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These Pumpkin Crostini with Goat Cheese and Bacon are a delightfully festive and tasty appetizer for the holidays! They’re crispy, salty, sweet, and so easy to pull together last-minute. Serve these Pumpkin Crostini at your next holiday gathering and watch the compliments come rolling in! In This Article Why This Recipe Stands OutKey Recipe IngredientsSubstitutions And VariationsEasy Recipe InstructionsHow To Prep AheadCommonly Asked QuestionsPumpkin Crostini with Goat Cheese and Bacon RecipeMore To Make And Eat View more This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Why This Recipe Stands Out Appetizers are the most fun eats at all the parties. They’re like the socialites of gatherings. They’re fashionably attractive, they stand out, and everyone loves gathering around them. Here’s why we love these Pumpkin Crostini: Festive Fall Flavors: Maple syrup, pumpkin, pecans, and bacon – this appetizer has all the fall flavors just like this Apple Pecan Salad. Takes No Time to Make: 10 minutes is all that’s needed to throw together this super simple Pumpkin Crostini. Serves a Crowd: This recipe makes just about 45 crostini making it the perfect crowd-pleaser to kick off Thanksgiving Day or any fall party. Can Be Made In Advance: The pumpkin/cheese spread can be prepped days in advance for super easy assembly the day of. Key Recipe Ingredients Cream Cheese – Cream cheese is one of the base ingredients for the spread. We gently microwave it to make sure it’s soft enough to easily mix in. Goat Cheese – Goat Cheese adds a tangy flavor to the spread that pairs wonderfully with the pumpkin and maple. Pumpkin Puree – Look for pure pumpkin puree for this recipe and not pumpkin pie filling, as the pie filling has added sweeteners and spices. Bacon – Those little bits of salty, crispy goodness bring so much flavor to Pumpkin Crostini. Pecans – Toasted, chopped pecans add a sweet, nutty flavor and just the right amount of crunch to this appetizer. Dried Cranberries – We love the festive pop of red and the tangy sweetness that dried cranberries bring to this dish. Pepitas – Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) not only make Pumpkin Crostini look picture perfect, they also add even more crunch and nuttiness. Crostini – Reach for your favorite brand of crostini, bagel chips, or any sturdy cracker. You can also toast your own like we do in this Easy Crostini Recipe. Substitutions And Variations Here’s some of our favorite variations to Pumpkin Crostini with Goat Cheese and Bacon: Vary the Cheese: If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, feel free to substitute it with ricotta! Ricotta has a similarly soft texture, but is slightly milder than goat cheese. Spice up the Pecans: For a little extra sweetness, we sometimes like to sprinkle these Candied Pecans over top of Pumpkin Crostini. Add Some Balsamic Glaze: Try substituting the maple syrup for Balsamic Glaze for a slightly tangier, bolder version of this appetizer. Substitute the Fruit: We think fresh figs (if you can find them) or fig preserves – like we use in our recipe for Brie and Fig Crostini – would make a great substitute for the dried cranberries. Easy Recipe Instructions In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, goat cheese, and pumpkin puree until combined. Add salt and pepper and chill until ready to serve. Spread pumpkin/cheese mixture over crackers. Sprinkle on remaining ingredients and drizzle on the maple syrup. Enjoy! For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below. How To Prep Ahead Like we mentioned earlier, Pumpkin Crostini are super easy to make in advance. Here’s how we do it: Prepare the Spread: Feel free to make the pumpkin/cheese spread in advance. It generally stays fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Cook the Bacon: We like frying up the bacon the night before to make our lives easier. Let the cooked bacon cool completely before placing it in an airtight container lined with paper towels. It will stay good refrigerated for up to 5 days. Store Everything Separately: Try to avoid storing the pumpkin spread on the crostini as it can lead to stale and soggy crostini. Commonly Asked Questions Can I freeze the cheese spread for pumpkin crostini? We don’t recommend freezing the cheese spread for this recipe, because it’s cream cheese-based. Cream cheese tends to get a wonky texture after freezing and thawing that isn’t the best. It will refrigerate well though! What exactly is crostini? Crostini is simply bread (usually French bread) that has been sliced thin and toasted with olive oil and salt until it gets nice and crispy. It makes a great base for sweet and savory toppings alike. What does goat cheese taste like? Goat cheese usually has a soft texture and can range from a sweet, mild flavor to a sharp, tangy flavor depending on the kind that you get. By itself, goat cheese can be too tangy for some people, but we love it mixed with the cream cheese and pumpkin in this recipe. How much can you taste the pumpkin in this recipe? You can definitely pick up on the slightly sweet and earthy flavor of pumpkin in this recipe, especially with the maple syrup and pecans. However, it’s not over-powering thanks to the cream cheese. Print Pumpkin Crostini with Goat Cheese and Bacon These Pumpkin Crostini with Goat Cheese and Bacon are a delightfully festive and tasty appetizer for the holidays! They’re crispy, salty, sweet, and bursting with all the flavors of the season. Course Appetizer, SnackCuisine AmericanMethod Assemble Prep Time 10 minutes minutesTotal Time 10 minutes minutes Servings 45 Calories 61kcal Author Amy Dong Ingredients8 oz cream cheese softened4 oz goat cheese softened1 cup