Caramelized Onion Crostini with Fig Jam and Blue Cheese – Elegant Bites with Sweet, Savory, and Tangy Layers

🎉 Introduction

If you’re looking for an easy appetizer that tastes gourmet and looks stunning, look no further than these Caramelized Onion Crostini with Fig Jam and Blue Cheese. These bite-sized toasts are packed with deep, savory sweetness, rich umami, and a tangy pop from the blue cheese, all layered onto a crisp crostini base.

They’re elegant enough for the holidays, fancy enough for wine nights, and simple enough for everyday entertaining. Whether you’re serving a few guests or hosting a crowd, this flavorful crostini delivers big flavor with minimal effort—and they’ll disappear fast!

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Sharp knife
• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Small spreading knife or spoon
• Cutting board
• Oven mitts

🛒 Ingredients

For the Caramelized Onions

• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt to taste

For the Crostini

• 1 baguette, sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)

For Assembly

• ½ cup fig jam
• 4 oz blue cheese (Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton), crumbled
• Fresh thyme leaves (optional, for garnish)
• Optional: honey, for drizzling

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1. Caramelize the Onions

• In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.
• Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
• Cook slowly, stirring often, for 25–30 minutes until onions are golden brown and jammy.
• Add 1 tsp balsamic vinegar in the last 5 minutes to deglaze and enhance flavor.
• Set aside to cool.

Step 2. Prepare the Crostini

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Place baguette slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Brush lightly with olive oil.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes or until crisp and golden.
• Remove and let cool slightly.

Step 3. Spread Fig Jam

• Spoon ~1 tsp fig jam onto each toasted crostini.
• Spread evenly, covering most of the surface.

Step 4. Add Caramelized Onions

• Top each jam layer with a spoonful of cooled caramelized onions.
• Don’t overload—just enough for a rich, savory layer.

Step 5. Crumble Blue Cheese on Top

• Add a generous sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles to each crostini.
• Press lightly so it sticks.

Step 6. Optional Finishing Touches

• Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for color and herbaceous flavor.
• Drizzle lightly with honey for added sweetness (optional but amazing).

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Yield: 20–24 crostini (depending on baguette size)
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time (onions + crostini): 30–40 minutes
• Assembly time: 10 minutes
• Total time: ~50 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Make Ahead:
  • Caramelized onions can be made 3–4 days ahead and stored in the fridge.
  • Toast baguette slices the day before and store in an airtight container.
• Leftovers:
  • Store assembled crostini in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
  • Best served fresh to maintain crispness.
• Reheat:
  • Reheat briefly in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to warm and re-crisp.

🥄 Variations

• Goat Cheese Option: Swap blue cheese for soft goat cheese for a milder tang.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle with toasted walnuts or pecans for added texture.
• Prosciutto Add-On: Add a small ribbon of prosciutto for a smoky, salty bite.
• Balsamic Glaze Finish: Drizzle with balsamic reduction instead of honey.
• Vegan Version: Use vegan cheese and caramelize onions in plant-based butter/oil.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought caramelized onions?
Yes, but fresh homemade onions have better depth of flavor. If in a pinch, store-bought will work.

2. Is blue cheese too strong?
Blue cheese is bold but pairs beautifully with the sweet jam and onions. Try gorgonzola dolce for a milder variety.

3. What kind of fig jam should I use?
Any fig jam will work—store-bought or homemade. Look for one with minimal added sugar and pure fig flavor.

4. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free baguette or crackers as the base.

5. What if I don’t like figs?
Try using onion jam, pear preserves, or even a savory cranberry sauce instead.

6. Can I make this for a large crowd?
Absolutely! Double or triple the recipe and serve on a platter. These scale up well.

7. How long do the onions take to caramelize?
Low and slow—about 25–30 minutes. Don’t rush; it’s worth the time.

8. What wines pair best?
Try Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, or even Champagne for a celebratory bite.

9. Do I need to heat the fig jam?
No, it spreads easily at room temp. You can warm it slightly if it’s stiff.

10. Can I serve these cold?
Yes—they’re delicious at room temperature, though slightly warm is ideal for flavor and texture.

🏁 Conclusion

These Caramelized Onion Crostini with Fig Jam and Blue Cheese are the perfect bite: crispy, creamy, sweet, and savory. They look elegant but are easy to assemble, making them ideal for holidays, parties, or date night in. With just a few high-quality ingredients, you’ll create a dish that’s memorable and crave-worthy. Go ahead—make a double batch. They won’t last long!

