This is a simple crostini recipe that shows you how to make crostini at home. It is easy and quick. It makes the perfect base for all kinds of toppings.

You can make so many delicious crostini recipes with these Italian toasts. You’ll find inspiration and serving ideas in the text below.

What is crostini?

It is a sliced bread (a baguette or any long artisan loaf) that is either grilled or toasted. Usually it is brushed or drizzled with olive oil.

You can season it with salt and pepper, but this is completely optional and if you are using salty toppings, I would recommend you omit the salt completely.

How to make crostini

Slice your French baguette or any other artisan baguette-style bread you have. It’s better when you use a few days old bread, but this is not a must.

Brush each slice with olive oil on both sides and sprinkle with salt and pepper (if using). Bake until nice brown and crispy.

It is a simple process that only takes minutes but if you are still not sure how to make crostini, have a look at the process photos – they should help you understand it right away.

Toppings & serving suggestions

The toppings for crostini are endless and you can really use anything you like. Here are my favorite flavor combos:

You can also serve these simple crostini toasts with dips (Have you tried spinach artichoke dip or garlic cheddar dip?) or soups. Yes, you can use these crostini toasts as a topping for creamy soups!

If you are a seafood lover, you could pair crostini with marinated baby octopus or garlic shrimp.

Expert tips

Make sure to preheat your oven first!
To make crostini even more tasty, you can spread a little bit of pesto or cream cheese over it. Or just rub garlic into each slice for an extra flavor!
You can easily double, triple, ... this recipe.
Please, don’t substitute olive oil with regular cooking oil. The olive oil does make a difference. Plus, it’s good for you!
Homemade crostini toasts can be made up to 5 days before serving. Once cooled, store them in an air-tight container at a kitchen counter or in your pantry until ready to use. When stored properly, they should stay crisp.

How to Make Crostini

Author: Julia

This simple crostini recipe shows you how to make crostini at home. It is quick and easy and makes the perfect base for all kinds of toppings.

4.60 from 61 votes

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Prep Time 7

Total Time 19

Servings pieces

Ingredients

2 French baguettes (see note 1 & 2)
2 tablespoons olive oil (see note 3)
salt (a generous pinch (optional))
black pepper (a pinch (optional))

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 Fahrenheit (200 Celsius).
Slice the baguettes into ½ inch (1 centimeter) slices. Brush each slice with olive oil on both sides and place onto a baking tray.
Sprinkle with salt & pepper (optional) and bake at 400 Fahrenheit (200 Celsius) for 12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, turning them over halfway through cooking.
Enjoy with dips, spreads, soups, or as an appetizer topped with ingredients of your choice!

Notes

I used two medium baguettes, each weighing approximately 3.5 ounces (110 grams).
Instead of baguettes, you can use artisan loaf or ciabatta. A day (or two) old bread works the best, but fresh is also fine. If you use a large baguette, you will need more olive oil for brushing.
This should be plenty for 24 pieces. You want to brush each baguette slice with a thin layer.

Nutrition

Calories: 59 kcal (3%), Carbohydrates: 10 g (3%), Protein: 2 g (4%), Fat: 1 g (2%), Saturated Fat: 0.2 g (1%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 145 mg (6%), Potassium: 26 mg (1%), Fiber: 0.4 g (2%), Sugar: 1 g (1%), Vitamin A: 0.2 IU, Calcium: 22 mg (2%), Iron: 1 mg (6%)

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

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