Easy Oven-Baked Baguette with Creamy Goat Cheese, Garlic Butter & Savory Ham: The Ultimate Quick Snack Recipe

Imagine a relaxed Sunday afternoon or a cozy evening with friends. You crave something truly delicious, yet it needs to be effortlessly simple to prepare. Look no further! This delightful recipe for oven-baked baguette, generously topped with creamy goat cheese, aromatic garlic butter, and savory ham, is precisely what you need. It’s an indulgence that comes together in minutes, promising a burst of flavor with every bite.

This isn’t just any snack; it’s a culinary experience designed for ease and maximum enjoyment. Picture a crusty baguette, artfully sliced and then grilled in the oven. As it bakes, the rich garlic butter seeps into the bread, and the goat cheese melts into a luscious, sticky layer. The result is a symphony of textures and flavors – the bread becomes perfectly toasted, the cheese achieves a sublime gooeyness without overpowering the palate, and the subtle, herby notes of the homemade butter elevate the entire dish. Finally, the creamy ham adds a delightful savory depth, making this baguette an irresistible treat that will disappear from the plate in no time.

One of the best features of this gourmet-level appetizer is its incredible speed. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 10 minutes of active preparation and another 15-20 minutes in the oven. This means you can whip up a batch as a spontaneous indulgence or prepare it in advance for entertaining. Planning a gathering? Simply assemble the baguettes in the morning, cover them, and then pop them into the oven just before your guests arrive. This ensures fresh, warm, and utterly delicious results every time. It also pairs wonderfully as an accompaniment to a comforting bowl of hot soup, transforming a simple meal into something special.

Why This Baguette Recipe is a Must-Try

This oven baguette stands out for several compelling reasons, making it a staple for quick meals, elegant appetizers, or a satisfying snack.

• Effortless Preparation: While the results are impressive, the process couldn’t be simpler. Start with a store-bought baguette – no need for extensive baking skills. The most hands-on part is creating your own herb butter, which takes less than five minutes and yields a flavor far superior to anything pre-packaged from the supermarket. Crafting your own herb butter allows for customization and a freshness that truly shines.
• Flavorful Versatility: The combination of goat cheese, garlic, and ham is a classic for a reason, offering a harmonious blend of creamy, pungent, and savory notes. However, this recipe is also incredibly adaptable. Have some sun-dried tomatoes on hand? Slice them thin and tuck them between the baguette slices for an extra layer of sweet and tangy flavor. This small addition can dramatically alter the profile, adding a delightful Mediterranean twist.
• Perfect for All Occasions: Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated appetizer to impress dinner guests, a hearty side to complement your main course, or a simple yet satisfying snack for a quiet evening, this baguette fits the bill. It’s robust enough to satisfy but light enough not to spoil the appetite.
• Dietary Adaptability: For those seeking a vegetarian option, simply omit the ham and generously add sun-dried tomatoes or other roasted vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. The goat cheese and garlic butter foundation ensures it remains incredibly flavorful.
• Ideal Soup Companion: This baguette makes an excellent companion to a variety of soups. Imagine dipping a warm, cheesy slice into a light spinach soup for a fresh contrast, or a hearty noodle soup to soak up rich, herbaceous broths. It’s the perfect way to elevate a simple soup meal.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Baguette with Goat Cheese, Garlic & Ham

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Baguette with Goat Cheese, Garlic and Ham

Andréa

On those laid-back Sunday afternoons, when your mind seeks relaxation and your stomach craves something truly delicious yet wonderfully simple, this oven-baked baguette with creamy goat cheese, rich garlic, and savory ham is the ideal solution. It’s quick, easy, and promises maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect treat for any occasion.

5 of 2 votes

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Prep Time

5 minutes
mins

Cook Time

20 minutes
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Total Time

25 minutes
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Course
Appetizers and Snacks

Cuisine
Other

Servings

15
hapjes (bites)

Calories

99
kcal

Equipment

• A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C.
• Aluminum foil
• Baking sheet

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Ingredients

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  1 baguette

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  50 gram garlic butter (For a homemade version, simply mix softened butter with minced garlic, fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper.)

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  3 slices goat cheese (or equivalent in crumbles)

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  3 slices ham

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  2 teaspoons Italian herbs (dried oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary blend)

• ▢ Optional: Sun-dried tomatoes (finely chopped)

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Instructions

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  Preheat the oven to 225 degrees Celsius (approximately 435°F). This high temperature ensures a quick bake and a beautifully crisp baguette.

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  Carefully cut the baguette into slices (about 2 cm or 0.8 inches apart), but don’t cut each slice through and through. The base should remain connected, acting as a convenient holder for the fillings.

