Easy Crostini Recipe (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Crostini are simply slices of baguette or ciabatta bread that have been brushed with oil and toasted or grilled until golden and crunchy. They make a perfect base for a variety of toppings, dips and spreads and are the perfect light bite for entertaining.

One of my favorites ways to serve appetizers and dips likeGarlic Bread Cheese Dip, Classic Bruschetta is with a classic crostini. I even dip them into my popularTortellini Soup!

Easy Crostini Recipe (1)
Pin this recipe for later!Pin This

Table of Contents

  1. What is Crostini?
  2. Why We Love This Recipe
  3. How to Make Crostini
  4. Favorite Toppings
  5. Dips that Go with Crostini
  6. Crostini Recipe

What is Crostini?

Italian for “little toasts,” a crostini is a slice of bread that’s been brushed with olive oil and baked in the oven until golden and crispy. They can be topped with veggies or cheese spreads or used as a vessel for a hearty dip.

These little toasty, buttery pieces of bread are just so delicious and so versatile. They won’t break under the pressure of a hearty dip and they are the perfect vessel for just about any topping you can think of.

Sure you can buy them premade and bagged at the grocery store bakery, but they are so easy to make fresh at home and take less than 15 minutes. Why wouldn’t you make them from scratch?

Why We Love This Recipe

  • You only need 2 ingredients, plus some seasoning which is totally optional.
  • It takes about 10 minutes to prepare from start to finish.
  • Crostini is a super versatile appetizer base that goes with just about anything from sweet to savory.
Easy Crostini Recipe (2)

How to Make Crostini

You only need a couple of ingredients and about 15 minutes – that’s it! Be sure to read through my tips for the best results.

  • Start with a thin loaf of bread. A french baguette or ciabatta loaf work best. Slice the bread into 1/2-inch thick slices. Do your best to keep them all the same thickness for even cooking.
  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil, parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  • Lay out the bread slices in a single layer. Place them side by side but not touching. Brush each slice with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning. I usually just add sprinkle a pinch of salt over the tops but garlic powder or garlic salt is also quite good. Sometimes I’ll rub the bread with the cut end of a clove of garlic to add a hint of garlic flavor before brushing with the olive oil.
Easy Crostini Recipe (3)
  • Slide the sheet pan into the oven and bake for about 7-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. Depending on your oven it make take more or less time. You want the toasts to be crispy but not so hard you can’t easily bite into it.
  • Let the bread cool for 10-15 minutes before adding cold toppings. If your dip or topping is warm, no need to wait.

Favorite Toppings

As much as I love serving crostini with a cheesy, creamy dip, my favorite way to serve it is topped with some delicious bruschetta or even guacamole. Here are some more delicious topping ideas.

As much as I love serving crostini with a cheesy, creamy dip, my favorite way to serve it is topped with some delicious bruschetta or even guacamole. Here are some more delicious topping ideas.

Easy Crostini Recipe (4)
  • Smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill
  • Buffalo chicken drizzled with ranch and blue cheese crumbles
  • Marinara, mozzarella and basil
  • Mozarella Bruschetta
  • Caramelized onions and bacon
  • Mushroom Crostini
  • Pimento cheese
  • Blue cheese, pear and honey
  • BLT – Spread with a little mayo and top with lettuce, bacon and diced tomato
  • Ricotta spread and cranberry sauce
  • Creamy Three Cheese Bruschetta
  • Pesto Bruschetta

How to Store

Store leftovers at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Do not put it in the fridge, it will dry out. If you have a lot leftover, freeze it and make breadcrumbs later.

Easy Crostini Recipe (5)

Dips that Go with Crostini

  • Chicken Crack Dip
  • BLT Dip
  • Spicy Italian Sausage Dip
  • Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Hot Mexican Corn Dip
  • Creamy Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

Recipe

Easy Crostini Recipe (6)

Crostini

4.50 from 8 votes

Kristin Maxwell

Crostini are crispy slices of bread that are brushed with oil and toasted. A perfect light bite for parties topped with veggies, spreads or for dipping.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Print RecipeReview Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 large baguette (12-15-inches)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for brushing
  • salt

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil, parchment paper or a silicone mat.

  • Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch thick slices. Straight across or on the bias – your choice.

  • Arrange the bread side by side but not touching. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

  • Bake for 7-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through. Depending on your oven it make take more or less time. You want the crostini to be crispy but not so hard you can't easily bite into it.

  • Let the bread cool for 10-15 minutes before adding cold toppings. If your dip or topping is warm, no need to wait.

Notes

Store leftovers at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Do not put it in the fridge, it will dry out. If you have a lot leftover, freeze it and make breadcrumbs later.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 192mgPotassium: 34mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

Keyword crostini

Have you tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was by leaving a review or sharing on Instagram with the tag #yellowblissroad

Easy Crostini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to keep crostini from getting soggy? ›

A thin drizzle of oil will help your bread get crispy in the oven. Expect to use about 1 teaspoon of oil for every 8 crostini. The ingredient quality matters. If you have a favorite extra-virgin olive oil, this is a good time to use it.

What's the difference between crostini and bruschetta? ›

The main difference between these two toasts is that crostini is often thinly sliced, while bruschetta is usually served in thicker slices and drizzled with olive oil before it's toasted. The standard topping is diced tomato mixed with olive oil, garlic and Italian herbs—delicious, but a little boring.

What is the rule of thumb for adding crostini toppings? ›

The bread can be toasted a few hours in advance of serving. I would not recommend adding the toppings until 10-15 minutes before serving. This way, the bread won't get soggy from the toppings. If you are planning a party where guests will be arriving at different times, you can always make a crostini bar.

What bread is crostini made from? ›

The Best Bread for Crostini

A baguette is ideal for crostini, its small surface area is just the right size for these appetizer toasts. Or use a long Italian loaf. The bread doesn't have to be fresh—you're going to dry it out in the oven—so if you have a day-old baguette use it!

Why are my crostini hard? ›

Toast them for just the right amount of time.

Bake at 375°F. for 7 - 8 minutes, turning over halfway through until golden brown. The crostini should be crispy on top but the inside should be tender. If the oven temperature is too low, the bread slices will bake and become too hard.

How to soften crostini bread? ›

Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for 5-10 minutes. In the microwave: Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 10 seconds. Check and repeat if necessary.

What is the best store bought bread for bruschetta? ›

The best bread for bruschetta has a sturdy crust and is firm enough to hold the bruschetta topping. Choose a loaf of Italian bread, such as ciabatta, for a more traditional bruschetta. This recipe uses slices of French bread, like a baguette.

What qualities one looks for in crostini bread? ›

Texture is very important–it shouldn't be too dense. The bread needs to be thin enough to bite, but thick enough to support toppings -1/2-inch thick is just right. Brush olive oil on each piece before toasting it.

What is the French version of crostini? ›

The French call them tartines, the Americans Toasts and the Italians Bruschetta. The Webster Dictionary defines them as: an open sandwich, one with a rich or elaborate topping. No matter what you call them, we all seem to love them!

How do you store leftover crostini? ›

Store leftover crostini in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Enjoy!

What is the difference between crostini and canape? ›

Canape: A canape is a type of hors d'oeuvre, or small, single-bite food, that is traditionally made with a base of a small piece of bread with some sort of topping. Crostini: The Italian word means little toasts. The thin slices of bread are toasted, drizzles with olive oil, and served warm.

How to keep crostini fresh? ›

Storage – Baked, cooled crostini can be stored in an airtight container for 5 days, sometimes even longer. 3. Nutrition per serving, assuming 2 slices of crostini.

What is similar to crostini? ›

Sometimes crostini refers to the equivalent of a crouton used for soups or salads. Bruschetta: From the Italian bruscare meaning "to roast over coals," this traditional garlic bread is made by rubbing slices of toasted bread with garlic cloves, then drizzling the bread with extra-virgin olive oil.

What is crostini in english? ›

Translation of crostino – Italian–English dictionary

crouton [noun] a small piece of fried or toasted bread, served in soup etc.

How do you keep toasted bread from getting soggy? ›

Fortunately, there's an easy way to prevent that sogginess and keep your bread just as crisp as it is when it comes out of the toaster. All you'll need to do is take two freshly toasted slices of bread, stand them up on an angle, and balance them against each other so that the two slices resemble the sides of a tent.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Tomato skins and seeds can be bitter, and removing them improves the flavor and texture of your bruschetta topping. Seeds and skin also contain extra water, which can make your bruschetta runny and your toast points soggy.

How do you make bread less soggy? ›

Packaged bread from the supermarket often benefits from being toasted. To prevent your sandwich from getting soggy, try lightly toasting just one side of the bread in your toaster oven, and let that toasted side serve as the inside of your sandwich.

What can be done to keep bread from getting soggy when making canapés? ›

Spread something on the bases to protect them from a topping if it is on the 'damp' side. A pretty obvious thing anyway - we all spread butter or marg (or cream cheese, or mayo) on our bread to prevent it getting soggy from a damp filling. So the same approach works just as well with canape-toast bases.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5488

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.