This Goat Cheese Appetizer is one of those treasured dishes you can throw together in ten minutes and everyone raves. An irresistible combination of tangy goat cheese and garlicky dressing. You don't always have to work hard to make something amazing!
I call this recipe "Goat Cheese Dressed For A Party." Goat cheese is taken to a whole new level of deliciousness when it's dressed with this simple fresh oil, herb and garlic dressing.
It's great to have a few super simple recipes that are great for entertaining. This is one of my favorites!
HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY GOAT CHEESE APPETIZER
You'll need ten minutes, a log of goat cheese and some fresh parsley. There's a good chance you have everything else in house.
- Whisk up the dressing: extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt and chopped parsley.
- Set the goat cheese log on a platter and score it down the middle and crosswise a few times. This will allow some of the dressing to sink in.
- Pour the dressing over the goat log and spread it out evenly, letting some drip down into the slits.
The tangy, creamy goat cheese absorbs the flavors of the fresh garlicky dressing.
The combo of flavors is something else!
HOW TO SERVE IT
- Set out the goat cheese appetizer with a cheese spreader or two.
- Decorate the plate with parsley sprigs, if you want to fancy it up a bit
- Set out a basket of crackers or baguette slices or both
- Be sure to grab yourself a taste right away because if your friends like it as much as mine do, it will disappear quickly!
I make this goat cheese appetizer often, for both casual and fancy occasion. It is always a hit - proof that you don't always have to work hard to make something great.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN MORE CROWE-PLEASING, EASY APPETIZER RECIPES, here are a few other favorites from Panning The Globe:
- Smoked Salmon Tartar
- Grilled Figs, Prosciutto and Burrata
- Chipotle Carrot Hummus
- Guacamole
- Broiled Feta and Cherry Tomatoes
Here's the recipe for My Favorite Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer aka Goat Cheese Dressed For A Party. If you make this, I hope you'll come back and leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think!
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My Favorite Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer: Goat Cheese Dressed For A Party
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 8-12 1x
Description
Goat cheese topped with garlicky dressing, a super tasty, easy appetizer. Serve with baguette slices or crackers.
Ingredients
- An 11-ounce log of goat cheese
- 4 tablespoons good quality olive oil
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt, preferably sea salt such as Maldon
Instructions
- Put the goat cheese log on a serving plate. Score it lengthwise and then a few times crosswise, to open it up a bit.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients and pour over the goat cheese. Best to prepare this a half hour before serving so it softens a bit and absorbs the flavors of the dressing. Serve with crackers or sliced baguette. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information: The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a the advice of a professional nutritionist.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: goat cheese appetizer, easy appetizer with goat cheese
[First published December 2012. Updated with new photos, added nutritional information and tweaks to the written post March 2019]
Lorraine
Ack! Just realized I have no garlic - okay without? Guest arriving in 45 minutes!
Lisa
Yes it will still be delicious! But if you have a shallot or some chives to chop finely, those would be a great substitute for the garlic. Even a finely chopped red onion or scallion would do. You can even whisk in a pinch or two of garlic powder if you have it. I hope you have a great evening!!
Elle
Mmmmm delicious! Loved it exactly as written. Very yummy with Triscuits crackers. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
★★★★★
Anne Marie
Hi,
Do you need to bake the bread or can you just cut it up and serve as is?
Lisa
If the bread is fresh and a good consistency, I generally just cut it up and serve it as is. If not, I suggest you cut it up, spread it out on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast it in the oven to crisp it up a bit.
Anne Marie
Thank you Lisa, I am having a pool party and think this will be an easy and tasty appetizer
Lisa
I hope you and your guests enjoy it! By the way, I sometime include endive spears for those who can't eat gluten. They're delicious with the cheese!
CJ Gefvert
This is YUMMY - and easy.
★★★★★
Katy
This is a huge hit at parties and now my inexpensive and Buick go to. I use fresh thyme and fresh basil leaves instead of parsley. And Trader Joe’s sells a big log of goat cheese for $5!!
