A popular Spanish pintxo, these Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Bites are the perfect party appetizer. They're easy yet elegant, and always a crowd pleaser!
When we visited Spain, we fell in love with pintxos food culture. You can read more about pintxos in our Guide to Spanish Pintxos.
And we saw these caramelized onions and goat cheese crostini at several pintxos bars. We knew we had to recreate them at home!
This pintxos recipe is a go-to appetizer that can be made quickly and customized for any event. It's a true crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with wine, and will have your guests coming back for seconds!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
We've recreated the caramelized onion and goat cheese pintxos we tried in Spain, and hope you love it as much as we do!
- Perfect balance of flavors: The creamy tang of goat cheese pairs beautifully with the sweetness of caramelized onions.
- Easy to prepare: Requires minimal ingredients and can be made ahead of time for less stress on the day of your event.
- Elegant presentation: These crostini look sophisticated on any appetizer platter, making them ideal for parties and gatherings.
- Versatile: These tasty morsels are great for casual settings, dinner parties, or even as a side to a main course for weeknight dinners.
- Customizable: Want even more flavor or a unique twist? It's easy to add herbs, honey, or nuts to this dish.
🛒 Ingredient notes
This caramelized onion pintxo is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find in any local grocery store.
- Bread - A French baguette is the best choice. It's thin, crisp, and holds up well to toppings. You can also use ciabatta or sourdough for a different texture.
- Olive oil - Brush extra virgin olive oil onto the baguette slices before baking.
- Onions - Thinly sliced yellow onion is the key to this dish!
- Salt - To balance out the sweetness of the onions.
- Brown sugar - Use light brown sugar to caramelize the onions.
- Sherry vinegar - A little sherry gives this dish that extra Spanish flavor.
- Cheese - Goat cheese has a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the caramelized onion.
- Rosemary - This woody herb is great to garnish each pintxo.
Substitutions
- Not a fan of goat cheese? Try using ricotta, cream cheese, or even brie for a creamier alternative.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
You'll find the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. But for my fellow visual learners, here are step-by-step photos to help you make this delicious dish!
- Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil to a large non-stick skillet. Then add the onions and sauté over medium-high heat.
- Add the salt, light brown sugar, and sherry vinegar. Then allow the onions to cook down and caramelize for several minutes.
3. While the onions are caramelizing, bake the sliced baguette.
4. When the baguette slices and the onions are done, it's time to assemble! Start by spreading some goat cheese on each baguette slice.
5. Then top with caramelized onions.
6. Finally, garnish each with a few small cut rosemary sprigs.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
To prevent sogginess, toast the crostini until they're golden and crisp. You can also brush them with olive oil before toasting, which creates a barrier to keep them crunchy.
Yes! You can caramelize the onions up to 2-3 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Both options work! While the crostini is often served at room temperature, you can serve it slightly warm by toasting the crostini and reheating the caramelized onions before assembly.
Yes, you can customize the crostini by adding toppings like fresh herbs (thyme, basil), a drizzle of honey, or even chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture.
These Spanish pintxos (appetizers) are best enjoyed soon after they are made and assembled. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
🍽 Serving ideas
These caramelized onions and goat cheese bites are perfect to serve at a Spanish-themed party!
Serve them with Gilda pintxos, shrimp pintxos, and Gambas al Ajillo, along with Tinto de Verano low alcohol cocktails.
Or serve them at any fall gathering, along with butternut squash dip and an arugula and pear salad.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
While I really enjoy serving these with Tinto de Veranos, a low alcohol red wine cocktail, I also find these two wines pair well with this dish:
- Sauvignon Blanc: The crisp acidity of Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the creamy goat cheese, cutting through the richness and complementing the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
- Pinot Noir: A light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir enhances the earthiness of the goat cheese and brings out the savory notes in the caramelized onions without overpowering the dish.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
More pintxos recipes (Spanish appetizers)
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese Bites
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 large onion, sliced thinly
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1½ teaspoons light brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons sherry vinegar
- 12 slices baguette
- 6 ounces goat cheese
- small sprigs of fresh rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Stir in the sliced onions and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, add salt, sugar, and sherry.
- Cook on medium-low for 25-30 minutes or until caramelized, stirring regularly. Turn off the heat and cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bake the baguette slices.
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the baguette slices on top. Brush the slices with the remaining olive oil. Bake for 6-8 minutes, just until the tops and edges are slightly crispy.
- Assemble the appetizers: Spread goat cheese over the tops of each baguette slice, top with some caramelized onions, then garnish with rosemary.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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