Maple Pear Crostini: Quick Fall Appetizer with Warm Flavor

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My mom jokes that when she was young she could eat an entire loaf of Italian bread in one sitting. That blend of humor and appetite is one of the reasons I know we’re family.

Driving home with a fresh loaf, I’ll often tear off a chunk and eat it in the car, crumbs falling onto the seat and steering wheel. When pulled from the oven, Italian bread splits along the top with a satisfying crack and fills the air with that warm, yeasty bakery scent.

The golden crust gives way to a soft, pillowy interior filled with airy pockets — perfect for roast beef sandwiches, buttered toast with jam, stuffing, or even an afternoon snack of Nutella.

Italian bread is also the classic base for crostini: toasted slices finished with toppings ranging from prosciutto and cheese to figs and honey. I usually brush my slices with olive oil and seasonings before baking, and sometimes rub a clove of garlic across the warm toast for extra flavor.

Recently I’ve been branching out and challenging my own food assumptions — trying new combinations and flavor profiles I might once have dismissed.

So when I needed to use up the last of a loaf this week, I experimented. S’mores crostini topped with Nutella and toasted marshmallows turned out too sweet and were easy to burn. Bittersweet chocolate crostini felt incomplete. Apple cinnamon crostini never quite made it to the oven.

What ultimately won was a simple, slightly unexpected pairing: pear slices marinated in maple syrup, finished with crumbled Parmesan on toasted Italian bread. The maple adds just a touch of sweetness, the pear brings a delicate tartness, and the Parmesan rounds everything with savory depth. They’re subtle enough that you’ll find yourself eating a few before you realize it.

In my case, after making about six crostini, I ate them all. Every. Single. One. I may have one half-slice left in the fridge, saved only because I was too full to keep going.

These crostini work equally well as an appetizer or a light meal if you make enough of them. They’re quick, easy, and ideal for a lazy autumn brunch.

Quick note: the holidays are coming, and there will be more cookie recipes to share soon.

The Recipe

Maple Pear Crostini

Looking for a quick and easy breakfast or brunch that captures the flavors of autumn? This maple pear crostini is just the thing.

Servings 6 slices	Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes	Passive Time 12 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 slices Italian bread
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 pears, slightly ripened and thinly sliced
• 2/3 cup maple syrup (approximate)
• 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, crumbled (as needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the bread slices on a greased cookie sheet or a Silpat-lined pan and butter each slice.
2. Toast the slices in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, until lightly crisp.
3. Place the pear slices in a small bowl and toss with the maple syrup. Allow them to soak for about 10 minutes.
4. Remove the bread from the oven, top each slice with three to four pear slices, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Drizzle any remaining syrup over the pears.
5. Broil the crostini for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is browned in spots and the pears have softened. Optionally, melt two tablespoons of salted butter and drizzle over the finished toasts. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Info*

Nutrition Facts

Maple Pear Crostini

Amount Per Serving

Calories 348

Total Fat 13g — 20% DV

Saturated Fat 7g — 35% DV

Cholesterol 32mg — 11% DV

Sodium 607mg — 25% DV

Total Carbohydrates 47g — 16% DV

Dietary Fiber 3g — 12% DV

Sugars 24g

Protein 13g — 26% DV

Vitamin A 3% • Vitamin C 6% • Calcium 36% • Iron 7%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutritional values are estimates.

Step 2 – Toast the Bread

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place buttered bread slices on a cookie sheet or Silpat and bake for 10–15 minutes until the slices are crisp. If you prefer, use a toaster oven to achieve similar results in a few minutes.

Step 3 – Add the Syrup

Toss the pear slices in a small bowl with the maple syrup, making sure they are evenly coated. Let them soak for about 10 minutes so they absorb the syrup.

Step 4 – Cheese It Up

Place the toasted bread back on a lined or buttered cookie sheet. Top each slice with three to four pear slices, drizzle any leftover syrup, and sprinkle a generous amount of Parmesan over the top.

Step 5 – Broil

Broil the crostini for about 10 minutes, watching carefully until the cheese browns in spots and the pears have softened and glazed. For a finishing touch, you can melt two tablespoons of salted butter and lightly drizzle it over the warm toasts.

Serve warm or at room temperature. These crostini make an effortless fall breakfast, brunch, or appetizer that’s simple to pull together and sure to please.

Have a favorite crostini topping? Try your ideas on these toasts — sweet, savory, or both. Variations to consider: olive, red pepper & goat cheese; roasted tomato; peach basil; broccoli rabe & Pecorino; or herb-roasted carrot with pesto.