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How To Make Crostini

October 7, 2020 by Milk and Pop

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Stop spending your money on store-bought and learn how to make your own Crostini with only bread, olive oil, and an oven. Top with your favorites and have always an easy and inexpensive snack seconds away!

A bowl full of golden baked crostini.

What is crostini

Crostini (that literally means little crusts) is an Italian appetizer that consists of small slices of toasted bread with a topping.

Basically, a fancy name (because everything in Italian sounds so fancy to me) for toast with something on top of it.

Why should you make it

A bag of Crostini usually cost like 5 dollars 10 slices in the supermarket. It’s like paying 50 cents per slice of baguette. It’s just me who thinks this is a bit overpriced?

Using homemade baguette or bread bought at your favorite bakery, you can have approximately 50 crostini for about 5 dollars.

Learning how to make it will save you a lot of many, and as a bonus you can make it with your favorite bread.

A baguette bread, sliced.

What bread should you use

I prefer using baguettes. They are easy to slice and have just the perfect size for an appetizer – but any small artisan white bread will do. Ciabatta is also a great option.

You can also make it with Italian bread, but the slices will be bigger than the size we aim for a crostini. I usually cut the slice into 3 smaller pieces if using a bigger bread for crostini.

If you’re wondering if you can use fresh bread for making crostini, the answer is yes. But I prefer using stale bread, as this recipe works great for using leftover baguettes that got too dry to eat.

How to make it

That’s probably the easiest recipe I have! Get your bread, bread knife and olive oil, preheat your oven and let’s crush it!

Slice the bread. Slice it into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Try to cut them all the same size, so they will toast evenly. Use a bread knife to make your work easier.

Brush with olive oil. Place the slices on a baking sheet and brush each one with olive oil.

Bake them. Bake at 400°F for 12 to 16 minutes. If you’re afraid top and bottom won’t crisp evenly, you can turn them over half-way through cooking.

Collage of how to make crostini, step by step.

Take the crostini out of the oven when ready, add the toppings you love and enjoy. And that’s it!

Tips for making the best crostini

  • When cutting the baguette, make sure the slices are not too thin or too thick. A crostini too thin may not support the topping and break, and a thick one won’t be easy to bite.
  • Crostini will be extra crispy if baked for 16 minutes. If you prefer a softer crostini, bake it for 12 to 14 minutes. I usually bake for 7 minutes, turn them over and bake for 7 more.
  • Don’t substitute olive oil for cooking oil. The flavor would be different, and the crostini will feel a lot more oily if doing so.
  • You can add an extra layer of flavor to your crostini if using something other than plain olive oil. Try substituting olive oil for butter, or use a flavored olive oil, like a garlic-infused one.
Olive oil drizzling over slices of baguette bread.

Storing and Freezing

Crostini is best when fresh from the oven, but if stored correctly, the slices can maintain its crispness for about 5 days.

Crostini bread can be made ahead of time. If making ahead, let the slices cool completely (for about 2 hours) before storing. Store in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight, at room temperature.

When using, if slices are not as crispy as desired, pop them into a preheated oven (400°F) for about 5 minutes.

Don’t forget to add the toppings only minutes before serving, or you’ll risk ending up with soggy bread.

You can freeze crostini bread: let them cool, then place slices inside a freezer-safe bag and store in your freezer. Make sure the bag is sealed before freezing. They’re good for up to 3 months.

Crostini, just baked.

Crostini toppings

These are the perfect little snacks for a party, or a small gathering with friends. I always have some on my freezer for a surprise visit.

Here are some of my favorite toppings for crostini:

  • Onion chutney and brie;
  • Eggplant caponata;
  • Rosted Garlic;
  • Fresh diced tomatoes with olive oil, basil and salt;
  • Blue cheese and honey;
  • Guacamole.

Ready to raise your snack game?

Breads for crostini

Baguette Bread
Sandwich Rolls
Sourdough Bread
Dutch Oven Beer Bread

Continue to Content
Yield: about 30 crostini

How to make Crostini

a bowl full of crostini slices

Stop spending your money on store-bought and learn how to make your own Crostini with only bread, olive oil, and an oven. Top with your favorites and have always an easy and inexpensive snack seconds away!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 baguette, sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
  • 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut the baguette or bread of choice into 1/4-inch thick slices.
  3. Place them into a baking sheet, brushing olive oil on both sides.
  4. Bake at 400°F for 12 to 16 minutes. Turn them over half-way through cooking. They are ready when golden and crispy.
  5. Let crostini cool on the baking sheet before storing. Top with the desired toppings just before serving.

Notes

When cutting the baguette, make sure the slices are not too thin or too thick. A crostini too thin may not support the topping and break, and a thick one won’t be easy to bite.

Crostini will be extra crispy if baked for 16 minutes. If you prefer a softer crostini, bake it for 12 to 14 minutes.

Don’t substitute olive oil for cooking oil.

You can add an extra layer of flavor to your crostini by substitute olive oil for butter. If so, butter will be easier to spread if in room temperature. You can also use flavored olive oil.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 77Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 65mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and/or brands used.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @milkandpop on Instagram and hashtag it #milkandpop

© Milk and Pop
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Bread

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kita roberts

    February 24, 2020 at 7:44 am

    There is NOTHING as addictive as that crostini crunch and I adore pairing these with different tapenades and cheeses. The essential start to every perfect cheese board!

    Reply
  2. Elaine

    February 23, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    I love having crostini with so many other of my favorite dishes. And I always try to have some when I go out. Making a big batch at home is really exciting!

    Reply
  3. Leslie

    February 22, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    I totally agree with you! Learning to make this bread is so much better than store-bought! Great recipe here! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Marisa F. Stewart

    February 22, 2020 at 11:24 am

    One of the simplest recipes ever! I’ve been making crostini for years. It’s a great springboard for myriad of toppings.

    Reply
  5. Kushigalu

    February 21, 2020 at 5:48 am

    These Crostini look so perfect. Thanks for sharing all the tips and tricks. Would love to try these soon!

    Reply
  6. Anna

    February 21, 2020 at 3:18 am

    Sometimes the simplest ingredients create the best snacks! Love crostini, and my favourite way to eat them is also with onion chutney and some brie on top!

    Reply
  7. Jenni LeBaron

    February 18, 2020 at 1:33 pm

    Crostini makes for such a delicious vessel for so many toppings. I can’t wait to gobble this up with some fresh cheese and tomatoes!

    Reply
  8. Pam Greer

    February 18, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    So easy to make and so easy to eat! We love to top these with some goat cheese and tomatoes!

    Reply
  9. Sharon

    February 18, 2020 at 9:17 am

    This crostini is so good dipped in virtually any kind of dip or topped with chunky roasted vegetables. Great for appetizers or snacks.

    Reply
  10. Jacqui DeBono

    February 18, 2020 at 9:12 am

    This is such a quick and easy, but delicious snack! We love these with individual toppings so that each person can build their own!

    Reply

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Hi there! I’m Tati, coffee lover, self-taught baker and food photographer. Here at Milk and Pop you’ll find breakfast and brunch recipes that work.

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