Quick Dried Apricot & Blue Cheese Walnut Bites Recipe

Elegant appetizers can turn an ordinary evening into a delightful culinary experience with these dried apricot and blue cheese canapés that blend sweet and tangy flavors.

Soft dried apricots provide a luscious base for creamy blue cheese bold richness.

Toasted walnuts add a delightful crunch that complements the smooth texture of the cheese.

Each bite delivers a sophisticated balance of contrasting tastes that dance across your palate.

The simplicity of these canapés belies their impressive gourmet appeal.

Guests will be charmed by these bite-sized delicacies that promise to impress at any gathering.

Serve these elegant morsels and watch as your appetizer game reaches new heights of deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 70 kcal

Servings: 21

Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapés with Walnuts – Ingredient List

• Dried Apricots: Tangy and chewy foundation that provides a sweet-tart platform for the canapé, select plump and glossy fruits without crystallization.
• Blue Cheese: Creamy and pungent spread that delivers rich, sharp flavor, choose a high-quality artisan variety with robust character.

• Walnuts: Crunchy element adding textural contrast and nutty depth, select fresh halves with golden-brown color and no bitter undertones.
• Fresh Rosemary: Aromatic herb lending sophisticated herbal note, pick vibrant green sprigs with strong, clean fragrance.

• Honey: Sweet liquid binding ingredients with delicate smoothness, opt for raw, unfiltered varieties with complex floral undertones.

Tools to Assemble Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapés

• Serving platter: Large, flat dish for arranging canapés beautifully.
• Small spoon: Perfect for dolloping blue cheese smoothly onto apricots.
• Knife: Helps spread blue cheese and drizzle honey precisely.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing ingredients and chopping rosemary.
• Measuring spoon: Ensures consistent cheese and honey amounts for each canapé.

How to Make Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapés

• Apricot Foundation

Select plump, soft dried apricots as the base for these elegant bite-sized treats. Spread them carefully across a beautiful serving platter to create an inviting appetizer landscape.

• Creamy Blue Cheese Layer

Delicately spread a smooth layer of tangy blue cheese over each apricot. Aim for a balance that allows the cheese to complement without overwhelming the fruit’s natural sweetness.

• Nutty Crunch

Crown each canapé with a perfectly halved walnut, adding a rich, earthy dimension and satisfying textural contrast to the soft cheese and chewy apricot.

• Herbal Whisper

Garnish with a tiny, fragrant rosemary sprig to introduce a subtle herbal note that elevates the entire flavor profile of the appetizer.

• Sweet Finale

Finish with a delicate drizzle of golden honey, creating a glistening, sweet accent that ties all the complex flavors together beautifully.

• Presentation

Serve these sophisticated bites immediately while the textures are at their peak, or cover and chill briefly before your guests arrive.

Ideas to Customize Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapés

• Swap blue cheese for creamy goat cheese or tangy feta for a different flavor profile that still complements the sweet dried apricots.
• Experiment with fresh thyme or sage instead of rosemary to add unique aromatic touches that enhance the overall taste experience.
• Prepare the components separately up to 24 hours in advance, assembling the canapés just before serving to keep the walnuts crisp and apricots fresh.
• Lightly toast the walnut halves in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to intensify their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to each bite.
• Replace regular honey with agave nectar for a vegan-friendly option that maintains the sweet drizzle and flavor balance of the original recipe.

Serving Tips for Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapés

• Cocktail Party Stunner: Elegantly display these canapés on a sleek marble or wooden board, creating a visually stunning appetizer that will impress guests at any gathering.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Complement these rich, tangy bites with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio to balance the strong blue cheese flavor.
• Seasonal Gathering Centerpiece: Perfect for holiday parties, summer brunches, or intimate dinner events where guests can enjoy sophisticated yet easy-to-eat finger foods.
• Charcuterie Board Enhancement: Integrate these canapés into a larger charcuterie spread, adding a unique sweet and savory element that adds complexity to the board's flavor profile.

Storage Info for Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canapés

• Fridge-Friendly Snack Strategy: These canapés are best enjoyed within 24 hours of preparation, maintaining their crisp texture and vibrant flavors. Store them in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Advance Prep Magic: Assemble the blue cheese and walnut components up to 4 hours before serving, keeping them chilled. Add fresh rosemary and honey just before presenting to guests for maximum visual and taste appeal.
• Temperature Wisdom: Remove canapés from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing blue cheese to soften and develop richer flavor notes. Cold temperatures can mute the delicate cheese's complex characteristics.
• Ingredient Separation Technique: If making large batches, store dried apricots, blue cheese, walnuts, and honey separately. This prevents soggy bottoms and maintains each ingredient's individual texture and taste quality.

Elegant Dried Apricot and Blue Cheese Canaps with Walnuts Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 21 1x

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Description

Luxurious dried apricot and blue cheese canapés with walnuts combine sweet and tangy flavors for an elegant appetizer. Guests will savor these sophisticated bites that balance creamy cheese, nutty walnuts, and fruity notes with surprising depth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 20 dried apricots
• 2–3 oz (57–85 g) blue cheese (spreadable)
• 20 walnut halves or pieces
• 1–2 tbsps (15–30 ml) honey
• Fresh rosemary sprigs

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Arrange workspace with precision, ensuring all ingredients are readily accessible for crafting elegant canapés.
2. Base Construction: Meticulously lay dried apricots on a pristine serving platter, creating a uniform foundation for the gourmet appetizer.
3. Cheese Application: Smoothly spread blue cheese across each apricot, covering two-thirds of the surface with a creamy, tangy layer using a delicate butter knife or offset spatula.
4. Nutty Embellishment: Carefully position roasted walnuts atop the blue cheese, gently pressing to secure the nutty element and create textural complexity.
5. Aromatic Garnish: Delicately crown each canapé with a petite rosemary sprig, introducing a fragrant herbal note to the flavor profile.
6. Final Touch: Elegantly drizzle golden honey across the assembled canapés, allowing the sweet liquid to cascade gracefully over the composed elements.
7. Serving: Present immediately to preserve optimal texture and flavor, or refrigerate loosely covered for up to two hours before serving to maintain culinary integrity.

Notes

• Optimize Apricot Selection: Choose plump, vibrant golden-dried apricots without blemishes for the best flavor and visual appeal.
• Balance Cheese Spread: Apply blue cheese carefully, covering only two-thirds of the apricot to prevent overwhelming the delicate taste.
• Enhance Walnut Placement: Lightly press roasted walnuts into the cheese to create a stable, secure topping that won’t fall off during serving.
• Timing is Critical: Prepare canapés just before serving to preserve the crisp texture and prevent soggy edges, with a maximum refrigeration time of two hours.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 21
• Calories: 70
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 5mg