How To Make Crostini
Crostini is a super simple and delicious appetizer that can be made with just a few ingredients. This recipe is perfect for any occasion and will impress your guests! Ready to learn how to make crostini? Keep reading!
Crostini are one of those things that sound a lot fancier than they actually are. The word “crostini” is just Italian for “little toasts.” And while you can put anything on this toasted bread, the most classic combo is cured meats and cheese. This post will show you how to make crostinis and delicious toppings, including bruschetta topping, that will take your party appetizers to the next level.
What You’ll Need
Crostini
For this recipe, we will make a garlic crostini. Garlic crostini is made by rubbing the toasted bread with row garlic, giving it a spicy garlic flavor.
- Sour baguette, sliced on the diagonal
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh garlic cloves
Tomato Bruschetta Topping
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh tomatoes seeded and diced
- Fresh basil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Fine sea salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
How To Make Crostini
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Slice the baguette on the diagonal into ½-in thick slices. Place them onto a baking sheet.
- Brush each slice with olive oil.
- Toast in the oven for 20 minutes until a light golden brown.
- Rub each toasted slice with a piece of raw garlic.
Simple Bruschetta Topping
This ultra-flavorful tomato and basil topping is a classic topping for crostini but is also an amazing topping for baked chicken.
- Crush 2 cloves of garlic and add it to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil and stir to combine. Set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Chop the tomatoes. Halve the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Dice the tomatoes and then add them to the bowl.
- Finely mince the basil and add it to the bowl.
- Add the balsamic and the salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crostini are toasted bread. They are usually made from smaller bread, such as a sliced baguette. The bread is brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic.
What is the difference between crostini and bruschetta?
Bruschetta and crostini are both bead preparations usually served with antipasti.
Bruchetta is technically grilled bread. Traditional bruschetta is made with thick slices of rustic Italian bread grilled over hot coals and then drizzled with olive oil.
The traditional topping for bruschetta is chopped tomatoes seasoned with garlic, olive oil, basil, and balsamic vinegar and then topped with shaved parmesan.
However, you can serve either toasted bread with meats and cheeses, olive tapenade, or a sauteed mushroom topping.
Yes, you can make crostini up to 3 days ahead of time. Store the toasted bread in an air-tight container. Before serving, the crostini can be refreshed in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 350℉. Place the crostini on a baking sheet and toast for a few minutes until they are rewarmed.
More Appetizer Recipes That You’ll Love
What To Eat With Crostini
These are a great addition to an antipasto platter.
- Marinated Mushrooms
- Meat & Cheese Board
- Bruschetta Topping
- Olives or Olive Tapenade
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Crostini Recipe
Equipment
- heavy rimmed baking sheet (affiliate link)
Ingredients
Crostini
- 1 baguette, sliced on the diagonal
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
Bruschetta Topping
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 to 5 tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
How To Make Crostini
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Slice the baguette on the diagonal into ½-in thick slices. Place them onto a baking sheet.1 baguette
- Brush each slice with olive oil.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Toast in the oven for 20 minutes. Until a light golden brown.
- Rub each toasted slice with a piece of raw garlic.2 cloves garlic
Make The Bruschetta Topping
- Crush 2 cloves of garlic and add it to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil and stir to combine. Set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Chop the tomatoes. Halve the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Dice the tomatoes and then add them to the bowl.4 to 5 tomatoes
- Finely mince the basil and add it to the bowl.2 tablespoons fresh basil
- Add the balsamic and the salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper