Apple & Sharp Cheddar Flatbread with rosemary and walnuts

Rosemary Apple and Cheddar Flatbread is like a perfect bite of autumn!  Buttery flatbread topped with caramelized onions, tart but sweet apples, sharp cheddar cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and a smattering of sea salt and rosemary.  You won’t be able to stop at one piece!

Why I love this flatbread so much

One of my favorite things is a slice of apple topped with cheese!  Another one of my favorite things is pizza.  What could be better than mixing the two together?  Nothing!  Nothing could be better!   Except maybe world peace. Since that isn’t happening anytime soon I’ll opt for the flatbread pizzas! What is the difference between pizza and flat bread, and why am I calling this flatbread? Flatbread is bread dough flattened out and baked with toppings on it. Sometimes it has a sauce layer, like pizza. Other times the flatbread is topped with a variety of toppings without sauce. Pizza starts with a pizza dough, and usually has sauce on the pizza crust, with toppings on top of the sauce. I don’t think there are any written rules about what we call this flat deliciousness baked with any number of toppings. I am calling this flatbread because I used bread dough as the crust. Easy flatbread recipes make a the perfect appetizers!

You can slide this great appetizer right on to a cutting board, sprinkle with chopped rosemary and walnuts, cut into small pieces and serve!

How to make Apple & Sharp Cheddar Flatbread

Thaw bread dough.  It takes a couple hours to thaw, so you do need to think a bit in advance. You could also make your own dough if you have a favorite bread recipe. Do what’s easiest for you!

Pre heat oven to 450 degrees. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or greased with olive oil. I have made mine an oval shape, however you can roll it into any shape you like.

Place the crust in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and add the following ingredients: caramelized onion, thin sliced apples, and cheese. As shown below.

Place in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. When the edges are golden brown and the top of the cheese is melted and brown. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with rough chopped walnut and chopped fresh rosemary. Cut into squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Naan bread: Naan bread is the perfect base for flatbreads, no thawing required.  Naan bread can be found in the deli section of your grocery store or at Costco in the refrigerator section. I would use 2-3 naans for this recipe. You could get creative and make several different varieties for naan flatbreads as appetizers for a party. I think I have also seen actually rectangle flatbreads for sale at the store, although I have never used them I am sure they would work perfectly fine.
• Cheese: I’m sticking with the sharp cheddar on this one, however here are a few other choices I think would taste amazing. A blue cheese, gruyere cheese, goat cheese or an emmentaler all pair well with apples, so I think any of these would work really well.
• Prepare your pan. It’s important that you don’t skip this step. Either line your baking sheet with parchment paper or drizzle a nice layer of olive oil over the baking sheet before laying your bread dough on it.
• Apples: You need a sturdy crisp apple for this recipe. Granny Smith apples or Honey Crisp apples work well. Leave the peel on and slice apple very thin. If you have a mandolin this works perfect for getting thin slices for the apple layer.
• Add some spice!: Want to tickle your taste buds? Add hot honey or hot maple syrup! Drizzle lightly over the pizza after you sprinkle rosemary and walnuts over the flatbread.
• Serving temperature: This flatbread can be served hot from the oven or if you are serving it at a party and it sits out for an hour or longer, it still tastes phenomenal at room temperature.

No forks needed! Cut flatbread into easy to handle squares, place on a platter, and everyone can grab a piece.  Just be prepared you might need to make more than one! Now all you need is a glass of Chardonnay or a nice glass of red wine!

I honestly could not stop eating this flatbread.  The crunch of the buttery bread topped with the savory caramelized onions and the sweet crunch of the apple finished off with the earthy flavor of the rosemary and walnuts.  Like autumn in my mouth. Mmmm itsh shmow gouda!  Ooopsh excuse me,  my mouth was full.

Cheers! Sheila