Brie and Bacon Jam Crostini

These brie and bacon jam crostini are a delicious savory appetizer to serve this holiday season. Who doesn’t love brie, bacon and baguettes? 

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I can easily say this brie and bacon jam crostini is my favorite crostini recipe I have made to date. These crostini will make the perfect appetizer for your next holiday gathering.

The creamy melty brie and flavorful bacon jam are a match made in heaven. Both atop slices of crusty toasted baguette.

This brie and bacon jam crostini recipe requires just 10 ingredients. The bacon jam can be made ahead of time and assembly takes only 15 minutes.

Looking for more crostini ideas? Try my goat cheese, bacon and fig crostini or my whipped feta and roasted grape crostini.

What is Bacon Jam?

Bacon jam is a savory and slightly sweet condiment made of bacon, aromatics, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.

The bacon is crisped, the aromatics are caramelized and the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar are reduced down to create a jammy consistency that is packed with umami flavor.

Bacon jam can be used to top crostini like in this recipe, as well as in sandwiches and burgers, on charcuterie boards or atop roasted veggies such as Brussels sprouts.

Ingredients

Bacon: of course you have to have bacon to make bacon jam. It will be diced up, crisped in a pan then combined with the rest of the bacon jam ingredients.
Aromatics: onion, shallots and garlic are all caramelized to add tons of flavor to the bacon jam.
Maple syrup: maple syrup adds a nice touch of sweetness to the bacon jam and also helps create a jam like consistency.
Balsamic vinegar: the balsamic reduces down to create a jammy consistency around the bacon and aromatics. It adds tons of umami flavor.
Baguette: the baguette is sliced into 1/4 inch slices and toasted lightly before being topped with the brie and bacon jam.
Brie cheese: creamy and mild brie is the perfect pairing for this bacon jam.
Olive oil: to brush the baguette slices before going into the oven.
Thyme: optional, for a garnish and touch of green.

Equipment

Large skillet
Baking sheet
Cutting board and knife
Measuring cups

Make the bacon Jam

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon from the pan and drain on a paper towel lined plate.

Cook the second batch of bacon, then remove from the pan and drain on paper towel lined plate. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the pan.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the onions. Cook the onions until they are very soft and golden brown, being sure to stir them frequently to avoid burning; this should take about 20 minutes.

Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the bacon back to the pan along with the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.

Simmer the mixture over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, or until the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar thicken around the bacon and aromatics and form a jammy consistency.

Assemble the Crostini

Preheat the oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut the baguette at a bias into 1/4 inch slices. Brush each piece of baguette with olive oil.

Bake the baguette for 4 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow crostini to cool for a few minutes.

Top each crostini with a slice of brie cheese and about one tablespoon of bacon jam.

Place the baking sheet back into the oven and bake crostini for 6 minutes, or until the brie has melted and the bacon jam is warmed through.

Garnish with fresh thyme (optional) and serve warm.

Tips

• Cooking the bacon in batches avoids overcrowding the pan and ensures the bacon gets crispy.
• Be sure to stir the onions frequently so they don’t burn.
• You can use water, stock or white wine to help caramelize the onions quicker.
• Make the bacon jam in advance to save time, assembly and baking takes only about 15 minutes.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can make the bacon jam ahead of time and assemble and bake the crostini right before serving, so they are warm.

To make bacon jam ahead of time, complete steps 1-3 below and once bacon jam has cooled, store in an air tight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, complete steps 4-6.

What do I serve brie and bacon jam crostini with?

I recommend serving brie and bacon jam crostini as an autumn or holiday appetizer, either by itself or with one of the appetizer recipes below. Try my sheet pan maple mustard chicken or my leek, potato and cauliflower soup for an entree.

How do I store leftovers? 

Assembled brie and bacon jam crostini can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

I recommend storing any leftover bacon jam in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It also freezes quite well for up to 6 months.

Substitutions

Bacon: Feel free to use one pound of turkey bacon instead of regular bacon.
Maple syrup: brown sugar also works in place of maple syrup. Use 1/3 cup brown sugar.
Bacon jam: if you are short on time, you can use store bought bacon jam and proceed with steps 4-6.

More Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love

• Roasted Delicata Squash and Burrata Salad
• Whipped Goat Cheese and Squash Dip
• Pear and Brie Flatbread
• Antipasto Wreath
• Fig and Goat Cheese Flatbread

If you make this Brie and Bacon Jam Crostini, be sure to leave a comment below and rate this recipe! If you snap a pic, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thechowdown! I love seeing your creations!