Homemade Crostini Recipe – I Heart Naptime

Learn how to make crostini that is crisp, buttery and delicious! Making these homemade toasted slices of baguette is so easy, yet looks so impressive with a variety of toppings.

Easy Crostini from a Baguette

Making homemade crostini is not only easy but always looks elegant when served as a party appetizer! These Italian toasts are the best way to revitalize slightly stale baguette.

Use crostini as the base to hold creamy spreads or simple serve with bread dipping oil recipe. Serve as bruschetta caprese or along with baked brie with honey, the options or limitless.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Perfect party appetizer: Translated in Italian, crostini is ‘little crusts’ and this finger food is perfect to serve as an antipasto (before the meal) when entertaining!
• Add a variety of toppings: Crisp and versatile homemade crostini can be topped with creamy spreads or added to fruit and cheese platters.

Ingredients Notes

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Baguette: I always use a crusty French baguette. My preference is day-old baguettes that are slightly stale, but fresh bread will work, too.
• Olive oil: Use an olive oil that you love as the flavor will really come through on the bread. Choose one based on crostini toppings or use an extra virgin olive oil.
• Garlic clove: Right out of the oven, I love rubbing one fresh peeled and quartered garlic clove over each slice of homemade crostini.
• Sea salt (optional): Finishing the crostini with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds flavor and additional crunch.

How to Make Crostini

Slice baguette into 1/4 inch slices and place in a single layer on the prepared parchment lined baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides of the bread with the olive oil.

Bake the bread in the oven at 500°F for 2-3 minutes, or until edges are golden. Remove homemade crostini from oven and rub garlic clove over the top of the bread slices.

Place the little toasts on a plate and add desired crostini toppings.

Crostini Tips and Variations

• Quality bread: Using the right bread is the key to homemade crostini! I use French baguette but any crusty bread like Italian ciabatta bread or sourdough bread works.
• Use a serrated knife for cutting. Cut bread in even slices diagonally about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick using a bread knife.
• Avoid getting them too crispy: Watch the crostini carefully during the last few minutes of baking. You want them to be golden and crisp but not hard or burnt.
• For easy clean up: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat.
• Grill the bread: Prepare as directed then grill directly on the grill grates for 2-3 minutes, flip and repeat.
• Air fry: Make crostini in the air fryer by toasting at 370°F for 5-7 minutes. Flip halfway through if you would like both sides toasted.

Crostini Topping Ideas

Beyond serving crostini on a charcuterie board, here are a few favorite ways to dip or spread the toasted slices.

• Add a smear of basil pesto, a sliced cherry tomato, miniature mozzarella ball and drizzle of balsamic glaze.
• Top with bruschetta for an easy go-to appetizer popular in the summer.
• Spread with garlic and herb cheese (like Boursin), add a slice of tomato and prosciutto or smoked salmon.
• Serve with whipped ricotta, cream cheese and some jam.
• Crostini is the perfect base for spreading goat cheese with a drizzle of honey.
• Top with hummus and roasted red peppers.
• Baked artichoke dip is delicious on scooped on top of a crostino.
• For a kid-friendly idea, serve this easy crostini recipe with pizza dip.

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