BLT Crostini Appetizers feature crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and mayo that come together on a toasted baguette slice, creating a tasty bite-sized treat.
I can’t think of a better appetizer for just about any situation. As they say, bacon makes everything better, right! They are easy to put together and they’re so tasty that your guests will be asking for more. If you’re looking for an easy finger food to serve, this is the winner.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quick and Crowd-Pleasing: Short on time? Not to worry – the BLT Crostini is a quick fix that doesn’t compromise on taste. It’s a crowd-pleaser.
- Year-Round Appeal: The timeless flavors make these crostini suitable for any season. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or cozied up indoors, this appetizer is a welcome addition to the table.
- Endless Customization: Unleash your creativity by customizing these crostini. Experiment with cheese varieties, drizzle on unique sauces, or trying different bacon flavors.
» You might also like these Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- French Baguette – French bread has just the right amount of chew and airiness for this.
- Olive Oil – You can use your favorite brand of olive oil.
- Garlic – Peeled and halved.
- Bacon Slices – Use whatever bacon you have on hand, or try turkey bacon or smoked tofu for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- Cherry Tomatoes – I like to use small, ripe, firm tomatoes.
- Mayonnaise – Every good BLT starts with high-quality mayo. If you don’t like mayo or don’t have it, you can substitute with ranch dressing or cream cheese.
- Fresh Basil – The fresh basil adds a really nice aroma. It’s not necessary though, if you don’t have it. No need to substitute with dried basil.
- Salt & Pepper – Some bacon is rather salty so you might not need a lot of extra seasoning. Taste and then season.
- Romaine lettuce or baby spinach – The romaine lettuce adds a nice fresh crunch. Or use baby spinach to add a touch of green.
Tips for Making BLT Crostini Appetizer
- For an evenly crispy texture, bake bacon in the oven on a wire rack. This allows excess fat to drain away, giving you consistently crispy bacon.
- Keep an eye on the baguette slices while toasting to achieve the perfect balance between crispy and chewy. You don’t want to overdo them, or they’ll be too hard to bite through.
- Prepare components in advance, but assemble just before serving to maintain the crispiness of the bread. Store bacon, tomatoes, and mayo separately until ready to serve.
How to Make BLT Crostini
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper or a silicon mat and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Bread
Slice the baguette into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and brush both sides with olive oil. Rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic clove.
Bake the baguette slices in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
Step 3: Prepare the Crostini
In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread a thin layer of the basil mayonnaise on each crostini.
Top each crostini with a few romaine or spinach leaves. Cut each slice of bacon into smaller pieces and place them on top of the greens.
Add a couple of halved cherry tomatoes on top of the bacon. Depending on how big your cherry tomatoes are you may need to cut them in quarters instead of in half so that they sit on the crostini better.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
Garnish with additional chopped basil and salt and pepper if desired.
Arrange the BLT crostini on a serving platter and serve immediately.
How to Store
If you have leftover assembled crostini, store the bread separately from the toppings to maintain the crispiness.
Refrigerate any leftover components promptly. Bacon, tomatoes, and mayo should be stored in separate airtight containers to preserve their individual textures and flavors.
If planning to consume within 24 hours, the assembled crostini can be stored in the refrigerator. However, note that the bread may lose some of its crunch over time.
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BLT Crostini Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic peeled and halved
- 8 slices bacon cooked until crispy
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup romaine or baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides with olive oil.
- Rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic clove.
- Bake the baguette slices in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread a thin layer of the basil mayonnaise on each crostini.
- Top each crostini with a few romaine or spinach leaves.
- Cut each slice of bacon into smaller pieces and place them on top of the greens.
- Add a couple of halved cherry tomatoes on top of the bacon.
- Garnish with additional chopped basil if desired.
- Arrange the BLT crostini on a serving platter and serve immediately.
Notes
- For an evenly crispy texture, bake bacon in the oven on a wire rack. This allows excess fat to drain away, giving you consistently crispy bacon.
- Keep an eye on the baguette slices while toasting to achieve the perfect balance between crispy and chewy. You don't want to overdo them, or they'll be too hard to bite through.
- Prepare components in advance, but assemble just before serving to maintain the crispiness of the bread. Store bacon, tomatoes, and mayo separately until ready to serve.
When not mixing up delicious cocktails to enjoy on the patio with friends, Angela is busy writing about food and drinks for three popular food websites, and exchanging creative ideas on social media.