--- title: Balsamic Strawberry Crostini with Vegan Goat Cheese description: These balsamic strawberry crostini's make for a simple and delicious plant-based appetizer that comes together in minutes!  image: https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/IMG_4272-1.jpg --- [![Joolies California Superfruit](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/joolies_logo_tm11.png)](https://joolies.com/) - [Shop](https://joolies.com/collections/all) - [Find Us](https://joolies.com/pages/find-us) - [Recipes & More](https://blog.joolies.com/) - [Date-able Recipes](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/date-able-recipes) - [Company News](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/company-news) - [Healthy Living](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/healthy-living) - [Dates 101](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/dates-101) - [Our Dates](https://joolies.com/pages/our-dates) - [Sustainability](https://go.joolies.com/sustainability) - [Our Story](https://joolies.com/pages/our-story) - [Wholesale](https://go.joolies.com/wholesale) [![julies](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/Joolies_June_2019/Images/logo.svg)](https://joolies.com/) ![organic medjool dates](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/Scree8oluynshot_111.png) # Date Book [All](https://blog.joolies.com/) [Date-able Recipes](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/date-able-recipes) [Company News](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/company-news) [Healthy Living](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/healthy-living) [Dates 101](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/dates-101) # Balsamic Strawberry Crostini with Vegan Goat Cheese 4 Minute Read Tags: [Date-able Recipes](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/date-able-recipes) [Vegan](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/vegan) [Nut-Free](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/nut-free) [Vegetarian](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/vegetarian) [Dairy-Free](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/dairy-free) [Soy-Free](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/soy-free) [Egg-Free](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/egg-free) [Refined Sugar-Free](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/refined-sugar-free) [Peanut-Free](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/peanut-free) [Snack](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/snack) [Side Dish](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/side-dish) [Appetizer](https://blog.joolies.com/tag/appetizer) Written by [Abby](https://blog.joolies.com/author/abby) ![Balsamic Strawberry Crostini with Vegan Goat Cheese](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/IMG_4272-1.jpg) *These balsamic strawberry crostini's make for a simple and delicious plant-based appetizer that comes together in minutes! * Whether you're getting ready for wine night, movie night, or hosting a party, these **Balsamic Strawberry Crostini's** will level up your appetizer spread and have everyone coming back for more. We teamed up with Spero Foods to bring you a delicious, **plant-based** appetizer that is easy to make and comes together in minutes--no prep work needed! Whew!   You might be wondering *what* *exactly is crostini? *Crostini hails from Italy and [literally means "little crusts" in Italian](https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/how-to/2012/08/difference-between-crostini-vs-bruschetta). Small slices of grilled or toasted bread, this Italian appetizer has exponential topping options and flavor combos!    ![IMG_4273-3](https://blog.joolies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_4273-3.jpg?width=889&name=IMG_4273-3.jpg)   ## Ingredients you'll need: 1. 1. [Joolies date syrup](https://blog.joolies.com/https/blog.joolies.com/bittersweet-goodbye-to-joolies-date-syrup) - The sole *natural *sweetener needed to add a touch of sweetness to the balsamic strawberry mixture, bringing all the flavors together. Made with only ONE ingredient: upcycled medjool dates and you still [maintain all the nutrient and health benefits of a medjool date](https://blog.joolies.com/6-health-benefits-of-dates) in the syrup form.  2. **Baguette** - Making fresh crostini at home is incredibly easy and more affordable! Grab one of these in the bakery section at your local grocery. 