Easy Smoked Salmon Crostini Recipe: A Fancy Appetizer

These delectable smoked salmon crostini redefine simple ingredients into an elegant appetizer that promises to elevate any gathering.

The perfect blend of crispy and creamy textures creates a mouthwatering experience for sophisticated palates.

Crunchy bread serves as a delightful foundation, offering a robust canvas for rich, smoky flavors.

Delicate layers of carefully selected ingredients harmonize to produce a bite-sized sensation that feels both luxurious and approachable.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques bring an international flair to this culinary creation, making it versatile for various occasions.

Light yet satisfying, these crostini balance complex flavors with remarkable simplicity.

Each carefully crafted morsel delivers a remarkable combination of taste and visual appeal that will impress even discerning guests.

Why Smoked Salmon Crostini Is Always in Style

• Elevate Appetizer Game: Transform a simple baguette into an elegant, restaurant-worthy starter that impresses guests with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Burst of Fresh Flavors: Combine zesty lemon, herbaceous dill, and rich cream cheese to create a vibrant spread that perfectly complements the smoky salmon's delicate texture.
• Quick Gourmet Delight: Prepare these sophisticated crostini in just 15 minutes, making them ideal for spontaneous gatherings, cocktail parties, or unexpected company.
• Flexible Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable for different dietary preferences and perfect for serving as an appetizer, light lunch, or sophisticated party snack that suits multiple occasions.

What You’ll Need for Smoked Salmon Crostini

• Baguette: Classic French bread perfect for creating crispy base, choose fresh and crusty variety.

Olive Oil: Light spray helps create golden and crisp crostini texture.

• Smoked Salmon: Rich, delicate fish with smoky flavor, choose high-quality wild-caught or cold-smoked salmon for best taste.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth and tangy base for spread, select full-fat version for richer texture.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that adds freshness and balances cream cheese.
• Fresh Dill: Herb with delicate, slightly tangy flavor that complements fish.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides subtle depth to cream cheese mixture.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity to the spread.

• Capers: Small briny pickled buds that provide sharp, salty accent.
• Fresh Dill Sprigs: Additional herbal garnish for visual appeal and extra flavor.

Building Your Own Smoked Salmon Crostini

Step 1: Craft Crispy Bread Bases

Warm your oven to 350°F. Slice the baguette into thin, even rounds. Spread the slices on a baking sheet and lightly mist with olive oil. Bake for 9 minutes until golden and crunchy. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Whip Up Zesty Cream Cheese Spread

• Softened cream cheese
• Fresh lemon juice
• Chopped fresh dill
• Minced garlic
• Pinch of salt
• Dash of black pepper

Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Layer With Luxurious Salmon

Gently place delicate strips of smoked salmon onto each toasted bread slice. Dollop the creamy herb-infused spread generously on top of the salmon.

Step 4: Add Elegant Finishing Touches

Sprinkle a few briny capers across the crostini. Crown each bite with a small sprig of fresh dill. Arrange on a beautiful serving platter.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Present these elegant appetizers immediately. Watch as guests delight in the rich, tangy, and delicate flavors of your homemade smoked salmon crostini.

Tips for Perfect Smoked Salmon Crostini

• Master Toasting: Use day-old baguette for crispier, sturdier crostini that won't get soggy under cream cheese and salmon.
• Soften Smartly: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure smooth, easy mixing without lumps.
• Season Generously: Taste the cream cheese mixture before spreading and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice to balance flavors perfectly.
• Salmon Selection: Choose high-quality, thinly sliced smoked salmon for the most delicate and rich texture on your appetizer.
• Prep Ahead: Assemble crostini just before serving to maintain crisp bread and prevent moisture from making the base soggy.

How to Store and Reuse Crostini with Salmon

• Refrigerate: Store leftover crostini in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Separate Components: Keep salmon, cream cheese mixture, and crostini separately to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
• Reheat Gently: Warm crostini in a toaster oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crunchiness. Add fresh salmon and cream cheese just before serving to preserve flavor and texture.

Pairing Smoked Salmon Crostini with Sides

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair the smoked salmon crostini with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, whose bright acidity and light minerality complement the rich salmon and tangy cream cheese.
• Match with Sparkling Accompaniment: Serve alongside a glass of champagne or prosecco, whose effervescence cuts through the creamy texture and enhances the delicate fish flavor.
• Create Herbal Cocktail Companion: Craft a dill-infused gin martini that echoes the herb's presence in the recipe, bringing a sophisticated botanical touch to the appetizer.
• Balance with Fresh Salad Side: Prepare a light cucumber and arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the rich salmon and creamy crostini.

Easy Variations for Smoked Salmon Crostini

• Herbal Garden Salmon Crostini: Replace dill with a mix of fresh basil, chives, and parsley for a vibrant herb-infused flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion Crostini: Add crumbled feta cheese, thinly sliced cucumber, and a drizzle of olive oil to bring Mediterranean coastal notes to the classic recipe.
• Spicy Smoky Salmon Bites: Incorporate a pinch of smoked paprika and red pepper flakes into the cream cheese mixture for a zesty, warming kick that complements the salmon's richness.
• Citrus Zest Salmon Crostini: Enhance the cream cheese spread with orange zest and a splash of orange juice to introduce a bright, fresh citrus undertone that elevates the seafood's delicate taste.

Smoked Salmon Crostini Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 30 1x

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Description

Elegant smoked salmon crostini delivers Mediterranean charm with crisp baguette slices topped with creamy herbed cheese and delicate salmon layers. Rich flavors and delightful textures invite you to savor this simple yet sophisticated appetizer perfect for elegant gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1–2 baguettes (enough to yield about 30–35 slices), cut into ¼-½ inch slices
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cold smoked salmon
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 small lemon, juiced
• 1 fresh garlic clove, crushed
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Garnish:

• Capers
• Fresh dill sprigs
• Olive oil spray

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Instructions

1. Transform the baguette into crisp, golden platforms by slicing diagonally and arranging on a baking sheet, then mist generously with olive oil before toasting in a preheated 350°F oven until edges turn light golden and surfaces become crunchy, approximately 9 minutes.
2. Craft a zesty spread by whisking softened cream cheese with bright, citrusy lemon juice, incorporating finely minced fresh dill, crushed garlic, and seasoning with delicate salt and cracked pepper until the mixture achieves a smooth, spreadable consistency.
3. Delicately layer thin, silky sheets of smoked salmon atop the crisp crostini base, ensuring even coverage and an elegant presentation.
4. Enhance the crostini with a luxurious dollop of the herbed cream cheese mixture, spreading gently to create an enticing visual layer.
5. Elevate the flavor profile by scattering briny capers across the surface and garnishing with delicate, feathery sprigs of fresh dill, adding a final touch of visual and gustatory elegance.
6. Arrange the completed crostini on a serving platter, allowing the vibrant colors and textures to shine, ready to be enjoyed immediately as a sophisticated appetizer or light bite.

Notes

• Opt for a fresh baguette with a crisp crust for the best texture and crunch when making crostini.
• Softening cream cheese at room temperature ensures a smooth, spreadable mixture without lumps.
• Toast baguette slices until golden brown to create a sturdy base that won’t get soggy from the cream cheese and salmon.
• Choose high-quality smoked salmon for a rich, delicate flavor that elevates the entire appetizer.
• Capers add a tangy, briny pop that perfectly complements the creamy cheese and smoky salmon.
• Prepare components ahead of time and assemble just before serving to maintain the crostini’s crisp texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 30
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg