Goat Cheese & Pear Flatbread with Hot Honey (Print View)

Crisp flatbread with creamy goat cheese, fresh pears, caramelized onions, and spicy honey drizzle.

# Components:

→ Flatbread Base

01 - 1 large store-bought or homemade flatbread, approximately 10 by 14 inches

→ Cheese & Dairy

02 - 5 ounces goat cheese, softened
03 - 1/4 cup ricotta cheese

→ Fruits

04 - 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Herbs & Garnish

06 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, optional

→ Hot Honey

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

→ Other

10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened and caramelized. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Combine goat cheese and ricotta in a mixing bowl. Blend until smooth and spreadable consistency is achieved.
04 - Place flatbread on the prepared baking sheet. Evenly spread the cheese mixture across the entire surface.
05 - Arrange pear slices evenly over the cheese layer. Top with caramelized onions and sprinkle thyme leaves throughout. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
06 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the flatbread is crisp and the edges are golden brown.
07 - While flatbread bakes, gently heat honey with chili flakes or hot sauce in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until warm and infused with spice.
08 - Remove flatbread from oven. Drizzle hot honey generously over the top. Sprinkle with walnuts if desired. Slice into portions and serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did.
  • The sweet-spicy-savory balance keeps you reaching for another slice.
  • It works as a fancy appetizer, a light lunch, or even a starter before dinner with friends.
02 -
  • Don't skip the caramelizing step with the onions—raw red onion is too sharp and overpowers the delicate goat cheese and pears.
  • The hot honey temperature matters more than you'd think; if it's too hot it can soften the crisp bottom, so aim for just warm enough to smell fragrant.
  • Slice your pears right before assembly to prevent browning, and if you have a few minutes, toss them in a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep them bright.
03 -
  • If your flatbread is on the thicker side, give it a quick 3-minute head start in the oven before adding toppings so the bottom gets a chance to crisp up.
  • The secret to this dish tasting special is using ingredients you actually enjoy on their own—this isn't the place to use mediocre goat cheese or hard pears just because they were cheaper.
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