How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe (2024)

by Farwin Simaak.

Learn how to make crostini with this easy homemade recipe. All you need is 3 ingredients(if you count the salt) and a few minutes in the oven. Skip the store-bought stuff and make delicious homemade crostini for your dips and appetizers.

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How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe (1)

easy homemade crostini recipe

Crostini, which means 'little toasts' or 'little crusts' is a classic Italian appetizer that's perfect for entertaining or as a simple snack. Bread slices are drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with a bit of salt and toasted until perfection. The toasted bread is the perfect base for your favorite toppings, or to scoop out delicious party dips such as this Easy Tuna Dip.

This delicious homemade crostini recipe is the perfect way to add some crunch and flavor to your next appetizer. With a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a tasty snack ready in no time. The combination of toasted baguette slices and your favorite dips or toppings make these crostini the perfect addition to your next gathering.

In this recipe, I'll show you how to make crostini at home, including tips on how to make them ahead of time, and some delicious topping ideas to try. So, whether you are hosting a dinner party or looking for a simple snack, crostini is sure to be a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

  • Easy to make: The recipe is simple and straightforward, requiring only a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time.
  • Perfect for entertaining: Crostini are a classic appetizer that are perfect for serving at parties, and can be made ahead of time to save you time and stress on the day of the event.
  • Budget-friendly: Making crostini at home is much more cost-effective than buying pre-made crostini or ordering them at a restaurant.
  • Crowd-pleaser: Crostini are a universally loved dish, and is a hit with guests of all ages and palates.
  • A fun and creative way to use stale bread: If you have a stale bread or baguette lying around, crostini is a great way to use it up and make it delicious again.

Overall, this easy crostini recipe is a tasty and easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. It's a simple and cost-effective way to impress your guests and elevate your next dinner party.

Ingredients

How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe (2)

French baguette - You want crusty bread like baguette or ciabatta.Few days old bread or stale bread would be perfect for this recipe. Fresh bread can be used in a pinch.

Olive oil - use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. Normally when it comes to cooking with olive oil, I use a light version but not in this case. Melted butter will be great too.

Salt - sprinkle kosher salt to season the crostini. Black pepper is optional but sprinkle some if you prefer.

How to Make Crostini From A Baguette

*Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.

How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe (3)
  1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
  2. Slice the bread into ½-inch thick slices, using a serrated knife.
  1. Spread the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  2. Brush the slices of bread with olive oil on both sides.
  3. Sprinkle with salt.
How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe (5)
  1. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Flip and bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
  2. Remove from the baking sheet and let it cool before serving.
  3. Serve the crostini with your favorite spreads, various toppings or with a dip.

How To Serve Crostini

Crostini can be served in two ways. You can serve them with different toppings as listed below. Or alongside a dip or a creamy spread. Some of my favorites are spinach artichoke dip, tuna dip, and salmon dip.

Crostini can also be served as a part of a charcuterie board with meat, cheese and other delicacies.

Serve crostini with soups, salads and pasta as a lighter alternative to garlic bread.

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Crostini Toppings

Crostini toppings are the perfect way to add a touch of gourmet flair to your appetizers. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, or just looking for a quick and easy snack, these crostini toppings will add flavor and texture.

  • Tomato and mozzarella cheese
  • Pesto
  • Prosciutto and arugula
  • Tuna salad and pickles
  • Roasted vegetables and goat cheese
  • Hummus and veggies
  • Smoked salmon and cream cheese
  • Brie or Ricotta and honey.

How to store

Store crostini in airtight container at room temperature. They will last for a couple of days. They can be made ahead for an event too saving you time and stress.

If you find them chewy after a couple of days, reheat them in the oven until crispy.

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the difference between crostini and brushetta

Crostini and bruschetta are both Italian appetizers made with bread, but there are differences between the two:

Crostini:

  • Small, thin slices of toasted bread.
  • Usually topped with ingredients such as cheese, spreads, or meats or served with a dip.
  • Served as a bite-sized snack or appetizer.

Bruschetta:

  • Thick slices of toasted bread.
  • Typically topped with diced tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil.
  • Served as an appetizer or a light snack.

What Is The Best Bread for Crostini?

The classic crostini is made with stale bread. But any rustic Italian bread, baguette, ciabatta or even sourdough bread can be used. You might want to stay away from white bread as it's too soft to crisp up.

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Recipe

How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe

How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe (8)

Discover how to make crostini with this easy homemade crostini recipe. With 3 ingredients and 15 minutes, make delicious crostini to take your appetizers to the next level.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 30 slices

Ingredients

  • 1 French baguette
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
  • Kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F.

