The best crostini every time only takes 3 ingredients and 15 minutes to make. Crispy yet chewy, and lightly flavored with olive oil and garlic, these crostini are phenomenal bases for almost any topping (or even alone as an appetizer!).
Why You’ll Love This Crostini Recipe
- Unbeatable texture: they’re crispy on the outside, yet chewy and soft on the inside. You can’t beat it!
- Unbeatable flavor: delicate garlic and olive oil flavor enhances almost any topping or appetizer!
- 15 minutes to make: 15 minutes is all it takes to make the best crostini ever!
- 3 ingredients: all you need is 3 ingredients: a good-quality ciabatta loaf, extra virgin olive oil, and a big garlic clove.
- Multipurpose: these crostini are so versatile and work perfectly with almost any savory topping, from Whipped Ricotta With Brown Butter Sage & Honey to smoky Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip).
How to Make Crostini
Full instructions in the recipe card; this is just an outline!
- Slice.
Slice loaf between ½ – 1 inch thick.
- Drizzle.
Place slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle each piece with olive oil.
- Broil.
Place bread in oven for 2-5 minutes until light golden. Flip slices to the other side. Broil again for 2-5 minutes until light golden.
- Rub.
Remove from oven, and when the crostini is cool enough to touch, rub the top of each piece with the garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt.
Crostini Ingredients
- Ciabatta loaf – ciabatta makes the BEST crostini. It is a sturdy Italian bread made with olive oil. It yields crostini with a crispy, crunchy exterior and soft, chewy interior (depending on how long you broil it, of course!). You can’t beat it.
- Garlic clove – rub a fresh garlic clove on the top of your crostini after they come out of the oven to infuse them with light, garlicky flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil – olive oil adds flavor and helps your crostini crisp up.
Crostini Topping Ideas
Here are some of my favorite crostini serving suggestions, including some fun topping and spread ideas!
- Oven Roasted Tomato or fresh tomato, basil, and balsamic (and maybe some fresh mozzarella!)
- Top with Salmon Salad or Egg Salad
- Top with Roasted Zucchini With Lemon & Garlic
- Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip)
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Whipped Ricotta With Brown Butter Sage & Honey
- Sicilian Eggplant Caponata
- Chipotle Corn Salsa
- Avocado Pesto
- The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast (use these crostini instead of regular toast)
- Ricotta Toast With Hot Honey and Pistachios (use these crostini instead of regular toast)
- Tuna Avocado Bruschetta Toasts
- Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
- OR alone as an appetizer, with some extra olive oil for dipping!
Crostini Tips
- Depending on how crispy and crunchy you like your crostini will dictate how long you broil the bread! I recommend broiling crostini to light golden color but you can toast them less or more depending on your preference.
- Top crostini right before serving to keep the bread crisp, especially if your topping(s) has a lot of moisture!
- I don’t recommend making crostini more than a few hours ahead. These crostini are best enjoyed right away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Crostini, meaning “little toasts” in Italian, are toasted or grilled pieces of bread often brushed with olive oil and garnished with assorted toppings.
My favorite bread for crostini is ciabatta, because of its unique olive oil flavor and chewy yet crispy texture. You can also use a baguette or similarly hardy bread.
I don’t recommend making crostini ahead; they are best enjoyed right away! If you do make them a few hours ahead, reheat them in a 375-degree oven until hot!
Store crostini at room temperature for a few hours. Crostini doesn’t stay as fresh past that point.
If you make crostini a few hours ahead, reheat them in a 375-degree oven until hot.
I don’t recommend freezing.
Other Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love!
- Spanakopita Bites (Easy!)
- Crispy Roasted Chickpeas (5 Flavors!)
- Easy Beer Cheese
- Ham and Cheese Sliders (On Hawaiian Rolls)
- Cheesy Bacon Mini Quiche Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ciabatta loaf
- 1 large garlic clove peeled
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to a high broil. Slice loaf between ½ – 1 inch thick depending on your preference.
- Place slices, in a single layer, on a baking sheet. Drizzle each piece with olive oil (you don’t need to drizzle both sides of bread).
- Place bread in oven for 2-5 minutes until light golden. Flip slices to the other side. Broil again for 2-5 minutes until light golden (or darker if you prefer a crispier crostini).
- Remove from oven, and when the crostini is cool enough to touch, rub the top of each piece with the garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt. Best served right away, with your favorite toppings or even alone!
Video
Notes
- Visual instructions are above in the video!
- Can’t find ciabatta? You can use a baguette or another similarly sturdy bread. Broil times may vary based on the type of bread you use – so watch the oven!
- Need smaller crostini? You can cut the slices of ciabatta in half! Or use a baguette instead, but the broil times may vary.
- Depending on the exact bread used and your oven’s strength, broil times may vary!
- Prefer to grill? Grill each piece for 30-60 seconds on medium-high heat, or until grill marks form.
- These crostini are best enjoyed right away! If you need to make them a few hours ahead, reheat them in a 375-degree oven until hot.
The rubbing of the garlic clove at the end while they’re hot out of the oven is something I will ALWAYS DO from now on. So so so smart. Thank you!
Author
Hi Kim,
So happy to hear you like the recipe!! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Grace