This is the easiest pear appetizer, featuring blue cheese and candied walnuts. It requires only three ingredients and can be whipped up in less than five minutes!

It’s the best fall appetizer recipe for a crowd.

Sweet, savory, crisp and crunchy – it’s the perfect start to your holiday meal!

Walnut, blue cheese and sliced pear appetizers on a white platter.
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With the holiday season coming up, I am always looking for easy appetizer recipes for my friends and family can munch on while they anticipate the holiday meal. And I love a quick appetizer that is easy for guests to eat. A finger food at its best.

I love bringing you fast and easy appetizers that are perfectly portioned for guests. Try my spinach artichoke cups or this Handheld Endive Salad for a delicious and pretty appetizer guests will love.

That’s why I decided on pears, blue cheese and candied walnuts. These three simple ingredients make this pear appetizer sweet, salty, crunchy and sweet.

As much as we love dips, there is a lot to be said for handheld individual appetizers, too. Don’t skip my guide to the BEST Easy Hors D’oeuvres.

Walnut, blue cheese and sliced pear appetizers on a white platter.

Pear Appetizer

This easy pear appetizer takes just five minutes to make and no clean-up necessary! Light, crisp and refreshing, it will keep your friends and family going back for more. It’s an elegant bite-sized snack and the perfect start to your holiday meal!

Why You’ll Love It

  • So Easy – Just three ingredients, making these an incredible last minute appetizer.
  • Wholesome – These are great for gluten free guests, as well as vegetarians!
  • Great for Autumn – While pears are available all year, this combination captures the perfect fall flavors.

I love pears, especially when they’re in season in fall and winter. If you love them too, be sure to check out this incredible Pear Cider recipe!

Walnut, blue cheese and sliced pear appetizers on a white platter.

Ingredients and Substitutions

See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

  • Pears – I choose to make this appetizer recipe with Comice pears, which just so happens to be the sweetest pear variety! Bosc or Red Anjou would work beautifully, too.
  • Blue Cheese – Purchase a whole block from the cheese counter in your grocery store or local market. The softer and fresher the cheese, the easier it is to stick to the pear slice. My favorites are Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Stilton. Soften to room temperature before assembly.
  • Candied Walnuts – I love to make homemade candied nuts, especially during the fall and winter season, but feel free to purchase a store-bought brand for convenience. Of course, to keep this recipe lower carb, you can always use regular walnuts, too.
Walnut, blue cheese and sliced pear appetizers on a white platter.
Walnut, blue cheese and sliced pear appetizers on a white platter.

Tools to Use

How To Make

  1. Thinly slice pears on a mandoline or with a knife.
  2. Place the pear slices on the serving platter, top with a soft, fresh blue cheese and a candied walnut.
A hand holding a slice of pear topped with a walnut and blue cheese.

Tips

I found the best way to get the most even pear slices is with a mandolin.
  1. First, set the mandolin to a medium thickness.
  2. Then, cut the pear into four and remove the core.
  3. Slice each quarter on your mandolin, using the hand guard for safety! Each quarter should give you six even slices.
Walnut, blue cheese and sliced pear appetizers on a white platter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cheese pairs well with pears?

Brie, creamy mascarpone, and blue cheese all pear beautifully with pears. Switch the cheese in this pear appetizer recipe to create an entirely new flavor profile!

How do you keep sliced pears from browning?

Coat them in something acidic to prevent browning. You can try lemon juice, or even orange or pineapple juice!

A hand holding a slice of pear topped with a walnut and blue cheese.

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – These walnut and pear appetizers can sit out for up to two hours while serving. However, keep in mind that the pear slices will brown with oxidation so they won’t be as beautiful!
  • Refrigerator – Sliced pears don’t store well in your refrigerator unless you treat them with something to prevent browning.
Walnut, blue cheese and sliced pear appetizers on a white platter.

More Fall Appetizers

A hand holding a slice of pear topped with a walnut and blue cheese.
5 from 8 votes
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Pear Appetizer with Blue Cheese and Candied Walnuts

This is an easy pear appetizer with blue cheese and candied walnuts that can be made in less than 5 minutes. It's the perfect fall appetizer for a crowd!
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 24
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Ingredients  

  • 1 pear (sliced thin on a mandolin)
  • 2 ounces blue cheese
  • 24 candied walnuts

Instructions 

  • Place the pear slices on serving platter.
  • Top each slice with a small dollop of blue cheese and candied walnut.

Julie’s Tips

Use your favorite blue cheese variety, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola or Stilton.
I have found that the best way to get the most even pear slices is with a mandolin.
  1. First, set the mandolin to a medium thickness.
  2. Then, cut the pear into four and remove the core.
  3. Slice each quarter on your mandolin, using the hand guard for safety! Each quarter should give you six even slices.
Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.6g | Protein: 0.62g | Fat: 1.05g | Saturated Fat: 0.44g | Cholesterol: 1.77mg | Sodium: 37.5mg | Potassium: 14.65mg | Fiber: 0.29g | Sugar: 1.04g | Vitamin A: 18.03IU | Vitamin C: 0.32mg | Calcium: 13.74mg | Iron: 0.03mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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5 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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7 Comments

  1. Delish and simply elegant. I made my balsamic candied pecans, used violife non-dairy blue cheeze crumbles, a tiny piece of caramelized onion on each, and drizzled balsamic glaze on the serving platter for plating. Hit of the party!! Thanks for the inspiration!

  2. 5 stars
    This looks amazing! I love all of these ingredients. I am going to make it for Christmas. Will the pears brown once cut? Just curious if they are like apples once you cut them? Thank you in advance!