18 Gotta-Have Crostini Appetizers for Your Next Party

I made a healthier spin on my favorite celebrity chef’s recipe by subbing in vegetable broth for some of the oil and going easy on the cheese. To top crostini, use this recipe for a pastelike pesto. For use on pasta, add more broth for a saucelike consistency. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

For a change from the usual toasted tomato appetizer, try this baked crostini recipe. If you like, slice the baguette at an angle instead of making a straight cut. —Leondre Hermann, Stuart, Florida

At our house, we love the summer tastes of sweet grilled nectarines and fresh basil over goat cheese. I can usually find all the ingredients at the farmers market. —Brandy Hollingshead, Grass Valley, California

These little gems are easy, impressive and delicious. They are ridiculously easy and inexpensive to make. Seriously, you will look like a total rock star when you serve these! —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Brussels sprouts for a snack? Oh, yes. Combine these roasted goodies with cheese for the ultimate toast topper. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina

These little toasts are pretty and irresistible—they’re always a big hit. Even though they look like you fussed, the ingredients are probably in your pantry. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas

I've been making little tweaks to this family favorite for years. Prep everything ahead, then layer up the crostini right before party time. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas

A trip to Spain introduced me to its culinary treasures, like Manchego cheese and sherry. This appetizer always impresses folks who’ve never tasted roasted grapes. They're amazing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

Pimiento cheese has long been a favorite in our family, so these bite-sized appetizers are a treat! I add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to give them a little kick. Caramelized onions create another layer of flavor. You can make the cheese and onions three to five days in advance; they store well. If you need to save time, you can use premade jalapeno pimiento cheese. —Caitlyn Bunch, Trenton, Georgia

As a different take on crostini, these apps are great for tailgating and casual parties. —Randy Cartwright, Linden, Wisconsin

Pomegranate seeds intrigue me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese, and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Spend just a few minutes in the kitchen to serve up an elegant, restaurant-quality appetizer that’s a fun twist on BLT’s. You can’t go wrong. —Kendra Allanson, Front Royal, Virginia

I like to use an oven-proof skillet when searing the tenderloin. This way all the flavorful meat juices stay in the pan while the meat finishes, and it makes for easy clean-up! —Sharon Tipton, Winter Garden, Florida

For parties, I turn the beloved sweet potato side dish into an appetizer by serving it on slices of a French baguette. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin

Our winters can get cold here, so I like to warm up holiday guests with oven-fresh appetizers. Crunchy bread slices are topped with mushrooms, artichokes and a blend of cheeses. —Nancy Mueller, Bloomington, Minnesota

This recipe is perfect for gatherings, holidays, or as a special Sunday football snack. My kids love it and so do my friends and family. You can substitute butter for the olive oil, or any kind of steak for the flank steak. —Donna Evaro, Casper, Wyoming

Here's a spin on traditional bruschetta. Greek vinaigrette and ingredients make these crostinis one of a kind.—Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

My husband and I love to have just appetizers for dinner so the mini sandwich was the perfect thing to make since I could use one of the steaks in the freezer. My husband went nuts over it and said it was the best thing I have ever made for him.—Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia