Crostini Recipe for Appetizers // Easy + Simple

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.

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. 

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

1. Bread
2. Olive Oil
3. Salt

How to Make Crostini Crackers

1. Cut baguette into ½-inch thick slices. 
2. Lightly coat both sides of bread with olive oil. 
3. Bake in 400-degree oven for 10-minutes, flipping halfway through. 
4. 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 and Crostini Recipes

• Lasagna Crostini
• Short Rib Crostini with Cambozola Cheese and Cherry Jam
• Brie Crostini with Prosciutto & Honey
• Burrata Recipe with Crostini & Sweet Pea Puree & Arugula

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Crostini Recipe

Crostini Recipe for Appetizers

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bruschetta, crostini, how to crostini

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 116 kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

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.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 large baguette cut into ½” thick slices on bias
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
   
2. Lightly coat both sides of bread with olive oil and arrange in single layer on a baking sheet.
   
3. Bake on center rack for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Sprinkle with salt and serve.
   

Recipe Notes

Crostini will keep in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for up to three days. You can also freeze crostini for up to three months. 

Nutrition Facts

Crostini Recipe for Appetizers

Amount Per Serving

Calories 116 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 192mg8%

Potassium 34mg1%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 3g6%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.