemon Chicken
    • How to Make an Affogato Coffee Dessert
    • Easy Thai Baked Chicken
    • Rhubarb Bellini Prosecco Cocktail

    Valentine's Day!

    • Sweet and Sea Salty Chocolate Cashews
    • Strawberry Tartlets with Graham Cracker Crust
    • Espresso Chocolate Ganache Tart -GF
    • One-Bowl Flourless Lemon Almond Cake
    Brands that feature Flavour and Savour.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Me

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP HERE

    for weekly recipes and tips!

    Contact

    Contact me

    Use of Recipes and Images

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Copyright © 2022