How To Make An Easy Crostini Appetizer Board Or Toppings Bar – Ideas & Recipes

Are you hosting a party or gathering and need a quick appetizer strategy in a pinch? Or maybe you’re just tired of the same ol’ snacks for every game day or tailgate event?

Either way, I have the Perfect answer.

The Only answer.

Crostini.

Those delicious little morsels of crusty bread topped with anything you desire, that take absolutely no time or effort to make.

Those sweet and savory little creations that beg you to come back for more, time and again.

Those little bite sized snacks that call you in the middle of the night when you just want a nibble of something before drifting off to sleep again…

You get the point.

It is no secret that crostini appetizers are my favorite go-to whenever I’m hosting a gathering of any kind. We almost always have some kind of baguette hanging around the kitchen and I always find a way of making good use of it.

Check out my previous article, 21 Best Easy Crostini Appetizer Recipes & Topping Ideas.

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What Are Crostini?

What does Crostini mean? Crostini simply means “little toasts” in Italian. They are baguettes, usually sliced in 1/2″ thick portions, brushed with olive oil, and toasted. They are the perfect bite sized finger foods that are usually topped with a combination of meats, cheeses, jams, spreads, vegetables, or other ingredients.

Not only are they versatile when it comes to toppings, but they make for the easiest and fastest appetizer to prepare, for any size gathering. We’ve prepared crostini appetizers as snacks for family movie night. We’ve taken them as potluck food for barbecues and tailgate parties. And they make excellent snacks for holiday gatherings when things are most chaotic.

In a nutshell, you can’t go wrong with these yummy treats. In addition to the easy prep and clean up, the mouth watering combinations you can create, are endless!

Crostini appetizers saved the day through the holidays, but football season is still ongoing. An even bigger reason to think about these yummy snacks a little more than usual. They are, after all, the perfect food to serve a crowd.

Crostini Boards & Bars

This brings us to today’s topic of Crostini Boards or Bars, as they are sometimes called. If I’m just preparing a smaller appetizer for my household, I might only serve one or two different crostini topping combinations or a small amount of ingredients on a Charcuterie Board. When it comes to larger parties and gatherings, a Crostini Bar makes so much more sense!

Setting up a crostini bar, opens up many different options for snack ideas, and the guests can mix and match how they choose to enjoy their hors d’eouvres. It creates a fun, yet sophisticated presentation with very little work on your end. It also allows your guests to try a variety of flavors instead of only one or two. Win/Win!

What Type Of Bread & Tools Will You Need?

There are a few types of bread that are ideal for crostini appetizers. I usually prefer a crusty French baguette, but ciabatta, sourdough, artisan, or other long Italian loaf, will work perfectly fine as well. The point is to choose a more dense bread that is on the narrow side, so you end up with smaller bite sized toasts.

To prepare your crostini, you will need a large cutting board and a sharp serrated knife for the slicing. You will also need 1-2 shallow baking sheets and a basting brush or olive oil mister. Those are the only tools your should need.

How Do You Make Crostini?

Starting at one end of the bread, slice the entire loaf in 1/2″ thick portions. You can either slice the bread directly across or at an angle. Slicing across will provide a slightly more sturdy piece of bread, ideal for thicker or heavier toppings. The angular slicing method will result in a crisper, lighter piece of toast.

Next, line a baking sheet (or as many as needed) with parchment paper and arrange the slices of bread flat in a single layer, on the baking sheets. Using the basting brush, brush both sides of each slice of bread, with the olive oil. (It will take approximately 2-4 tbsp. of oil for the batch, depending on your bread).

When finished, put the crostini in the oven to bake at 400° for about 10-12 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. (Keep an eye on them from time to time, to make sure they don’t burn.)

(Tip #1: It’s okay if the bread is a bit stale, as you’ll be toasting it anyway.)

(Tip #2: You can make the crostini ahead of time and store it for up to about 5-7 days, in an airtight container at room temperature.)

The Best Sweet And Savory Toppings

There are so many different delicious crostini recipes you can make. Traditionally, the best boards have a balanced blend of sweet and savory toppings that work nicely together. Often times, there are a variety of jams, chutneys, cheeses, meats and vegetables.

Some of the more popular sweet toppings include honey, mango, fig, roasted red pepper, and bacon jam. When it comes to brand, Stonewall Kitchen has my vote for the largest variety of delicious jams, chutneys, and spreads.

Here are some of my favorite jams, spreads and other sweet toppings:

• Major Grey’s Chutney
• Goat Cheese
• Fig Jam
• Honey
• Apple Cranberry Chutney
• Raspberry Peach Champagne Jam
• Figs
• Sliced Apple
• Bruschetta
• Red Pepper Jelly
• Roasted Strawberries
• Mascarpone

The savory aspect usually involves an assortment of cured meats and artisan cheeses. Ideally, you want to have an even combination of flavors and textures throughout the bar, that complement one another. You should also consider sticking to ingredients that can be served at room temperature, to keep the maintenance level low 🙂

Examples of more savory ingredients are:

• Roasted Garlic Onion Jam
• Smoked Salmon
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Shrimp
• Prosciutto
• Ricotta Cheese
• Crab
• Shredded Chicken
• Bacon
• Brie
• Chopped Nuts
• Salami, Roast Beef, Chorizo or Other Cured Meats
• Pancetta
• Fontina
• Balsamic
• Cream Cheese
• Blue Cheese
• Thin Sliced Steak
• Shaved Gouda
• Burrata

Delicious Vegetable & Fruit Toppings:

• Olive Tapenade
• Roasted Tomato
• Avocado
• Sliced Peaches
• Sliced Pears
• Dried Cranberries
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Pickled Vegetables
• Sliced Cucumbers
• Grilled Onions
• Sundried Tomatoes
• Butternut Squash

Bar Arrangement And Presentation

There really is no perfect way to arrange your crostini bar. It just has to make a bit of sense. Depending on how large the crowd is and the number of ingredients included, you might want to arrange everything on a single large charcuterie board.

If you are putting together a larger spread, you will want to opt for a little more space for the arrangement. Cramming ingredients too close together, will look sloppy and unappealing :/

If opting for a larger spread, you might arrange a single board of crostini, with small bowls around the perimeter, to hold the various ingredients, jams, and spreads. There are plenty of ways to make the bar accessible, interactive, and classy at the same time.

If you are hosting a holiday or seasonal gathering, adding a bit of decoration to the lay out, creates a more festive ambiance.

Check out these ideas for seasonal and non-seasonal arrangements!

Tools And Accessories

As mentioned, there are only a few accessories needed for a crostini bar. If you are missing any of these items, similar containers or tools should do the trick. The following items are the best tools and accessories available to create the perfect crostini bar.

• A large cutting board or charcuterie board
• Sharp serrated knife, for slicing
• A basting brush or olive oil mister
• Small ramekins or condiment dishes
• Serving spoons and spreading knives

Final Thoughts

Crostini is one of my favorite foods of all time. I have come across so many delicious flavor combinations that it has changed my entire perspective when it comes to baguettes and what they are good for. More often than not, crostini appetizers have served as entire meals for me! They are the perfect alternative when you want a light lunch or dinner.

Among my favorite meals are scrambled egg crostini and avocado toast for breakfast! Yum!

Needless to say…if there is a baguette hanging around the house, I will find some kind of different topping to try on it.

The simplicity and ease of preparation makes crostini a popular appetizer idea for many. It becomes an obsession for some of us 🙂

Why not experiment with some crostini toppings next time you’re in the mood for a light snack or meal? See what you come up with and let us know in the comments! We are looking for inspiration just as you are!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my article, 21 Best Easy Crostini Appetizer Recipes & Topping Ideas, for crostini recipes and inspiration!

Other Articles That May Interest You

– 50 Best Easy Tailgate Party Food Ideas & Game Day Recipes

– 30 Easy Snacks & Appetizer Recipes For Game Day And Parties!

– 21 Best Easy Crostini Appetizer Recipes & Topping Ideas