Holiday Crostini

Holiday Crostini are the ultimate party starters—crisp, colorful, and overflowing with festive flavor. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or a big seasonal celebration, these little bites turn simple ingredients into impressive appetizers in just minutes. Each topping brings its own personality, from bright Caprese flavors to luxurious smoked salmon and creamy ricotta. With endless variations and a make-ahead friendly base, this Holiday Crostini guide gives you everything you need to create a stunning appetizer spread that feels joyful, fresh, and effortlessly elegant.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick to Assemble: The crostini base bakes in minutes, and the toppings come together fast.
• Super Versatile: A mix of classic, fresh, creamy, and festive flavors—perfect for any holiday gathering.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Each version brings a unique texture and taste, offering something for every guest.
• Balanced & Elevated: Thoughtfully layered ingredients keep every bite flavorful, bright, and satisfying.
• Restaurant-Quality Look: Beautiful color and elegant presentation without complicated techniques.

These Holiday Crostini stand out because each topping combination is finely tuned—herbs brighten, citrus sharpens, cheese softens, and textures stack perfectly. You’ll impress guests with appetizers that feel special but require absolutely no stress.

Ingredients Needed

For the Crostini Base

• 30 slices artisan baguette or French stick, sliced ¼-inch thick on a slight diagonal
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• Pinch of salt
• 1 garlic clove, halved

Caprese Topping (30 pieces)

• 350 g (12 oz) baby bocconcini, diced small
• 400 g (14 oz) cherry tomatoes, chopped into tiny pieces
• ½ cup packed basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• ¾ tsp each salt and black pepper
• 4 tbsp balsamic glaze (homemade or store-bought)

Smoked Salmon & Dill Cream Cheese (30 pieces)

• 250 g (8 oz) spreadable cream cheese or crème fraîche
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp each salt and pepper
• ⅓ cup finely chopped dill
• 500 g (1 lb) smoked salmon, cut into strips
• 75 g (2.5 oz) baby capers
• Fresh dill sprigs for garnish

Mediterranean Crostini (30 pieces)

• 250 g (8 oz) smooth ricotta or similar soft cheese
• 500 g (1 lb) antipasto mix—pitted olives, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, chopped small

Garlic Prawn/Shrimp & Avocado (30 pieces)

• 500 g (1 lb) shrimp or prawns, peeled and deveined
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp each salt and pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 2 eschallots (French shallots), finely diced
• ¼ cup cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 ripe avocados, pitted and halved

Strawberry, Goat Cheese & Honey (16 pieces)

• 160 g (5.5 oz) goat cheese, softened (or cream cheese / smooth ricotta)
• 14–16 ripe strawberries, sliced thinly
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Rare Roast Beef with Hot English Mustard (16 pieces)

• 2 tsp (or more!) Hot English Mustard
• 160 g (5.5 oz) goat cheese or similar soft cheese
• 180 g (6 oz) rare roast beef, shaved thin
• 16 baby arugula leaves

Holiday Tapenade (16 pieces)

• ½ cup finely chopped parsley
• ½ cup dried cranberries, separated
• ¼ cup finely chopped black olives
• ¼ cup finely chopped green olives
• ¼ cup chopped almonds (blanched preferred)
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Chilli & Mint Prawns on Parmesan Pea Purée (16 pieces)

• 150 g (5 oz) frozen peas
• ½ small garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan
• ¼ tsp each salt and pepper
• 250 g (8 oz) cooked peeled shrimp (or 500 g/1 lb whole cooked shrimp)
• 2 tbsp finely chopped mint
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp mild red chilli, finely diced and deseeded

How to Make Holiday Crostini

Crostini Base

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) so the bread crisps gently without over-browning.
2. Brush & season: Lay the bread slices on a baking tray, brush lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Flip and repeat to ensure even crisping.
3. Bake & infuse: Bake for 5 minutes, remove, gently rub each slice with the cut garlic for a subtle aroma, then bake another 5 minutes until fully crisp.
4. Cool completely—this keeps the crostini crunchy once topped.

