Crostini are some of the best appetizers for entertaining. Who can say no to crusty bread with a heap of delicious toppings? These little toasts are easy to make yet full of flavor.
Whenever I need a quick appetizer for a crowd, I often turn to crostini. Toasting bread and piling on cheese, spreads and other toppings is easy and always has delicious results.
We've pulled together the top crostini recipes for entertaining, plus a few tips on how to make them.
What Is Crostini?
Crostini is the name for little slices of toasted bread drizzled with olive oil and then grilled or baked. In Italian, crostini means "little toasts."
Think bruschetta, but with other flavors and toppings than just tomato and basil.
Crostini is typically made from slices of baguettes or another similar crusty bread. You can eat crostini with dips, soups and even make simple appetizers with them!
If you're feeling really adventurous, make a fresh homemade baguette and turn it into crostini!
Best Bread for Crostini
You don't need much to make crostini, but you do need to start with bread!
The best bread for crostini is a baguette. You can purchase a fresh baguette from your grocery store bakery or local bakery.
A smart way to save a bit of money is to look in the discounted baked goods section. Often, stale or day-old baguettes are placed there since they're still ok to use in certain recipes! You can make delicious crostini from stale bread, just make sure there's no mold.
You can also ask the bakery to slice the baguette for you, but if you do this, you should make the crostini within a day as it goes stale fast.
Toppings for Crostini
If you want to make up your own crostini recipes with whatever you have on hand, go for it!
Here are some things to consider putting on them.
- Cheese: goat cheese, feta cheese, gournay cheese, cheese spreads, feta spread, cream cheese
- Spreads: jam, preserves, hummus, basil pesto, flavored olive oils, guacamole
- Fresh herbs: basil, mint, thyme, sage, rosemary
- Fruit: berries, peaches, apples, pears
- Veggies: squash, zucchini, roasted tomatoes, roasted peppers
- Meats: salami, prosciutto, coppa, grilled chicken
- Drizzles: honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, preserves
How to Make Crostini
You'll want to start with little toasts like sliced baguette, which you brush with olive oil. I recommend only using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The taste is just so much better!
Follow these simple steps to make easy crostini toasts:
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. You can also use a toaster oven for this recipe if you don't need to make a lot.
- While it's preheating, slice a baguette into ¼ inch thick pieces with a serrated knife. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Then, use a basting brush to generously spread olive oil onto each of the baguette slices.
- Place into the oven and toast for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown. There's no need to flip the crostini while it's in the oven! The slices should bake evenly on both sides.
- Place them on a wire backing rack to cool slightly, then top with your favorite toppings.
The Best Crostini Recipes
Pesto Crostini with Prosciutto
Pesto Crostini with Prosciutto is a lovely appetizer with all the flavors of Italy!
Pear and Goat Cheese Crostini
This pear and goat cheese crostini combines sweet and savory in a perfect, easy appetizer recipe. This crostini has goat cheese and is topped with pear and drizzled with honey. This flavor combination is perfect for any time of year!
Butternut Squash Cranberry Crostini
Looking for a perfect fall appetizer? Cranberry Goat Cheese and Butternut Squash Toast is perfect for fall parties, pre-holiday dinner snacks, or just as an appetizer before dinner. This butternut squash toast assembly combines all of the perfect fall flavors, with sweetness from cranberries and butternut squash met with the tanginess and softness of goat cheese spread on a toasted baguette.
Cranberry Prosciutto Crostini
Cranberry Prosciutto Crostini is an easy appetizer recipe for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas parties!
Tomato Bruschetta
Ripe, juicy tomatoes and fragrant, fresh basil are the stars of this classic bruschetta. Serve it as a summer appetizer or alongside your favorite Italian dinner.
Tuna Pesto Crostini
These perfectly balanced appetizers will surely be a hit and make for a delicious snack or meal!
Apple Brie Crostini
Apple Brie Crostini are like little bites of heaven! Crunchy slices of toasted baguette topped with creamy melted brie, crisp apples, a drizzle of honey, and a touch of fresh ground pepper… they’re the perfect fall appetizer and destined to become a favorite!
Grilled Mexican Street Corn Crostini
Grilled Mexican Street Corn Crostini is where your favorite summer corn flavors come together on toasted bread. The simple smoky mixture is a delightful appetizer for all your backyard BBQs!
Bacon, Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini
Drizzled with honey, this Bacon, Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini appetizer makes for a flavorful bite to serve at a late-summer gathering.
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