Crostini is so easy to make using fresh or even stale bread! They’re the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to cheese trays and can be topped with fruits, veggies, thinly sliced meat and herbs. The options are endless! Learn how to make crostini in minutes!
This crostini is my favorite way to use “old” bread that would otherwise go to waste. And let’s be honest, I don’t like to let bread go to waste! However, you can also make crostini using fresh bread as well!
What is Crostini?
Crostini is Italian for “little toasts”. They are thin slices of toasted bread (or grilled), usually cut from a baguette and topped with olive oil. It is also the equivalent of a crouton for soups and salads, just thinner.
They are generally served as an appetizer, atlhough there are some versions that are certainly sweet enough to be considered a dessert course. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is!
You don’t have to be Martha Stewart to whip this easy crostini recipe up! However, you’ll look and feel like Martha when you serve it! It’s true, because these are perfect for entertaining.
I sure felt like Martha when these featured in a Better Homes and Gardens summer entertaining article a few years ago. In fact, in my 11 years as an event planner, these were one of my favorites to serve because they’re universally loved, go with an array of items and were always gone at the end of the evening.
The make the prettiest accompaniment to any appetizer, and if you have any leftovers, there are a variety of ways you can use them throughout the week. They are the perfect addition to salads and soups!
In fact, you can make them in advance! Store them at room temperature in an airtight bag for up to one week. Top just before serving.
What’s The Difference Between Bruschetta And Crostini?
First of all, both are delicious. They certainly have a lot of similarities and are used in a similar way. Bruschetta is generally made with thick slices of rustic Italian bread or even sourdough.
On the other hand, crostini is made from a smaller bread (often, baguettes) in thin slices with a finer crumb. Consequently, this makes them perfect for spreads and dips of all kinds.
Tools to Use
It’s so quick and easy to make and requires just a few kitchen basics including
Crostini Ingredients
- Bread – Use whatever you have on hand!
- Olive Oil – You can substitute canola oil or melted butter. You can even use an infused olive oil.
- Herbs and Seasonings – Thick flakes of black pepper, sea salt, rosemary, thyme, the options are endless! Rub with garlic clove for added flavor.
Best Bread to Use
Truly any bread aside from sandwich bread will work! Use whatever you have on hand. I most frequently use take and bake bread – prepackaged bread you bake, then slice.
However, whatever bread you choose, this recipe yields delicious, crunchy Crostini every time!
- baguette
- ciabatta
- french bread
- artisan bread
- bagels (also sliced)
- take and bake bread
How to Make Crostini
- Prep – Preheat oven.
- Slice a baguette (or bread slices of your choosing) into thin slices at an angle.
- Line crostini on baking sheets.
- Using a pastry brush, coat with good quality olive oil.
- Optional: season with salt and pepper or herbs. I like to use thick flakes of sea salt.
- Broil 1 – 1 1/2 minutes until just toasted and crunchy.
Serving Suggestions
Crostini pair well with an array of toppings. These are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy them!
- as an accompaniment to a cheese platter
- crushed on a salad
- top with a little sun dried tomato and cream cheese
- Goat Cheese Spread
- Quick and Easy Pesto Cheese Dip
- Pesto Cheeseball Wreath
- Hummus and Olive Oil
- Peach and Ricotta
- Goat Cheese and Fig
- Pimento Cheese
- Marinara Goat Cheese Bake
- Incredible Baked Artichoke Dip Recipe
- Homemade Pesto
- Jam
- Honey
- Cheeses
- Meats – Prosciutto, capicola, salami, pancetta
How to Store Crostini
Crostini always taste best straight from the oven but keep really well for days!
Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to a week. If the air is humid, you can recrisp by broiling for just one minute. This makes your party prep so easy!
In fact, I often make crostini ahead of time and give it an extra little crisp under the broiler so it’s a touch warm when guests arrive. In short, what could be easier?
I hope you enjoy this easy Crostini recipe as much as we do! If you try this recipe, I’d love to know what you think and what you served it with! I’m always up for new ideas. Leave a five star review in comments below! Hungry for more? Sign up for my newsletter!
Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 baguette
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to broil.
- Slice a baguette into thin slices at an angle.
- Line crostini on a baking sheet.
- Using a pastry brush, coat with olive oil.
- Optional: add a fresh crack of sea salt, black pepper or herbs.
- Broil 1 – 1 1/2 minutes until just toasted and crunchy.
Video
Notes
Substitutions
- Bread – baguette, ciabatta, french bread, artisan bread, bagels, take and bake bread
- Olive Oil – Canola oil, melted butter, infused olive oil.
- Herbs and Seasonings – Thick flakes of black pepper, sea salt, rosemary, thyme, the options are endless! Rub with garlic clove for added flavor.
Served with goat cheese and a dap of red pepper jelly. Delicious!
Thanks again for a simple way to use bread.
Thanks for sharing, Pat! I truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. I’m aaaaall over the goat cheese and red pepper jelly combo! Sounds delicious!
Crostini is my go-to during the summers! Love to put all kinds of fresh ingredients on them!
I loved it! Perfectly easy to make!!
Crostini is such a great recipe for entertaining!
This is amazing straight out of the oven!
SO easy! And so much tastier than what I’ve been buying prepackaged!!
My kids really loved it! Such an amazing recipe for crostini!
Crostini is one of my go-to summer favorites! Love to make sweet and savory toppings.
I made mine with ciabatta, peach, and ricotta DIVINE! Can’t wait to try out more combinations.
This is such a wonderful recipe for entertaining, it really is so simple!
I need to make these! Perfect for dipping in homemade hummus!
Who knew these were so easy???! I’m going to make lots more batches when the tomatoes are ripe in the summer!
Crostini’s are my favorite!
This recipe is super easy! I love it!
I LOVE this! Its fantastic!
I could eat crostini with every meal! It is so delicious!
I had NO idea you could make this at home and it was so easy. YUM!!
I loved these!! And I love how easy it is to make!
So easy. I’ll be making my own from now on!
I love not wasting bread too. So smart to make this instead using it.
This looks so easy!
This recipe is so easy and we love it. Thank you so much!
Love a good crostini, these look perfect!