Garlic Parmesan Crostini: A Simple and Delightful Appetizer
Enjoy this Garlic Parmesan Crostini as a quick and delicious appetizer or as a delightful side dish with dinner. With only a handful of ingredients, these crispy bites are a breeze to make and are packed with amazing flavors!
Why You’ll Love This Crostini
- Difficulty: Super simple! This recipe uses just six ingredients and can be ready in about 10 minutes.
- Taste: If you enjoy fresh, zesty flavors alongside crispy bread, this crostini is sure to please. It’s light and can also be paired with dips.
- Serving: You can typically get around 16 slices from one baguette, but feel free to double the recipe for a larger gathering by using additional baguettes.
Ingredients
- Baguette bread – A classic long baguette works wonderfully. You can find this in the bakery section of your grocery store.
- Parsley – Fresh parsley elevates this dish. Be generous with the minced parsley; it really makes a difference!
- Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for a richer flavor.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds a delightful punch to each bite.
- Parmesan cheese – Finely grated parmesan is mixed with the topping to enhance both flavor and texture.
- Salt – A pinch of salt brings all the flavors together.
Note: You can find the complete ingredient list and recipe card at the end of this article.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a large baking tray by drizzling with one tablespoon of olive oil.
- Slice the Bread: Cut your baguette into thin, diagonal slices. You should get around 16 slices, depending on the size of your baguette and how thick you cut them. Place these slices on the baking tray and set aside.
- Make the Topping: In a small bowl, combine parsley, olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese, and salt. Mix thoroughly to combine.
- Assemble and Bake: Evenly spoon the topping mixture over the bread slices. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Carefully remove the crostini from the oven and serve them hot!
Cooking Tips
- Prep Ahead – If you like, you can make the topping up to 3-4 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Cutting the Bread – Use a serrated knife to make cutting easier and prevent the bread from flattening.
- Baking Time – The crostini should reach a wonderful crispy texture within 15 minutes, but if you desire a softer texture, remove them a bit sooner.
Substitutions
- Baguette – If you don’t have a baguette, feel free to use any rustic bread. Just avoid pre-packaged sandwich bread.
- Olive Oil – If you’re not fond of olive oil, melted butter works nicely as an alternative.
- Parmesan Cheese – While this ingredient adds wonderful flavors, you can easily omit it if you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
This crostini pairs beautifully with various pasta or risotto dishes. For a fun twist, serve them alongside your favorite dips as an enticing appetizer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Crostini are small, crisp pieces of bread that are typically topped with olive oil, garlic, and various toppings of your choice. They make an excellent Italian appetizer!
Crostini involves thin slices of bread that are toasted until crisp, while bruschetta uses thicker slices of bread that are lightly toasted.
Absolutely! You can substitute the baguette with gluten-free bread, allowing you to enjoy this recipe without gluten.
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best enjoyed fresh, but can be reheated in the oven to regain some crispness!
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with various toppings such as roasted vegetables, spreads, or even meats to create your perfect crostini.