  • Slice the bread into ½-inch thin slices, using a serrated knife.

  • Spread the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush the slices of bread with olive oil on both sides. Sprinkle with salt.

  • Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Flip and bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye so they won't burn.

  • Remove from the baking sheet and let it cool before serving.

  • Serve the crostini with toppings, spreads or dips.

Notes

Crostini Toppings -

  • Tomato and mozzarella cheese
  • Pesto
  • Prosciutto and arugula
  • Tuna salad and pickles
  • Roasted vegetables and goat cheese
  • Hummus and veggies
  • Smoked salmon and cream cheese
  • Brie and honey.

Store - in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 sliceCalories: 30 kcalTotal Carbs: 4 gProtein: 1 gFat: 1 gSaturated Fat: 0.2 gSodium: 52 mgFiber: 0.2 gSugar: 0.4 gCalcium: 9 mgIron: 0.3 mgNet Carbs: 4 g

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How To Make Crostini - Easy Homemade Crostini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What bread is crostini made from? ›

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!

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.

How do you keep crostini from getting hard? ›

To avoid hard crostini, don't overcook the bread slices. They should be crisp on the outside edges but still just slightly tender in the middle. If your crostini seem a bit too hard, put the toppings on a bit in advance. The topping will soften the crostini.

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 part of the meal is crostini typically served? ›

I typically associate crostini with party appetizers and cheese plates, but you don't have to throw a party to enjoy these little toasts. For example, you can resuscitate a stale baguette by turning it into crostini. You can whip together a fun lunch or snack in no time with crostini and condiments from your fridge.

How do you eat crostini? ›

Everybody loves finger food. No need to deal with a knife and fork, struggle with chopsticks or scoop with spoons. Just clutch your cocktail in one hand and use your other to pop these in your mouth! “Crostini” means “little crusts” (ie.

What is the origin of crostini? ›

Crostini is believed to have originated in medieval Italy. The appetizer emerged from poverty-driven ingenuity. Italian peasants, lacking plates, utilized sliced bread to hold their food. Stale bread was salvaged by soaking it in wine or juices for palatability, illustrating resourcefulness in times of scarcity.

What is the difference between crostini and crouton food? ›

Crostino in Italian means crouton – small pieces of toasted bread. Crostini are thin slices of toast smeared with a pate or a spread of some kind.

Is Melba toast the same as crostini? ›

Both are cut from a loaf of bread and toasted. However: Melba toast is toasted dry, saving calories. Crostini are brushed with olive oil, and can be thicker than Melba toast.

How many calories are in a crostini? ›

Each crostini: 36 calories; 99 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 1 gram fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 0.30 gram fiber. Arrange toasted bread on broiler pan or baking sheet.

How do you revive stale crostini? ›

You can revive stale bread by dipping it in water and baking it at 175ºC / 350ºF degrees for 7-10 minutes.

What does crostini mean in Italian? ›

Crostini: Meaning "little toasts" in Italian, crostini are small, thin slices of toasted bread, which are usually brushed with olive oil. The word also describes canapés consisting of small slices of toast with a savory topping such as cheese, shrimp, pâté or anchovies.

Can you reheat crostini? ›

Store crostini at room temperature for a few hours. Crostini doesn't stay as fresh past that point. How do I reheat crostini? If you make crostini a few hours ahead, reheat them in a 375-degree oven until hot.

What is crusty French bread called? ›

A baguette (/bæˈɡɛt/; French: [baɡɛt]) is a long, thin type of bread of French origin that is commonly made from basic lean dough (the dough, not the shape, is defined by French law). It is distinguishable by its length and crisp crust.

What type of bread is focaccia? ›

Focaccia is a type of Italian bread made with yeast and a strong, high-gluten flour (like bread flour) and baked in flat sheet pans. Unlike pizza dough, it's left to rise after being rolled out before going in the oven.

What type of bread is boule? ›

Boule, from French, meaning "ball", is a traditional shape of French bread resembling a squashed ball. A boule can be made using any type of flour and can be leavened with commercial yeast, chemical leavening, or even wild yeast (sourdough).

What is browned bread called? ›

Brown breads often get their characteristic dark color from ingredients such as molasses or coffee. In Canada, Ireland and South Africa, it is whole wheat bread; in New England and the Maritimes, it is bread sweetened with molasses. In some regions of the US, brown bread is called wheat bread to complement white bread.

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