How to Make Crostini (+ Best Topping Combos) | Julie Blanner (2024)

Crostini is so easy to make using fresh or even stale bread. These little mini toasts make the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to cheese trays and can be topped with fruits, veggies, thinly sliced meat and herbs.

The options are truly endless for this incredibly versatile appetizer. 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! It’s such a great way to serve a variety of dips, spreads and toppings for parties. Sometimes, we even call it a delicious dinner!

I love sharing my favorite appetizers and dips with you. Don’t miss my reader faves like my bacon cheddar cheese dip, Baked Burrata Recipe, and this pear appetizer.

You can even learn How to Make Homemade Butter and How to Make a Butter Board. I’ve got so many ways for you to enjoy this crostini recipe!

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 were 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.

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!

Why You’ll Love this Easy Crostini

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!

• So easy to make
• Flexible with a million variations
• Inexpensive
• Filling
• Delicious!

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 for Crostini

Truly any bread aside from sandwich bread will work! Use whatever you have on hand – even day old bread. 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

1. Prep – Preheat oven.
2. Slice a baguette (or bread slices of your choosing) into thin slices at an angle.
3. Line crostini on baking sheets.
4. Brush – Using a pastry brush, coat with good quality olive oil.
5. Optional: season with salt and pepper or herbs. I like to use thick flakes of sea salt.
6. Broil 1 – 1 1/2 minutes until just toasted and crunchy.

Quick tip: Keep in mind that the ideal crostini texture is crispy on the outside, and perfectly tender on the inside. Don’t overbake!

Tips

Make Ahead

You can make them in advance! Store them at room temperature in an airtight bag for up to one week. Top just before serving.

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. What could be easier?

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.

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 re-crisp by broiling for just one minute. This makes your party prep so easy!
• Refrigerator – Avoid storing in the fridge as they will lose their crispness.
• Freezer – To freeze crostini, placein a Ziploc style freezer bag, press to remove any air, and then wrap tightly with aluminum foil. Remove crostinis from the freezer approximately an hour before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Crostini pair well with an array of toppings. These are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy them!

Crostini with Dips and Spreads

• Goat Cheese Spread
• With Beef Tenderloin
• Blistered Tomatoes
• Quick and Easy Pesto Cheese Dip
• Pesto Cheeseball Wreath
• Hummus and Olive Oil – try Black Bean Hummus or Pesto Hummus
• Peach and Ricotta
• Pimento Cheese
• Marinara Goat Cheese Bake
• Incredible Baked Artichoke Dip Recipe
• Mozzarella Bruschetta
• Homemade Pesto
• Goat Cheese and Fig

More Toppings

• as an accompaniment to a cheese platter
• served in Jarcuterie
• crushed on a salad
• Jam
• Honey
• A drizzle of Balsamic Glaze
• Cheeses, like this Cheese and Cracker setup
• Meats – Prosciutto, capicola, salami, pancetta
• top with a little sun dried tomato and cream cheese
• Brie and apricot jam
• Sun-dried tomato and ricotta
• Blue cheese and candied walnuts
• Ricotta, honey and mint
• Raspberry, ricotta and mint

Set up a Crostini Bar

What could be better? I always enjoy when you can create your own food at dinner parties. I can be a bit of a picky eater, and appreciate being able to select my favorite combinations, plus… it’s just fun!

A crostini bar makes an excellent appetizer display at any time of year! As you can see, for a fall party we served the cheeses on a cake pedestal so that it doubled as a centerpiece. I just nestled in few candles between champagne grapes which draped over the edge.

The crostini bar is full of edible decor including herbs from the garden. To set up your own, simply work as follows:

1. First, make your crostini as directed and add it to a platter on its own.
2. Add toppings, spreads, dips and more in individual small bowls and platters – labeling is always a great idea so guests know what they are choosing.
3. Finally, if you’re feeling extra ambitious, make a cute little handwritten menu card to suggest delicious topping combinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope you enjoy this easy Crostini recipe as much as we do! If you try this recipe, I’d love to know whatyou think and what you served it with!

More Amazing Appetizers

• Bacon and Gruyere Dip
• Hot Cheesy Garlic Dip
• Bacon and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
• Sweet Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites