Caprese Crostini Appetizer Recipe: Tasty in a Flash

Crisp baguette slices topped with a delightful caprese crostini appetizer recipe burst with Mediterranean flavors that dance on your palate.

Fresh basil leaves and ripe tomatoes complement the creamy mozzarella perfectly.

Each bite delivers a vibrant combination of textures and tastes that’ll impress any crowd.

The simple ingredients come together in minutes, making this appetizer both elegant and effortless.

Summer gatherings and casual get-togethers call for these irresistible little bites.

Drizzled with high-quality olive oil and seasoned with a pinch of salt, these crostini promise to be the star of any spread.

Dive into this classic Italian-inspired appetizer that’s sure to delight your taste buds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 154 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Caprese Crostini Appetizer

• French Baguette: Crispy canvas that provides the perfect crunch and foundation for layering flavors.
• Olive Oil: Adds golden richness and helps achieve a beautiful toasted exterior.
• Garlic Clove: Infuses a subtle, aromatic warmth that elevates the entire appetizer.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, soft cheese that melts beautifully and creates a luxurious texture.
• Fresh Tomatoes (Sliced or Cherry): Brings bright, juicy sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Fresh Basil: Adds a peppery, herbaceous note that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

• Coarse Salt: Enhances and intensifies the natural flavors of tomatoes and cheese.
• Balsamic Glaze: Provides a tangy, slightly sweet reduction that adds depth and complexity to the crostini.

Kitchen Tools to Make Caprese Crostini Appetizer

• Baking Sheet: Essential for toasting bread evenly under the broiler.
• Broiler or Toaster Oven: Perfect for getting that golden-brown crispy crostini.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to slice baguette into even rounds.
• Cutting Board: For safely slicing bread and preparing ingredients.
• Pastry Brush: Great for evenly coating bread slices with olive oil.
• Garlic Clove Peeler: Helps remove garlic skin for rubbing on toasted bread.
• Small Spoon: Useful for drizzling balsamic glaze over crostini.

How to Assemble the Caprese Crostini Appetizer

• Bread Foundation

Slice French baguette into thin rounds. Brush each piece with olive oil on both sides for a golden, crispy texture.

• Toasting Magic

Place bread slices on baking sheet. Brown each side under broiler until edges turn a beautiful golden color. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

• Garlic Infusion

After toasting, gently rub a fresh garlic clove across the surface of each crostini. This adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that elevates the appetizer.

• Cheese and Tomato Layer

Top each crostini with a slice of creamy mozzarella and ripe tomato. Select tomatoes that are vibrant and bursting with summer flavor.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle a pinch of coarse salt to enhance the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Drizzle with rich balsamic glaze and scatter fresh basil leaves across the top.

Tips & Variations for Caprese Crostini Appetizer

• Swap fresh mozzarella with creamy burrata or tangy goat cheese for a unique flavor profile that elevates the classic Caprese combination.
• Quickly roast cherry tomatoes in the oven before adding to crostini to concentrate their sweetness and develop a deeper, more complex taste.
• Mix fresh basil with other Mediterranean herbs like oregano or thyme to create a more robust and aromatic topping that adds depth to the appetizer.
• Prepare toasted bread slices and slice ingredients in advance, then assemble just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent soggy crostini.
• Spread a thin layer of pesto or olive tapenade on the garlic-rubbed bread before adding cheese and tomatoes for an extra burst of Mediterranean-inspired taste.

Serving Ideas for Caprese Crostini Appetizer

• Sunset Garden Party Platter: Arrange these crostini beautifully on a rustic wooden board with fresh basil sprigs, creating an elegant Mediterranean-style appetizer that sparks conversation.
• Wine and Cheese Companion: Pair these delightful bites with a crisp pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, complementing the tangy mozzarella and sweet balsamic glaze for a refined tasting experience.
• Picnic Perfect Snack: Pack these crostini in a portable container for outdoor adventures, making them an ideal light lunch or afternoon nibble that travels well and impresses friends.
• Summer Cocktail Hour Delight: Serve these as elegant finger food during evening gatherings, allowing guests to enjoy a quick, flavorful bite alongside refreshing summer drinks.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Caprese Crostini Appetizer

• Quick Crowd Pleaser: Perfect for spontaneous gatherings, game nights, or as a last-minute appetizer when friends drop by unexpectedly.
• Advance Prep Magic: Slice bread and toast crostini up to 4 hours before serving, storing at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
• Freshness Window: Best enjoyed within 2 hours of assembly to keep bread crispy and prevent soggy texture. Mozzarella and tomatoes lose their peak quality if left too long.
• Refrigeration Strategy: If you must store assembled crostini, separate bread and toppings. Refrigerate mozzarella and tomatoes in a sealed container, keeping bread in a different container to prevent moisture buildup. Reassemble just before serving for optimal taste and texture.

Crispy Caprese Crostini

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crisp Italian bread slices showcase this classic Caprese crostini with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil. Simple ingredients combine for a delightful starter that will transport guests to Mediterranean coastlines.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
• 12 cherry tomatoes
• 12 fresh basil leaves
• ½ French baguette, sliced into rounds
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 g) coarse salt
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) balsamic glaze

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Position the oven rack near the broiler element and heat to high for optimal bread toasting.
2. Bread Preparation: Slice the French baguette into thin, uniform rounds, ensuring consistent thickness for even toasting.
3. Oil Application: Brush both surfaces of bread rounds with extra virgin olive oil, creating a foundation for golden crispness.
4. Broiling Process: Arrange oiled bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and broil 1-2 minutes until rich golden-brown, then flip and toast the opposite side for an additional 1-2 minutes.
5. Garlic Infusion: Remove toasted crostini and gently rub with a peeled garlic clove to impart a subtle aromatic essence.
6. Cheese and Tomato Assembly: Layer fresh mozzarella slices on warm crostini, topped with vibrant tomato slices, ensuring complete cheese coverage.
7. Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle coarse sea salt over tomatoes and drizzle balsamic glaze in an elegant zigzag pattern.
8. Final Garnish: Scatter freshly torn basil leaves across the crostini with a light, playful touch.
9. Serving Recommendation: Present immediately to preserve crisp texture and maximize flavor harmony.

Notes

• Watch Bread Closely: Broiling happens fast, and bread can quickly burn from golden to charred within seconds, so stay near the oven and monitor constantly.
• Garlic Technique: Gently rubbing a raw garlic clove across warm crostini releases aromatic oils, infusing subtle flavor without overwhelming the delicate ingredients.
• Oil Coverage Matters: Generously brush olive oil on both bread sides to ensure even, crispy toasting and prevent dry or uneven texture.
• Temperature Timing: Let crostini cool slightly after broiling to prevent burning fingers and allow cheese to softly melt without completely liquefying.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 154
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 265 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 11 mg