Caprese Crostini

1. Combine tomatoes, bocconcini, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss gently to avoid crushing the cheese.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Spoon onto crostini and finish with a pretty drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream Cheese

1. Mix cream cheese with lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper until spreadable and smooth.
2. Spread a generous layer on each crostini.
3. Fold a strip of smoked salmon on top.
4. Add 2–3 capers and garnish with dill.

Mediterranean Crostini

1. Chop the antipasto ingredients finely for easy topping.
2. Spread each crostini with ricotta.
3. Spoon on a colorful mound of antipasto mixture.

Garlic Shrimp & Avocado Crostini

1. Cook shrimp: Toss shrimp with 1 tbsp oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Heat a skillet with 1 tbsp oil over high heat. Sear shrimp in two batches until just cooked, then cool.
2. Chop into bite-size pieces and place in a bowl. Add remaining oil, eschallots, cilantro, and lime juice. Toss well.
3. Spread each crostini with mashed avocado.
4. Spoon shrimp mixture on top—and enjoy one before serving because these disappear fast!

Strawberry, Goat Cheese & Honey

1. Spread crostini with softened goat cheese.
2. Arrange strawberry slices neatly.
3. Drizzle lightly with honey and add thyme leaves.

Rare Roast Beef & Hot Mustard

1. Spread a thin—or bold—layer of Hot English Mustard.
2. Add a layer of goat cheese.
3. Lay a slice of roast beef on top.
4. Garnish with a small arugula leaf.

Holiday Tapenade Crostini

1. Mix all tapenade ingredients and let rest 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
2. Spread crostini with goat cheese.
3. Add a generous spoonful of tapenade.

Chilli & Mint Prawns on Parmesan Pea Purée

1. Purée: Boil peas until soft, drain well, then blend with garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir in mint and lemon juice. Cool completely.
2. Chop shrimp into small pieces.
3. Spread each crostini with pea purée, top with shrimp, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with parsley and chilli.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serve on a large platter grouped by flavor for a vibrant presentation.
• Keep crostini and toppings separate if prepping ahead—assemble just before serving to maintain crispness.
• Crostini stay crisp for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Most toppings can be prepared a day ahead (except avocado and fresh strawberry toppings).
• To refresh crostini, warm in the oven for 3–4 minutes before adding toppings.

Helpful Notes

• Slice the bread evenly to ensure uniform crisping.
• For extra crunch, bake crostini 2–3 minutes longer, watching closely.
• Swap goat cheese for ricotta or cream cheese if preferred.
• For gluten-free guests, use GF baguette or GF crackers as the base.
• A drizzle of olive oil or glaze right before serving boosts shine and flavor.

Conclusion

Holiday Crostini are the perfect combination of beauty, flavor, and ease—easy enough for beginners, but impressive enough for any festive celebration. With crisp golden bread and a colorful selection of toppings, these appetizers offer endless variety and guaranteed crowd-pleasing results. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, bringing a dish to share, or simply creating a cozy night-in spread, this recipe makes entertaining fun and stress-free.

If you try these Holiday Crostini, leave a comment and a star rating—I’d love to hear which topping was your favorite!
Share your platter on Pinterest or Facebook, and tell us: Which variation would you make again—or what new topping would you invent?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make the crostini ahead of time?

Yes! Bake the crostini up to 3 days ahead and store them airtight. Assemble toppings just before serving.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free baguette slices or sturdy GF crackers. All toppings are naturally gluten-free.

Can I use different cheeses?

Absolutely—swap goat cheese for cream cheese, ricotta, mascarpone, or even whipped feta.

Why did my crostini turn too hard?

They were likely baked too long or sliced too thin. Aim for ¼-inch thickness and stick to the recommended bake time.

Can I freeze crostini?

Yes—the baked crostini freeze well for up to 1 month. Thaw and crisp in the oven before topping.

How do I keep crostini from getting soggy?

Cool them fully, store airtight, and add toppings only when you’re ready to serve.