--- title: "Crostini: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "Crostini are small, thin slices of toasted bread brushed with oil and topped for a party snack. See how to bake them crisp and keep them crunchy." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/crostini" --- # Crostini Crostini are small, thin slices of toasted bread brushed with oil and topped for a party snack. See how to bake them crisp and keep them crunchy. Also called Crostino. Crostini are small, thin slices of bread, brushed with olive oil and baked or [toasted](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/toast) until crisp all the way through. The name is Italian for "little toasts". They are a base for toppings such as pâté, cheese, beans or vegetables, and are served as a snack or with drinks. ## How to do it 1. Use a slim loaf such as a baguette. Day-old bread slices more cleanly. 2. Cut slices about 1 cm (⅜ inch) thick, straight or on a slight angle. 3. Lay them on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. 4. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 8 to 12 minutes, turning once, until crisp and [golden brown](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/golden-brown). 5. Rub with a cut garlic clove while warm, if you like. 6. Let them cool fully on the tray before storing or topping. ## How to tell it is done The slices are golden on both sides and snap when you bend them. They should feel light and dry, not soft in the middle. ## How to store it Plain crostini keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. If they soften, crisp them in a hot oven for a few minutes. Add toppings only shortly before serving. ## Common mistakes * Slicing too thick. They stay chewy inside and are hard to bite. * Too much oil. They turn greasy instead of crisp. * Storing them while warm. Steam softens them. * Topping them hours ahead. Wet toppings make them soggy. ## In recipes Crostini are the small, crunchy cousin of [bruschetta](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/bruschetta). Bruschetta is a thick slice of rustic bread grilled so it stays a little soft inside. Crostini are thinner, smaller and crisp right through, so they hold up on a party platter or an [antipasto](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/antipasto) board. Topped crostini are a kind of [canapé](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/canape). Some recipes also use crostini as croutons on top of soup. ## Crostini recipes 2 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Spinach-Artichoke-Crostini-10.jpg)Spinach-Artichoke Crostiniwww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/spinach-artichoke-crostini/) * [![](https://pinchofyum.com/tachyon/Pickled-Strawberries-Square.png?fit=225%2C225)Pickled Strawberriespinchofyum.com · 10 min](https://pinchofyum.com/pickled-strawberries) ## Related terms * [BruschettaBruschetta is grilled bread rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil and often topped with tomato. See how to make it crisp, not soggy.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/bruschetta) * [CanapéA canapé is a small bite on a base of bread, cracker or pastry, served with drinks before dinner. Get ideas, timings and how much to make.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/canape) * [AntipastoAntipasto is the Italian opening course of cured meats, cheese, pickled vegetables and bread. See what goes on the platter and how to build one.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/antipasto) * [ToastTo toast is to brown food with dry heat until it turns golden and smells nutty. Bread, nuts, seeds, spices and coconut all gain flavor from toasting.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/toast) * [Golden brownGolden brown is the deep, even gold color food turns as it browns in the oven or pan. It signals flavor from browning and that baked goods are cooked.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/golden-brown) [More in dishes](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/dishes)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)