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    Home » Recipes » Party Appetizers

    Roasted Red Pepper Crostini (with Ricotta Cheese)

    Published: Feb 19, 2018 · Modified: Feb 26, 2021 by Aleka Shunk · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

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    This Roasted Red Pepper Crostini an easy yet delicious appetizer that can be served hours ahead of time! Topped with creamy ricotta cheese and smoky peppers, you will love this flavor combination!

    Also check out these 33 Crostini Appetizer Ideas!

    crispy crostini with garlic, roasted red peppers and ricotta cheese on table

    Crostini is one of my absolute favorite appetizers to make. It is super easy, quick and the perfect bite-sized party food!

    If you've never had ricotta cheese with your crostini, you are missing out! It is a creamy and rich ingredient that goes so well with just about anything. And if you're crostini is super crispy, it is a win-win.

    These cute little crostini were a last minute appetizer choice that resulted from having a big jar of roasted red peppers sitting in my pantry and a half open container of ricotta cheese in the fridge.

    Contents hide
    1 How to make crostini
    2 Steps:
    3 Common Mistakes:
    4 Can you make this ahead of time?
    5 How long does it keep?
    5.1 Other appetizers you might like:
    6 Roasted Red Pepper Crostini with Ricotta Cheese
    6.1 Ingredients
    6.2 Instructions
    6.3 Recipe Notes
    6.4 Nutrition

    How to make crostini

    Crostini is super simple!

    All you need is...

    • a quality long Italian baguette (fresh or day-old)
    • a sharp serrated knife is a must! You don't know what your missing until you have one... (See the knife below from Amazon, it has awesome ratings)
    • Some good extra virgin olive oil
    step by step images to show you how to make crostini with ricotta cheese and roasted red peppers

    Steps:

    Step 1: Cut your baguette into ½" slices.

    Step 2: Brush olive oil onto both sides each slice. This will help to brown your crostini while giving it flavor.

    Step 3: Bake at 375º for 8-9 minutes or until your crostini is lightly browned and crisp.

    Step 4: While your crostini is still warm, rub a clove of garlic over the top of each. (A little goes a long way!)

    image of crostini with ricotta cheese

    Step 5: Wait for your crostini to cool off completely then spread a nice dollop of whole milk ricotta cheese onto each slice.

    Step 6: Add chopped roasted red peppers on top and basil.

    Step 7: Serve within an hour!

    Common Mistakes:

    |These mistakes can make or break your crostini so make sure to NOT:

    1. Cut your bread too thick
    2. Under-toast your bread
    3. Over-toast your bread
    4. Not use olive oil.
    5. Top your crostini when they are warm.
    6. Prepare you crostini too far in advance.
    7. Not let your crostini cool on a wire rack.

    A good crostini is crisp but will not fall apart into 1,000 pieces when you bite into it. Just make sure you don't turn it into a crouton.

    Topping your crostini while it's still warm will cause it to be soggy. Also, not letting it cool on a rack will make the bottom of your bread soft which is not what we want.

    brushing crostini with extra virgin olive oil

    Can you make this ahead of time?

    Probably the most commonly asked question.

    And the answer is yes!!!

    This is why crostini is my go-to appetizer!

    With that said, I recommend not preparing them more than a few hours ahead of time. They could get soggy depending what you put on them and you have to keep in mind the toppings possibly going bad. With that said, I've never had an issue leaving them out for the entire party but I would err on the side of caution if using shellfish or meat.

    If you are taking the crostini to-go and topping them elsewhere, you do NOT want to place them in your storage container while they are hot/warm!!!!! They will turn soft and rubbery and ruin the entire crostini.

    Instead, wait until they are completely at room temperature first. Then pack away.

    They will not be the same as right out of the oven but it is your next best option.

    roasted red pepper crostini with whole milk ricotta cheese

    The crostini I made here I left out for 2-3 hours and they were STILL crisp and delicious!!!

    I would also NOT recommend refrigerating your crostini. They will lose their crispness for sure. If you worry that your toppings will go bad, refrigerate them separately THEN top the baked crostini as guests arrive.

    OR better yet, make a crostini bar and let your guests top the crostini themselves! 

    How long does it keep?

    When I hear this question, I am assuming we are all wondering how long we can keep baked crostini if we have leftovers.