Adam

Caramelized Onion Crostini with Fig Jam and Blue Cheese – Elegant Bites with Sweet, Savory, and Tangy Layers

If you’re looking for an easy appetizer that tastes gourmet and looks stunning, look no further than these Caramelized Onion Crostini with Fig Jam and Blue Cheese. These bite-sized toasts are packed with deep, savory sweetness, rich umami, and a tangy pop from the blue cheese, all layered onto a crisp crostini base. They’re elegant enough for the holidays, fancy enough for wine nights, and simple enough for everyday entertaining. Whether you’re serving a few guests or hosting a crowd, this flavorful crostini delivers big flavor with minimal effort—and they’ll disappear fast!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Assembly time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 24 crostini

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Caramelized Onions

• 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• Salt to taste

For the Crostini

• 1 baguette sliced into ½-inch rounds
• 2 tbsp olive oil for brushing

For Assembly

• ½ cup fig jam
• 4 oz blue cheese Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton, crumbled
• Fresh thyme leaves optional, for garnish
• Optional: honey for drizzling

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Small spreading knife or spoon
• Cutting board
• Oven mitts

Method

 

Step 1. Caramelize the Onions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.
2. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt.
3. Cook slowly, stirring often, for 25–30 minutes until onions are golden brown and jammy.
4. Add 1 tsp balsamic vinegar in the last 5 minutes to deglaze and enhance flavor.
5. Set aside to cool.

Step 2. Prepare the Crostini

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place baguette slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Brush lightly with olive oil.
4. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until crisp and golden.
5. Remove and let cool slightly.

Step 3. Spread Fig Jam

1. Spoon ~1 tsp fig jam onto each toasted crostini.
2. Spread evenly, covering most of the surface.

Step 4. Add Caramelized Onions

1. Top each jam layer with a spoonful of cooled caramelized onions.
2. Don’t overload—just enough for a rich, savory layer.

Step 5. Crumble Blue Cheese on Top

1. Add a generous sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles to each crostini.
2. Press lightly so it sticks.

Step 6. Optional Finishing Touches

1. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves for color and herbaceous flavor.
2. Drizzle lightly with honey for added sweetness (optional but amazing).

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Make Ahead:

Caramelized onions can be made 3–4 days ahead and stored in the fridge.

Toast baguette slices the day before and store in an airtight container.

Leftovers:

Store assembled crostini in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 day.

Best served fresh to maintain crispness.

Reheat:

Reheat briefly in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to warm and re-crisp.

🥄 Variations
Goat Cheese Option: Swap blue cheese for soft goat cheese for a milder tang.

Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle with toasted walnuts or pecans for added texture.

Prosciutto Add-On: Add a small ribbon of prosciutto for a smoky, salty bite.

Balsamic Glaze Finish: Drizzle with balsamic reduction instead of honey.

Vegan Version: Use vegan cheese and caramelize onions in plant-based butter/oil.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought caramelized onions?
Yes, but fresh homemade onions have better depth of flavor. If in a pinch, store-bought will work.

2. Is blue cheese too strong?
Blue cheese is bold but pairs beautifully with the sweet jam and onions. Try gorgonzola dolce for a milder variety.

3. What kind of fig jam should I use?
Any fig jam will work—store-bought or homemade. Look for one with minimal added sugar and pure fig flavor.

4. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free baguette or crackers as the base.

5. What if I don’t like figs?
Try using onion jam, pear preserves, or even a savory cranberry sauce instead.

6. Can I make this for a large crowd?
Absolutely! Double or triple the recipe and serve on a platter. These scale up well.

7. How long do the onions take to caramelize?
Low and slow—about 25–30 minutes. Don’t rush; it’s worth the time.

8. What wines pair best?
Try Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, or even Champagne for a celebratory bite.

9. Do I need to heat the fig jam?
No, it spreads easily at room temp. You can warm it slightly if it’s stiff.

10. Can I serve these cold?
Yes—they’re delicious at room temperature, though slightly warm is ideal for flavor and texture.

🏁 Conclusion
These Caramelized Onion Crostini with Fig Jam and Blue Cheese are the perfect bite: crispy, creamy, sweet, and savory. They look elegant but are easy to assemble, making them ideal for holidays, parties, or date night in. With just a few high-quality ingredients, you’ll create a dish that’s memorable and crave-worthy. Go ahead—make a double batch. They won’t last long!