Garlic Crostini
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.
Crispy and flavorful, these easy garlic crostini are quick to make and taste amazing. They’re perfect with various toppings, cheese, dip, salad, soup, and more.
Published in July 2023/Updated in Sept 2025
The garlic crostini recipe I’m sharing again today is a no-brainer, seriously. It’s a classic Italian appetizer that is economical and sure to please everybody.
Join my newsletter for free weekly recipes!
Their crunchy texture and garlic flavor pair beautifully with scrumptious toppings, making them a must for any Italian antipasti platter or charcuterie. However, they’re also highly versatile and delicious with savory dishes, including soups and salads.
These crispy, small babies are essentially little toasts made with thin slices of crusty bread brushed with olive oil, baked until golden, and rubbed with garlic to add delicious garlic goodness – that’s how we make garlic crostini for bruschetta in Italy! And they are AMAZING!
You need only 4 simple ingredients and minimal prep time to make this terrific, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Everything tastes so much better when you have garlic crostini on the side!
List of the ingredients
- Ciabatta or baguette
- Fresh garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
How to make garlic crostini
(Note: this is a quick description; the full recipe is at the bottom of the page)
- Bread: Using a serrated knife, slice your crusty bread diagonally into 1/3-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices in one layer on a large baking sheet.
- Brush or spray each slice of bread with extra-virgin olive oil. Brush one side only = same flavor with less oil!
- Sprinkle with salt and bake until golden brown and crispy.
- Gently rub the ciabatta or baguette slices (again, one side is enough) with a fresh garlic clove. That’s a popular Italian trick that works like magic!
Recipe notes
Ingredients
Bread: The best bread for crostini is Italian bread, such as ciabatta, and the French baguette. However, any artisanal long loaf of bread or sourdough bread works fine. You can also use bread that is a bit stale (such as a one- or two-day-old baguette, if it’s not moldy).
Garlic: Use only fresh garlic cloves.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil is a must. It adds flavor and makes the bread slices crunchier, golden, and delicious. Alternatively, you can use butter if you wish.
Salt: A pinch of salt is added for extra flavor.
Herbs, chili flakes & sea salt flakes are optional, but they add extra flavor and make these grilled crostini look pretty, too!
Storage tips
You can store garlic crostini in an airtight container in the fridge or cupboard for up to 3 days. When it’s time to serve, pop them into a preheated oven (300°F/150°C) just until warm and crispy again.
How to serve garlic crostini
Serve your crostini at room temperature. They will be great for an easy appetizer, dips, soups, and salads. Below are a few ideas.
- Turn them into canapes: Garlic crostini make the perfect base for different toppings. We love to top them with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, but they are also great with parmesan cheese or creamy cheese like goat cheese, topped with honey and walnuts.
- Add them to platters: They are delicious with Italian prosciutto or your favorite ham, a perfect addition to a charcuterie board or cheese board. Delicious with Parmesan cheese or marinated mozzarella.
- Dips: They are excellent with dips such as sun-dried tomato spread, a simple white bean dip, or a spinach artichoke dip. The sky is the limit!
- They elevate soups and salads: Who doesn’t love dipping crusty, garlic bread into cozy soups? Try them with a bowl of comfort like this creamy soup or this chickpea soup!
Love more appetizer recipes?
I’ve got you covered with these excellent appetizers and finger food:
- Party food ideas
- Vegan appetizers
- Vegetarian appetizers
- Dairy-free appetizers
- Summer appetizer
- Dip sauces
Lastly, check out this terrific roundup of 40+ Italian appetizers. It’s perfect for creating an Italian-style get-together with colorful Caprese skewers, chickpea bruschetta, Italian focaccia, breadsticks, Italian rice balls, and more!
If you make this easy crostini recipe or have a question, please let me know by leaving a comment. I would love to hear from you! x
Garlic Crostini
Ingredients
- 12 baguette or ciabatta, slices (about ½ or ¼ inch thick)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 fresh large garlic clove
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Using a serrated knife, slice a long loaf of bread (ciabatta or baguette) into ½ or ¼ inch thick slices, ideally on the diagonal.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- Arrange the slices of bread in a single layer on a baking sheet, brush or spray them with extra virgin olive oil (one side only), sprinke with salt, and bake for about 8-10 minutes. You'll want your crostini slightly golden and crispy. No need to turn them over as they toast on both sides.
- Remove crostini from the oven, let them cool slighty, then rub each slices with a fresh garlic clove (just one side). A quick rub is enough to add the garlic flavor, don't overdo it as the garlic flavor can be quite pungent.
- You can sprinkle them with fresh herbs, sea salt flakes, chili flakes. Serve them with everything you like.
