When I was little, I remember my mom putting a new snack on the table at a birthday party – cubes of blue cheese paired with green grapes on toothpicks.
I still remember how much I loved that sweet and salty combo. It was unlike anything I’d ever tasted before, and I wasn’t the only one who loved it. That little two-ingredient appetizer quickly became a staple at every celebration in our home.
This whipped blue cheese crostini with roasted grapes is the grown-up version of that childhood favorite.
It’s elegant, full of strong flavors, and the perfect blend of textures. The creamy whipped cheese, soft roasted grapes, crunchy crostini, and nutty toppings all just work so well together!
It looks fancy enough for the end-of-the-year holidays or to bring to a dinner party, but it’s really easy to put together.
What You’ll Need
- French baguette: sliced and toasted bread will serve as the crunchy base.
- Whipped blue cheese: a creamy blend of blue cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and spices.
- Grapes: mixed with olive oil and lightly caramelized in the oven. I used green grapes, but any color will work here.
- Herbs & nuts: fresh thyme, walnuts, and pistachios for garnish.
How to Make Whipped Blue Cheese Crostini with Roasted Grapes
We’ll start by roasting the grapes, as this is the part that takes the longest in this recipe.
Wash the grapes and place them in a shallow baking dish. Add olive oil and a few fresh sprigs of thyme, then grind in salt and pepper. Mix everything well to coat the grapes.
Roast at 375°F for about 15–20 minutes, until they begin to soften and burst slightly. You want them juicy but still holding their shape, so don’t forget them in the oven! When the grapes are ready, remove them from the tray and let them cool.
To make the whipped base, blend blue cheese, cream cheese, half of the sour cream, pepper, fresh thyme, and a tiny pinch of nutmeg in a food processor.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy – it will definitely take a couple of rounds. If the mix feels too thick, add the rest of the sour cream and blend again.
When the grapes have cooled and you’re ready to serve your appetizers, slice your baguette diagonally into 20 slices so you get slightly larger toasts. Grill them under the broiler for a few minutes until the edges turn golden and crisp.
To assemble, spread about a teaspoon of whipped blue cheese on each crostini. Top with 4–5 roasted grapes, then garnish with crushed walnuts or pistachios. Arrange on a pretty platter and serve warm or at room temperature.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It looks really elegant yet is very easy to put together: The roasted grapes look effortlessly impressive on the golden toast, no matter whether you use a green or red variety.
- It’s full of flavors: Your taste buds get to experience a mix of sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy, all in one bite.
- It’s perfect for parties: This recipe makes 20 pieces, so it’s ideal for sharing, and it’s super easy to double or triple if you’re hosting a larger crowd.
- Suits all occasions: Because the crostini appetizers look absolutely beautiful, the recipe works for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, fancy dinner parties, or as a wine-night snack.
Tips for Success
- Don’t over-roast the grapes – they should be soft and lightly wrinkled but not mushy.
- Toast bread lightly so it stays crisp under the toppings, but make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Whip the blue cheese until it’s completely smooth for the best texture, and add more sour cream if the cheese doesn’t become creamy enough.
- Don’t wait too long to serve after assembling the toasts, so that the bread doesn’t get soft.
- Try different toppings – I used walnuts and pistachios, but sliced almonds or pecans would work beautifully too.
📌 Whipped Blue Cheese Crostini Appetizers With Roasted Grapes (Recipe Card)
Ingredients (Makes 20 crostini)
- 1 French baguette
- 3 1/2 cups grapes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- 3.5 oz blue cheese
- 1.7 oz cream cheese
- 1–2 tablespoons sour cream
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Handful of walnuts and/or pistachios, crushed
Equipment
- Baking tray
- Food processor
- Sharp knife + cutting board
- Small serving platter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Wash grapes and place in a shallow baking dish. Toss with olive oil, a few sprigs of thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast for 15–20 minutes, until softened and just beginning to burst. Remove and let cool.
- In a food processor, blend blue cheese, cream cheese, half the sour cream, black pepper, fresh thyme, and a pinch of nutmeg until smooth. Scrape down the sides and blend again as needed. If it’s too thick, add the rest of the sour cream and blend until creamy.
- Slice the baguette diagonally into 20 slices. Toast under the broiler for a few minutes, just until the edges are golden and crisp.
- Spread about 1 tsp of whipped blue cheese on each crostini. Top with 4–5 roasted grapes and a sprinkle of crushed walnuts or pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature.