Name: Crostini Recipe for Appetizers
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 large baguette (cut into ½” thick slices on bias); 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; Coarse salt

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Crostini are easy to make at home using just 3-ingredients – bread, olive oil and salt. This simple crostini recipe is the perfect appetizer for parties. You can make them ahead of time and serve them with a variety of toppings like bruschetta, mushroom pate, whipped feta or olive tapenade.

What are Crostini?

Crostini are thin slices of toasted bread that are seasoned simply with olive oil and salt. They are generally served with toppings as an appetizer.

Crostini Recipe vs Bruschetta Recipe

Crostini and Bruschetta are very similar, though there is a difference. Bruschetta is typically made using a thick slice of rustic Italian bread and is grilled on an open fire, giving it a bit of a char. It is generally eaten on its own, with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt. Crostini, also known as “little toasts” is more often served with toppings and is made from smaller, thinner slices of bread (like a baguette). Baked crostini are more common than grilled crostini.

What Bread to Use for Crostini Recipe

Baguette
Ciabatta
French Bread
Olive Loaf
Sandwich Rolls
Bagels

I prefer using a baguette to make this crostini recipe because it is small in size, making it perfect for appetizers. However you can use many different breads to make crostini, and stale bread works too.

Two baguette loaves on white background.

How to Slice Bread for Crostini Recipe

To make crostini, bread should be cut into ½-inch-thick slices on bias. Try to keep the pieces uniform in size so that they cook evenly.

Crostini Ingredients

Bread
Olive Oil
Salt

How to Make Crostini Crackers

Cut baguette into ½-inch thick slices.
Lightly coat both sides of bread with olive oil.
Bake in 400-degree oven for 10-minutes, flipping halfway through.
Season with salt and serve.

How to Flavor Crostini

When warm out of the oven, rub a cut garlic clove over the bread.
Use flavored olive oil (garlic, lemon, rosemary).
Sprinkle with herbs (rosemary, thyme, cumin).
Season with lemon or orange zest.

Can You Make Crostini Ahead of Time?

You can definitely make this crostini recipe ahead of time. Store baked crostini in an airtight container for up to three days. If they become soggy, pop them back into a 400-degree oven for a few minutes.

How To Store Crostini

Crostini will keep in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for up to three days.

Can Crostini Be Frozen?

Yes. To freeze crostini, slice the bread and lightly oil both sides. Then place in an airtight container in the freezer (before baking). When ready to serve, you can bake them without thawing in a 400-degree oven for about 10 minutes.
You can also freeze baked crostini and reheat them in a similar fashion.
Frozen crostini will keep for up to three months.

Bruschetta arranged in a bowl next to full baguette loaf.

Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes

Creamy dip recipes to serve with crostini:

These crostini are also delicious served alongside soup like this cold cucumber soup or this tomato bisque.

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Crostini Recipe