Crostini

Name: Crostini
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian_american
Ingredients: 1 pcs baguette (about 12-inch, cut into 16 half-inch slices); 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 pcs garlic (cloves, peeled and halved); 1 pinch salt

RATING

4.6/5(115)

TASTE SCORE

8/10

Crisp, golden little toasts brushed with olive oil and kissed with garlic. These bite-sized Italian bread rounds are the perfect canvas for any topping — from creamy cheese to juicy tomatoes. A quick 15-minute appetizer that feels effortlessly elegant.

PREP

COOK

10m

SERVES

4 PIECES

420 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

1 pcsbaguette · about 12-inch, cut into 16 half-inch slices3 tbspolive oil2 pcsgarlic · cloves, peeled and halved1 pinchsalt

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

420

CALORIES · 4 PIECES

Protein11g · 10%

Carbs64g · 61%

Fat13g · 28%

Fiber3g

Sugar2g

Saturated fat2g

Cholesterol0mg

Sodium714mg

Potassium138mg

Phosphorus120mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 5 STEPS

prep · ~2 min
Preheat the oven and slice the baguette.
1.Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2.Using a serrated knife, slice the baguette diagonally into 16 half-inch-thick rounds.
prep · ~3 min
Brush the bread with olive oil.
1.Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2.Using a pastry brush, lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil.
3.Sprinkle the tops lightly with a pinch of salt.
bake · ~10 min
Bake until golden and crisp.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp at the edges. Keep a close eye during the last 2 minutes — they can go from golden to burnt quickly.
prep · ~1 min
Rub with garlic while warm.
As soon as the crostini come out of the oven, rub the top side of each toast gently with the cut side of the halved garlic cloves. The heat and rough surface will melt the garlic right into the bread.
TIPDon't press too hard — just a light rub. Raw garlic is potent and you want a whisper, not a shout.
serve · ~3 min
Cool slightly and serve.
Transfer the crostini to a wire rack to cool for 2-3 minutes so they stay crisp. Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite toppings.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
For evenly sized slices, cut the baguette on a sharp diagonal — this also creates more surface area for toppings.
2
Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil; its flavor really comes through on the bare crostini.
3
Don't skip flipping the slices halfway through baking — this ensures both sides are evenly golden and crisp.
4
Rub the garlic on the crostini while they are still hot so the heat releases the oils and mellows the raw punch.
5
Store leftover crostini in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 3 minutes.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

gluten free

Gluten-free

Substitute a gluten-free baguette or thick slices of gluten-free sourdough; bake for a slightly shorter time as gluten-free bread crisps faster.

herb infused

Herb-infused

Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano or rosemary to the olive oil before brushing for an herby undertone that complements Mediterranean toppings.

no oil

No-oil

Brush the bread with water or tomato juice and bake — still crisp but with less fat; best paired with juicy, acidic toppings.

whole wheat

Whole wheat

Use a whole wheat baguette for more fiber and a nuttier, earthier flavor that pairs well with robust toppings like roasted vegetables or sharp cheese.

HEALTH BENEFITS