Making crostini from scratch is super easy and is so inexpensive. Stop buying premade stuff and start making it homemade! It’s the perfect appetizer base and soup dipper!
No Food Waste Household
I was taught at a very young age that we didn’t waste food. Growing up as poor as we did, we couldn’t afford to throw stuff away because the bread might now still be fresh. Mom was the first to introduce me to crostini (though we called it crispy bread). For us, it was a treat.
Throughout my professional career as a chef, I have never forgotten those childhood lessons. I’ve never bought croutons. I’ll make my bread crumbs. And stale crusty bread makes for the best crostini! Let me show you how to stop throwing away food and transform it into something amazing!
Almost every house you go to for a party, backyard cookout, game night, chilling with friends, or just because you don’t want a big meal, crostini is on the menu. It’s so easy and truly versatile!
I feel guilty even writing this post because it’s so simple, but this is such a great base recipe that I just had to give it time in the spotlight.
Grab Your Ingredients
- Bread – I prefer French Baguettes, but any crusty type of bread will work
- Sea Salt
- Optional – some folks also like to rub a clove of garlic on it when it comes out of the oven.
Slice Your Bread
For this, you need two things – a cutting board and a serrated bread knife.
- Slice your bread into 1/4-1/2″ slices. You can cut on an angle if you want larger pieces or just cut it straight up and down.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
Grab Your Pan And Parchment Paper
- While the oven is preheating, place a piece of parchment paper on a large, rimmed baking sheet. *The parchment is optional. I hate messy pans, so I use parchment.
- Place the slices of bread on a single layer on the pan and brush with olive oil.
- Pop it into the oven for 6-8 minutes or until the top toast lightly.
- Remove the hot pan from the oven, carefully flip the bread, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
- Add it to the oven for 5-8 minutes or until the tops are lightly toasted.
And It’s Time To Eat!
Now, while the crostini is still hot, you can rub a garlic clove over each slice. I tend only to do this if I serve it with a savory appetizer.
How To Store
I store mine in an airtight container on the counter for about 7-10 days. If they start to feel ‘soggy’ or not so crispy, simply pop them back onto a rimmed baking pan in a 350F oven for a few minutes.
What to Make With The Best Crostini Recipe
Strawberry Balsamic Crostini
A light and delicious bruschetta of fresh strawberries, thyme, and lemon atop whipped feta with honey and cinnamon pecans crostini
Instant Pot Pork Crostini with Peach BBQ Sauce
Only 30 minutes is all you need to take your backyard BBQ appetizers to a whole new level! These Peach BBQ Pork Bite Crostinis will be the biggest hit of every cookout this summer! It’s time to get your deliciousness on!
Italian Tuna Crostini
Whether it’s for your weekly meal prep or a night with friends, this Italian Tuna Crostini is sophisticated, packed with flavor, high in protein, and requires no cooking! Step up your tuna game with StarKist Selects E.V.O.O.
Roasted Tomato & Butter Bean Crostini
Garlic-roasted juicy tomatoes & creamy butter beans paired with savory Parmesan ricotta spread on crostini make the perfect anytime snack!
Crostini Recipe
Making crostini from scratch is super easy and is so inexpensive. Stop buying premade stuff and start making it homemade! It’s the perfect appetizer base and soup dipper!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: ~20 slices
- Category: appetizers, snacks, party foods, toast
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: appetizers, snacks, party foods, toast
Ingredients
- 1 12-14” long loaf of crusty Italian or French bread, sliced into 1/4–1/2” slices
- 3–5 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive oil
- pinch of sea salt
- optional clove of garlic
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Slice the bread on an angle to get elongated slices. Brush one side lightly with olive oil and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake the bread for 6-8 minutes or until the tops start to toast lightly. Remove from the oven, brush the other side with the remaining oil, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oven when done.
- If using, rub a clove of garlic on the warm, toasted bread.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
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