Strawberry Crostini are a simple, refreshing summer appetizer made with creamy ricotta, sweet macerated strawberries, and bright fresh mint on toasted baguette slices. Light and elegant, they’re perfect for brunch, a casual gathering, or as a bite-sized starter for warm-weather entertaining.
Strawberry Ricotta Crostini
These Strawberry and Mint Crostini combine toasted baguette, a creamy ricotta spread (or substitute). The strawberries are lightly sweetened and macerated with a touch of sugar and lemon zest, then tossed with chopped mint and piled onto the ricotta-topped toasts. A light drizzle of honey finishes each crostini, making a balanced, fresh bite that’s easy to scale for entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Summer Appetizer
This crowd-pleasing crostini was a favorite suggestion from the community. It’s quick to prepare, highlights peak-season strawberries, and makes an attractive, shareable appetizer.
- In Season: Uses summer strawberries at their peak flavor.
- Great for a Crowd: Easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Easy to Serve: Bite-sized and elegant for parties or brunch.
- Dietary Flexibility: Vegetarian by default; gluten-free if you choose GF bread; vegan and dairy-free options possible with plant-based spreads.
If you enjoy crostini, try other variations such as white bean or spinach-artichoke crostini for more appetizer ideas.
Ingredients and Variations
Below are the main ingredients and a few notes on how to customize this recipe. See the recipe card later in the post for exact measurements.
- Strawberries: Use ripe, in-season berries whenever possible for the best sweetness and texture.
- Sugar and Lemon Zest: Macerating the berries with a little granulated sugar and lemon zest draws out juices and intensifies flavor.
- Baguette: Choose a good-quality baguette and slice thinly for crisp crostini.
- Ricotta Cheese: Low-fat or full-fat ricotta both work; cottage cheese or mascarpone are suitable alternatives.
- Honey: Adds a subtle sweetness to the ricotta and ties the flavors together.
- Chopped Mint: Fresh mint complements strawberries and adds a bright, herbaceous note.
How to Make Strawberry Crostini
This recipe is straightforward and delivers a delightful contrast of crunchy toast and juicy berries. Below is a clear overview of the process; detailed, printable directions appear in the recipe card further down.
- Macerate the berries: Combine diced strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon zest, then let sit at room temperature while you prepare the rest. This softens the berries and brings out their juices.
- Toast the bread: Arrange thin baguette slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly coat with olive oil spray or brush with oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Sweeten the ricotta: Stir honey into ricotta until smooth and slightly sweetened.
- Assemble: Fold chopped mint into the strawberry mixture, spread the ricotta on each toast, top with the strawberries, and serve immediately for the best texture.
Variations
- Change the base: Use sourdough, whole-grain baguette, or toasted crackers for a different texture.
- Gluten-free: Substitute a gluten-free baguette or use endive leaves for a low-carb option.
- Swap the cheese: Goat cheese, whipped feta, mascarpone, or cottage cheese are delicious alternatives to ricotta.
- Sweetener swap: Replace honey with agave syrup or maple syrup if desired.
- Herb swap: Fresh basil works well in place of mint for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Dairy-free: Use a plant-based ricotta or vegan cream cheese to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Add crunch: Sprinkle chopped pistachios or almonds on top for texture and color contrast.
- Balsamic finish: A light drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a tangy-sweet note that pairs nicely with strawberries.
Strawberry Crostini
Prep: 20 mins • Cook: 10 mins • Total: 30 mins
Yield: 8 servings (about 16 crostini) • Serving size: 2 crostini
Calories: 101 • Protein: 4.5 g • Carbs: 17.5 g • Fat: 2 g • Fiber: 2 g
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries, diced
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ baguette, cut into ¼-inch slices
- Olive oil spray or a light brush of olive oil
- ½ cup low-fat ricotta cheese (or your preferred substitute)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon zest. Stir, cover, and set aside at room temperature to macerate while you prepare the crostini. You can refrigerate this mixture for up to 3 hours if prepping ahead.
- Arrange baguette slices on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray or brush both sides with olive oil. Bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden and crisp. Remove and cool for 5–10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix ricotta and honey until smooth. Stir the chopped mint into the strawberry mixture just before assembling.
- Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture on each toast, top with the macerated strawberries, and serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- The strawberry mixture yields about 1 cup; the ricotta mixture yields about ½ cup.
- For best results, assemble crostini right before serving so the bread remains crisp.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 crostini • Calories: 101 kcal • Carbohydrates: 17.5 g • Protein: 4.5 g • Fat: 2 g • Fiber: 2 g • Sugar: 4 g
Storage
Crostini are best served immediately after assembling to prevent sogginess. If you need to store components separately, follow these tips:
- Store toasted baguette slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day.
- Keep the macerated strawberries refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Store ricotta (or alternative spread) refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Assemble crostini only when ready to serve to preserve crispness.
Can you make crostini a day in advance?
You can slice and toast the crostini a day ahead and keep them sealed in an airtight container. Prepare the strawberry mixture no more than a few hours before serving, since the berries will continue to break down and release juice the longer they sit.
FAQ
Bruschetta traditionally uses thicker slices of bread, often rubbed with garlic and grilled or charred, while crostini are thinly sliced and toasted baguette pieces. Crostini literally means “little toasts,” and they are typically smaller and lighter than bruschetta.
Crostini can become soggy if toppings are added too far in advance. A layer of ricotta helps protect the toast from strawberry juices, but the best approach is to assemble just before serving to maintain a crisp texture.
More Summer Recipes with Strawberries You’ll Love
If you’re inspired by strawberries this season, try making other fresh strawberry recipes like a crisp, a cucumber and strawberry salad, strawberries with whipped yogurt cream, a spinach salad with goat cheese and berries, or a roasted strawberry banana bread.
If you make this Strawberry Mint Crostini recipe, share photos of your finished crostini on social media and tag the person or account that inspired you. We love seeing how you customize recipes—use the community to discover variations and serving suggestions.