Easy Garlic Crostini Recipe (Perfect for Bruschetta)
My Garlic Crostini recipe is the perfect base for any recipe where you need little toasts, such as bruschetta! You can use different toppings such as goat cheese, tomato mixture, or even pesto with fresh basil to top these baguette slices for a quick snack or crowd-pleasing appetizer! I love this recipe because the garlic crostini come out perfectly golden brown. They’d be the perfect homemade cracker to serve with your favorite dips such as mediterranean hummus, whipped eggplant dip, or even spinach artichoke dip!
If you’re using this for bruschetta, check out my prosciutto crostini, pesto bruschetta and burrata bruschetta recipes! The burrata is my favorite – crusty bread meets creamy cheese for the perfect Italian appetizer! Speaking of Italian, if you’re a fan of Italian recipes, check out my trofie al pesto, walnut pesto, nut-free pesto, genovese pesto, rigatoni carbonara, bucatini all’ amatriciana and burrata caprese salad! Happy crunching!
Ingredients
- French Baguette – The baguette is the base of the garlic crostini, providing that perfect crunch and light texture. A fresh baguette ensures your crostini are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. When purchasing, look for a baguette with a golden-brown crust and a slightly chewy interior. Day-old baguettes work well too, as they tend to crisp up nicely in the oven!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Olive oil adds richness and helps to crisp the bread as it bakes. Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Garlic Cloves – Garlic infuses the crostini with its distinctive, savory flavor. Rubbing the clove of garlic directly on the bread releases its essential oils, enhancing the taste.
Step by Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°Fahrenheit (190°Celsius). Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Drizzle the olive oil over each slice of baguette, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Rub each slice of bread with the cut side of the garlic cloves. This will infuse the bread with garlic flavor. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crostini are crisp and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
Tips and Notes
- Uniform Slices – Cut your baguette into uniform slices, about 1/2-inch thick. This ensures even toasting and prevents some pieces from becoming too crunchy while others remain soft.
- Watch the Oven – Keep a close eye on your crostini while they bake. They can go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly. Bake them until they are just turning golden brown, which usually takes about 10-12 minutes
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @seasonedandsalted on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
Easy Garlic Crostini Recipe (Perfect for Bruschetta)
Equipment
- Serrated Knife
- cutting board
- Baking Sheet
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and halved
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°Fahrenheit (190°Celsius).
- Start by slicing your baguette into 1/2 inch slices, and slice on a diagonal. This way, you mazimize your surface area so you can fit more toppings! Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Drizzle the olive oil over each slice of baguette, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Rub each slice of bread with the cut side of the garlic cloves. This will infuse the bread with garlic flavor.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crostini are crisp and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
Notes
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Allow the crostini to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, bake at 350°Fahrenheit (175°Celsius) for about 5 minutes. For longer storage, freeze in a single layer and reheat directly from frozen.