Make it Great: DIY Crostini Toast + 3 Ways to Top

While it's not quite Summer, temperatures are starting to rise and pretty soon it'll be time for backyard BBQs. This DIY Crostini Bar from Dzung Lewis of Honeysuckle is sure to take any get together from good to great! 

A Crostini Bar is one of the easiest things to serve at a party because it looks pretty and your guests can help themselves. A crostini is basically a slice of toasted baguette paired with your favorite toppings. You can stick to the classic Tomato Bruschetta or opt for more interesting pairings like Goat Cheese with Roasted Beets or Avocado with Smoked Salmon. You can also make a dessert crostini with sweet toppings like Honey Ricotta and Fresh Strawberries. Check out my recipes for each of these below, then get your crostini on!

Crostini Toast

Ingredients

1 French baguette

1 garlic clove

Olive oil

Melted butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Cut the baguette in half inch to one inch diagonal slices. and place on a baking sheet.
2. Take a cut and peeled garlic clove and rub directly onto the slices.
3. For savory toppings, brush each slice with olive oil. For sweet topping, brush with melted butter.
4. Toast in the oven 8-10 minutes until the slices are golden brown and crunchy on the outside.

Goat Cheese with Roasted Beets

Ingredients

Crostini toast

Goat cheese

2-3 beets

Fresh arugula

1 orange

Balsamic glaze

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Peel and thinly slice the beets. Toss in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon Kosher salt until evenly coated. Arrange on a foil-lined baking sheet so that the slices don’t touch. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
2. Slice off the skin and pith of the orange slice away the flesh between the membranes in a V-shape. Spread a generous amount of goat cheese onto each crostini baguette slice. Top with 2 pieces of arugula, 2-3 slices of roasted beets, an orange slice, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Avocado with Smoked Salmon

Ingredients

Crostini toast

1 avocado

1 lime

Smoked salmon

Parmesan cheese

Kosher salt

Pepper

Instructions

1. Peel and pit the avocado and mash with the juice from the lime. Scoop out and spread onto the crostini toasts and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Top the avocado spread with a slice of smoked salmon.
3. Garnish with a large shaving of parmesan cheese

Honey Ricotta with Strawberries

Ingredients

Crostini toast

Ricotta cheese

Fresh strawberries

Honey

Lemon

Instructions

1. Take the crostini toast and spoon on the ricotta cheese, then drizzle with honey.
2. De-stem, wash, and quarter the strawberries. Place two pieces of strawberries on each crostini. Top with lemon zest.

~ Dzung Lewis of Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is a food and lifestyle YouTube channel that showcases personal style expressed through food, beauty tips, and home entertaining ideas. Make sure to also follow on Instagram!