This silky, tangy whipped goat cheese appetizer gets topped with rich bacon onion jam. It’s smoky, sweet, and perfect. Serve it with crisp crostini or crackers for an easy crowd-pleaser. When it comes to goat cheese recipes, this one truly steals the show!
You can’t buy happiness… but you CAN make bacon onion jam. Close enough.
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🗝️ Recipe's key points
- This goat cheese dip with bacon feels elegant and impressive, yet comes together with minimal effort.
- Creamy, tangy goat cheese pairs perfectly with the sweet, smoky bacon jam.
- A crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for holidays, gatherings, or an elevated night in.
You can make this delicious creamy goat cheese spread without spending hours in the kitchen. And honestly, I'm game for any excuse to enjoy bacon jam!
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients for the bacon jam appetizer with whipped goat cheese. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
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- Bacon – Provides a smoky, salty, meaty base and chewy texture for the jam. Pancetta is a good substitution for a less smoky flavor.
- Onion – Yellow onion or sweet onion are great for this jam. It becomes sweet and jammy when caramelized.
- Light brown sugar – Adds sweetness and creates a thick, sticky glaze.
- Smoked Paprika – For a delicious smoky flavor profile.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds deep, savory umami and a gentle tang. It balances the brown sugar’s sweetness and the bacon’s richness
- Goat cheese – Softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Cream cheese – Softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Olive oil – the oil helps the ingredients come together and provides a nice rich flavor. You could also use avocado oil.
- Kosher salt – Enhances the flavors of the whipped cheese mixture.
- Fresh thyme leaves – Added as a garnish once the whipped cheese is topped with the bacon-onion jam.
- Dippers (crostini or crackers) – Use store-bought or homemade crostini or crackers.
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the goat cheese dip with bacon recipe. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Cook bacon over medium for 9 minutes until the fat renders and the edges start to crisp.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and pour the remaining drippings left in the skillet into a heatproof measuring cup.
- Add 2 tablespoons of drippings back to the skillet together with the onion and cooked bacon.
- Cook for 8 minutes over medium until the onion is golden brown.
- Stir in brown sugar, 1 tablespoon water, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire into the bacon mixture.
- Cook for 15-30 seconds, stirring constantly, until syrupy and combined. Transfer to a heatproof measuring cup or bowl and let the mixture cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Add goat cheese, cream cheese, oil, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Beat with an electric mixer using the whisk attachment on medium speed. Mix until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.
- Spread the goat cheese mixture inside a shallow bowl.
- Top with the smoky bacon jam.
- Garnish with thyme leaves.
- Serve with Easy Fried Crackers or crostini.
This belongs on a wooden board with friends nearby and wine flowing freely 🍷
🥫 Storage
Freshly whipped goat cheese with bacon jam tastes best right away. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The whipped cheese mixture will thicken up, so make sure you give it a good stir before serving again.
Any leftover bacon onion jam can be stored in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave to enjoy.
📚 Variations
- Toppings: Skip the smoked bacon jam if you’d like. Top the whipped goat cheese with a drizzle of pesto. Add fresh fruit, like berries, peach slices, or pear slices. Sprinkle on nuts for crunch. Finish with honey, or hot honey. Try olives, too. Add halved grape or cherry tomatoes. Spoon on chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Add fresh herbs to taste.
- Whipped cheese base: Instead of goat cheese, consider using whipped feta cheese for a saltier and tangier version. For a lighter and milder version, opt for ricotta cheese. For a sweeter flavor profile, use mascarpone.
- Low-carb appetizer: Use dippers such as sliced fresh veggies to keep this appetizer low-carb.
Warning: standing near this appetizer may result in hovering 👀
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Don't discard the remaining bacon drippings. They make a delicious liquid seasoning that you can use to sauté vegetables, or as a savory cooking base to flavor soups or stews. It's also great for infusing flavor into homemade sauce or to mix into mash.
- Since this recipe calls for simple ingredients, it's important to use high-quality ingredients. Use creamy, tangy goat cheese, full-fat cream cheese, and thick-cut bacon.
- This appetizer is best when topped with warm smokey bacon onion jam. The contrast between the cool, creamy whipped goat cheese and the warm, sticky-sweet bacon jam is irresistible.
- Consider presentation when serving this whipped goat cheese appetizer for guests or during holidays. I like to spread whipped goat cheese in a shallow bowl. Then I spoon bacon-onion jam on top. I finish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme for color.
🤔 FAQs
Absolutely! You can prepare both the whipped goat cheese and the bacon jam up to 2 days in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then assemble just before serving for the best texture and presentation.
Store leftover bacon jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently or bring to room temperature before serving.
This dish is best served slightly warm or at room temperature. The goat cheese stays creamy, and the bacon jam remains soft and spreadable.
If goat cheese isn’t your favorite, swap it for ricotta, mascarpone, or whipped feta for a new flavor.
Crostini is a classic choice. You can also serve it with crackers. Try toasted baguette slices or pita chips. Fresh veggies work too, like celery and cucumber.
Yes! You can create a similar jam using caramelized onions, mushrooms, or even sun-dried tomatoes for a vegetarian version.
Let crostini cool completely before storing, and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating them, as it can make them soft.