    Bread that has been toasted in the oven THEN sealed in a bag overnight will always turned out tough or rubbery the next day or even hours later.

    After a few hours, toss them! Reheating crostini never turns out the same especially the next day.

    Freezing them is the next best option but still will not give you that perfectly crisp crostini.

    crostini appetizer on a plate topped with ricotta cheese, basil and roasted red peppers

    Other appetizers you might like:

    Filet Oscar Crostini Appetizer

    Leftover Turkey Breast Crostini with Brie and Cranberry Sauce

    Creamy Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms (with Kale)

    EASY Make Ahead Room Temperature Appetizers


     
    crostini appetizer on a plate with ricotta cheese and peppers

    Roasted Red Pepper Crostini with Ricotta Cheese

    These Italian Easy Ricotta Roasted Red Pepper Crostini are an easy yet delicious cold appetizer!  They are made with only 5 ingredients and can be made ahead of time so you can spend more time enjoying the party and less time in the kitchen!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 7 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Calories: 168kcal
    Author: Aleka Shunk

    Ingredients

    • 1 long Italian baguette
    • 16 oz. Fresh Ricotta Cheese
    • 1 12 oz. Jar Roasted Red Peppers
    • 1 Large Garlic Clove
    • ½ Cup Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 2 Tbsp. Chopped Fresh Basil Leaves
    • ¼ Tsp. Salt
    • Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • Cut your baguette into ½" slices using a GOOD serrated knife. You don't want squished slices!
    • Lay your slices onto a baking sheet and brush both sides with olive oil. I like to pour the olive oil into a small bowl for this. (Brushing is easier and more effective than drizzling in my opinion.)
    • Bake at 375°F for 8-9 minutes flipping halfway through. You want your crostini to be lightly browned, not too dark!
    • In the meantime, chop up your roasted red peppers and peal your garlic clove. And add the salt to your ricotta cheese and set aside.
    • When the crostini are done, lightly rub the garlic clove onto one side. Do this while still warm! Just a few rubs across each piece are enough.
    • Add a dollop of ricotta onto each slice followed by a spoonful of the red peppers.
    • Finish with a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with basil.

    Recipe Notes

    *Yield: About 24 crostini
    *You can roast whole red peppers in the oven if you prefer.
    *Party Tips*
    • Crostini are best served within an hour of topping.
    • This recipe is all about the ingredients so don't buy the cheapest ingredients! Get the best bread, ricotta and olive oil you can find.
    • Do not refrigerate or pre-bake your crostini the night before. If your planning on preparing this recipe somewhere else, bake your crostini and allow to cool completely before placing in an air tight bag. OR cut the slices ahead of time and pop in the oven when you get there! Then top with the cheese and peppers right before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15.6g | Saturated Fat: 4.9g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 163mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1.5g
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me On Facebook!Mention @AlekasGetTogether or tag #AlekasGetTogether!
    cold finger foods on a table with text overlay "cold finger foods you can make in advance"
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    Comments

    1. Sandra Shaffer

      April 06, 2018 at 9:08 pm

      Ok, I think I could eat about a dozen of these by myself! Love the fresh flavors and that they're so easy to prepare. Perfect to share with my book club crew!

      Reply
    2. Jacqueline Debono

      April 06, 2018 at 9:08 pm

      I love the combination of ricotta and red peppers! I live in Italy so use crostini quite a lot although until now not with this combo. Def going to do it next time, tho I might roast the peppers myself!

      Reply
    3. Brian Jones

      April 06, 2018 at 9:08 pm

      As a Brit I was bought up with 'stuff' on toast and whilst the Italians do it with more 'panache' it is always wonderful. Love the sound of this... On a side note I reckon all of cooking is about the Goldilocks principle, never too much, never too little whether it is cooking or seasoning or flavour blending 😀

      Reply
      • Bite Sized Kitchen

        April 06, 2018 at 9:08 pm

        Lol yes you've got that right! Thank you!

    4. Jacqueline Debono

      April 06, 2018 at 9:08 pm

      Ooops forgot to rate! def 5 stars!

      Reply
    5. Bridget Hosler

      February 26, 2018 at 8:32 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious! Cannot wait to make again!!

      Reply
      • Bite Sized Kitchen

        February 28, 2018 at 1:30 pm

        Thanks Bridget!! 🙂

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