Goat Cheese & Pear Flatbread (Printable)

Golden flatbread with creamy cheese, sweet pears, and walnuts drizzled with spicy honey.

# Components:

→ Flatbread Base

01 - 1 large store-bought or homemade flatbread (about 12 x 8 inches)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Cheese & Dairy

03 - 5 ounces goat cheese, softened
04 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables & Fruit

05 - 1 large ripe pear, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Nuts & Seeds

07 - 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Hot Honey

08 - 3 tablespoons honey
09 - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Sriracha or chili flakes, to taste

→ Herbs & Seasoning

10 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add red onion slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, combine softened goat cheese and cream cheese, stirring until smooth and well blended.
04 - Spread cheese mixture evenly over flatbread, leaving a small border. Distribute caramelized onions and pear slices evenly over cheese. Scatter chopped walnuts and thyme leaves on top. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
05 - Transfer flatbread to prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden and cheese is heated through.
06 - While flatbread bakes, combine honey and hot sauce in a microwave-safe bowl. Warm for 10 to 15 seconds and stir to combine. Adjust spice intensity to preference.
07 - Remove flatbread from oven. Drizzle generously with hot honey. Garnish with additional fresh thyme if desired. Slice and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than most appetizers, which means more time enjoying people instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The contrast of textures—crispy flatbread, silky cheese, juicy pears, and those toasted walnuts—keeps every bite interesting.
  • Hot honey is the kind of detail that makes guests ask for the recipe, even though it takes thirty seconds to make.
02 -
  • Softening your cheese before you start makes everything smoother—literally and figuratively; cold goat cheese won't spread evenly and will create frustrating lumps.
  • Don't skip the caramelization step for the onions; it's the difference between a basic flatbread and one that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • Hot honey works best when it's still slightly warm when you drizzle it, so don't make it too early or let it cool completely.
03 -
  • If your store-bought flatbread is cold, let it sit at room temperature for five minutes before topping and baking—this ensures even cooking throughout.
  • Make your hot honey mixture the night before and keep it in a jar at room temperature; it gets better as the flavors meld, and you'll save yourself a step when dinner time arrives.
  • Slice your pears right before assembling to prevent browning; if you're prepping ahead, toss them with a squeeze of lemon juice to buy yourself some time.
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