Recipe Roundup: Creative Crostini

Crostini are the perfect solution for easy entertaining. These classic Italian hors d’oeuvres start with thin slices of toasted baguettes, brushed with olive oil and toasted until golden. From there, they can be topped with almost any ingredients you like, from fruit and cheese to sauteed seasonal vegetables. Here are some of our favorite ideas below; try them as is, then get creative with your own favorite combinations.

 

Avocado, Basil and Tomato Crostini Try this delicious twist on the classic tomato and basil crostini—the toasts are first spread with mashed avocado, which lends a rich, creamy texture.

Chopped Chicken Liver Crostini This recipe from Chef Taylor Boetticher makes use of the livers that are often sold with whole chickens. Serve them as part of an antipasto assortment or alongside a green salad.

Fig, Gorgonzola and Arugula Crostini Here, sweet figs are the perfect foil for rich and creamy Gorgonzola cheese, while arugula adds a peppery bite.

Toasts with Spicy Broccoli Rabe and Pecorino These traditional appetizers are topped with bitter Italian greens and tangy cheese — a wonderful combination for fall.

Crostini with Herbed Chevre and Kumquats This unusual combination of soft, tangy goat cheese and bright, juicy kumquats is a surprising but wonderful pairing.

Crostini with Black-Eyed Pea Puree This recipe has been a staple at Tennessee resort Blackberry Farm for years. With creamy shell beans, roasted garlic and fresh herbs, these crostini are simple but elegant.

White Bean and Arugula Crostini Topped with cannellini beans, sauteed vegetables and baby arugula leaves, these rustic toasts are easy to assemble. Drizzle with good-quality olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt before serving.

Nectarine and Prosciutto CrostiniThis beautiful appetizer offers a wonderful contrast of flavors and textures — sweet nectarines and mildly salty prosciutto atop crunchy crostini.

Ricotta and Pea Crostini with Tarragon and Pink PeppercornsThis delicately flavored snack features an out-of-the-ordinary combination: sweet, mild peas, bright pink peppercorns and anise-scented tarragon with creamy ricotta.

Peppered Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Caramelized OnionsThis hors d’oeuvre was made for a cocktail party — plus, you can roast the beef ahead so it’s ready to slice and serve.