Million Dollar Bacon Crostini
A crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring crispy bacon with a sweet-and-spicy glaze, creamy goat cheese, and toasted baguette, perfect for any gathering.
Ingrédients
For the Bacon
- 2 packs thick-cut bacon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for extra heat
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or maple syrup optional twist, brushed on post-bake
For the Crostini
- 1 large baguette, sliced into 24 rounds
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz goat cheese log or mix with a bit of cream cheese for a milder version
- Maple syrup, honey, or hot honey (for drizzling)
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh thyme, chives, or candied pecans
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients. Ensure bacon is thawed if frozen and slice the baguette into 24 rounds.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). This will help crisp the bacon and toast the crostini evenly.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to let fat drain away from the bacon.
- In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, water, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to create the glaze.
Cooking
- Dredge each strip of bacon in the glaze, ensuring it is well-coated. Lay them out on the wire rack, ensuring they do not touch.
- Bake the bacon in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through until crispy and caramelized. Allow to cool before chopping into pieces.
- Brush olive oil onto each baguette slice and season with salt and pepper. Toast in the oven for 8–10 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway.
- Spread a generous amount of goat cheese on each toasted baguette slice. Top with the chopped bacon pieces.
- Drizzle with maple syrup or hot honey and garnish with fresh herbs or candied pecans before serving.
Notes
Store leftover components separately in airtight containers and consume within 3 days. To reheat, warm bacon in a skillet and toast crostini in the oven for a few minutes.