26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (2024)

With only three basic ingredients — bread, oil, and garlic — bruschetta and crostini are ridiculously easy to make. The crispy bite-sized toasts can then be completed with endless topping options and served as appetizers or hors d'oeuvres at cookouts and co*cktail parties alike. From classic tomato bruschetta and shrimp toasts to inventive spins like grilled sweet onion and blue cheese crostini, this collection of bruschetta and crostini recipes will help you plan the menu for your next gathering.

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Shrimp Toasts with Scallion-Chile Sauce

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (1)

The secret to this semi-traditional dim sum favorite is a butter-studded shrimp mousse that comes together quickly in a food processor with just five ingredients.

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02of 26

Tomato Bruschetta

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (2)

Just about any summer co*cktail party can use a platter of bruschetta. This appetizer comes together in just minutes, making it easy on the host. It’s a great way to show off tomatoes when they're ripe and in season, whether they came from your garden, the farmers market, or the grocery store.

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03of 26

Chhundo and Goat Cheese Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (3)

Chhundo, a pickled marmalade-like condiment that’s tangy and sticky-sweet, with light heat and fragrance from Kashmiri chile powder, tops these goat cheese crostini from blogger and cookbook author Hetal Vasavada.

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04of 26

Cheesy Sausage co*cktail Toasts

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (4)

For these tasty toasts, cookbook author Andrea Slonecker borrows from the nostalgic flavors of her childhood and swaps creamy mascarpone and robust Taleggio for the Velveeta in her grandmother's original version. "The topping can be made a few days ahead, and it's as straightforward as browning some Italian sausage and melting in the cheeses," she writes.

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05of 26

Crostini with Grilled Sweet Onions and Blue Cheese

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (5)

Chef Andrae Bopp wraps whole sweet Walla Walla onions in foil and tosses them into the coals of a campfire on a river to roast and caramelize. Here we’ve adapted his recipe for your home grill. Don’t skip the zippy honey-vinegar drizzle — it coaxes out even more flavor from the sweet onions and balances the blue cheese.

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06of 26

Ricotta Crostini with Pickled Ramps and Crisp Pancetta

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (6)

Chef Ryan Hardy got the idea for his sensational crostini from a jar of pickled ramps he recovered from the back of his refrigerator.

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Baby Romaine with Garlic-Parmesan Vinaigrette and Leek and Anchovy Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (7)

The leeks are perfumed with lemons and thyme and cooked until they are browned and jammy. The aïoli is rich, garlicky, and bright; along with the briny, marinated anchovies, it cuts through the richness of the leeks and soft-cooked eggs.

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08of 26

’Nduja Toasts with Quick-Pickled Celery

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (8)

Store-bought ’nduja, the spicy, spreadable sausage, is transformed into a special canapé when served on toasted baguette and topped with a quick-pickled celery.

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09of 26

Wild Mushroom Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (9)

Southern cooking is often very meat-focused, but chef Ford Fry likes to emphasize vegetables. For these crostini, he tops creamy ricotta with a mix of garlicky mushrooms and a handful of herbs.

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10of 26

Lima Bean and Ricotta Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (10)

Food & Wine culinary director at large Justin Chapple thinks that lima beans deserve a place on every table, especially when they're made into a bright, herby salad and piled onto crunchy, creamy ricotta toasts.

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11of 26

Herbed Chickpea Bruschetta

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (11)

The key to these delicious bruschetta from chef Nancy Silverton is lots of olive oil. After she bakes the chickpeas with a variety of flavorings — including onions, pancetta, and carrots — she purees them with a good amount of oil, spreads the puree on toasts, and drizzles with a little more oil.

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12of 26

Crostini with Roasted Butternut Squash, Ricotta, and Preserved Lemon

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (12)

A preserved lemon relish adds a bright, salty note to these elegant crostini, balancing the flavors of creamy ricotta and sweet squash.

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13of 26

Bay Scallop-Marsala Cream Toasts

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (13)

These bay scallops are set in a luscious Marsala cream sauce, served over hot crispy bread and garnished with fresh chives. It's a simple dish to prepare, yet so special and decadent. It's best to enjoy these toasts with a knife and fork.

