Ingredients
Scale
For the Crostini:
- 1 French baguette (about 12-14 inches long)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces goat cheese (chèvre), at room temperature
- 3-4 tablespoons honey (preferably raw or local)
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- Flaky sea salt (optional, for finishing)
Optional Variations:
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling
- Chopped toasted walnuts or pistachios
- Fresh figs, sliced (when in season)
- Microgreens for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position a rack in the middle. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or leave it unlined – crostini won’t stick either way.
- Slice the baguette: Using a serrated knife, cut the baguette on a slight diagonal into ¼-inch to ½-inch thick slices. You should get about 24-30 slices depending on the length of your baguette. Try to keep the slices uniform in thickness so they toast evenly. Thinner slices (¼-inch) will be crispier, while thicker slices (½-inch) offer more substance and a softer center.
- Brush with olive oil: Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Using a pastry brush (or your fingers), lightly brush the top of each slice with olive oil. You want enough to help them crisp and brown but not so much that they’re soggy. Use about half the olive oil at this stage.
- Toast the bread: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and toast for 5-7 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the bread is crispy. Watch carefully after 5 minutes, as they can go from perfect to burnt quickly. The crostini should be crispy and golden but not overly brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes – they’ll continue to crisp as they cool.
- Prepare the goat cheese: While the bread toasts, let the goat cheese come to room temperature if it’s been refrigerated. Cold goat cheese is difficult to spread and can tear the delicate toasted bread. If you’re short on time, microwave the goat cheese for 10-15 seconds to soften it slightly. For easier spreading, you can also whip the goat cheese briefly with a fork to make it creamier.
- Assemble the crostini: Once the toasted bread has cooled slightly, spread about 1-2 teaspoons of goat cheese on each slice. You can spread it smoothly with a butter knife for an elegant look, or dollop it on rustic-style and spread it roughly for a more casual presentation. Be generous with the cheese – it’s the star ingredient.
- Add the honey drizzle: Using a spoon or a honey dipper, drizzle a small amount of honey over each goat cheese-topped crostini. You want enough honey to provide sweetness in each bite but not so much that it overwhelms or makes the crostini soggy. About ½ teaspoon per crostini is perfect. The honey should create thin, attractive drizzle lines across the surface.
- Garnish and season: Sprinkle the fresh thyme leaves (or your chosen herb) over the crostini. Add a few grinds of fresh black pepper over all of them for a subtle kick. If using flaky sea salt, add just a tiny pinch to each crostini to enhance all the flavors.
- Serve immediately: Arrange the crostini on a serving platter or wooden board. These are best served within 30 minutes of assembly while the bread is still crispy. If you need to wait longer, keep the components separate and assemble just before serving.
Notes
- Room temperature cheese is crucial – Cold goat cheese is difficult to spread and will tear your beautiful toasted bread. Plan ahead and let it sit out for 30-45 minutes.
- Toast bread just before serving – For the crispiest results, toast the bread within a few hours of serving. Toasted bread can become chewy if left too long.
- Customize the toppings – This recipe is incredibly versatile. Add sliced figs, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, or prosciutto for endless variations.
- Control the honey – Start with less honey than you think you need – you can always add more, but too much makes things messy and overly sweet.
- Make it gluten-free – Simply use gluten-free baguette or crackers instead of regular bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 05 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 crostini (about 90g)
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 285mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg