Need an easy party appetizer? You'll LOVE this Roasted Tomato Crostini! These tiny Italian toasts are easy to make, and the jammy roasted tomato and creamy cheese topping is so delicious. They're sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next party!
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Ginnie's Take
It's hard to believe that fall is almost here! Dallas is still scorching hot, so personally, I'm ready for sweater weather (ASAP please). But at the same time, I'm sad that harvest season is almost over. Thankfully, it's still easy to find tasty tomatoes, and the basil on my balcony is going strong. I made this mouthwatering Roasted Tomato Crostini to celebrate those two ingredients, and it was love at first bite. Between the creamy cheese, jammy tomatoes, and crunchy toasts, you won't be able to resist this scrumptious appetizer!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor - This colorful appetizer has the tastiest tomato-basil and creamy cheese topping! Each bite is filled with wonderful tastes and textures.
- Easy to Make - Crostini is simple to prepare. You can even make the toasts and topping in advance to save time before a party.
- Crowd Pleaser - This yummy appetizer is guaranteed to disappear fast at your next get together. It's simple, fresh tasting, and so flavorful!
Jump to:
Ingredients
You need just a few simple ingredients for this tasty tomato appetizer:
- Tomatoes - The toasts are topped with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, which are really easy to make. You can use grape or cherry tomatoes (I like these colorful Wild Wonders), plus extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Cheese - You'll spread the toasts with creamy goat cheese before adding the tomato topping. Not a fan of goat cheese? No worries, the Variations section below has substitution ideas.
- Toasts - I used Focaccia Crostini to make this bite-sized appetizer. You'll need focaccia bread (a standard baguette works great, too), extra virgin olive oil, and salt.
- Basil - A sprinkle of fresh basil is the perfect finishing touch!
This recipe is naturally vegetarian and nut free. You can easily adapt the appetizer for other diets, too. Check out the Variations section below for tips!
You'll Also Need
Grab a sharp knife (serrated knives work best) and a pastry brush to make the crostini, plus a couple large baking sheets to cook the toasts and roast the tomatoes.
How to Make Roasted Cherry Tomato Crostini
This Cherry Tomato and Goat Cheese Crostini is a snap to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Make crostini. Start by thinly slicing the focaccia, then brush it with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until lightly browned and crisp.
- Roast tomatoes. Next, you'll mix the tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast. Stir the garlic in about halfway though, so it doesn't burn.
- Add cheese. Once everything is ready, spread a thin layer of goat cheese on the toasts.
- Top with tomatoes. Add the tomatoes over the cheese. Tip: I found that each toast was the perfect size for two tomatoes, but this might vary depending on the size of your tomatoes.
- Sprinkle with basil. Finish the crostini by adding a sprinkle of thinly sliced basil.
Okay, time to enjoy your Roasted Tomato Crostini! You are going to love its tasty tomato-basil flavor.
Variations
This Tomato Basil Crostini is easy to customize according to your diet or what's in your pantry! Here are a few ideas to try:
- Cheese - Replace the goat cheese with ricotta, burrata, Boursin, cream cheese, or another creamy, spreadable cheese.
- Herbs - Swap out the basil for fresh rosemary, thyme, tarragon, parsley, dill, or chives.
- Bread - Use a baguette to make the crostini, or try other types of bread, such as sourdough.
- Vegan + Dairy Free - Substitute your favorite plant based spreadable cheese for the goat cheese. I like Treeline!
- Gluten Free - Make the crostini with a gluten free baguette.
Serving Suggestions
Planing a party? Pair these toasts with other easy appetizers, like this creamy Green Goddess Dip, mini Cheese Tarts, unique Watermelon Gazpacho (served in shot glasses), colorful Feta, Pepper, and Olive Bites, or these savory Cheese Truffles.
Storage
This Cherry Tomato Crostini recipe tastes best when freshly made. However, you can make the crostini and roast the tomatoes in advance. Store the crostini in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks (or freeze for one to two months). The tomato topping can also be made a couple days in advance and refrigerated. Let it warm up to room temperature (or gently warm in your microwave) before using.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, try my bruschetta-like Tomato Crostini or creamy Tomato and Pesto Ricotta Crostini next! And check out my other crostini recipes:
- This yummy Peach Crostini is the perfect way to show off peak summer peaches!
- Like avocado toast? Then you have to try this colorful Avocado Crostini.
- This mouthwatering Mushroom Crostini is another crowd pleaser!
- Cure a sweet-savory craving with this luscious Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini.
- This wonderful Butternut Squash Cheese Crostini is bursting with fall flavors!
- You can make this delightful Fig and Brie Crostini in minutes, and it's so tasty.
- Serve this Cranberry Blue Cheese Crostini for all your holiday get togethers!
P.S. Looking for more cherry and grape tomato recipes? You'll love this amazing Cherry Tomato Jam, tomato-based Pesto Trapanese, and these super simple Marinated Tomatoes, too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Crostini is an Italian appetizer made from thinly sliced bread that has been brushed with olive oil, then baked until crisp. Once baked, the little toasts are topped with various ingredients, including cheeses, fruits and veggies, nuts, spreads, herbs, and nuts, or served alongside dips for dipping.
In Italian, the word crostini means "little toasts." The singular form of crostini is crostino.
Crostini can be served hot, cold, or at room temperature, depending on the toppings. It's often eaten at room temperature, making it perfect for parties!
Crostini should be crunchy, but not so hard that it hurts your mouth. If your crostini turns out too hard, try slicing your bread thinner (about ¼-inch thick is best). Choosing bread with a lighter texture can also help.
Crostini and bruschetta are two different types of Italian toast. Crostini is made with thinly sliced bread (usually a baguette) that's been brushed with olive oil and baked until crisp. Bruschetta is typically made with rustic-style bread, sliced a little thicker, brushed with olive oil, grilled, and then rubbed with garlic. Because it's grilled, bruschetta has more of a charred, slightly smokey flavor.
Roasted Tomato Crostini
Ingredients
For Crostini:
- 1 piece focaccia bread, about 2 ½ to 3 inches wide (see note)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
For Roasted Tomatoes:
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (about 2 cups / 10-12 ounces / 283-340 grams)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
For Assembly:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) goat cheese (at room temperature)
- 4 basil leaves, thinly sliced
Instructions
Prepare Crostini:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Using serrated knife, cut focaccia into 20 thin slices about ¼-inch thick.
- Place bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer, then brush both sides lightly with extra virgin olive oil.
- Sprinkle slices lightly with salt.
- Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until crisp throughout and lightly golden (no need to flip). Set aside.
Prepare Tomatoes:
- While crostini bakes, place 1 pint tomatoes on a large baking sheet, then drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Bake tomatoes for 10 minutes, then remove from oven.
- Stir in 1 large clove minced garlic, then return tomatoes to oven. Continue roasting until tomatoes are shriveled and some are popped (about 10 to 15 minutes more).
- Remove from oven and set aside.
Assemble Crostini:
- Spread each crostini lightly with goat cheese.
- Top with roasted tomatoes, followed by a sprinkle of sliced basil.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
