Name: Four Easy Crostini Recipes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 8 people
Ingredients: 8 oz mascarpone cheese; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil); 1 tbsp oil from jar of sun-dried tomatoes; 1 pinch kosher salt; fresh basil (cut into thin strips (chiffonade)); 8 oz hummus; 1/2 cup parsley (chopped); 1 clove garlic (finely minced); 2 tsp lemon zest; olive oil (for drizzling); 15 oz whole-milk ricotta; 1 tbsp honey (plus more for drizzling); dried figs (sliced into small wedges); balsamic glaze (for drizzling); kosher salt and cracked pepper to taste; 1 log goat cheese (spreadable, such as chevre); 1 jar olive tapenads; fresh thyme; 1 baguette (sliced into 1/4 inch slices); olive oil; kosher salt

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It’s amazing what you can do with toasted bread and a few toppings. These four easy crostini recipes helped along with store-bought ingredients, will get you through anything the holidays throw at you.

Four slices of crostini with various toppings.

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During this time of holiday merriment, hustle, and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of being social and saying yes to everything. Even things that you don’t technically have time for.

So when you say yes to that last minute weeknight party invite or when you run into old friends at the mall and get so caught up in the holiday excitement that you invite them over for drinks that night – turn to these quick crostini recipes to make it look like you’ve got it all together when all you really did was pop in to the grocery store on the way home.

This isn’t rocket-science or a revolution in recipe development here, people. Coming up with crostini toppings is nothing new. But sometimes your brains are so scrambled at the holidays that you just need someone to remind you that simple can be tasty.

So I am doing that for you. Be it savory or sweet, there is a crostini topping here to save you. Just add some fresh herbs and a drizzle of something to a few store-bought staples and Voila! You’re practically Martha Stewart.

You can use all that time you saved to pick out – and put on – your party slippers.

Happy Holidays!

Four different crostini recipes displayed on a cutting board, with goat cheese, hummus, olive tapenade and other ingredients.

How to make crostini

All of these crostini recipes will require a baguette or other crusty bread of your choice. Baguette is readily sliced into individual portions, but if you have a boule or a sourdough loaf in the freezer, use it! You can slice these into strips for serving as I did in the photos above.

Turn broiler on. (You could also use a toaster oven if you have one. I don’t, so you’re on your own with that set of toasting instructions… )

Slice baguette or other bread into 1/4 inch slices (further divide into smaller bite-sized portions if using a larger loaf.)

Place slices on a baking sheet and drizzle both sides with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.

Baguette slices drizzled with olive oil on a baking sheet.

Place under the broiler and toast lightly. Then flip slices and toast on the other side.

Toasted baguette slices on a baking sheet.

Place under the broiler and toast lightly. Then flip slices and toast on the other side.

Note: This will happen VERY quickly. Be sure to leave the oven door open slightly and to monitor the bread as it toasts. Do NOT walk away.

Once bread is toasted and ready, go ahead with any of the recipes for crostini toppings below.

Crostini with sun dried tomato mascarpone topped with fresh basil on a white plate.

Crostini with Sun Dried Tomato Mascarpone and Basil

Fresh basil, cut into thin strips (chiffonade) – roll basil leaves from tip to stem and cut cross-wise

Drain oil from a jar of sun-dried tomatoes and dice.

Add diced tomatoes, salt, and tomato oil to softened mascarpone.

Stir until combined. Spread onto bread and top with basil strips.

Crostini with Goat Cheese, Olive Tapenade and Fresh Thyme

(This is the easiest one!)

Soften a log of goat cheese, spread onto bread, top with tapenade and sprigs of thyme leaves.

Crostini with Hummus and Gremolata

Don’t be afraid of the Italian word… It’s mostly parsley

To make gremolata, you just mix chopped parsley, garlic and lemon zest in a bowl.

To make these crostinis, spread hummus onto bread. Top with gremolata and drizzle a bit of olive oil on top

Crostini with whipped goat cheese, figs and balsamic glaze on a white plate.

Sweet Crostini with Whipped Ricotta, Figs and Balsamic Glaze

Place ricotta and 1 tbsp honey in food processor. Pulse until smooth and blended. (If you don’t have a food processor, just stir the honey into the ricotta. The texture will be different, but it will still taste delicious.)

Spread ricotta onto bread. Top with figs. Drizzle honey over the top and dot with balsamic glaze.

Can you make crostini ahead of time?

Yes! You can toast the bread slices and store in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. Then just add the crostini toppings before your guests arrive.

More easy party appetizers