3. [Spero Foods Vegan Goat Cheese](https://sperofoods.co/products/alternative-goat-cheese) - This plant-based cheese is made with only simple, REAL ingredients and is nut-free! The base is made from sunflower seeds which is better for the earth 🌱 4. **Fresh Strawberries** - Fresh is a must! Frozen strawberries will create too much liquid once they thaw and make for mushy crostini's🥴  5. **Balsamic Vinegar** - This adds a tangy, sweet flavor to the topping that really compliments the strawberries and date syrup.  6. **Lemon zest** - Zest, not juice! The peel holds the fruit’s essential oils, which add a bright, sweet flavor unlike lemon juice which adds a tart, acidic flavor. 7. **Olive Oil** - A little brush of this over the mini toasts to get the perfect toasted crisp. Feel free to swap with avocado oil or vegan butter.  1. 1.   If you make this delicious appetizer, be sure to tag us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jooliesdates/) and [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/jooliesdates/overview/) so we can see all your date-able date recipe recreations! And you can always comment below!    ![IMG_4273-3](https://blog.joolies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_4273-3.jpg?width=3024&name=IMG_4273-3.jpg)   ## More Date-able Appetizers 1. [Date Pecan Cheese Ball](https://blog.joolies.com/date-pecan-cheese-ball)  2. [Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates](https://blog.joolies.com/bacon-wrapped-stuffed-dates) 3. [Roasted Squash Salad with Date Balsamic Dressing](https://blog.joolies.com/roasted-squash-salad-with-date-balsamic-dressing) 4. [Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Dates](https://blog.joolies.com/prosciutto-wrapped-stuffed-dates) 5. [Date Caramel Dip](https://blog.joolies.com/date-caramel-dip)    ![balsamic strawberry crostini-3](https://blog.joolies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/balsamic%20strawberry%20crostini-3.png?width=480&name=balsamic%20strawberry%20crostini-3.png)   ## Balsamic Strawberry Crostini with Vegan Goat Cheese Vegan, Nut-Free, Refined sugar-free - prep time: 15 minutes - chill time: 15 minutes - total time: 30 minutes **Servings: 12-15**   **INGREDIENTS:** - ½ cup strawberries – finely chopped - ¼ cup balsamic vinegar - lemon zest - 1-2 tbsp.[Joolies date syrup](https://blog.joolies.com/https/blog.joolies.com/bittersweet-goodbye-to-joolies-date-syrup) - [Spero Foods Vegan Goat Cheese](https://sperofoods.co/products/alternative-goat-cheese) - ½ baguette - olive oil **DIRECTIONS:** 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Slice baguette into 1/2 inch slices, brush with olive oil and pop in the oven for 10 minutes or until nicely toasted.  2. While your tiny toasts are toasting, chop strawberries into tiny pieces on a paper towel and lightly pat to absorb excess juice so the sauce won't get watered down. 3. In a small sauce pan, add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 1 tbsp. of date syrup. Reduce the vinegar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, until the consistency is thickens. 4. Combine the chopped strawberries, balsamic reduction sauce and lemon zest into a small bowl and gently stir. 5. Spread a little vegan goat cheese on each toast, then top with balsamic strawberries + extra lemon zest to the crostini and enjoy! *Optional: drizzle more date syrup on top! * [Download Recipe](https://go.joolies.com/balsamic-strawberry-crostini-download) [Buy Now Online](https://joolies-dates.myshopify.com/cart/39408522723431:1?channel=buy_button) ## Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest promotions, recipes, date-ing tips and giveaway opportunities! ### Subscribe Here! ![organic medjool dates](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/joolies_circle_logo_tm.png) - [Shop](https://joolies.com/collections/all) - [Find Us](https://joolies.com/pages/find-us) - [Our Dates](https://joolies.com/pages/our-dates) - [Our Story](https://joolies.com/pages/our-story) - [Press](https://go.joolies.com/press) - [Wholesale](https://joolies.com/pages/wholesale) - [Blog](https://blog.joolies.com/) - GET IN TOUCH Grown \[with love\] under the California sun 🌴☀️ Path Copy@3x Created with Sketch. ![date](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5221331/Joolies_June_2019/Images/date-new_250x250.png) [![Joolies](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/joolies_circle_logo_tm.png)](https://joolies.com/collections/frontpage/products/whole) [![Joolies](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/joolies_circle_logo_tm.png)](https://joolies.com/collections/frontpage/products/datesyrup) [![Joolies](https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/joolies_circle_logo_tm.png)](https://joolies.com/collections/frontpage/products/pitted) [Shop