What are Crostini?
Crostini are appetizers featuring small pieces of toasted bread with toppings. Toppings often include a cheese spread and either fruits or vegetables on top. The ingredients you use on crostini can be sweet or savory, and today we are sharing our top favorite crostini recipes.
Savory
1. Basil and Gorgonzola Crostini Recipe
This straightforward crostini is perfect for any occasion. All it takes is toasting sliced baguette bread in an oven and topping each slice with gorgonzola cheese and fresh basil leaves. Lastly, garnish them with walnuts or almonds and enjoy.
It’s just that easy to make crostini, and you can add other ingredients to make it even better. Chickpeas, roasted eggplant, or thinly sliced steak would be great additions to this basil and gorgonzola crostini.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
2. Roasted Tomato Crostini Recipe
If you’re looking for a way to use ripe tomatoes, try this roasted tomato crostini. The recipe instructs you to roast cherry tomatoes with honey, olive oil, and salt in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven. Even if you don’t have cherry tomatoes, you can dice up any tomato and use it in this recipe.
To assemble your crostini, toast baguette slices, then top them with some tomatoes and mozzarella cheese and enjoy. Feel free to include other roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and eggplants, to add flavor and color to your roasted tomato crostini.
Another unique iteration of this recipe is to make them into “BLT” crostini by sprinkling bacon bits and garnishing them with shredded lettuce and an aioli sauce.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
3. Walnut, Fig, and Prosciutto Crostini Recipe
It is best to use ciabatta or sourdough bread for this recipe. Instead of toasting the bread slices in an oven, this version of crostini instructs you to cook them on an outdoor grill or a grill pan.
Prepare the bread by rubbing the cut side of a fresh garlic clove on one side of each slice. Next, drizzle olive oil to prevent them from burning, and cook them until you see distinct grill marks. Finally, top your crostini with a slice of prosciutto, fresh fig, and walnut, and enjoy!
Get the full recipe and directions here.
4. Roasted Red Pepper Crostini Recipe
Look no further for an eye-catching, succulent crostini. This recipe features a homemade roasted red pepper sauce, which includes roasted red peppers, shallots, parsley, honey, olive oil, red wine vinegar, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
Simply whisk all the ingredients into a small bowl and set it aside. You could also cook the sauce on the stove over medium heat to thicken it.
All that’s left to do is to toast the baguette slices, spread a layer of soft goat cheese on top, and add a spoonful of the sauce before serving.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
5. Salami and Artichoke Crostini Recipe
We think this crostini is the epitome of an Italian charcuterie in bite-sized form. The salty salami and marinated artichokes create a distinct flavor profile when paired with brie cheese.
If you don’t want to use brie, substitute it for softened cream cheese. No matter how you choose to prepare your appetizers, these are sure to pique everyone’s interest at a dinner party.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
6. Zucchini and Salmon Crostini Recipe
Smoked salmon is the star of this crostini, and the recipe also calls for sourdough bread, roasted zucchini, cream cheese, thyme, and chives. You can make it by toasting the bread slices at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and add a single layer of sliced zucchini to it. Drizzle the zucchini with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, and thyme before baking them.
Assemble your zucchini and salmon crostini with a thin layer of cream cheese (or ricotta if you prefer), followed by the cooked zucchini, smoked salmon, and fresh chives. These crostini appetizers are a total flavor bomb that will keep you coming back for more.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
7. Beet and Arugula Crostini Recipe
The intense flavor profile of the beet and arugula is contrasted perfectly with the creamy goat cheese in this recipe. You can make these crostini by roasting beets, toasting crusty rye bread, and making a simple goat cheese spread.
Lastly, assemble the beet and arugula crostini by spreading a layer of the goat cheese mixture on top, then add some slices of the roasted beet, fresh baby arugula, salt, and black pepper. Garnish each beet and arugula crostini with chopped walnuts, then serve and enjoy.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
8. Roasted Mushroom Crostini
Enjoy these savory and delicious mushroom crostini. The topping consists of wild mushrooms (or a combination of your favorite mushrooms), fresh thyme and rosemary, garlic cloves, red wine (such as Cabernet), olive oil, and butter.
Mix them thoroughly, then spread them flat on a baking sheet. Roast the mushrooms at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice a baguette loaf on a bias, then toast the crostini in an oven or on a grill pan. Top each crostini with roasted mushrooms, fresh parsley, and a touch of salt, then dig in.
Get the full recipe and directions from Little Ferraro Kitchen.
9. Watermelon Radish and Goat Cheese Crostini
This visually appealing crostini appetizer is sure to leave an impression. The author says to use a mandoline on the thinnest setting to slice the watermelon radishes.
Next, prepare a cheese spread by incorporating a touch of heavy cream with softened cream cheese and goat cheese. Add in grated garlic, fresh chives, and lemon zest or a preserved lemon peel, then spread a thick layer of the cheese spread to the toast once they are cooled.
To finish assembling your crostini, make a single cut from the center of each radish slice to the outer edge, then roll them into cone-like shapes and place one on top of each crostini with the seam side down.
Get the full recipe and directions from Savor the Best.
Sweet
10. Pear, Honey, and Pecan Crostini Recipe
We would find it difficult to resist one of these crostini, and luckily, all you need is six ingredients to make them. Start by thinly slicing some ripe pears, roasting some pecans, and toasting slices of French bread.
Top each warm crostini with a thin piece of brie cheese, then add the remaining toppings and a drizzle of honey before serving. You could also use candied pecans or walnuts for some extra crunch on these crostini appetizers.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
11. Cranberry Holiday Crostini Recipe
These cranberry holiday crostini are the perfect appetizer for a holiday gathering. This recipe features a homemade cranberry sauce consisting of fresh cranberries, maple syrup, spices, and orange zest.
Feel free to use whole grain bread, ciabatta bread, or any other crusty bread of your choosing to make these appetizers. One thing’s for sure, a bite of this crostini will wake up your tastebuds and prepare you for a multi-course holiday feast!
Get the full recipe and directions here.
12. Ricotta and Peach Crostini Recipe
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as fresh peaches and cream, but this crostini recipe comes in at a close second. Begin by sautéing fresh peaches in a honey and lemon juice marinade over medium-low heat.
While those are cooking, grill your bread slices on a grill pan. Once your main components are ready, simply spread a layer of ricotta on the crostini followed by some of the cooked peaches.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
13. Brie and Pomegranate Crostini Recipe
Pomegranate is an underrated fruit, but these tart seeds pair well with crostini. This recipe uses a different cooking method to toast the bread. Brush both sides of your sliced bread with oil and place them under a broiler for a few minutes.
Next, flip them over and add a slice of brie cheese on top. Let the cheese melt slightly, then take out the crostini and top them with pomegranate seeds and a balsamic glaze. You could also include raspberries or blueberries if you want added color and texture.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
14. Pear and Ricotta Crostini Recipe
Simply mouthwatering; that’s the best way to describe this recipe. This sweet crostini calls for just seven ingredients.
You’ll need to bake halved pears in a cinnamon and honey mixture, then slice and toast a loaf of French bread. Once the pears have cooled down enough to handle, use a paring knife to slice them.
Top each crostini with a layer of ricotta cheese and cooked pears. Garnish with crushed walnuts before serving, then eat your heart out.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
15. Salami and Brie Crostini Recipe
These salami and brie crostini appetizers look adorable, and you will be pleasantly surprised by how well all the flavors go together. This recipe calls for brie cheese, salami, cranberry sauce, balsamic glaze, and mint leaves.
You won’t have to do much prep except for making a balsamic glaze. Whisk together and warm up a bit of brown sugar with balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Cook it until it thickens slightly, and drizzle the glaze on top of the salami and brie crostini just before serving.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
16. Grape and Feta Crostini Recipe
Who would have thought to come up with this unique crostini? These grape and feta crostini just work, and they are ready to eat in just 15 minutes.
First, toast baguette slices in an oven. Meanwhile, dice some green grapes and mix them with honey, then combine softened cream cheese with crumbled feta in a separate bowl.
Spread the cheese mixture on each slice of toast, add a spoonful of grapes, then garnish with some shredded coconut and enjoy.
Get the full recipe and directions here.
17. Banana Berry Crostini
Lastly, this sweet crostini is so addicting. The recipe calls for whole wheat bread, cashew butter, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and cottage cheese.
We like how the cashew butter and cottage cheese add protein and texture to complement the fresh fruit. If these breakfast crostini don’t make you smile, we don’t know what will.
Get the full recipe and directions from Daisy.
Crostini appetizers provide a tasty way to help your guests start their night on a high note at any dinner party. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, you are sure to find crostini appetizers that will satisfy your tastebuds.
Feel free to experiment and come up with your own crostini creations and be sure to tell us about your favorite crostini recipe in the comments!
If you like this post, we think you’ll really like our post featuring the Best Ricotta Toast Recipes.