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Ricotta and Roasted Grape Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (14)

Designer and blogger Athena Calderone’s signature aesthetic comes through in this striking appetizer. Roasting the grapes concentrates and deepens their sweetness.

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15of 26

Crab and Avocado Toasts

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (15)

Chef Gerard Craft grew up in Washington, D.C., eating lots of Maryland blue crab. Here, he creates a very simple and delicious starter by tossing sweet crabmeat with fresh mint and lime juice, then spooning it over mashed avocado on toast. You can make the toasts or buy store-bought ones to save time.

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16of 26

Ricotta and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Pancetta

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (16)

Peak-season tomatoes make all the difference in this simple bruschetta from author Susan Spungen. They’re the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of soup or a large salad; or, to turn them into two-bite hors d’oeuvres, simply cut the bruschetta crosswise into strips.

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17of 26

Tomatillo Toasts with Prosciutto and Manchego

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (17)

Inspired by classic pan con tomate, a Spanish dish of bread rubbed with fresh tomato, Justin Chapple tops crunchy toasted bread with tangy grated tomatillos. To round the toast out, he also adds thin slices of prosciutto and shaved Manchego cheese.

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18of 26

Deviled Egg Toast

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (18)

This rendition of deviled eggs is chef Missy Robbins’ favorite way to get the salty, spicy, tangy filling all in one crunchy bite.

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Mushroom and Fontina Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (19)

Chef Maria Helm Sinskey likes to use Italian Fontina cheese for these crostini, which melts beautifully, but young Gouda would be equally delicious.

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20of 26

Honey-Tomato Bruschetta with Ricotta

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (20)

In this amazing appetizer, two types of honey serve two distinct purposes: Mellow, slightly spicy clover honey intensifies the sweetness of the tangy tomatoes as they slowly roast. After the bruschetta is assembled, a drizzle of robust buckwheat honey balances the creamy ricotta cheese.

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21of 26

Pimiento Cheese and Bacon Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (21)

A thick layer of cheddar cheese, chopped pimientos, and bacon crumble make for an irresistibly cheesy crostini.

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22of 26

Grilled Marrow Bones with Rosemary-Lemon Bruschetta

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (22)

Chef Chris Cosentino uses the phrase "God's butter" to describe rich, decadent bone marrow. Here he serves it alongside grilled toasts rubbed with rosemary and lemon. For a more potent herbal flavor, singe the rosemary sprigs on the grill for a few moments before rubbing the toasts.

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23of 26

Corn and Chanterelle Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (23)

For this fast, flavorful appetizer, chef Paul Virant combines two of his favorite childhood memories about food. "During the summer, especially around the Fourth of July, we would pick chanterelles that grew around our property," he says. "And my grandmother made this amazing creamed corn. It turns out corn and chanterelles go very well together."

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24of 26

Warm White Bean and Calamari Salad with Garlic Bruschetta

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (24)

The salad for this recipe can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. Simply toast some garlic-rubbed bread and top with the salad when ready to serve.

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25of 26

Chicken Liver Crostini

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (25)

Chef Peter Hoffman's beautifully silky puree is accented with sweet sautéed apples, smoky bacon, and a splash of brandy, then served on crunchy toasts.

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26of 26

Crostini with Creamy Ricotta and Chorizo

26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (26)

"Chorizo is so underused," says chef Shea Gallante. Here, he uses the spicy Spanish sausage in a savory crostini topping.

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26 Timeless Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between crostini and bruschetta? ›

The main difference between these two toasts is that crostini is often thinly sliced, while bruschetta is usually served in thicker slices and drizzled with olive oil before it's toasted. The standard topping is diced tomato mixed with olive oil, garlic and Italian herbs—delicious, but a little boring.

