Description
These Bacon Ricotta Crostini are a delightful appetizer featuring crispy bacon and creamy ricotta on toasted baguette slices, drizzled with honey for a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. Ideal for entertaining or a flavorful snack, these easy-to-make crostini bring together simple ingredients with an elegant twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Oil
- 1 long baguette
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Ricotta Mixture
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese (room temperature)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
Bacon and Topping
- 1/2 pound thick-cut bacon
- Honey, for drizzling
- Freshly cracked black pepper, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Slice Bread: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Use a serrated knife to slice the baguette into about 30 even pieces, suitable for crostini.
- Oil and Season Bread: Lightly coat each side of the bread slices with olive oil using a pastry brush or an olive oil mister. Sprinkle salt and pepper on one or both sides to enhance flavor.
- Toast the Bread: Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip each slice and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes until slightly toasted but not necessarily browned. Allow them to cool for a few minutes afterwards.
- Cook the Bacon: Finely chop the raw bacon. Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon pieces until they become crispy. Drain the cooked bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
- Prepare Ricotta: In a medium bowl, stir the ricotta cheese until smooth. Optionally, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to taste and mix well.
- Assemble Crostini: Once the toasts are cool enough to handle, spoon a dollop of the ricotta mixture onto the center of each slice. Top each with a sprinkle of the crispy bacon pieces.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and additional salt if desired. Drizzle each crostini lightly with honey for a subtle sweetness. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
- Room temperature ricotta spreads more easily and tastes better.
- If you prefer less salty crostini, adjust or omit the added salt in the ricotta and bread seasoning.
- Crispy bacon adds a nice texture contrast but can be substituted with turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- Use a serrated knife to prevent squashing the baguette slices when cutting.
- These crostini are best served fresh but can be assembled shortly before serving and kept refrigerated for up to a few hours.