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    Home » Appetizers

    Crostini with Balsamic Caramelized Onions, Melted Cheese & Sage Recipe

    Published: Oct 13, 2011 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 42 Comments

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    A little sweet, a little savory - these crostini with caramelized onions and melted cheese are the perfect comfort food appetizers.
    A little sweet, a little savory - these crostini with caramelized onions and melted cheese are the perfect comfort food appetizers.

    Crostini with Balsamic Caramelized Onions, Melted Cheese & Sage Recipe

    One can never have too many appetizer or hors d'oeuvres recipes. With football and hockey (I am Canadian, after all) seasons in full swing and the holidays just around the corner, I am working on filling out my appetizer recipe box, particularly with easy recipes that require few ingredients. Fewer trips to the grocery store during holiday madness makes for a much happier "me". This recipe of caramelized onions, sage and melted cheese requires items that are found in most pantries and refrigerators. Pop into the bakery for a fresh baguette, caramelize the onions ahead of time, pour a glass of wine and you are on your way to a low-stress cocktail or Sunday football party.

    I discovered the sweet and savory flavor of balsamic caramelized onions a couple of years ago. The depth of flavor comes from the sweetness of the onions mixed with the slight acidity of balsamic vinegar. I put them in everything from soup (Tortellini Soup with Balsamic Caramelized Onions & Mushrooms - seriously good) to vegetarian stews (Crockpot Chickpea Stew with Caramelized Onions) and salads (Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Cannellini Bean Salad - one of my favorite lunches).

    The recipe:
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

    Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with about 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

    Car Onion Canape 1

    For the onions, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 15 minutes.

    Stir in brown sugar. Cover and cook until the onions are golden brown, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Add ¼ cup water, cover the pan again and cook until the onions are deep golden brown, about 15 minutes.

    Car Onion Canape Collage

    Stir in balsamic vinegar, salt, sage and an additional ¼ cup water. Cover the pan and cook until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat.

    CarOnionCanape4

    Using a vegetable peeler, shave off Pecorino Romano slices, one for each baguette slice.

    Divide the caramelized onions between the baguette slices and top each one with a slice of cheese.

    Place in oven and bake until cheese is beginning to melt, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve.

    A little sweet, a little savory - these crostini with caramelized onions and melted cheese are the perfect comfort food appetizers.

    Other hors d'oeuvres/appetizers with caramelized onions:
    Cookin' Canuck's (guest post on White on Rice Couple) Pancetta, Caramelized Onion Puff Pastry "Ravioli"
    Cookin' Canuck's Brie Cheese & Caramelized Onion Whole Wheat Flatbread
    Guilty Kitchen's Caramelized Onion Dip
    Brown Eyed Baker's Onion, Mushroom & Gruyere Tartlets
    Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats' Caramelized Onion Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites

    Crostini with Caramelized Onions, Melted Cheese & Sage

    A little sweet, a little savory - these crostini with caramelized onions and melted cheese are the perfect comfort food appetizers.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: Healthy Appetizers
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 24 Crostini
    Calories: 66kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 1 baguette cut on diagonal into ½-inch slices
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
    • 3 large yellow onions peeled and sliced thinly into semicircles
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • ½ cup water divided
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
    • 3 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese
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    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with about 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
    • For the onions, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add the onions and cook until softened, about 15 minutes.
    • Stir in brown sugar. Cover and cook until the onions are golden brown, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Add ¼ cup water, cover the pan again and cook until the onions are deep golden brown, about 15 minutes.
    • Stir in balsamic vinegar, salt, sage and an additional ¼ cup water. Cover the pan and cook until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat.
    • Using a vegetable peeler, shave off Pecorino Romano slices, one for each baguette slice.
    • Divide the caramelized onions between the baguette slices and top each one with a slice of cheese.
    • Place in oven and bake until cheese is beginning to melt, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Crostino | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Signature

    166Shares
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Nann......At Nann's Table

        December 29, 2011 at 12:19 am

        Wow do these ever look delicious. I'm printing this fabulous recipe because both we would love it. You have a delightful blog. So glad I came. I am a new blogger of just 6 weeks and have so enjoyed finding other incredibly wonderful blogs like yours.

        Nann

        Reply
      2. Tori

        November 02, 2011 at 1:39 pm

        This looks perfect for the next gathering I have. I love how the recipe seems very deep in flavor but very simple to make (my style!).

        Reply
      3. Monet

        October 18, 2011 at 9:12 pm

        What a great way to start a party! This looks so good...and I'm so glad that my arm is better and I can visit and comment again! Thank you for being such an inspiration. Your words, recipes and photos...yum, yum, yum! Blessings from Austin

        Reply
      4. Isabel

        October 17, 2011 at 6:53 am

        i want to eat those NOW! they look so yummy!!!

        Reply
      5. naomi

        October 16, 2011 at 10:47 pm

        I'm all for making small bites a meal in themself. Love this recipe-so perfect for holiday entertaining.

        Reply
      6. Ashley@BakerbyNature

        October 16, 2011 at 4:06 pm

        How perfect that I just caramelized a batch of onions this afternoon, and happen to have sage in the fridge; a baguette will be coming home tomorrow night and making this happen.

        Reply
      7. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen

        October 15, 2011 at 8:36 pm

        This looks so delicious, I really like the sage addition.

        Reply
      8. KC Quaretti

        October 15, 2011 at 1:16 pm

        Dara your photo is great, it makes me want to reach right over and grab one! Will definately be trying this in the next few days!

        Reply
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      Hi there! Welcome to Cookin' Canuck.

      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

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