How to Make Crostini

Homemade Crostini is perfect for a party or anytime you want to make quick and easy appetizers. Not only does crostini when made fresh taste wonderful, but it is also easy to make. For some reason in the grocery store crostini costs up to five dollars for a small bag of crostini. You can make a delicious appetizer at home for much less.

homemade crostini on a platter

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Crostini is simple bread sliced thin, which is drizzled with olive oil, seasoned if desired, and tossed into the often for a few minutes. You wouldn’t think that this would cause high prices at the grocery store, but it can.

When I make them I like to use a day-old baguette. I can save a little extra money and since the bread is being toasted it really doesn’t matter if it is fresh and baked that morning. If there is no day-old bread, I actually like sourdough the best. You can choose whatever bread you like best, the technique doesn’t change.

Crostini ingredients

  • Baguette
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper

crostini ingredients

How to Make Homemade Crostini

You want to slice your bread thin and then drizzle with olive oil, you could even use a little smear of butter. I sometimes choose one over the other depending on what I am adding to the crostini when I serve it.

You could even rub a clove or two of garlic over the bread before you add the olive oil, or top with a seasoned salt if you desire.

Sprinkle salt and pepper on bread slices.

Broil on both sides until golden brown and crispy.

toasted crostini on a baking sheet

How to Store Crostini

Place in an air-tight container and store it at room temperature.

How to Use Crostini

Crostini is used most often as an appetizer. Serve it with Italian tomato-basil topping, tapenade, goat cheese, and so much more!

You can also serve these as crispy bread with soup or salad.

Can you make Crostini ahead of time?

Yes, you can. You can make it up to three days ahead of time. You do not need to reheat crostini before using it again, but you can heat it up by placing it on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees. When you reheat crostini the bread becomes extra crispy and crunchy!

Can you freeze crostini?

Yes, you can. You can freeze it after it has been toasted, or you could brush with a bit of olive oil, freeze, and then toast just before serving. Either way, it’s up to you. I love to keep a bag in my freezer so I can always have some appetizers in a flash.

What kind of bread can you use to make crostini?

You can use any type of bread you like. I prefer day-old baguettes, but I have also made them with sourdough bread, bollos, day-old bread I bought at the bakery or even leftover dinner rolls. You really can make these crunchy bites out of anything you have on hand!

homemade crostini on a platter with a bowl of tomato topping

Ideas for Crostini

Serve crostini with these soups

Get more ideas for crostini to make tasty appetizers and comforting soups.

homemade crostini on a platter

How to Make Crostini

Crostini is the bases for so many appetizers.  You can top crostini with many things.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Crostini, How to Make Crostini
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 68kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 baguette (8 to 10 ounces) sliced into 1/4 to 3/8 inch slides, this should yield 40 to 60 slices
  • 1/2 cup olive oil or 1 stick of butter
  • kosher salt
  • pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to broil. 
  • Slice bread into 1/4 to 3/8 inch slices, and place sliced bread onto a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle half of the olive oil over the sliced bread. 
  • Use a pastry brush to brush out olive oil evenly. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Place into oven, the bread should brown in one to two minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven. Flip bread over, drizzle with remaining oil, and brush out olive oil evenly. 
  • Place baking sheet back into the oven and allow bread to brown, this should only take about one minute. Allow bread to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

For variety, you can rub a cut piece of garlic onto the bread after it has been toasted. 
You may also want to consider using a flavored oil to brush onto these when cooking them. 

Nutrition

Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.3mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harry

    5 stars
    Thank you for this! It saved me a ton of money for a party I was having. I bought some day-old baguettes and gives this a try. Your recipes are the best. keep going!

5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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