Name: Hot Honey Goat Cheese Flatbread with Roasted California Grapes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces goat cheese (softened); 1/4 cup hot honey; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 large pieces naan bread or other flatbread; 1 cup red California grapes; 1/2 cup arugula; Olive oil for drizzling (about 1/4 cup total); Salt; Pepper

One thing that never ceases to amaze me about motherhood is the fruit.

My toddlers love fruit.

There’s constantly so much fruit in our house. And we go through it – quickly.

I’m not complaining! I love that my toddlers love fruit so much. It’s delicious and full of nutrients that their growing bodies need.

One fruit that’s truly always in our house: California grapes. Both of my kids (and I!) love grapes so much.

I pack grapes in their lunches. We eat them as snacks – they’re so delicious and easy when paired with some cheese – and of course, I love to use them in recipes.

I’ve talked about this before, but roasting California grapes is such an incredibly flavorful way to maximize their sweetness. They soften in the oven and become even sweeter than they usually are.

Plus, grapes offer so many important nutrients. They contain beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols that help promote heart health, skin health, and support the immune system.

Grapes are also a good source of vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin that helps maintain a healthy heart.

In fact, in studies conducted at the University of Connecticut, researchers found that women who consumed 1 ¼ cup of grapes every day saw reduced blood triglyceride levels, LDL cholesterol level and other markers of heart disease.

Researchers also found that men with metabolic syndrome who consume 1 ½ cups of grapes daily saw reduced blood pressure and improved blood vessel function.

Not only are they nutritious, but also in this recipe in particular, the grapes are just ridiculously good.

I’ll be honest: I’ve made recipes that totally fail on the first few tries. And I’ve made others that completely blow me away.

This one falls into the latter category. It’s an 11 out of 10.

The goat cheese is creamy and sweet with a little kick. Once cooked, the goat cheese adapts a custard-like texture. The flavors and textures complement the sweet roasted California grapes so well.

The bread itself gets golden and crispy on the outside, while still soft on the inside.

Then the flatbread is topped with fresh, peppery arugula, a little olive oil, and more hot honey. The result is so incredibly flavorful.

This flatbread is a perfect appetizer or side dish for the holidays. Or just enjoy it yourself for lunch! That’s what I did when I first made it 

Plus, it couldn’t be easier to make. Under 30 minutes and everything’s ready to go.

And who knows, maybe my kids will even try it! It’s got plenty of California grapes, so chances are looking good.

Mix goat cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Add the goat cheese to a bowl and gently mash it with a fork. Add 2 tablespoons of the hot honey, plus the smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Add grapes

Add the goat cheese mixture to the 2 flatbreads, gently spreading it on top of each one. You can use the back of a spoon or fork to gently press the goat cheese down, until it’s even and smooth. Optional: add a drizzle of olive oil and mix to make the mixture a little smoother.

Slice the California grapes in half lengthwise. Add the grapes in a single layer on top of each flatbread.

Roast in oven

Drizzle lightly with olive oil and place the preheated oven to roast for 15 minutes, until the flatbread is golden brown and the grapes have softened slightly.

Add the arugula on top of each flatbread. Drizzle with a little more oil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of hot honey.

Cut & serve

Cut into thick slices and serve