Easy & Simple Crostini Recipe in 15 minutes – party perfect!

I’m a firm believer in keeping things simple. Especially around the holidays. If you’re looking for the easiest, most versatile appetizer to elevate any gathering, this homemade crostini recipe is the perfect place to start. Crispy, garlicky, and golden brown, these simple toasted baguette slices pair beautifully with dips, spreads, cheeses, and festive toppings. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, building a charcuterie board, or need a quick make-ahead snack, learning how to make crostini at home takes just minutes and tastes better than anything store-bought. With a baguette, fresh garlic, olive oil, and a hot oven, you can create the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that works for every season.

Why I love making Crostinis

The simplest things in life are the best! Especially when it comes to entertaining. When I’m preparing appetizers I want them to be something that isn’t fussy, uses only a few simple ingredients, and can be made in under twenty minutes. Because, ultimately when people are eating appetizers they are talking and and moving around and focusing more on conversations than what each bite looks like, or how it’s made. Appetizers need to look good, and taste amazing, however they do not need to take up a lot of your precious time. So making homemade crostinis is a no brainer. Homemade crostinis take less than twenty minutes, fifteen tops and they elevate everything. Scoop your favorite store bought spinach dip into a bowl surround it with these super easy homemade crostinis and you are good to go! Easy appetizer achieved. Crostinis fall into that simply the best category!  Easy. Simple. Delicious. Polka dot period!

I usually over buy when it comes to baguettes.  One baguette is never enough, two doesn’t quite seem to do it, but three is too much and well four is excessive.  I quite often fall into the four is excessive category.  I’m the Imelda Marcos of bread. So with that being said, making crostini is a great way to use up day old baguettes. And please to ask me who Imelda Marcos is. If you don’t know then I could be your grandma!

Gather these ingredients

How to make this easy crostini recipe.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Peel a garlic clove, and then slice it in half. Slice a fresh baguette into 1/4 inch slices with a serrated knife. Lay slices of bread in an even layer with space between each piece on a baking sheet.

Rub the cut side of the garlic clove onto each baguette slice. This can be done super quickly, it gives a slight flavor profile shift without making these into garlic crostinis.

Once each piece of bread has been swiped with garlic, drizzle olive oil over each piece. I usually do not measure I just drizzle so that each piece of bread has a olive oil on it. If you need to measure between 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil is what you will need. Flip them over and drizzle the other side.

After drizzling each piece of baguette with olive oil on both sides, sprinkle with sea salt (or whatever salt you have) and crack fresh black pepper over the baguette slices.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and set a timer for 10 minutes. After ten minutes check and see if they are golden brown and either remove or if they need a few more minutes to properly toast leave them in a minute or two longer. I would at this point stick close to the oven, because they will burn quickly and you don’t want to waste all your efforts.

Allow your crostini time to cool completely and then store them in a zip-loc bag. They will last up to a week. They never last two days around here. (If someone happens to open the bag and eat one, and not close the bag, and because it’s summer and it’s humid, and the crostini’s get chewy and are no longer crunchy, pinch that person really hard, and then pop them, the crostini not the slacker who didn’t zip up the bag properly, back in the oven for a few minutes to crisp them up!

Tips for Perfect Crostini

• Slice evenly – Thin, uniform bread slices (about 1/4 inch) ensure even browning and crispiness.
• Use fresh garlic – Rubbing each slice with a cut garlic clove adds rich flavor without burning.
• Flip for best texture – Drizzle olive oil on both sides for the signature golden crunch!
• Don’t overcrowd the pan – Space the slices so the heat circulates and they crisp, not steam. They can be close, but not touching, and certainly not layered on top of each other.
• Watch closely – Every oven differs. I have ten minutes in the directions, but if you know your oven runs hot reduce the time, and start checking them after 6 -8 minutes to prevent burning.
• Make them ahead – Store these little toasts in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days; re-crisp for 2 minutes in hot oven if need be. (This is the recommended time, I have made them a week in advance, and rewarmed them in the oven quick before serving.)
• Serve warm or room temperature – They stay crunchy and delicious either way. No refrigeration needed.
• Day old bread – sometimes I will buy baguettes from my grocery store that are day old and freeze them, then I always have a baguette on hand when I want to quick make some crostinis. Tip: remove baguette from the bag it comes in and wrap it tight with plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn. Properly frozen bread will keep up to three months in the freezer.

Delicious Variations

• Herb Crostini – Add dried oregano, fresh rosemary, dill, thyme, or an Italian seasoning before baking. Sprinkle on after olive oil and before the salt and pepper. Honestly, use whatever fresh herbs you love and have on hand.
• Parmesan Crostini -sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan on top for a cheesy savory bite. Note: If adding cheese, use within 2 days after making.
• Lemon Pepper Crostini – Sprinkle with premade lemon pepper, or add lemon zest to a tablespoon of salt and sprinkle over crostini and then add fresh ground black pepper.
• Chili Oil Crostini – Use a pastry brush to brush sliced bread with oil from chili crisp or use a chili-infused olive oil for a little heat.
• Goat Cheese Crostini – for a quick last minute appetizers for your next cocktail party spread creamy goat cheese on these tasty toasts and top with a drizzle of honey, or fig preserves.
• Gluten-Free Option – Swap in a gluten-free baguette; reduce bake time slightly.

Serving ideas

• Spread with whipped ricotta and drizzle with hot honey.
• Use for bruschetta.
• Serve with this delicious and incredibly easy Italian Chevre Dip.

This recipe is by for my favorite entertaining hack. Who doesn’t need an easy recipe in their back pocket? Now you have the perfect party appetizer for your next gathering. Everyone will be super impressed. Crostini go well with everything and nothing! Meaning they taste great on their own. They make the best finger food. You could choose to eat them like Cheetos! I hope you give these a try for your next party. Please take a second and rate this recipe in the recipe card! From my table to yours with love, Sheila