How to Make Crostini
Learn how to make golden toasted crostini with this simple recipe! Easy to make on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill!
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It’s Easier Than You Think
Who doesn’t love golden toasted bread? If you do, you will LOVE Crostini. Crostini is crusty bread brushed with olive oil, toasted on a pan, in the oven, or in the grill to crispy perfection.
The word crostini actually means “little crusts” in Italian. So think of a fabulously large better version of the crouton. I think many associate crostini with party appetizers and cheese plates, but you don’t have to throw a party to enjoy these little toasts. Oh no, I encourage you to eat these for lunch, dinner, a snack, and even breakfast!
The Best part? If you have a stale baguette, don’t throw it away! You can turn it into crostini.
Now I realize some of you may know how to make crostini, but not everyone does. I know when I was first cooking, it was nice to have a little background on it. I also talk about how to make this in my very first “crostini” recipe, Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella, and Avocado Crostini.
Crostini Tips & Tricks
Just a few things that might be good to know before you get started:
- Start with good bread. Baguette is preferred, and I highly recommend it, but any elongated crusty (it should be crusty) bread will do. And if you’re not sure where to get one, your local grocery store bakery should offer a version that will do.
- No worries if your bread is stale. I have definitely bought a baguette and ended up not making what I thought for 2 days and went with crostini instead. It will turn out just fine (DO NOT, however, use bread with any signs of mold).
- A bread or serrated knife works best for slicing bread. I suggest slicing your bread reasonably thin, about 1/2-inch thick or just under. Only because you’re toasting an already very crunchy bread. So thick pieces will be hard to bite.
- For larger crostini with more room for toppings, slice your bread on the diagonal (as shown in all the photos on this post).
- Or for smaller, more bite-sized appetizers, cut the slices straight across (perpendicular to the long edge).
- Always brush both sides with olive oil. This is what helps create the golden color on your crostini.
- I find the cast iron to be the best way to make crostinis, but using the oven works just fine, and can be nice when you’re making for a party.
- The crostini are done when they’re golden on both sides and sound sort of hollow when you give them a little tap.
- Finish your crostini with a light sprinkle of salt and any additional toppings you might enjoy. Keep reading for topping suggestions!
Crostini Skillet Toasting
I personally prefer a good skillet over an oven for my crostini, but of course, if you prefer to use the oven or maybe even your grill, by all means! That’s the best part of these! They’re meant to be easy!
Oven toasting can bring a sense of ease when you have a party. Grilling your crostini will add some smoky flavor and grill marks. Both are simple. Just see the recipe notes specifically for oven and grill directions.
Platter Options
I personally LOVE Mora Ceramics and their platters are my absolute favorite!
Mora Ceramic L & XL Serving Dishes – 13.5 & 11.8in (Vanilla White)
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And because I love layering and making carrying easier for me, I like to put the platter on a nice acacia wood tray like this.
Another favorite for me is the cuddle board set by We Made.
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see I use the set a lot.
Delicious on their own or try these ideas!
Crostinis are amazing on there own. But you can also try them in other ways.
- Try my Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella, and Avocado Crostini
- Use it to make Mozzarella Croutons
- Top them with my Marinated Cherry Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Serve them with soups like
- Or check out this recipe I created for Tin Can Fish on Instagram!
What will you top your crostini with? Comment below with any ideas or what you did! I love hearing from you all!
How to Make Crostini
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 crostini 1x
Description
Learn how to make goldenly toasted crostini with this simple recipe! They’re easy to make on the stope top, in the oven, or on the grill! Crostini are the perfect base for your party appetizers, a light meal, or a fun light accompaniment to go with your meal. The recipe yields 16 to 24 little toasts, depending on the baguette length (demi or full size).
Ingredients
- 1 baguette (or a crusty french bread)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil (or more as needed)
- Flaky sea salt (or fine salt; to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat a pan on medium-high heat.
- Slice your baguette on the diagonal into pieces no wider than ½-inch.
- Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil (this will require about 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil).
- Place the slices in a single layer on your prepared cast iron pan, you have to do this in batches unless you choose to use a cast iron griddle, then they may all fit. Let them crisp to a nice golden brown and flip.
- Sprinkle the toasts lightly with salt, then transfer the toasts to a serving platter, and use as desired.
- *For Oven and Grill Directions see notes.
Equipment
Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle, Pre-Seasoned, 10.5-inch
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Mora Ceramic 2XL(15.9in) & 3XL(14.6in) Serving Dishes in Neutrals (Sesame Milk and Chai)
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Cooking Tweezers (6 Piece Set)
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Recipe is adapted from my Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella, and Avocado Crostini.
- HOW TO GRILL CROSTINI: Heat the grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the slices with olive oil as directed and place them directly on the grill grates (tongs are strongly recommended for this). Cover and let the bread toast for about 3 minutes. When the undersides are golden, with nice grill marks, carefully flip them with tongs and repeat on the other side. Transfer to a large serving platter and top as desired.
- HOW TO BAKE IN THE OVEN: Preheat the oven to the desired temp (use the baking temps and timing below). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up, if desired. Depending on the size of your baking sheet, you may need to toast in batches. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil. Place the slices in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet and bake them according to the temp you chose or until they’re crisp and nicely golden on top. Transfer to a large serving platter and top as desired.
*BAKING TEMPS AND TIMING FOR BOTH GRILL AND OVEN: Sometimes, you’ll want to bake crostini on an available oven rack while roasting something else.
- 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees (Fahrenheit)
- 8 to 10 minutes at 400 degrees (Fahrenheit)
- 6 to 9 minutes at 450 degrees (Fahrenheit)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sides, Snack
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 39.87
- Sugar: 0.49
- Sodium: 72.48
- Fat: 1.74
- Saturated Fat: 0.26
- Carbohydrates: 5.01
- Fiber: 0.22
- Protein: 0.99
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