Goat Cheese & Pear with Hot Honey (Printable)

Crispy flatbread with creamy goat cheese, sweet pears, caramelized onions, walnuts, and spicy hot honey drizzle.

# What You'll Need:

→ Flatbread Base

01 - 1 large store-bought or homemade flatbread, approximately 12 by 8 inches
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Cheese & Dairy

03 - 5 ounces goat cheese, softened
04 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables & Fruit

05 - 1 large ripe pear, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Nuts & Seeds

07 - 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Hot Honey

08 - 3 tablespoons honey
09 - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Sriracha or chili flakes, adjusted to taste

→ Herbs & Seasoning

10 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus additional for garnish
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the red onion slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate.
03 - In a small bowl, combine goat cheese and cream cheese, mixing until the texture becomes smooth and uniform.
04 - Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the flatbread, leaving a small border around the edges. Layer the caramelized onions and pear slices over the cheese. Scatter chopped walnuts and fresh thyme leaves across the top. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
05 - Place the flatbread on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is warmed through.
06 - While the flatbread bakes, combine honey and hot sauce in a microwave-safe bowl. Warm for 10 to 15 seconds and stir thoroughly to incorporate the spice. Adjust the heat level according to personal preference.
07 - Remove the flatbread from the oven. Drizzle generously with the hot honey mixture. Garnish with additional fresh thyme if desired. Slice into portions and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when you actually spent less than half that time.
  • The sweet-salty-spicy balance feels indulgent but comes together from just a handful of ingredients.
  • Hot honey drizzled over cool cheese creates this moment of contrast that makes people ask for seconds.
02 -
  • Softening your cheeses for five minutes on the counter makes spreading effortless and prevents cold spots on the finished flatbread.
  • The pear needs to be ripe but still firm; overripe fruit turns mushy in the oven and gets lost between the other flavors.
03 -
  • Toast your walnuts in a dry skillet for two minutes before chopping if you have the time; it deepens their flavor and makes them taste less raw.
  • If your pears are slightly underripe, slice them and let them sit in a little lemon juice for a few minutes—it softens them slightly and keeps them from browning.
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