Goat Cheese & Pear with Hot Honey (Printable)

Crispy flatbread with goat cheese, pears, caramelized onions, walnuts, and spicy hot honey drizzle.

# What you'll need:

→ Flatbread Base

01 - 1 large store-bought or homemade flatbread, approximately 12 by 8 inches
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Cheese & Dairy

03 - 5 ounces goat cheese, softened
04 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables & Fruit

05 - 1 large ripe pear, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Nuts & Seeds

07 - 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Hot Honey

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

→ Herbs & Seasoning

10 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add sliced red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and deeply caramelized, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, combine softened goat cheese and cream cheese. Mix until completely smooth and uniform.
04 - Spread cheese mixture evenly over flatbread, leaving a small border around the edges. Layer caramelized onions and pear slices across the cheese. Scatter chopped walnuts and fresh thyme leaves over the top. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
05 - Transfer assembled flatbread to prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and cheese is warmed through.
06 - While flatbread bakes, combine honey and hot sauce in a microwave-safe bowl. Warm for 10 to 15 seconds and stir thoroughly to blend. Adjust spice intensity to personal preference.
07 - Remove flatbread from oven. Drizzle generously with warm hot honey. Garnish with additional fresh thyme if desired. Slice into portions and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you fussed for hours but honestly takes less time than ordering delivery.
  • The hot honey trick—that warm spice against cool creamy cheese—is the kind of flavor surprise that makes people ask for your recipe immediately.
  • You can prep everything ahead and bake it right when guests arrive, which means you're not stuck in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip the caramelization of onions—I once tried to speed it up on high heat and they went bitter, turning the whole thing sharp and unpleasant, so patience really does pay off here.
  • Slice your pears just before assembling; they brown quickly, but if you do them right when you pull the flatbread from the oven, they'll stay bright and beautiful.
03 -
  • Toast your walnuts in a dry skillet for a minute or two before chopping—it brings out their depth and makes them taste roasted rather than raw, which changes everything.
  • If your hot honey seizes up or gets too thick, add a tiny drizzle of warm water and it'll loosen right back up, making it easier to drizzle beautifully.
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