Randy Chandler
Baked goat cheese is a simple, tasty dish that can be served as an appetizer or starter. It can be made in a variety of ways, including with honey, pomegranate and rosemary, or with a hazelnut crust and balsamic onions. The cheese can be sliced into rounds and cooked in a cast iron pan, or baked in the oven in an oven-safe dish. It can be served with bread, pita chips, crackers, crudités, or salad.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer |
| Temperature | Warm |
| Texture | Creamy, Tangy, Savory |
| Ingredients | Goat Cheese, Cream Cheese, Honey, Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Thyme, Sea Salt, Chives |
| Baking Time | 13-15 minutes |
| Baking Temperature | 400°F |
| Serving Suggestions | Toasted Slices of Sourdough Bread, Pita Chips, Sturdy Crackers, Nuts, Fresh Berries, Crudités, Olives, Tapenade, Salad |
| Preparation Time | 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a goat cheese dip
This baked goat cheese recipe is an easy, impromptu appetizer. It's the perfect recipe to make when friends are on their way and your refrigerator is low on fresh produce. It's also a great starter for almost any special dinner, from traditional to Mediterranean feasts.
Ingredients
- Goat cheese (10 ounces)
- Cream cheese (2 ounces)
- Honey
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional ingredients to serve
- Toasted slices of sourdough bread, pita chips, or toasted pita wedges
- Sturdy crackers or carrots cut on the diagonal (for a gluten-free option)
- Fresh berries
- Crudités like carrots or cucumbers
- Olives or tapenade
- Nuts
- Fresh salad
Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. In a food processor, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Process the mixture for around 2 minutes, pausing to scrape down the sides and base as needed, until it is lightly whipped and completely combined. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if necessary—you can add more honey if you prefer it sweeter, or another pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Next, transfer the dip to a small oven-safe baking dish with a 3- to 4-cup (1-quart) capacity. Use a cast iron skillet, or a Pyrex or stoneware baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly across the base of the dish, leaving some texture on top. Before baking, drizzle the dip with a little more honey.
Bake the dip on the upper rack of the oven for 13 to 15 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and bubbling. Give the hot dip at least 5 minutes to cool before serving. Finally, drizzle the dip with honey once more, and serve as desired with your chosen accompaniments.
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Baking temperature and time
The baking temperature and time for goat cheese depend on the desired texture and the type of oven being used. For a conventional oven, most recipes suggest baking goat cheese in the upper rack of the oven for 13 to 15 minutes at a temperature of 400°F (204°C). This results in a lightly golden, bubbly, and puffed dip. However, if you prefer your goat cheese with a darker crust, you can bake it for a longer duration of 17 to 20 minutes.
To achieve a warm goat cheese appetizer, baking for a shorter duration of 5 to 8 minutes at 450°F (232°C) is recommended. This creates a slightly warm dip without much browning.
When baking goat cheese, it is crucial to use an oven-safe baking dish, such as a small cast iron skillet, Pyrex, or stoneware baking dish. The size of the dish should be around 3 to 4 cups (1 quart) to accommodate the volume of the dip.
Additionally, the baking temperature and time can be adjusted based on personal preferences and the desired level of doneness. For a more well-done and browned goat cheese, increase the baking time towards the higher end of the suggested ranges. Conversely, for a slightly underdone and softer texture, opt for a shorter baking duration.
It is worth noting that the baking temperature and time provided in the sources are based on a conventional oven. If using a convection oven, you may need to adjust the temperature and time accordingly, as convection ovens tend to cook faster and at lower temperatures.
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Choosing a baking dish
When it comes to choosing a baking dish for your goat cheese, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll need an oven-safe dish, as the goat cheese dip needs to go into the oven. Choose a small dish with a capacity of around 3 to 4 cups (1 quart). This ensures that your dip has a nice depth and doesn't spread out too thinly.
Cast iron skillets work well and can add a nice golden crust to your dip. Preheat the cast iron skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding the cheese mixture. If you don't have cast iron, Pyrex or stoneware baking dishes are also suitable alternatives.