pure pumpkin puree½ – 1 tsp kosher salt depending on saltiness of cheese½ tsp black pepper freshly ground8 slices bacon cooked well and crumbled (lean parts only)½ cup pecans toasted and chopped½ cup dried cranberries¼ cup pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)¼ cup pure maple syrupcrostini, bagel chips, or sturdy crackers InstructionsIn a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, goat cheese, and pumpkin until well combined and smooth. Add pepper and salt to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve.When ready to serve, spread cheese mixture over desired amount of crackers or crostini.Sprinkle each crostini evenly with bacon, pecans, cranberries, and pepitas. Drizzle with maple syrup and serve immediately. Notes The pumpkin/cheese spread can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. For added sweetness and warm, comforting fall spice, try making these Candied Pecans to sprinkle on top of Pumpkin Crostini! Check out this Easy Crostini Recipe to toast your own crostini at home. Be mindful of how long your Pumpkin Crostini are sitting out. It’s recommended to not have any dairy-based spread or dip at room temp for longer than 2 hours.   If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We hearing from you!  Join our Free Recipe Club and get our newest, best recipes each week! NutritionCalories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 943IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg More To Make And Eat Brie and Fig Crostini – This Brie and Fig Crostini is so simple, yet absolutely delicious – perfect for the holiday season! Peaches and Honey Crostini – The sweetness of peaches and honey is balanced perfectly with melty blue cheese all on top of a crispy crostini cracker. Apple Brie Prosciutto Crostini – These Apple Prosciutto Crostini look and taste like they took much longer to make than they actually do. Savory Pumpkin Dip – Serve this cheesy, bacon pumpkin dip warm with your favorite crackers and watch it disappear fast! The post Pumpkin Crostini With Goat Cheese And Bacon appeared first on Chew Out Loud.

These Maple Glazed Pork Chops are unbelievably tender and flavorful. With no marinating required, they’re quick enough for a weeknight meal, but delicious enough for special occasions. You won’t believe how flavorful these Maple Glazed Pork Chops are without any marinade. In This Article Why This Recipe Stands OutKey Recipe IngredientsSubstitutions And VariationsStep-By-Step Recipe InstructionsHow To Prep AheadWhat To Serve With Maple Glazed Pork ChopsCommonly Asked QuestionsMaple Glazed Pork Chops RecipeMore To Cook And Eat View more This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Why This Recipe Stands Out I grew up on my mom’s famous pork chops, and hers are hard to beat. This is a variation that my family adores. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe: Browned and Succulent: These pork chops turn out crisp on the outside and extra tender and succulent on the inside like these Saucy Apple Pork Chops. Sweet and Tangy Sauce: The mixture of pure maple syrup, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and rosemary blend amazingly to make an ultra flavorful sauce. Quick Weeknight Meal: Maple Glazed Pork Chops are one of our favorite 30-minute meals easy enough for busy weeknights. Way Easier Than Anyone Thinks: If you’ve never cooked pork chops before, this is a great recipe to start. With the right tips, skillet boneless chops couldn’t be easier to make! Key Recipe Ingredients Pork Chops – Look for boneless, center-cut pork chops for this recipe. If using bone-in, take a look at the Substitutions and Variations section below for cooking suggestions. Onion – Minced onion brings bold, sweet flavors to the sauce. Beef Broth – We like using beef broth as the base for the glaze, but feel free to use chicken or veggie broth instead. Maple Syrup – Pure maple syrup is the not-so-secret ingredient for perfectly sweet and tender pork chops. Cider Vinegar – The acidity of cider vinegar helps balance the sweetness of the maple. Dijon Mustard – Dijon mustard adds a kick of spicy, tangy flavor to this sauce. Butter – A couple tablespoons of butter is all that’s needed to make the maple glaze taste extra rich and flavorful. Spices – Kosher salt, black pepper, dried rosemary, and cayenne infuse these pork chops with tons of flavor. Substitutions And Variations Here are some of our favorite variations for Maple Glazed Pork Chops: Boneless vs. Bone-in Chops: You can use bone-in pork chops if you prefer. Just note that the cooking time will be slightly longer. You’ll need at least an extra 1 minute on each side. It’s always good to have a food thermometer on hand! Grill the Pork Chops: Feel free to grill the pork chops and serve with the same maple glaze. Check out our recipe for Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops for tips. Substitute Honey for Maple Syrup: Pure honey also works really well in this recipe. It will give your sauce more of a light, flowery flavor. Try a Marinade: Have time for a marinade? Check out our recipe for Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade. Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat and brown pork chops for 2 minutes on each side. When just cooked through, transfer chops to a plate and keep warm. