Transform a simple baguette into perfectly crispy homemade crostini crackers! These versatile bites are the ideal base for toppings like bruschetta, creamy spreads, or smoked salmon. I love getting some French bread from the store and not being worried about what to do with it before it gets stale.
Try this with our egg salad or chicken salad recipes.
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💞 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients.
- Crispy & Versatile – A perfect base for both sweet and savory toppings like Crostini Crackers.
- Great for Entertaining – Ideal for appetizers, charcuterie boards, or last-minute gatherings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Stays fresh for days and can be easily re-crisped.
🍴Ingredients
- 1 Loaf of French Bread or a French baguette.
- A Neutral Oil, like avocado oil, olive oil or butter.
- Salt (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Slice the baguette into ¼-inch thick rounds using a serrated knife for clean cuts, ideal for Crostini Crackers.
Step 2: Arrange the Bread
Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Step 3: Oil the Bread
Cover with oil on both sides of each slice. For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of salt if desired.
You can either lightly brush it onto either side. However, I prefer to give a quick dip into a plate of oil on both sides. The more oily each side is, the more roasted the bread will be.
Step 4: Bake and Eat
Bake for 8–10 minutes, then flip and bake another 3–5 minutes, or until both sides are golden and crisp. (Don't forget about them in the oven!)
Let cool slightly before topping with your favorite ingredients, like bruschetta, goat cheese, or smoked salmon on your Crostini Crackers.
Hint: To make slicing easier, use a day-old baguette—it will be firmer and easier to cut into even rounds.
📋 Substitutions
- Bread: Try sourdough, ciabatta, or any crusty bread as an alternative for Crostini Crackers.
- Oil: Swap olive oil for garlic-infused oil or melted butter for a richer flavor.
♨ Variations
- Herbed Crostini: Sprinkle dried oregano, thyme, or rosemary over the bread before baking.
- Cheesy Crostini: Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan during the last 2 minutes of baking for cheesy Crostini Crackers.
- Garlic Crostini: Rub a cut clove of garlic on each slice after baking for extra flavor.
🍴 Equipment
- Serrated knife for slicing your bread to make Crostini Crackers.
- Baking sheet
- Pastry brush
🍲 Storage
Store baked crostini crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To re-crisp, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
⭐ Top tip
For evenly crisp crostini crackers, be sure to brush both sides of the bread slices with oil and keep them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
💭 FAQ
I would use French bread- either a baguette or a smaller loaf.
Crostini are smaller, crispier slices of bread often made from a baguette, while bruschetta is traditionally made from larger, thicker slices of rustic Italian bread and grilled before being topped.
If your crostini turn out too hard, try slicing the bread slightly thicker (closer to ½ inch) and reducing the baking time by a couple of minutes.
Yes! Bake the crostini up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container. If they soften, re-crisp them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes.
Flipping helps ensure even crispness, but if you're short on time, you can bake them on a wire rack to allow air circulation around both sides.
To prevent sogginess, let the crostini cool completely before adding toppings, and consider spreading a thin layer of butter, cheese, or a fat-based ingredient first to create a barrier.
💕 Related
Looking for other homemade basics recipes? Try these:
🍶 Pairing
These crostini crackers go well with everything! Try them dipped in soup, with a salad on top or just eat them as a snack on their own!
📚 Cookbook Pairings
Interested in basics cookbooks? Check these out!
Recipe
📖 Recipe
Homemade Crostini
Equipment
- Serrated Knife
- Baking Sheet
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf French Bread Or Baguette for smaller crostinis
- Olive oil
- Salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a serrated knife, slice the baguette into ¼-inch thick rounds.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil or dip into container with olive oil. If desired, sprinkle a pinch of salt for added flavor.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, then flip and bake another 3–5 minutes, or until golden and crisp on both sides.
- Allow to cool slightly, then serve as is or add your favorite toppings.
Karina Goodley says
So easy to make! Just don't forget them in the oven and make them too crispy!