When it comes to classic crowd-pleasers, nothing beats parmesan crostini. There’s just something about the crispiness of crostini and the savory richness of parmesan that hits the spot every time. Inspired by Nordstrom Café, who serves these toasted baguette slices with their delicious tomato soup, it’s quick and easy to make—perfect for when you’re short on time but don’t want to skimp on flavor.
Customizing crostini with different toppings couldn’t be easier. Don’t feel like Parmesan cheese? Simply omit it. Want to dress them up with more toppings? Feel free to do so. For this recipe, I opted for dried parsley—it adds just enough flavor without being too overpowering. Using olive oil instead of butter makes the job easier as there is no need to wait for the butter to soften.
Serve the crostini as an appetizer or use it to add some crunch to your lunch or dinner. In fact, I love these with our Creamy Uno’s Shrimp Dip or our Easy 20-minute Tomato Soup!
What is Parmesan Crostini?
The word crostini means “little toasts” in Italian, and that’s a perfect description of what they are. Cut from a baguette, the small pieces of bread are brushed with olive oil, sometimes salted, and then lightly toasted until crispy. Different toppings can be added, from something as simple as a bit of garlic to much more indulgent toppings like salmon, pâté, and even caviar!
Crostini vs Bruschetta
Whereas crostini means “little toasts” in Italian, bruschetta comes from the Italian word “bruscare” which means to “roast over coals”. The difference between the two? Bruschetta is made by toasting larger slices of dense, chewier bread like sourdough, while crostini are sliced and toasted from a smaller, soft-crumbed bread like a baguette.
Additionally, the word crostini can also be used to describe appetizers or canapés consisting of small slices of toast with a savory topping.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Baguette Roll – French baguette is preferable because the size is perfect for bite-sized crostini and it also toasts up nicely
- Olive oil – use extra virgin olive oil (you can also use flavored olive oil if you prefer)
- Garlic powder – use finely ground garlic powder (not garlic flakes)
- Parmesan cheese – freshly grated Parmesan cheese is best
- Herbs – use any dried herbs of your choice (I like using a bit of parsley!)
Equipment Used
- Serrated Bread knife (to slice bread)
- Baking sheet (for broiling crostini)
- Pastry brush (use with olive oil)
- Small hand grater (to grate parmesan cheese)
- Oven with broiler element (see tips if you want to make it in an Airfryer)
- Black stone cheese board as pictured (optional, but great for presentation)
How To Make Parmesan Crostini
- Cut the bread into ¼-inch to-½ inch thick slices and place on a baking sheet.
- Using the pastry brush, brush the top of the baguette slices with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder, herbs if using, and parmesan cheese.
- Broil for 4 minutes on high.
- Garnish crostini with more parmesan cheese before serving.
How To Make It Ahead Of Time:
Parmesan crostini (without additional toppings) can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container to ensure freshness.
If you want to serve crostini with additional toppings, add them just before serving, otherwise, the crostini will lose their crispiness and become soggy.
Crostini Toppings
There’s a wide range of toppings you can add to Crostini…it all depends on your taste and budget. Here are a few ideas for delicious crostini toppings!
- Spreads: fruit preserves, cream cheese, hummus, or olive tapenade.
- Fruits and vegetables: roasted pepper, pickles, pitted olives, fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions, fresh figs, or slices of pear.
- Cheese: cheddar cheese, baked goat cheese, pimento cheese, or whipped feta.
You can also finish off the crostini with a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or balsamic glaze.
What to Serve with Parmesan Crostini Appetizers
Parmesan crostini makes a delicious accompaniment to dips and soups. Here are a few dishes you can serve them with:
- Delicious Easy Mushroom Soup
- Shrimp Dip (Unos Copycat)
- Creamy Mushroom Gravy
- Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (my personal favorite!)
FAQ
Can You Make Crostini Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can! Parmesan crostini (without additional toppings) can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container to ensure freshness.
If you want to serve crostini appetizers with additional toppings, add them just before serving, otherwise, the crostini will lose their crispiness and become soggy.
The Best Kind of Bread for Crostini
The best kind of bread to use for crostini is any type of artisan or sourdough bread, as these types of bread will toast up nicely. French baguette is preferable because the size is perfect for bite-sized crostini.
How Long To Bake Crostini
If you don’t want to broil the crostini, you can bake them instead in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes (start checking for doneness near the 8-minute mark).
How to Slice Crostini
The ideal thickness of crostini is about ¼-inch to ½-inch. This thickness provides a sturdy base for any additional toppings while still ensuring ease of consumption. Slicing the bread diagonally will give the crostini a slightly bigger surface area.
How To Store Crostini
Parmesan crostini can be stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 3 days.
What To Put On Crostini
Crostini can be topped with spreads (jam, cream cheese, hummus, etc.), fruits or vegetables (pitted olives, fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions, etc.), and cheese (cheddar, feta, ricotta, etc.). Don’t forget to finish off with a drizzle of honey or a balsamic glaze!
Can You Freeze Crostini
You can freeze both unbaked and baked crostini. To freeze unbaked parmesan crostini, slice the bread and brush with olive oil. Place the slices in an airtight container (or freezer-safe plastic bag), and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan (no need to thaw first) and bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
Baked crostini must be cooled down completely before freezing. Place the cooled slices in an airtight container (or freezer-safe plastic bag), and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, broil them in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes (directly from frozen).
How To Keep Crostini From Getting Soggy
Crostini will become soggy if you add toppings too long before serving time. To keep them from getting soggy, prepare the parmesan crostini up to 3 days ahead of time, and add any additional toppings right before serving.
How To Make Crostini In Air Fryer
Brush the bread slices with olive oil and place them in the Airfryer basket, in a single layer. Bake at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Tips for Making Perfect Parmesan Crostini
- Use high-quality artisan bread. They tend to stay crispier for longer.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the baguette into ¼-inch to-½ inch thick slices. Any thinner, and the crostini will fall apart, while slices thicker than ½-inch will be difficult to eat.
- For smaller crostini, cut the baguette straight into slices. For a larger crostini, slice the bread on the diagonal—this also looks great for presentation and makes room for more toppings!
- Serve the parmesan crostini warm or at room temperature.
Quick and Easy Parmesan Garlic Crostini
Ingredients
Quick Parmesan crostini:
- 7 oz Baguette Roll sliced
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- dried parsley to taste
Instructions
How to make Quick and Easy Parmesan Garlic Crostini:
- Cut the bread into ¼-inch to-½ inch thick slices and place on a baking sheet.
- Using the pastry brush, brush the top of the baguette slices with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder, dried parsley if using, and parmesan cheese.
- Broil for 4 minutes on high.
- Garnish crostini with more freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.
