8 Crostini Toppings: How to Make Crostini Appetizers

Crostini are bite-size slices of crispy, toasted bread. The word means “little toasts” or “little crusts” in Italian; however, baguette—a type of French bread—is the traditional bread to use. Ciabatta, sourdough, and other breads will also work for crostini appetizers. Toppings can be savory or sweet, with common options including tapenades, various types of cheese, diced or sliced fresh tomatoes, prosciutto, and even slices of fruit.

Follow these steps to bake crostini and add your preferred toppings:

1. 1. Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let it heat up while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. 2. Slice the bread. With a serrated knife, slice a baguette on the diagonal into half-inch-thick slices on a sturdy cutting board. Aim for somewhat bite-size slices.
3. 3. Place the bread on a baking sheet. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. This helps the French bread slices toast evenly.
4. 4. Drizzle the bread with olive oil. A classic crostini recipe calls for drizzling extra-virgin olive oil over both sides of the bread. Alternatively, add olive oil to a small bowl and use a pastry brush to apply the olive oil to each side of the bread.
5. 5. Bake the bread. Place the baking sheet in the oven for about eight to ten minutes. Check it often, as each oven heats and cooks differently, and you want to avoid burning the slices of bread.
6. 6. Cool the bread. Remove the bread from the oven once all the slices are evenly golden brown. Let the bread cool to room temperature before you add any toppings. If you plan to use cold crostini toppings, such as Brie cheese, avoid adding those while the bread is still warm.
7. 7. Top the crostini with ingredients. Crostini is traditionally an appetizer, so choose flavors that complement the dishes to follow. Limit toppings to a couple ingredients per piece of bread so the crostini do not become unwieldy.

Various toppings work well for crostini, so you can tailor the appetizer to your preferences. Here are several possible flavor combinations:

1. 1. Brie and fruit: For an easy crostini, add a layer of Brie, followed by one or two apple slices, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, or jammy cherry tomatoes. Finish the slices with a drizzle of honey, coarse sea salt, and a sprig of fresh thyme.
2. 2. Bruschetta: Mix together chopped tomatoes, diced onion, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Kosher salt, black pepper, and fresh basil to make bruschetta. Then top the crostini with spoonfuls of the mixture and shavings of Parmesan cheese.
3. 3. Caponata: A classic crostini topping, caponata consists of a mixture of fried eggplant and other vegetables in agrodolce sauce—a sweet and sour sauce.
4. 4. Cream cheese and smoked salmon: Mimic the flavors of a bagel sandwich by topping the slices with a whipped cream cheese and salty smoked salmon. Sprinkle an everything bagel seasoning blend over the crostini for even more flavor.
5. 5. Fresh mozzarella and prosciutto: Cured meats and cheeses are common flavor combinations for crostini, and fresh mozzarella and prosciutto are both classic Italian ingredients. Drizzle a thin pesto or balsamic vinegar over the top, too.
6. 6. Goat cheese and caramelized onions: The sweetness of caramelized onions pairs well with the saltiness and slight funk of a goat cheese. Use a garlic and herb goat cheese for even more flavor, or use a plain chèvre for a simple goat cheese crostini.
7. 7. Olive tapenade: In a food processor, combine olives, capers, lemon juice, and anchovies. Pulse the ingredients until the mixture is spreadable but still slightly chunky. Spread the salty mixture on the crostini and finish with a dollop of ricotta cheese.
8. 8. Roasted vegetables and feta cheese: Whip feta cheese in a food processor until it’s smooth, then spread it on the crostini. This creates a barrier and prevents sogginess when you apply the roasted vegetables. Use zucchini, artichokes, butternut squash, and whatever other vegetables you prefer.

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