★★★★★
Kate
I’ve also tried a sweeter version using Trader Joe’s Hot and Sweet jalapeños served with big juicy strawberries! You could also serve it with a dry shortbread cookie instead of crostini. So glad I discovered this recipe!!!👏👏👏👏👏
Cynthia
Made this as an appetizer to bring to a party. It disappeared quickly and I’ll be making it again!
★★★★★
Lisa
Hi Cynthia - That's the same thing that happens when I make this for a party! I'm so glad you and your friends enjoyed 🙂
CindyD
Absolutely love this appetizer, was a big hit at the party. So delicious and easy to make, such a winner. Thank you so much for sharing.
★★★★★
Lisa
Hi Cindy - I'm so glad the goat cheese app was a hit - Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Jose Aragon
I made a sweet and savory goat cheese selection for a tapas party. This recipe was my savory offering and it was an absolute hit!
★★★★★
Sue Ann
Hello! This sounds delicious. How far in advance can you make this?!? Thanks ☺️
Lisa
Hi Sue Ann, You can make the dressing the day before and refrigerate it. Bring it to room temperature and pour it over the cheese. Or you can make the whole thing early in the day and cover it loosely with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. Bring it to room temp before serving. Or you can make the whole appetizer and leave it out for an hour before serving as long as it's in a cool place. I hope that helps!
Maria
Sounds wonderful & easy ‘
What can I substitute for parsley ?
Lisa
If you're not a fan of parsley, how about chopped arugula? I think that would work well here. If that doesn't sound good to you, you can chop up some oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes and use those in place of the greens. I hope you enjoy!
Monique
The best appetizer ever! So easy, quick and delicious. Every time I make it, it is the party favorite. And everyone thinks I’ve gone to so much trouble..haha!
★★★★★
Lisa
That's awesome! I'm so glad to hear it. I feel exactly the same way about this dish!!
Jen
On the first bite, you might wince a bit at the insane amount of flavor hitting your tongue, but by the second bite, you’ll feel like you could eat a whole log by yourself. I always make two of these before a party - one for my friends and I to eat while we set up, and a second one for the party. It is SO GOOD.
★★★★★
Lisa
Haha, I love that strategy! I'm thrilled to hear you're enjoying the recipe. Thanks so much for your comment Jen!!
Niru
So simple, healthy and delicious!
★★★★★
Jen g.
Keep coming back and making this recipe. Am making it again tonight!
Easiest, most delicious app. you can make at the last minute.
★★★★★
Lisa
Hi Jen! Thanks for your comment. I'm happy to know you are enjoying 🙂
Ryan J
I used to think I didn't like goat cheese, but turns out I was just doing it wrong. This recipe changes everything.
★★★★★
Jonas
So simple, so delicious
★★★★★
Paul G
Goat cheese is delicious by itself, but the dressing even further amplifies its delicious flavor. A marvelous recipe
★★★★★
Alex G
This is really easy and great! Unfortunately you can't just serve people a log of goat cheese even though it's delicious but this basically lets you do just that but even more deliciously.
★★★★★
Lisa
Haha, I agree with you!
Christopher Crooks
Made this as an app for family. Addicting and so flavorful! Can't wait to bring to a party!
Barbara Joseph
I'm going to try this app tonight! I love when I find a recipe and I have all the ingredients at hand. I'll let you know how it goes!
Barbara Joseph
Worked out great! I used a lemon myer olive oil so it gave it a bit of fresh tang. Thank you!
Donna
I made this over the holidays and it was delicious! I used Vermont chèvre and a basil flavored olive oil. The longer it sat, the creamer and tastier it was. I will be making this again, it was so easy. Delicious and beautiful on the plate.
sara
YUM. This looks so so good...love it!
ingrid
perfect and simple! I'm going to a pot luck starters party friday night- I might add a bit of preserved lemons minced up too.
love your site! Ingrid
(friend of Jen + Mike)
Lisa
Hi Ingrid, I love that idea of adding preserved lemon. Let me know how it turns out. I know, from Jen, that you are an amazing cook!
Becky
I love this recipe!!!!!