Now](https://joolies.com/products/whole) [info@joolies.com](mailto:info@joolies.com) © 2020. All Rights Reserved  |  [Design](https://310creative.com/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Recipe", "@id": "https://blog.joolies.com/balsamic-strawberry-crostini", "image": "https://blog.joolies.com/hubfs/IMG_4272.jpg", "name": "Balsamic Strawberry Crostini with Vegan Goat Cheese", "datePublished": "2021-03-10", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abby" }, "keywords": [ "vegan", "nut free", "vegetarian", "dairy-free", "soy-free", "egg-free", "refined sugar free", "peanut-free" ], "description": "These balsamic strawberry crostini's make for a simple and delicious plant-based appetizer that comes together in minutes! Whether you're getting ready for wine night, movie night, or hosting a party, these Balsamic Strawberry Crostini's will level up your appetizer spread and have everyone coming back for more. We teamed up with Spero Foods to bring you a delicious, plant-based appetizer that is easy to make and comes together in minutes--no prep work needed! Whew! You might be wondering what exactly is crostini? Crostini hails from Italy and literally means 'little crusts' in Italian. Small slices of grilled or toasted bread, this Italian appetizer has exponential topping options and flavor combos! Ingredients you'll need: Joolies date syrup The sole natural sweetener needed to add a touch of sweetness to the balsamic strawberry mixture, bringing all the flavors together. Made with only ONE ingredient: upcycled medjool dates and you still maintain all the nutrient and health benefits of a medjool date in the syrup form. Baguette Making fresh crostini at home is incredibly easy and more affordable! Grab one of these in the bakery section at your local grocery. Spero Foods Vegan Goat Cheese This plant-based cheese is made with only simple, REAL ingredients and is nut-free! The base is made from sunflower seeds which is better for the earth 🌱 Fresh Strawberries Fresh is a must! Frozen strawberries will create too much liquid once they thaw and make for mushy crostini's🥴 Balsamic Vinegar This adds a tangy, sweet flavor to the topping that really compliments the strawberries and date syrup. Lemon zest Zest, not juice! The peel holds the fruit’s essential oils, which add a bright, sweet flavor unlike lemon juice which adds a tart, acidic flavor. Olive Oil A little brush of this over the mini toasts to get the perfect toasted crisp. Feel free to swap with avocado oil or vegan butter. If you make this delicious appetizer, be sure to tag us on Instagram and Pinterest so we can see all your date-able recreations! And you can always comment below! More Date-able Appetizers Date Pecan Cheese Ball Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates Roasted Squash Salad with Date Balsamic Dressing Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Dates Date Caramel Dip", "prepTime": "P15TM", "cookTime": "P15TM", "totalTime": "P30TM", "recipeCategory": "side dish", "recipeCuisine": "American", "recipeIngredient": [ "½ cup strawberries – finely chopped", "¼ cup balsamic vinegar", "lemon zest", "1-2 tbsp. Joolies date syrup", "Spero Foods Vegan Goat Cheese", "½ baguette", "olive oil" ], "recipeYield": "servings", "recipeInstructions": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Preheat oven to 350 F. Slice baguette into 1/2 inch slices, brush with olive oil and pop in the oven for 10 minutes or until nicely toasted. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "While your tiny toasts are toasting, chop strawberries into tiny pieces on a paper towel and lightly pat to absorb excess juice so the sauce won't get watered down." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a small sauce pan, add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 1 tbsp. of date syrup. Reduce the vinegar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, until the consistency is thickens." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Combine the chopped strawberries, balsamic reduction sauce and lemon zest into a small bowl and gently stir." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Spread a little vegan goat cheese on each toast, then top with balsamic strawberries + extra lemon zest to the crostini and enjoy! Optional: drizzle more date syrup on top! " } ] } ```