Try this roasted grape crostini recipe for your next gathering, to add a touch of elegance to your party table!
A festive canapé that can be served sweet or savory, either way. It’s a flavor-packed starter that fits for any occasion.
The rich cashew cream, delicately roasted grapes, and toasted crusty bread all form a dish that’s inviting and heart-warming. The combination of simplicity and sophistication will charm everyone.
They’re tasty, pretty, and easy to prepare and assemble, which means you have more time to mingle with your guests.
So if you’re throwing a party or gathering, this crispy and creamy canapé is the ideal candidate. Look no further!
Roasted Grape Crostini – Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These crostini are highly customizable. You can add whatever you want or what’s convenient for you.
- You have a flavorful and charming appetizer or snack that has an array of textures and flavors that are guaranteed to get a high rating.
- You can serve these toasts with roasted grapes for any occasion, from light dinners to stylish soirées.
- This recipe is a breeze to assemble with minimal effort, so you’ll have more time for your guests.
Ingredients To Prep
Cashew Cream:
- ¾ cup/100g raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 2 tbsp/30ml lemon juice
- 1 clove/5g garlic
- ½ tsp/3g salt
- 1 tbsp/7g nutritional yeast, optional
Roasted Grapes:
- 4 cups/650g seedless red grapes, washed and dried
- 2 tbsp/30ml balsamic vinegar
- 4 tbsp/60ml olive oil, divided
- 5-6 sprigs of fresh thyme, washed and dried
- 1 tsp/2g ground black pepper
- 1 baguette (about 300g), sliced thinly into 20 to 25 pieces
- Fresh thyme leaves and flaky sea salt to serve
How To Make Toasted Crostini Recipe
- To make cashew cream*: Soak cashews in cool water in a covered container for at least 12 hours in the fridge. Drain the liquid and place the cashews in a blender with lemon juice and 2 tablespoons or 30ml water. Blend on medium speed until it turns into a smooth paste. Add water and scrape down the sides as needed. Season with salt (and nutritional yeast if available) and blend for the last time. Transfer the mixture to a covered container and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- To make the crostini bread**: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F/200 C. Line a baking tray with parchment or foil and set aside. Slice the baguette thinly into ½”/12mm rounds. Place rounds flat on the baking sheet in a single layer and brush or drizzle with 2 tablespoons or 30ml of olive oil. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes until they turn golden on the edges. Remove the crostini from the oven and set aside to cool.
- To roast the grapes: Continue to preheat the oven and increase the temperature to 425 degrees F/220 C. Line a large baking pan (9” x 13”/22.5cm x 32.5cm or similar) with baking parchment or foil for easy cleanup. Wash the grapes, remove the stems, and dry thoroughly. Place them in the prepared baking pan. Stir 2 tablespoons each of olive oil and balsamic vinegar together. Drizzle them over the grapes and toss to coat evenly. Place the thyme sprigs with the grapes and sprinkle ground pepper evenly over everything. Roast for 15 to 25 minutes or until the grapes burst and the liquid begins to reduce. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
- To assemble: Spread a layer of cashew cream on each crostini and top with 2 to 3 pieces of roasted grapes and a drizzle of the grape liquid. Garnish with some fresh thyme leaves and flaky sea salt.
Notes
What Are Crostinis?
Crostini is an Italian word that means “little toast”. It refers to small, thin slices of crispy, typically made from baguette or other rustic bread varieties. The singular form of crostini is crostino.
They are often served as an appetizer or as a base for various toppings, or spreads, and they can be a versatile and delicious addition to a variety of dishes.
They are prepared by slicing a baguette or similar bread into thin rounds, brushing them with olive oil, and toasting them in the oven until they become crisp and golden.
Some popular crostini toppings include tomato bruschetta, fig jam, melon, or a variety of tapenades.
Tips, Variations, And Substitutions
🍇 Rosemary – You can replace thyme with this piney-citrusy herb.
🍇 Walnut – You can replace the cashews with this nut to make the creamy spread for your crostini. Walnuts have the same earthy, nutty taste that the cashews provide.
🍇 Maple syrup – If you want your crostinis sweeter, you can drizzle this amber syrup over your little crispy bread slices to make it more well-rounded.
🍇 Vegan Cheese – If you have your preferred vegan cheese on hand you may grate or crumble them on your crostini to enhance and complement the other ingredients.
You May Also Like This Appetizer
For a fresh, simple, and quick appetizer that also makes grapes shine, give this Tossed Grape Salad a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may make the cashew cream ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This will last for 2 days. For crispy crostini, you will have to bake them fresh.
You may use other nuts like almonds or walnuts for the cream.
For a sweeter almost dessert-like crostini, you can drizzle maple syrup, caramel, or honey on them before serving.
Roasted Grape Crostini with Cashew Cream
Ingredients
Cashew Cream
- ¾ cup raw cashews soaked overnight
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast optional
Roasted Grapes
- 4 cup seedless red grape washed and dried
- 2 tbsp balsami