This simple Whipped Ricotta Crostini could be your next go-to dish for an easy yet impressive appetizer. It is easy to prepare, budget friendly, and always a crowd-pleaser! You can whip up this delicious snack with just a few ingredients in no time.
Want to make this party appetizer (almost) stress-free? Toast your bread, make your whipped ricotta, and prep your toppings up to the day before. Assembly takes just a few minutes, and you have a beautiful and tasty appetizer ready to impress your guests!
Why This Recipe Works
- Only 5 ingredients. This crostini uses basic, easy-to-find ingredients, and only 5 of them.
- Several appetizers in one. With the vast variety of ways to top crostini, you can easily serve a flavor for every taste and preference. Grab some ideas from the list below!
- Easy to prep. The morning of or the night before, toast the bread, make the whipped ricotta, and prep your toppings. You can assemble the crostini in just minutes for a truly easy and stress-free party food.
Ingredients Needed
Here is a list of the ingredients you will need for this whipped ricotta crostini. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.
- Baguette. A loaf of French bread can also work well.
- Whole milk ricotta cheese. I highly recommend using whole milk ricotta cheese, which whips up light and airy and keeps its shape on top of the baguette. Using low fat ricotta will be runnier in texture (not really what we want with this appetizer).
- Extra virgin olive oil. Use a good quality EVOO, as the flavor comes through in the ricotta.
- Sea salt.
- Fresh garlic cloves.
- Optional Toppings. We have several suggestions for toppings in the recipe card. You can’t go wrong with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a drizzle of sweet honey. We also love topping the little bites with smoked salmon, but check out more suggestions below.
How to Make Crostini with Whipped Ricotta
Here is a brief overview to get an idea of what to expect with the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.
In just three simple steps, you’ll have a mouthwatering appetizer that looks as good as it tastes!
Cut a baguette into ¼ to ½ inch slices. If you can’t find a baguette, you can use a loaf of French bread, but baguettes are perfectly sized for crostini.
Brush the baguette slices with olive oil, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast them under the broiler, then rub each of the little toasts with garlic.
Place the ricotta in a small bowl and whip it with an electric mixer at medium-high speed.
Drizzle the olive oil in and add the salt. Continue beating until well combined.
Spread or pipe the whipped ricotta on each slice. Serve the crostini with whipped ricotta, or top the ricotta with the suggested toppings.
We scooped the whipped ricotta into a piping bag and piped it on the crostini. If you don’t have a pastry bag, put it in a Ziploc bag and cut a small tip off one of the corners. You can also just spread the ricotta mixture with a knife.
Tips for Success
- Avoid cutting the baguette too thick. You want crostini to be proper finger food that’s easy to eat. Trying to bite through a thick slice of toasted bread piled with toppings can be tricky.
- You can toast the baguette up to a day ahead of time, saving time and dirty dishes the day of serving.
- Use an electric mixer OR a food processor to whip the ricotta cheese. An electric mixer will add more air to the ricotta making it lighter and fluffier. A food processor will make the whipped ricotta dense and smooth.
- Use a piping or sandwich bag with the tip of the corner snipped off to pipe the cheese onto the baguette.
Topping Ideas for Whipped Ricotta Crostini
You can assemble the crostini in advance or set a variety of toppings out along with thin slices of crunchy crostini toasts and let the guests assemble their own fun flavors. Here are some suggestions to try.
- For a play on Caprese, top with diced tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar glaze.
- Add a spoonful of olive tapenade.
- Add slices of smoked salmon with cucumber slices and capers for a savory crostini.
- As a classic Greek spin, sprinkle with chopped pistachios, slivers of mint, and a drizzle of honey.
- To enjoy a sweet crostini, spoon any flavor of jam over the top of the whipped ricotta. Strawberry rhubarb and fig jam are two of our favorites!
- Fresh lemon zest, roasted grapes, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves.
- It is also delicious with coarse sea salt and fresh black pepper.
How to Prep This Appetizer Ahead of Time
You can make almost every part of this appetizer the night before or the morning so that assembling and serving takes only minutes.
- Toast the bread and store it wrapped in a paper bag on the counter.
- Whip the ricotta cheese and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prepare your toppings – any slicing, dicing, or crushing. Store the toppings in separate containers until you are ready to assemble the crostini.
Storage
While the bread and topping can be stored separately, as noted above, once prepared, you should eat the crostini within a couple of hours as it doesn’t keep well.
The bread will begin to get soggy, and the whipped ricotta will start to lose shape after a couple of hours at room temperature.
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More Recipes You Will Love:
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Whipped Ricotta Crostini
Ingredients
- one long baguette
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For the Whipped Ricotta
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Optional Topping Ideas
- Diced tomatoes + fresh basil + balsamic glaze
- Olive tapenade
- Smoked salmon + cucumber slices + capers
- Chopped pistachios + mint + honey
- Jam any flavor
- Toasted pine nuts + roasted mushrooms + fresh thyme
- Pesto
Instructions
Toast the Bread
- Tip: you can toast the bread a day in advance.
- Preheat the broiler.
- Cut the baguette into ¼ to ½ inch slices and place on a baking sheet.
- Brush the slices with olive oil then place under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Flip the slices over and toast the other side.
- Slice a clove of garlic in half and use the cut side of the garlic to rub on each slice of crostini toast. Sprinkle the toast with sea salt.
Make the Whipped Ricotta
- Place the ricotta in a mixing bowl and whip with an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Drizzle the olive oil in and add the salt. Continue beating until well combined. Alternatively, you can whip the ricotta in a food processor.
Assemble the Crostini
- Spread or pipe the whipped ricotta on each slice.
- Serve the crostini with only whipped ricotta, or top the ricotta with the suggested toppings.
basket
Wednesday 19th of February 2020
Thanks i wanna do this
Pat Nyswonger
Wednesday 19th of February 2020
You're welcome! Enjoy! ?