This easy goat cheese crostini recipe comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients. Creamy goat cheese is mixed with fresh herbs, olive oil and lemon juice, then spread on crispy toasted bread. And, with so many topping possibilities, you can really make this easy appetizer your own!
Crostini is the perfect easy and flexible appetizer. Just toast up some baguette, and top it any which way you like. This crostini recipe features a creamy and tangy goat cheese herb topping made from only a handful of basic ingredients. Prep is also super easy; the entire recipe will only take about 25 minutes to make.
The goat cheese crostini tastes great all on its own, but if you like, you can mix and match various toppings based on the extensive list of topping ideas I have for you.
By starting with the delicious base of crunchy bread and creamy goat cheese, and adding your own unique combo of toppings, you can create a beautiful and exciting appetizer that your guests will love (and, with very little work on your part!).
Goat cheese, please!
If you love goat cheese recipes, try my recipes for watermelon salad with goat cheese and brussel sprout and cranberry salad with goat cheese.
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Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Fresh herbs: you can use any type of leafy herb you like. Here I used mint and dill. Other herbs that would work well here include chives, tarragon, and parsley.
- Olive oil: I prefer using extra-virgin olive oil, because it adds such a lovely flavor to both the crostini and goat cheese topping. But, if you don't like or don't have extra-virgin olive oil, feel free to use pure olive oil or anther neutral oil.
- Baguette: I used a multi-grain baguette here, but any type of baguette will work well.
Step by step photos
Here's how to make this easy crostini recipe, step by step!
- Step 1: Slice the baguette thinly, on an angle.
- Step 2: Place the slices on a baking sheet. Spray or brush the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Step 3: Bake the baguette slices until golden brown, with darker golden brown edges.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, gently mix together the goat cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and fresh herbs.
- Step 5: Continue mixing until the goat cheese is smooth.
- Step 6: Spread the herb goat cheese on the crostini. Add optional toppings and enjoy!
Make it ahead!
- The crostini can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
- The goat cheese topping can be made the day before. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. When ready to assemble the crostini, allow the cheese to come to room temperature before spreading (this will take about 30 - 40 minutes).
Tips and tricks
- Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil is optional, but will make for easier cleanup.
- There is no need to flip the crostini during the bake time. They are so thin that both sides will get browned in the oven even without flipping.
- In addition to the leafy herbs I suggested in the Ingredient Notes section, you can also use woody herbs, such as thyme and rosemary.
- However, I recommend only using up to one chopped tablespoon woody herbs (rosemary, thyme) with the remaining two tablespoons being a leafy herb (parsley, dill, chives, etc.). These woody herbs can get overpowering if you use too much.
- To make prep easier, you can spray the baguette slices with oil, rather than having to brush oil on each piece with a pastry brush. You can either use an oil sprayer; I have this light-blocking oil sprayer (affiliate link) and I highly recommend it. Or, you can use a store-bought olive oil spray.
- To prevent wasting oil when using the oil sprayer, push all the crostini close together on the baking sheet before spraying, then spread them out again before baking.
Crostini topping ideas
These goat cheese crostini taste great all on their own. But if you want to add some additional flavors, textures, and colors to the mix, try one (or more) of these exciting toppings on your crostini!
Dried fruit (sliced or chopped):
- Fig
- Apricot
- Dates
Fresh fruit (sliced thinly):
- Apple (squeeze on lemon juice to prevent browning)
- Pear (squeeze on lemon juice to prevent browning)
- Fig
- Plum
Toasted nuts (whole or chopped, depending on size and preference):
- Pistachios
- Almonds
- Pine nuts
Sweet toppings:
- Honey
- Fig jam
- Date syrup
- Honeycomb
Meats:
- Crumbled bacon
- Prosciutto
Other toppings:
- Lemon zest
- Flaky sea salt
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Tomato onion jam
Recipe FAQs
You don't need to let the crostini cool down completely, just to the point where they are cool enough to handle. If the crostini are still a bit warm from the oven, this can soften the goat cheese a bit and make it taste even creamier!
Yes and no - you can make the crostini and goat cheese each in advance separately, but I don't recommend assembling the crostini until right before serving. Once added to the crostini, the moisture from the goat cheese will begin to soak into the bread, diminishing the crunchiness of the crostini over time.
Even though it's better to assemble the goat cheese crostini right before serving, any leftovers can still be enjoyed, as long as you are ok with the bread getting a little soft. Store the leftover crostini in an airtight container in the fridge. They will be safe to consume for 3 - 4 days, but for the best experience I recommend eating them within 1 - 2 days.
What to serve with goat cheese crostini
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Print📖 Recipe
Easy Goat Cheese Crostini
This easy appetizer recipe comes together in minutes with just a few ingredients. Creamy goat cheese is mixed with fresh herbs, olive oil and lemon juice, then spread on crispy toasted bread. The crostini taste great all on their own, or, you can add your favorite toppings for even more color, flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 crostini 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Crostini:
- ½ baguette
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- salt, to taste
Herb goat cheese topping:
- 4 ounces (113 g) fresh goat cheese (chèvre), at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons (7 g) chopped fresh herbs (suggested: dill, chives, parsley, mint, tarragon*)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional toppings (choose one or more):
- lemon zest, flaky sea salt, chopped nuts, honey, fig jam, fresh herbs, fresh or dried fruits (apple, pear, fig)
Instructions
Make the crostini:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Thinly slice the baguette on an angle about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick. Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil (the lining is optional, for easier clean up).
- With a pastry brush, brush the bread slices on both sides with the 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or, use an oil sprayer to spray each side with oil). Sprinkle both sides of the bread lightly with salt. Spread the slices out evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake the baguette slices in the middle rack of the oven for 11 - 13 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown, with darker golden brown edges (no need to flip).
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the crostini cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
Make the herb goat cheese topping:
- While the crostini is baking, place the room-temperature goat cheese in a medium bowl. Add the 3 tablespoons chopped herbs, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt.
- With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, gently mix the goat cheese together with the additional ingredients until evenly combined.
- The optional toppings can also be prepped now, while waiting for the crostini to bake and cool down.
Assemble the goat cheese crostini:
- When the crostini are cool enough to handle, spread each piece with the goat cheese mixture.
- Add additional toppings, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
*Any of the following herbs listed can be used, or a combination. I used fresh dill and mint. If you want to include woodier herbs such as thyme or rosemary, include only up to 1 tablespoon of these, in addition to 2 tablespoons of another leafier herb. These woody herbs can be quite overpowering if used in large quantities.
- For easier prep, you can spray the crostini with olive oil instead of brushing (either by using an oil sprayer, or a store-bought olive oil spray). To prevent wasting oil, push all the crostini close together on the baking sheet before spraying, then spread them out again before baking.
Make ahead instructions:
- The crostini can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
- The goat cheese topping can be made the day before. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. When ready to assemble the crostini, allow the goat cheese to sit at room temperature for about 30 - 40 minutes before spreading.
The nutrition information below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It includes a total of ½ teaspoon salt (¼ teaspoon for the goat cheese, and ¼ teaspoon for the crostini), and does not include optional toppings. The nutrition counts of your dish will vary based on the brand and exact amounts of ingredients used. This nutrition estimate should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See our full disclosure policy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 crostini
- Calories: 117
- Sugar: .67 g
- Sodium: 226.5 mg
- Fat: 8.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.5 g
- Fiber: 0.98 g
- Protein: 2.8 g
- Cholesterol: 5.2 g
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