Crostini
Experience the delicious taste of these small, one-bite treats with our homemade crostini recipe. Golden slices of toasted baguette are topped with crème fraiche, sweet figs, air-dried ham, and rocket salad, then finished with a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze. These little delights are simple yet refined, ready to show up at an Italian antipasto, on festive occasions, or when you need a quick bite during the day.
Ingredients
|
Baguettes
|
12 slices |
|---|---|
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Melted butter
|
25 g |
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Salt
|
¼ tsp |
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Freshly ground pepper
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Toppings
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Creme fraiche
|
50 ml |
|---|---|
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Air-dried ham, divided into 12 pieces
|
4 slices |
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Fresh figs, divided into 12 boats
|
2 |
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Balsamic glaze
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1 tsp |
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Rocket salad
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Select fresh and ripe ingredients
Selecting fresh and ripe ingredients is the first step to making crostini that taste and look flawless. Choose figs that feel soft but not squishy, with smooth, unbroken skin and no signs of shrivelling. For the rocket, pick crisp leaves with a deep green colour. Use both the figs and the rocket soon after buying to keep their texture and flavour in top shape.
Pick a mild, delicate ham
When buying air-dried ham, pick one with a delicate texture and a milder flavour. Prosciutto and Serrano are great options as they are less smoky and complement the figs beautifully. Prosciutto is typically sweeter and softer, while Serrano has a firmer texture with a nuttier taste. Since both are naturally salty, slice them thinly so they do not overpower the figs and crème fraîche.
Use crusty bread
Use crusty bread for crostini, such as baguette or ciabatta. Their firm texture holds up well under toppings and toasts evenly without getting soggy. As they toast, the crumb stays light, the outside turns golden and crisp, and the flavour deepens, giving your crostini a deliciously solid base.
Find the right bread thickness
Getting the bread thickness right is key to making crostini that is toasted evenly. Slice the baguette into 1–1½ cm thick pieces, as this gives a sturdy base for the toppings. Too thin, and they crisp up too fast; too thick, and they lose that light crunch. Aim for even slices all the way through.
FAQ: Questions about crostini
Sharing crostini with friends or making a batch for yourself? We have answered frequently asked questions below, so your crostini are crisp, fresh, and absolutely delicious.
What is crostini?
Crostini are small, thin slices of baguette that are toasted until crisp and typically topped with a variety of flavourful ingredients. They are perfect as appetisers or party snacks and can be served with anything from creamy spreads to savoury toppings like cheese, meats, or vegetables.
What is the difference between crostini and bruschetta?
The main difference between crostini and bruschetta is the bread and size. Crostini are made with small, thin slices of baguette, toasted until crisp and topped with all sorts of ingredients. In comparison, bruschetta uses thicker slices of bread like ciabatta or sourdough. The bread is grilled or toasted, often rubbed with garlic, and then topped with tomatoes or other chunky mixtures. Crostini are typically bite-sized, while bruschetta is larger and more rustic in texture.
Can I prepare this crostini recipe in advance?
No, crostini are at their finest when made right before serving. Toasted bread tends to go chewy if left out for too long. To save time, you can slice the bread and prep the toppings in advance, but wait with toasting and assembly until the last minute to keep everything crisp and fresh.
How do you store crostini?
Store leftover crostini in the fridge in an airtight container, and eat them within a day. Just bear in mind that the bread softens quickly as it absorbs moisture from the toppings.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
1054 Kcal
| Fibre | 8.7 gram fibers |
| Protein | 30.8 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 140.8 gram |
| Fat | 40.4 gram |
Try our quick and easy crostini
These crostini look truly elegant with their neatly layered toppings, but do not let their stunning looks fool you. They are surprisingly quick and easy to make. It only takes 20 minutes, most of which is just the bread crisping up nicely in the oven. While that happens, you can get everything else ready. The toppings go on in no time, and before you know it, you have a plate full and ready to serve. So, grab your chopping board and get started.
With crème fraiche, sweet fig, and savoury ham
We have carefully chosen the toppings to give you a delectable combination of tangy, sweet, and salty. The crème fraiche sets it off with a cool and tangy base. Fig slices follow with their honey-like sweetness, smoothing out the sour edge of the crème fraiche. Finally, a piece of air-dried ham introduces the salty element with a touch of umami, and its saltiness draws out both the sweetness of the figs and the tang of the crème fraiche.
Enjoy a classic Italian appetiser or snack
Crostini have long had their place in Italian kitchens, often served as part of the antipasto – the first course that kicks off a meal with a few small bites. They began as a clever way to use up day-old bread, toasted over a flame and topped with whatever was on hand, like soft cheese, tomatoes, or a few slices of cured meat. Over time, they became a staple at family meals, festive gatherings, and Sunday lunches.
We can easily see why crostini are so beloved. They have the familiar simplicity of Italian cooking, come together quickly, and are easy to serve as an appetiser or a snack. They fit perfectly into an Italian-inspired dinner at home, and when you have made them once, you want to make them again and again.
To keep the Italian flavours going, try some of our other favourites. Enjoy our juicy tagliata, served warm and thinly sliced, or go for our creamy chicken and pea risotto when you want something more comforting. And to finish on a sweet note, homemade stracciatella ice cream with crisp chocolate pieces in every spoonful.
Play around with the toppings
Our crostini toppings are not set in stone, so feel free to play with the ingredients while keeping the same Italian-inspired flavour. Starting with the base, we use crème fraiche for its cool tang and creamy consistency, but ricotta is an excellent alternative if you want something with a bit more body. It is milder and has a soft richness without being too heavy. For a sharper, savoury edge, go for whipped goat's cheese, which has a bit more tang and a firmer bite.
If figs are not your thing, replace them with other fruits that share the same sweetness. For example, thin slices of ripe pear give a gentle, juicy bite with a mild sweetness, while roasted grapes turn jammy and rich with a soft pop when you take a bite. Fresh apricots are slightly tart with a delicate bite and work exceptionally well against creamier toppings. A few berries will work, too. Raspberries introduce a sharp, bright tang and soften nicely against the creamy base, while halved blackberries have a juicy bite and a touch of earthiness.
