How to Make Crostini
Whether you need a simple base for an appetizer or the perfect dipper for your favorite dip, Homemade Crostini is an excellent choice! Crispy, buttery and simple enough to pair with just about any flavor, this basic recipe will teach you How to Make Crostini so that you can always have some on hand!
I have been making lots of dip recipes for The Domestic Spoon recently, and every time I’m ready to try them, I always quickly make a crostini recipe, too! My mom has made my favorite version of “garlic bread” for years, so when it’s time to make a crostini, I just make her garlic bread in a smaller form, on baguette slices!
Recently I realized that this isn’t a skill everyone knows, and if you are wanting to enjoy my dips, you probably need a crostini recipe to do so 😉 So without further ado, here is my recipe for the best ever crostini, with more flavor than any of the usual recipes you’ll find on the internet!
They are crispy on the outside, buttery through the center, and lightly seasoned with garlic, onion, and paprika. They’re the perfect base for dips, spreads, or toppings and good enough to be enjoyed all on their own.
Luckily this recipe is made with pantry staples and ready in minutes, so it’s great for entertaining, weeknight snacking, or rounding out a soup or salad. The butter gives the bread a rich flavor, while the seasoning blend adds just enough warmth without overpowering whatever you serve them with.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect dipper to serve with your Hot Artichoke Dip, Captain Rodney’s Dip, Hot Crab Dip, or Bagel Dip, this is it!
Why Make This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: A quick toast in the oven and these are ready in under 15 minutes.
- Budget Friendly: You can buy a box of pre-made crostini, but this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and tastes SO much better!
- Versatile: Pairs well with dips, cheeses, soups, and spreads
- Crowd-Pleasing: Crispy, buttery, and flavorful. No one can resist!
Key Ingredients for Crostini
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
- Baguette: Slice into ¼ inch slices.
- Unsalted butter: This recipe would not be complete without delicious buttery flavor. Use unsalted to control how much salt you want in your recipe. I love using really high-quality butter for this recipe, because it adds so much to the flavor of the bread!
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, Onion powder, Paprika, Salt. You could add a little Italian seasoning if you want
Recipe Variations
A more traditional version uses no seasonings or butter and instead uses olive oil! To make a more traditional version you simply brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and toast both sides until golden brown. This version is more pure, but doesn’t get nearly as many “yums” as the recipe you see here.
How to Make Crostini
Step One: Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Step Two: Brush each slice with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Flip the bread and repeat on the other side.
Step Three: Toast the bread under the broiler until lightly browned, watching closely.
Step Four: Flip the slices and broil again until both sides are crisp and golden.
Expert Tips
- Keep a close eye while broiling. Even with the broiler on low, crostini can burn quickly
- For even more flavor, add grated Parmesan before broiling. This is my mom’s real secret ingredient when she makes her garlic bread, and it’s AMAZING! I didn’t add it to this recipe because parmesan wouldn’t be the right move with every dip you serve these with, but if you have something with Italian flavors, it would be a great addition.
- Let your crostini cool slightly to fully crisp before serving
How to Serve this Crostini Recipe
Crostini is perfect for a wide variety of appetizers!
- Dip it: Dip crostini in warm dips like my Bruschetta Dip or a cold dip like hummus or whipped feta.
- Top it: Crostini is a great choice for charcuterie boards or to serve alongside bruschetta.
- Use it as a Side: Crostini also makes a great side to serve with soup or salad.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Let them cool completely, then store your homemade crostini in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They get stale the longer they sit, so fresh is best.
Absolutely. If you want to make a more traditional crostini or just want to avoid dairy, brushing both sides of your bread with olive oil is just as delicious!
A nice baguette is the best choice. It’s long and narrow which makes for perfect bite-sized slices that toast up nicely under the broiler.
Did you enjoy this recipe for homemade crostini? If so, check out these other recipes I’ve selected just for you:
If you tried this Crostini Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
How to Make Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 baguette, cut into ¼ inch slices
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a low broil.
- Place 1 baguette pieces on a cookie sheet. Use a pastry brush to brush 3 tablespoons unsalted butter onto each baguette piece.
- Then sprinkle ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp paprika and ¼ tsp salt on the bread pieces. Flip them over and repeat the butter and seasoning process on the other side.
- Add the cookie sheet to the oven under the broiler. Cook it until it browns, watching carefully as it will go from toasted to burnt quickly. Once the baguette is toasted, remove the cookie sheet, flip them and repeat the process until the other side is toasted.
- Serve with your desired dip or toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Unsalted butter: Use unsalted to control how much salt you want in your recipe. I love using really high-quality butter for this recipe, because it adds so much to the flavor of the bread!
- Seasonings: You could add a little Italian seasoning if you want.
- Keep a close eye while broiling. Even with the broiler on low, crostini can burn quickly
- For even more flavor, add grated Parmesan before broiling. This is my mom’s real secret ingredient when she makes her garlic bread, and it’s AMAZING! I didn’t add it to this recipe because parmesan wouldn’t be the right move with every dip you serve these with, but if you have something with Italian flavors, it would be a great addition.
- Let your crostini cool slightly to fully crisp before serving.