How do you keep crostini from getting soggy? ›

How do I keep crostini from getting soggy? Bread brushed with olive oil before toasting acts as a lipid barrier to moisture. You can also add a fat-containing spread like butter, goat cheese, cream cheese, mashed avocado, or aioli to prevent juices from wet ingredients from making the toast soggy.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Peel and gut your tomatoes

Seeds and skin also contain extra water, which can make your bruschetta runny and your toast points soggy.

How long does homemade bruschetta last in the fridge? ›

Once the bread is lightly toasted, rub garlic on each slice and spoon on the tomato mixture. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, if desired, and enjoy! Store any excess bruschetta in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

What type of tomato is most commonly used for bruschetta? ›

Something sweet and juicy, like heirloom tomatoes, tomatoes, vine tomatoes or Roma tomatoes. If making bruschetta when tomatoes are not in season, I recommend using grape or cherry tomatoes instead. Garlic – We will use just a clove to rub on the bread! Oil – The best extra-virgin olive oil you can afford!

What is the rule of thumb for adding crostini toppings? ›

The bread can be toasted a few hours in advance of serving. I would not recommend adding the toppings until 10-15 minutes before serving. This way, the bread won't get soggy from the toppings. If you are planning a party where guests will be arriving at different times, you can always make a crostini bar.

Why is my crostini so hard? ›

Toast them for just the right amount of time.

Bake at 375°F. for 7 - 8 minutes, turning over halfway through until golden brown. The crostini should be crispy on top but the inside should be tender. If the oven temperature is too low, the bread slices will bake and become too hard.

What can I use instead of bread for crostini? ›

Thick, round slices of apples make a quick and crispy alternative to bread. They pair well with cheese, slices of beef, herb yogurt spreads, and even a simple drizzle of honey. Best of all, they can be prepared ahead of time or right when your friends arrive.

How to make bruschetta Martha Stewart? ›

In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine tomatoes, 3/4 cup feta, 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and sugar. Season with pepper. On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange baguette slices in a single layer; brush with 2 tablespoons oil. Place bread on top rack and tomato mixture on bottom rack.

Why does my bruschetta taste bitter? ›

The most often made mistake when making bruschetta is to add the chopped garlic or worse garlic salt to the tomatoes creating a very overpowering, even bitter after taste.

How long does a jar of bruschetta last in the fridge? ›

Close and let cool. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Will keep for about 1 month in the refrigerator. Freezes well.

How to tell if bruschetta is bad? ›

Visible mold, off-odors, and an unpleasant taste are clear indicators that the bruschetta topping has spoiled and should not be eaten. It is essential to exercise caution and prioritize food safety, especially when dealing with expired or potentially spoiled food items.

What to eat after bruschetta? ›

  • Pair your bruschetta with these delightful sides! ...
  • **Caprese Salad**: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze.
  • **Mixed Greens Salad**: Light and refreshing with a lemon vinaigrette.
  • **Grilled Vegetables**: Zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant seasoned to perfection.
Mar 3, 2017

Is bruschetta good or bad for you? ›

The primary ingredient in Bruschetta is tomatoes and as you already know tomatoes are extremely good for health. They are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, folate and potassium. Moreover, they are also a rich source of antioxidants such as Chlorogenic Acid that is known to help lower blood pressure.

Is bruschetta a type of crostini? ›

Cooking. Believe it or not, the differences between crostini and bruschetta come all the way down to how they are cooked! Crostini is usually toasted because the bread is much smaller and thinner than bruschetta. Therefore, not much is required to get the bread to a crispy level.

What qualifies as bruschetta? ›

In its most simple form, bruschetta is a tasty tomato topping for toasted slices of crusty Italian bread. Traditionally, it's made with red ripe tomatoes, chopped herbs and extra virgin olive oil, but really, there are so many variations of bruschetta to fall in love with.

What is the fancy name for bruschetta? ›

Crostini: Meaning "little toasts" in Italian, crostini are small, thin slices of toasted bread, which are usually brushed with olive oil. The word also describes canapés consisting of small slices of toast with a savory topping such as cheese, shrimp, pâté or anchovies.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.9K answers and 47.8M. · 11mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

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