The shape of the dish is also important. A round or oval dish with slightly curved sides will help to contain the dip and make it easier to swirl the honey and other toppings across the surface. A dish with a wider mouth will also make it easier to dip into, especially if serving with larger items like toasted pita wedges.
Finally, consider the overall presentation. If you're serving the goat cheese dip as part of a spread or for a special occasion, you might want to choose a baking dish that is also aesthetically pleasing. A rustic-looking dish, for example, can add to the charm of a casual get-together.
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Preparing a goat cheese appetizer
Baked goat cheese is a simple, impromptu appetizer that's perfect for when friends are on their way over and you're low on fresh produce. It's also a great starter for a dinner party. Here's how to prepare a delicious goat cheese appetizer.
Ingredients
- Goat cheese
- Cream cheese
- Honey
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chives
Optional extras to serve
- Toasted slices of sourdough bread, pita chips, or toasted pita wedges
- Sturdy crackers or carrots cut on the diagonal (for a gluten-free option)
- Fresh berries, crudités (e.g. carrot or cucumber), olives, tapenade, or nuts
- A fresh salad, such as a tomato or carrot salad
Method
- Combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a food processor. Process until the mixture is lightly whipped and completely combined, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you want it spicier, add more red pepper flakes; if you'd like it sweeter, add another teaspoon or two of honey.
- Transfer the mixture to a small oven-safe baking dish with a 3- to 4-cup (1-quart) capacity. Pyrex or stoneware baking dishes work well.
- Spread the mixture evenly across the base of the dish, leaving some texture on top.
- Drizzle with honey.
- Bake on the upper rack of the oven at 400°F for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
- Let the dip cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
- Drizzle with honey once more, and serve as desired.
Tips
- If you have the time, let the goat cheese and cream cheese come to room temperature before blending for a smoother and quieter blending process.
- Preheat the cast iron pan for 2-3 minutes before adding the cheese to get a golden crust.
- For a more savory appetizer, top with fresh thyme leaves, sea salt, and fresh cracked pepper.
- For a heartier dish, serve with balsamic onions and a hazelnut crust.
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Topping ideas
Baked goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, dip, or part of a main course. It pairs well with a variety of toppings and ingredients, ranging from sweet to savoury. Here are some topping ideas to elevate your baked goat cheese:
Honey, Pomegranate, and Rosemary
Create a classic combination by drizzling honey over the baked goat cheese. Add a sprinkle of rosemary and some pomegranate seeds for a touch of sweetness and a pop of colour. This combination offers a balance of flavours and textures.
Nuts and Berries
For a crunchy and nutty topping, consider pairing your baked goat cheese with chopped nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans. To enhance the sweetness, add fresh or dried berries like blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries. This combination works well for a cheese board or as a topping for salads.
Balsamic Onions and Hazelnut Crust
Caramelised onions cooked in balsamic vinegar make a great topping for baked goat cheese. The sweetness of the onions pairs beautifully with the creaminess of the cheese. For an added crunch, create a hazelnut crust by chopping hazelnuts finely and coating the cheese before baking.
Marinara Sauce and Crostini
Transform your baked goat cheese into a sophisticated appetizer by serving it with a chunky marinara sauce. Spoon the marinara sauce around the baked goat cheese and sprinkle with basil and salt. Serve it with crostini, garlic bread, or baguette slices for dipping.
Herbs and Spices
Enhance the flavour of your baked goat cheese with various herbs and spices. Try adding thyme, rosemary, or herbed goat cheese on top. For a spicier kick, include red pepper flakes, jalapenos, or Calabrian chili paste. These toppings can be added to the goat cheese before baking or sprinkled on top afterwards.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a small cast iron skillet, or a Pyrex or stoneware baking dish.
Bake the goat cheese at 400°F for 17-20 minutes, or until golden.
Baked goat cheese is a great appetiser to serve with toasted slices of sourdough bread, pita chips, crackers, or crudités.
You can drizzle honey over the goat cheese, and sprinkle on fresh thyme leaves, sea salt, and pepper. You can also add crushed red peppers for a spicy touch.
