Quick and Easy Parmesan Crostini Recipe (Nordstrom Copycat) (2024)

When it comes to classic crowd-pleasers, nothing beats parmesan crostini. There’s just something about the crispiness of crostini and the savory richness of parmesan that hits the spot every time. Inspired by Nordstrom Café, who serves these toasted baguette slices with their delicious tomato soup, it’s quick and easy to make—perfect for when you’re short on time but don’t want to skimp on flavor.

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Customizing crostini with different toppings couldn’t be easier. Don’t feel like Parmesan cheese? Simply omit it. Want to dress them up with more toppings? Feel free to do so. For this recipe, I opted for dried parsley—it adds just enough flavor without being too overpowering. Using olive oil instead of butter makes the job easier as there is no need to wait for the butter to soften.

Serve the crostini as an appetizer or use it to add some crunch to your lunch or dinner. In fact, I love these with our Creamy Uno’s Shrimp Dip or our Easy 20-minute Tomato Soup!

What is Parmesan Crostini?

The word crostini means “little toasts” in Italian, and that’s a perfect description of what they are. Cut from a baguette, the small pieces of bread are brushed with olive oil, sometimes salted, and then lightly toasted until crispy. Different toppings can be added, from something as simple as a bit of garlic to much more indulgent toppings like salmon, pâté, and even caviar!

Crostini vs Bruschetta

Whereas crostini means “little toasts” in Italian, bruschetta comes from the Italian word “bruscare” which means to “roast over coals”. The difference between the two? Bruschetta is made by toasting larger slices of dense, chewier bread like sourdough, while crostini are sliced and toasted from a smaller, soft-crumbed bread like a baguette.

Additionally, the word crostini can also be used to describe appetizers or canapés consisting of small slices of toast with a savory topping.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Baguette Roll – French baguette is preferable because the size is perfect for bite-sized crostini and it also toasts up nicely
• Olive oil – use extra virgin olive oil (you can also use flavored olive oil if you prefer)
• Garlic powder – use finely ground garlic powder (not garlic flakes)
• Parmesan cheese – freshly grated Parmesan cheese is best
• Herbs – use any dried herbs of your choice (I like using a bit of parsley!)

Equipment Used

• Serrated Bread knife (to slice bread)
• Baking sheet (for broiling crostini)
• Pastry brush (use with olive oil)
• Small hand grater (to grate parmesan cheese)
• Oven with broiler element (see tips if you want to make it in an Airfryer)
• Black stone cheese board as pictured (optional, but great for presentation)

How To Make Parmesan Crostini

1. Cut the bread into ¼-inch to-½ inch thick slices and place on a baking sheet.
2. Using the pastry brush, brush the top of the baguette slices with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle with garlic powder, herbs if using, and parmesan cheese.
4. Broil for 4 minutes on high.
5. Garnish crostini with more parmesan cheese before serving.

How To Make It Ahead Of Time:

Parmesan crostini (without additional toppings) can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container to ensure freshness.

If you want to serve crostini with additional toppings, add them just before serving, otherwise, the crostini will lose their crispiness and become soggy.

Crostini Toppings

There’s a wide range of toppings you can add to Crostini…it all depends on your taste and budget. Here are a few ideas for delicious crostini toppings!

• Spreads: fruit preserves, cream cheese, hummus, or olive tapenade.
• Fruits and vegetables: roasted pepper, pickles, pitted olives, fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions, fresh figs, or slices of pear.
• Cheese: cheddar cheese, baked goat cheese, pimento cheese, or whipped feta.

You can also finish off the crostini with a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or balsamic glaze.

What to Serve with Parmesan Crostini Appetizers

Parmesan crostini makes a delicious accompaniment to dips and soups. Here are a few dishes you can serve them with:

• Delicious Easy Mushroom Soup
• Shrimp Dip (Unos Copycat)
• Creamy Mushroom Gravy
• Easy Tomato Soup Recipe (my personal favorite!)