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon oil, onion, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in broth, maple syrup, vinegar, rosemary, cayenne, mustard, and butter. Add the dissolved cornstarch and bring to a low boil; continue stirring until thickened. Pour sauce on pork chops and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy! For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below. How To Prep Ahead These Maple Glazed Pork Chops are so quick and easy to make, but we have a few key strategies that make them even easier: Thaw Pork Chops Overnight: If you’re starting with frozen pork chops, it’s easiest to take them out the night before and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Thaw Pork Chops Quickly: If you’re in a time crunch and need to thaw frozen pork chops, take the bag of chops and place them into a bowl of warm water, replacing the water every 15 minutes until thawed. Store Pork Chops: Pork chops and sauce will keep well stored separately in the fridge for 3-4 days. So, feel free to make these the night before! They’re great for meal prep recipes, too. What To Serve With Maple Glazed Pork Chops Potatoes Nothing hits the spot like these Instant Pot Baby Potatoes served next to tender pork chops. These Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate satisfying side to serve with any dinner dish. Rice If you’re making Maple Glazed Pork Chops for a weekend dinner or special occasion, we can’t recommend this Wild Rice Pilaf enough! For a super easy starchy side, we love making this Instant Pot Jasmine Rice and Instant Pot Brown Rice. Veggies This Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash goes amazingly with these pork chops. For a crunchy veggies side, try this Apple Pecan Salad with honey mustard dressing. Commonly Asked Questions How can I tell when my pork chops are done? Our favorite way to ensure pork chops are cooked through is with a food thermometer. They’ll need to reach at least 145F to be cooked through. You can also check the firmness of the pork chops. They’ll be pretty soft if they’re underdone and firmer when they’re cooked. We don’t recommend cutting into them while they’re cooking, because they’ll end up losing their juices. Why is it important to let meat rest? Letting meat rest both allows the meat to finish cooking and helps the juices to resettle, keeping the cut tender and succulent when you cut into it. This recipe naturally gives the pork chops time to rest while you make the sauce. What is the difference between Dijon mustard and regular mustard? Regular yellow mustard uses yellow mustard seeds, which have a milder flavor. Dijon mustard, on the other hand, uses brown mustard seeds which have a sharper, spicier taste. Take a look at our Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Chops recipe for more info on mustard. Can I make this recipe using chicken instead? Absolutely! Take a look at our Creamy Lemon Chicken recipe for cooking times and suggestions and cook the sauce exactly the same. Print Maple Glazed Pork Chops These Maple Glazed Pork Chops are unbelievably tender and flavorful. With no marinating required, they're quick enough for a weeknight meal, but fancy enough for special occasions. Course DinnerCuisine AmericanDiet Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low LactoseMethod Skillet Prep Time 5 minutes minutesCook Time 15 minutes minutesTotal Time 20 minutes minutes Servings 4 Calories 594kcal Author Amy Dong Ingredients8 pork chops boneless, center-cut, 1/2-inch thick eachkosher salt and black peppercanola or olive oil1 small onion minced1 cup regular beef broth½ cup pure maple syrup2 TB cider vinegar1 tsp dried rosemary⅛ tsp cayenne1 tsp Dijon mustard2 TB salted butter1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tsp water InstructionsPat chops dry with paper towels and sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides.In a large skillet, heat 2 TB oil just until smoking. Brown chops in batches on both sides, over medium high heat, about 2 min per side uncovered. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan. Chops should be just cooked through. Transfer chops to a plate and cover to keep warm.In the same skillet, add 1 TB oil, onion, and 1/4 tsp salt, stirring about 2 minutes.Stir in broth, maple syrup, vinegar, rosemary, cayenne, mustard, and butter, scraping up any browned bits. Add the dissolved cornstarch and bring to a low boil, stirring constantly until thickened. If needed, add salt/pepper to taste.Pour sauce over cooked chops and serve immediately. Notes Feel free to substitute chicken or veggie broth for the beef broth. Make sure to pat pork chops thoroughly before cooking to prevent oil splatters and to help them crisp nicely. One key tip to help your pork chops crisp nicely is to not overcrowd them. Leave a little space between the chops and they’ll crisp much easier. For serving ideas and variations, see original article.  For a full meal, serve Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Instant Pot Baby Potatoes and Apple Pecan Salad. If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We hearing from you!  Join our Free Recipe Club and get our newest, best recipes each week! NutritionCalories: 594kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 59g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 195mg | Sodium: 416mg | Potassium: 1173mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 2mg More To Cook And Eat Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin – This tender, succulent roast pork tenderloin with potatoes and carrots is a full meal in one pan – perfect for weeknights! Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade – The marinade on these grilled pork chops is so delicious and makes the most tender pork chops we’ve ever tasted. Tender Stovetop Pork Ragu – This pork Ragu is rustic, simple, and supremely delicious! It’s a show-stopping main dish for gatherings. Saucy Apple Pork Chops – Another one of our favorite 30-minute meals, this classic combo of pork chops and apples is so satisfying. The post Maple Glazed Pork Chops appeared first on Chew Out Loud.