It’s perfect! This appetizer is elegant, easy to prepare, and always a crowd favorite for holidays, dinner parties, and special occasions.
📗 Related Recipes
If you love this whipped goat cheese dip, these other recipes offer similar appeal. You'll find creamy, bold flavors, a crispy alternative to crostini, and smoky depth that mirrors the bacon jam.
- Baked Goat Cheese Marinara Dip - Warm, creamy goat cheese is baked in a bold, herb-packed marinara with roasted garlic, olives, and caramelized onions for an easy, flavor-loaded appetizer.
- Baked Pasta Chips with Feta Dip - Crispy, golden pasta chips seasoned with Parmesan and herbs pair perfectly with a creamy, Mediterranean-inspired feta dip.
- Mediterranean Smokey Creamy Eggplant Dip - This smoky, creamy baba ghanoush blends roasted eggplant, garlic, and sesame into a rich Mediterranean dip perfect for flatbread or veggies.
- Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip – A creamy dip with spinach and artichoke hearts, and grated cheese. The slightly tangy flavor and delicious texture make it a favorite.
Your new favorite party appetizer starts HERE!
🍽 What to serve with this whipped goat cheese appetizer
While crostini is a classic option to pair with this bacon jam appetizer, it’s just as delicious served with crackers, toasted baguette slices, pita chips or pasta chips, or even crisp vegetables like celery and cucumber.
How about some soft breadsticks or even classic grissini? You can't go wrong!
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- Skillet - Used to cook the bacon, render the fat, and sauté the onions to build the rich, flavorful jam.
- Cutting Board - Provides a stable surface for chopping the bacon and onion.
- Kitchen knife - Used to chop the bacon and finely dice the onion.
- Measuring spoons - Ensure precise amounts of seasonings and flavorings like sugar, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Heatproof measuring cup - Holds and separates the hot bacon drippings and later the warm bacon jam mixture.
- Electric mixer - Whips the goat cheese and cream cheese into a smooth, creamy dip.
- Slotted spoon - Transfers the cooked bacon while leaving excess fat behind in the skillet.
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
Ohhh, amici… this is one of those recipes that turns a simple gathering into something special. You set it on the table in your favorite ciotola. Add a small pioggerella(drizzle) of olive oil. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top. Suddenly, everyone asks, “Chi ha fatto questo(Who made this)?!”
I love how this dish feels just a little fancy, but it’s secretly so easy. The creamy goat cheese and sweet, smoky bacon jam hit the perfect balance. It’s the kind of crostini that begs for “just one more.” And then, magari, three more.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, this antipasto fits right in. Whether you’re planning a girls’ night, it’s a great pick. Or if you’re just treating yourself to a glass of wine, it still feels perfect. It’s cozy. It’s delicious. It brings all the good vibes.
Make it once, and I promise—it’s going straight into your go-to favorites collection.
Buon appetito, always 💕
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
The crostini are merely vehicles for greatness.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
Crostini With Whipped Goat Cheese And Bacon Onion Jam
Equipment Needed
- Large Skillet For recipe (and fried crackers if desired)
- Baking sheet For crostini
Ingredients
- 8 oz. thick-cut bacon about 6 slices, chopped
- 1 cup chopped yellow or sweet onion from 1 small onion
- 3 Tbsp. light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz. goat cheese softened
- 4 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- Fresh thyme leaves
- Easy Fried Crackers or Crostini recipes follow
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Stir it now and then. Cook until the fat melts and the edges turn crisp, about 9 minutes
- Remove from heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour drippings into a heatproof measuring cup.
- Add 2 tablespoons of drippings back to the skillet; reserve the remaining drippings for another use.
- Add the onion and cooked bacon to the skillet; cook over medium, stirring often, until the onion is golden brown, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in brown sugar, 1 tablespoon water, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire into the bacon mixture.
- Cook for 15 to 30 seconds, stirring the whole time, until it turns glossy and syrupy.
- Remove from heat, then transfer the mixture to a heatproof measuring cup or bowl. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Beat goat cheese, cream cheese, oil, and salt with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.
- Spread the goat cheese mixture inside a shallow bowl. Top with Smoky Bacon Jam, and garnish with thyme leaves.
- Serve with Easy Fried Crackers or crostini. ( Recipes are included in the recipe notes.)
Notes
- 1 baguette, preferably whole grain
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and sliced in half length-wise
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- Turn on the oven's broiler to high. Cut the baguette slices at a diagonal angle about ¼-inch thick, and lay them flat on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Brush the baguette slices lightly with olive oil. Rub the garlic on each baguette slice, then sprinkle them with the salt and pepper.
- Place the pan in the oven, about 4 inches from the broiler. Toast for about 2 minutes. Check the chicken at 1 minute. Turn the pan if needed, for even browning.
- Remove the baking pan from the oven and carefully flip the slices over so the uncooked side is facing up. Brush with remaining olive oil. Rub the slices with garlic again.
- Return to the oven, and again toast the bread about 4 inches from the broiler for 1 to 1-½ minutes. The edges should be a golden brown.
- Remove from the oven immediately. The crostini may be served warm or cool with your favorite topping.
- Heat 4 cups of canola oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350℉.
- Working in batches, fry one sleeve of saltine crackers until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch.
- Let drain on a wire rack.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if they last that long!).
