This goat cheese log is packed with a combination of tangy, salty, and sweet flavors. I love how the fig preserves, honey, and pistachios play against each other. It’s a fantastic starter for a fancy party or casual potluck!
Whether you’re the hostess or going to a party, it’s great to have a few go-to favorites. I have a few requirements on my list for starters. They must have a delicious flavor, please a crowd, and be stunning. This goat cheese log hits all the musts with it’s flavor, popularity, and a gorgeous combination of red, green, and white colors.
Holiday parties for family and friends call for appetizers! I love making these Delicious Cheese Dips because everyone raves about them. Or try my newest obsession this Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip! or this to die for Cowboy Crack Dip recipe.
Whether I’m making a big meal or just bringing a side, this goat cheese appetizer is a snap to make, ready in 5 minutes. It’s naturally gluten-free to fit all your guests’ needs so long as you include GF crackers.
Now that you’ve discovered the tantalizing flavor of goat cheese, try this Blackberry Grilled Chicken Salad with it’s luscious balsamic vinaigrette or my recent favorite Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon & Dates.
Why You Will Love this Goat Cheese Appetizer
- Gourmet |This pistachio-crusted goat cheese looks so elegant, but is really a very easy appetizer that everyone will love!
- It has Pizazz | This gorgeous goat cheese with fig appetizer is beautiful on a charcuterie board; don’t forget to add plenty of other meats, cheeses, an array of crackers, ripe berries and a little dark chocolate.
- Customize | You can customize this easy appetizer to your taste and the size, simply reduce or increase the ingredients.
Ingredients for Goat Cheese Log
The full list of ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Fresh Goat Cheese | The signature flavor is tangy and fresh, and it’s soft like ricotta. Yum!
- Pistachios | Roasted, salted, and chopped, these nuts add a gorgeous flash of green to your starter.
- Honey | I use hot honey, but regular honey will also yield delicious results.
- Fig Preserves | My favorite brand is Divina for its balance of sweetness with fruit.
- Pomegranate Arils | When pomegranates are in season, I use them as much as possible for their gorgeous, jewel-like color and stunning flavor, like on this Christmas salad with Pomegranate dressing.
- Crackers or Crostini | It’s best to have a variety of options to suit everyone’s tastes and for the carb conscious, I usually provide carrot chips, sliced apples sliced cucumbers.
Recommended Tools
- Serve on this beautiful Olive Wood Board, the texture of the wood, enhances the look and elegance of the appetizer.
- A pretty cheese knife set or pretty spreader always adds a lovely touch.
- Pretty appetizer plates, paperware or have you seen these compostable bamboo plates?
Instructions
Roll the soft goat cheese into desired sized log, I made mine a bit narrow or longer. Spread the chopped pistachios and fruit on a plate and roll the goat cheese in the toppings.
Place the pistachio-crusted goat cheese log on a serving plate with plenty of room for crackers.
Stir the fig preserves until you can spoon it over the starter. If needed, you can put it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften.
Drizzle honey over the goat cheese log, then if desired, sprinkle with fresh pomegranate arils.
Serve with crackers, crostini, veggies or apple slices.
Variations
- If you don’t have pomegranate arils, dried cranberries or cherries are a wonderful substitution. You can even swap the fig preserves for apricot jam if needed.
- Candied bacon bits* are another scrumptious addition—because who can resist the distinct flavor of bacon? How to make them in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
- Pecans or walnuts can be used instead of pistachios. Even roasted, salted pumpkin seeds work for this flavorful goat cheese log.
Fresh Tips
- Let your goat cheese rest on the counter at 67-70 degrees F (room temperature) for the best flavor and spreading. If it’s too cold, the flavor is dull.
- You can freeze your goat cheese without compromising the flavor or texture!
- Make this starter in advance and store it in the fridge. Just allow enough time for it to warm up for optimal flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crackers with seeds or herbs are excellent choices. If you’ve never tried a rosemary cracker, now’s your chance!
This delicacy has a tangy flavor. If it’s bitter, it’s gone bad and you should throw it out.
You can use it instead of cream cheese, on sandwiches, pizza, in tarts, and crumbled over salads.
Servings Suggestions & More Appetizers
- You might also enjoy serving with Rosemary Cashews or these Maple Bourbon Pecans.
- If you need a little elegant dark chocolate to serve, try these Champagne Truffles.
- This Tomato tart is a delicious and creative appetizer.
- Zucchini Corn Fritters with loads of veggies and flavor
- Mediterranean Layered Dip is not only beautiful, but easy and healthy too!
- How about these Toasted Ravioli?
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 log fresh goat cheese between 4 – 10 oz
- ¼ cup pistachios roasted, salted, chopped
- 2 tablespoons honey hot or regular honey
- 1 – 2 tablespoons fig preserves I like Divina brand
- Pomegranate Arils optional
- Crackers or bread for serving sliced apples, carrot chips, cucumber slices
Instructions
- On a piece of parchment paper or wax paper, roll softened goat cheese log a little narrower and longer.
- Using a small plate, spread the chopped pistachios and then roll the goat cheese on the pistachios, rolling to cover all sides. If using cranberries or cherries, chop and add to pistachios for rolling.
- Transfer the goat cheese log to serving plate, be sure it’s large enough to accommodate the crackers.
- Stir the fig spread until it can be spooned over the goat cheese log, if necessary, place 1-2 tablespoons in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 10 seconds, then drizzle over the goat cheese log.
- Drizzle with desired amount of hot honey or regular honey.
- Serve with crackers, bread, carrot chips, cucumber slices and/or apple slices for a low carb option.
Notes
Candied Bacon Bits
- 2 tablespoons real bacon bits
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Nutrition
Susan
This was sooo impressive and delicious. Loved every bite.
Thank you so much Susan, easy too right!
Yay Susan!! Thanks so much!
Michaela Kenkel
This was DEVOURED at my in-laws!! I am making it again Christmas Eve!!
Haha! Love hearing that, so glad you all enjoyed it and will make it again! It’s on repeat at our house!
MS
MS
I made this for a holiday potluck recently and it was such a big hit! It’s super easy to make and I love how pretty and festive it is!
Thank you, it is my latest obesssion!
Debi
This was so easy to make, and I have homemade fig jam in the fridge already. So good!
That is so perfect!!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
So much to love in this appetizer! The combination of creamy and tangy goat cheese with sweet figs and spicy honey….I might be swooning just a little over here. It’s just perfect Kathleen. Enjoy all the time over Christmas week with your boys!????
Thank you Tasia, I KNOW you and your sugarbugs will have such a great week baking, creating and having fun together! Merry Christmas my friend!