Grilled Avocado Caprese Crostini are the ultimate EASY appetizers or snacks to kick off a party, take to a picnic OR enjoy at home!
Golden crisp little toasts infused with olive oil and garlic are piled high with Caprese flavours and ingredients, then drizzled with balsamic glaze for an extra flavour explosion in your mouth! These Avocado Caprese Crostini have been SO popular since I first posted them back on February 7th, 2015!
Basically I wanted to upscale my toast, and I think I did a pretty good job of it. Cherry tomatoes, basil and melted mozzarella cheese, PLUS the addition of avocado slices make these a wonderful addition to any dinner table!
WAIT…what is the difference between Crostini & Bruschetta?
Incredibly popular and easy-to-make Italian appetizers, both include sweet or savoury toppings on top of toasted or grilled bread slices. The difference in the two is subtle. It’s in the bread:
- type of bread
- size of slices
- toasting method
Bruschetta comes from the Italian word bruscare — ‘to roast over coals‘ — referring to large and thick slices of bread grilled (traditionally over a fire) to create nice charred edges. The bread is then rubbed with a clove of raw garlic, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with thick flakes of salt. Pretty much the best garlic bread on the planet.
Crostini — ‘little toasts’ — are usually smaller and thinner (usually sliced from a baguette), toasted in the oven and topped with vegetables, cheese and/or savoury spreads. Think finger-foods or bite-sized snacks.
Where one piece of bruschetta can pretty much keep you satisfied; 2-3 crostini would do the same job. Additionally, both can also be enjoyed with a glass (or two) of wine.
If you’re wanting to change these to an Avocado Caprese Bruschetta, use a large sourdough loaf and cut your slices into thick 1 1/2-inch slices…or thicker!
How Do You Make The Perfect Crostini?
- Start with fresh ingredients. For these Avocado Caprese Crostini, I used vine ripened cherry tomatoes, fresh baby bocconcini, basil leaves plucked from the garden and Hass avocados.
- Drizzle both sides of your bread with olive oil and bake for 15 – 20 minutes until just golden, flipping toasts midway through to crisp all over. Don’t leave them in any longer because you will be returning them back into the oven to broil your cheese until it’s melted and the last thing you want to do is end up with burnt toast.
- Now, I rub the warm toasts with a cut side of garlic BECAUSE I love garlic. This step is optional.
Top your crostini appetizers with the rest of your ingredients and BROIL (or GRILL for Aussies) until the cheese just begins to melt. I personally didn’t keep them in there for too long because I didn’t want super hot avocado slices. Just enough to melt the cheese!
Drizzle with store bought balsamic glaze and BUON APPETITO!
An Avocado Caprese Crostini recipe to add to your Christmas or New Years menu!
Grilled Avocado Caprese Crostini
Ingredients
- 8 pieces sliced French or Italian baguette, sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 avocado, sliced thinly
- 9 ounces (250 grams) vine ripened cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3.5 ounces (100 grams) fresh bocconcini in water (or baby mozzarella balls)
- 1/2 cup basil leaves, divided
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F | 190°C.
- Arrange bread on a baking sheet, drizzle both sides with olive oil and bake for 15 - 20 minutes until golden, flipping toasts midway through to crisp all over. Rub the crostini with the cut side of the garlic while still warm and season with a little salt and pepper.
- Divide 1/4 cup of the basil leaves on each slice of bread (about 2-3 basil leaves per bread), then top each with the avocado slices, tomato halves and mozzarella (bocconcini). Season with salt and/or pepper to taste.
- Broil (or grill) for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese has started to melt through.
- Finely chop remaining basil leaves and sprinkle over the crostini. Drizzle with balsamic glaze to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
LOVE CAPRESE? HERE’S MORE!
Easy Caprese Stuffed Garlic Butter Portobellos
Juicy Caprese Stuffed Balsamic Chicken
Quick Caprese Frittata
Grazhel says
I cannot wait to do a rendition of this! I love that you explained the difference between bruschetta and crostini! May I ask where you bought the baby mozzarella?
Lori says
How do I make the Balsamic Glaze please.
Karina says
You are welcome to make your own homemade balsamic glaze or purchase a bottle from the store for this recipe. Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy it! XO
krishi says
Interesting and lovely recipe. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up
Shaz says
Has it really been that long since I’ve been making your recipes? I remember when you first published this because I made it that day and every other week since! Holy cow that’s 3 years ago? Well the best 3 years I’ve spent following you and cooking for my little family. You make meal times so much easier. I love your recipes!
Jasmine says
They look sensational Karina. Love the colors also. Great for Christmas 😉
Bronwyn says
K I made these for Thanksgiving and they were gone in minutes! I doubled the recipe to feed my crowd and ended up having to give everyone a print out. I never thought of turning these into bruschetta though! Thanks for the tip!
Juliana Chow says
Hi Karina! Thanks so much, here is the final post: http://www.julianachow.com/lifestyle/impress-the-guy-5-recipes-to-make-for-a-first-date-that-wont-ruin-your-diet/ 🙂 🙂
Karina says
Thank you Juliana! Wow I love it!
Juliana says
Amazing post, Karina!! I LOVE this recipe. Is it possible that I could use your photo and link your recipe for my upcoming blog post? It’s a list of simple recipes that you can make for a first date 🙂
Thanks, have a great day!
http://julianachow.com
Karina says
Of course Juliana that sounds amazing! I love that idea! I can’t wait to see your post when it goes live!
Chelsea Pearl says
Looks so yum I had to share this on Reddit. Love your blog!
Karina says
Wow thank you so much Chelsea! I’m honoured! Thank you 😀 Xxxx
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Sounds good to me.
I love a buffet, no one is quite sure how much food you have eaten 😉
Karina says
Geeez thats true!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Hope your daughter is okay x
P.s I am so coming for breakfast at your house!!!!!!!!! YUMMO!!!!
PINNED!
Karina says
She’s ok now thank you! I think she was taking advantage of the ‘gourmet food’ (her words), she was eating at home for this blog, instead of her usual ham and cheese sandwich at school. She’s just a klutz…like me. Thank you for pinning! Come over any.time! Could have a bloggers buffet day ha!