Apple Brie Crostini with Honey, Pecans & Pomegranate

Sharing is caring!

These Apple Brie Crostini with Honey, Pecans and Pomegranate are the perfect Fall appetizer! The combination of sweet, tart and creamy melted cheese is just wonderful, especially when drizzled with honey and topped with candied pecans and little jewels of pomegranate that pop in your mouth.

There is something about creamy Brie paired with a nice tart apple that is so delicious. But add the sweetness of candied pecans and the juicy pop of pomegranate, and now it’s just over-the-top yummy!

This is such an easy appetizer to whip up for a Fall get-together, Thanksgiving, Christmas or really any time of the year.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Brie Crostini

First of all, they look so pretty and festive! The bright red pomegranate seeds, green apple slices and fresh rosemary make these little appetizers perfect for holiday entertaining.

But it’s really the combination of flavors that makes them special.

You get the creamy and gooey melted Brie, the crunch of toasted bread, the tartness of the apple and that little touch of sweetness from the honey and candied pecans.

And then those pomegranate arils add a juicy burst of flavor that brings everything together.

The best part is that they’re super simple to make. The most work is candying the pecans, and you do that right on the stove in about five minutes!

It’s definitely worth the extra step because those buttery, cinnamon-sugar pecans are wonderful with the melted Brie.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these delicious little bites, and most are easy to find at your local grocery store.

Brie Cheese: I love the rich, creamy taste of Brie, especially when it’s warm and melted. Try to cut the slices so they cover most of the crostini. You’ll get that wonderful gooey cheese in every bite.

Apples: You can use any kind of apple you like, but I think a tart Granny Smith is best. The crisp, tart apple is just perfect with the creamy Brie and sweet honey.

Bread: I used sourdough because I had it! You could easily use a baguette instead. Just slice it about 1/2 inch thick so it’s sturdy enough to hold all those delicious toppings.

Honey: A little drizzle of honey adds just the right amount of sweetness. You don’t need much because the candied pecans are sweet too.

Candied Pecans: These are made with butter, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and a little water. I also like adding a splash of bourbon, which is optional but adds a nice touch of flavor.

Pomegranate: Those little ruby-red arils make these crostini look so pretty and festive! They’re juicy, tart and give you that wonderful little pop of flavor.

Fresh Rosemary: Just a few small pieces of fresh rosemary add a lovely herbal flavor that goes so nicely with the apples and cheese.

You’ll also need a little olive oil for toasting the bread and lemon juice to keep the apples from turning brown.

How to Make Apple Brie Crostini

These are really easy to put together, and you can prepare a few of the ingredients ahead of time so there’s very little to do when your guests arrive.

Start With the Crostini

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Slice your baguette or sourdough bread into approximately 1/2-inch slices. Brush each piece lightly with olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet.

Bake for about 10 minutes to get the bread a little crusty.

I like having that nice crunch underneath the creamy melted Brie. It makes such a delicious combination!

Make the Candied Pecans

While the bread is baking, you can candy your pecans.

Melt one tablespoon of butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon, followed by the water and an optional splash of bourbon.

Stir everything together until the sugars have dissolved.

Add the pecans, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 4–5 minutes, stirring so the nuts get coated in that delicious cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Set the pecans aside to cool, then chop them into smaller pieces.

These are so good! The sweet, buttery coating with just a touch of cinnamon is wonderful with the creamy Brie.

Prepare the Apples and Brie

Slice your Granny Smith apple quite thin, about 1/8 inch, and toss the slices with a little lemon juice to keep them looking fresh.

You want the apples thin enough to fit nicely on the crostini but still have that wonderful crisp bite.

Next, slice your Brie about 1/3 inch thick.

Try to cut the cheese so it covers most of each piece of bread. There’s nothing better than getting a nice bite of creamy melted Brie with every crostini!

Melt the Brie and Add the Toppings

Once your crostini have toasted, remove them from the oven and top each piece with a generous slice of Brie.

Return them to the 375°F oven for about 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Now comes the fun part!

Immediately top each warm Brie crostini with a thin slice of Granny Smith apple.

Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with the chopped candied pecans and add a few fresh pomegranate arils.

Finish with a little fresh rosemary.

The warm, creamy cheese, crisp apple and crunchy sweet pecans together are just soooo yummy!

Tips for the Best Apple Brie Crostini

Use a tart apple. I really love Granny Smith apples for this recipe because they balance the sweetness of the honey and candied pecans. A sweeter apple will work, but that tartness is what makes this combination so good.

Don’t skip the candied pecans. I know it would be easier to use plain pecans, but candying them only takes about five minutes and adds such a wonderful flavor. It’s definitely worth it!

Slice the apples thin. You want the apple to add a nice crisp bite without overpowering the creamy cheese.

Serve them warm. These crostini are best when the Brie is still soft and gooey. Have your toppings ready so you can assemble them as soon as they come out of the oven.

Don’t forget the pomegranate! It’s optional, but I really think it makes these special.

My Little Trick for Removing Pomegranate Seeds

I learned a great little trick from Bobby Flay for removing pomegranate seeds without making a big mess.

Cut your pomegranate in half, hold it cut-side down over a bowl and give the outside a few good whacks with a wooden spoon.

All those beautiful little red jewels start falling right into the bowl!

It’s so much easier than trying to dig them out with your fingers, and you don’t end up staining your hands.

You can also buy containers of pomegranate seeds in the produce department, especially around the holidays.

Personally, I love using a fresh pomegranate because the arils are really juicy!

The pomegranate is optional, but I think it adds something special. Those little pops of tart, juicy flavor are a wonderful addition to the creamy cheese, sweet honey and candied pecans.

Make-Ahead Tips for Easy Holiday Entertaining

One of my favorite things about this appetizer is that you can do some of the work ahead of time.

You can toast the crostini and make the candied pecans the day before. Store the cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature and keep the pecans in a separate airtight container.

When you’re ready to serve, all you need to do is slice your Brie and apples, warm the crostini with the cheese and add your toppings.

I would wait to slice the apples until shortly before serving so they stay nice and crisp.

This makes entertaining so much easier, especially when you have a house full of friends and family!

And who doesn’t love having everything almost ready so you can sit back and enjoy the day with a nice glass of vino?

Perfect for Fall and Holiday Gatherings

These Apple Brie Crostini are such a lovely appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas parties or a cozy Fall evening with friends.

I love that they look a little fancy without being difficult to make.

The red pomegranate seeds and fresh green rosemary make them especially pretty on a holiday appetizer board.

They’re also a wonderful little bite to serve with a glass of wine before dinner.

More Easy Fall and Holiday Appetizers You’ll Love

If you love these Apple Brie Crostini, here are a few more delicious appetizers to try for your next Fall get-together, Thanksgiving or holiday party!

• Apple Maple Butternut Squash Crostini – Another wonderful Fall crostini with roasted apples, butternut squash, creamy ricotta and a touch of maple syrup.
• Whipped Goat Cheese with Pistachios and Pomegranate – A creamy, festive spread topped with crunchy pistachios, juicy pomegranate and honey. So pretty for the holidays!
• Pumpkin Shaped Baked Brie – Warm, gooey Brie wrapped in puff pastry with sweet jam and nuts. A beautiful centerpiece for your Fall appetizer table!
• Autumn Leaf Bruschetta – A fun and festive appetizer that’s perfect for Thanksgiving entertaining.

Final Thoughts

I hope you try these Apple Brie Crostini with Honey, Pecans and Pomegranate for your friends and family!

They’re easy, quick and look so special. I love serving something a little unique and different from the normal fare we all tend to make during the holidays.

The combination of creamy melted Brie, tart apples, sweet candied pecans, honey and those juicy pops of pomegranate is just wonderful.

And remember, you can prepare the crostini and pecans the day before, so all that’s left is a little assembly and you’re ready to enjoy your guests.

Pour yourself a nice glass of vino and enjoy!