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  Spread the garlic butter evenly on the inner surfaces of the baguette slices. Ensure generous coverage for maximum flavor absorption.

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  Divide the goat cheese and ham (and sun-dried tomatoes if you’re using them) evenly between the slices, tucking them gently into the gaps.

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  Sprinkle with Italian seasoning over the filled baguette, ensuring a fragrant and aromatic finish.

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  Wrap the bread in aluminum foil. This step helps the baguette steam slightly, ensuring the inside is soft and the butter and cheese melt beautifully without the bread drying out. Bake for 10-15 minutes on a baking sheet.

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  After the initial baking, carefully remove the foil. Return the baguette to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes. This final step allows the goat cheese to melt into a wonderfully gooey texture and the exposed bread to become golden brown and deliciously crispy.

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  Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, cheesy, and savory goodness! Best when hot and fresh from the oven.

Nutrition

Calories:
99
kcal


Carbohydrates:
9
g


Protein:
4
g


Fat:
6
g


Saturated Fat:
3
g


Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g


Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g


Trans Fat:
1
g


Cholesterol:
13
mg


Sodium:
215
mg


Fiber:
1
g


Sugar:
1
g


Vitamin A:
150
IU


Vitamin C:
1
mg


Iron:
1
mg

Keyword
baguette, goat cheese, garlic, ham, oven-baked, easy recipe, quick snack, appetizer

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Tips for the Perfect Oven Baguette

• Choose Your Baguette Wisely: A fresh baguette is key. Look for one with a firm, golden-brown crust and a soft, airy interior. A day-old baguette can also work, as the oven will revive it, but fresh is always best.
• Homemade Garlic Butter Makes a Difference: While store-bought garlic butter is convenient, making your own truly elevates the flavor. Simply combine softened unsalted butter with finely minced garlic, a generous amount of fresh parsley (or other herbs like chives or basil), a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This allows you to control the intensity of the garlic and herb flavors.
• Don’t Skimp on the Goat Cheese: Goat cheese (chèvre) offers a unique tangy flavor and a wonderfully creamy texture when melted. Don’t be shy with it! If you’re not a fan of the strong tang, a milder, younger goat cheese will work, or you can even mix it with a little mozzarella for extra stretch.
• Ham Varieties: The recipe suggests “ham,” but feel free to experiment. Prosciutto adds a salty, sophisticated touch, while a good quality smoked deli ham provides a comforting, savory depth. For a richer flavor, consider a small amount of crispy bacon bits.
• Even Spreading is Key: Ensure the garlic butter and fillings are distributed as evenly as possible between all the slices. This guarantees every bite is packed with flavor.
• Pre-bake with Foil: The aluminum foil step is crucial. It creates a steamy environment that softens the baguette and melts the cheese and butter thoroughly without burning the crust. Removing it for the last few minutes allows for a beautiful golden-brown finish and a crispy exterior.
• Serving Temperature: This baguette is best served immediately, straight from the oven, when the cheese is still warm and gooey, and the bread is perfectly crisp.

Baguette Variations & Creative Twists

While the classic goat cheese, garlic, and ham combination is divine, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next batch:

• Mediterranean Delight: Swap the ham for finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (as mentioned earlier), Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese. A drizzle of olive oil before baking would be a delicious addition.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your garlic butter or sprinkle some finely chopped jalapeños or serrano peppers along with the ham and cheese for a fiery twist.
• Sweet & Savory: For an unexpected pairing, after removing the foil, drizzle a tiny bit of honey over the goat cheese before the final bake. The sweetness complements the tang of the cheese beautifully.
• Mushroom & Thyme: Sautéed mushrooms with fresh thyme can make a wonderful vegetarian alternative to ham. Cook them down until most of their moisture has evaporated before adding them to the baguette.
• Pesto Power: Replace the Italian herbs with a thin layer of pesto spread over the garlic butter for an intense basil and pine nut flavor.
• Different Cheeses: While goat cheese is unique, you can experiment with other soft, melting cheeses like brie, camembert, or even a good quality mozzarella for a different texture and flavor profile.
• Fresh Herbs Finish: Once the baguette is out of the oven, sprinkle with even more fresh herbs like chopped chives or cilantro for a burst of fresh flavor and color.

This versatile oven-baked baguette recipe proves that delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated. It’s a perfect example of how simple, high-quality ingredients can come together to create something truly memorable. Whether you’re entertaining, enjoying a quiet night in, or simply seeking a delightful snack, this goat cheese, garlic, and ham baguette is sure to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy the process, savor the aroma, and delight in every flavorful bite!