Caprese Crostini Pizzas

crostini pizzas arranged on baked pan lined with parchment paper and topped with chopped fresh herbs.

These 10-minute crostini pizzas are the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer! Each mini toast is brushed with olive oil, layered with marinara and melted cheeses, and topped with fresh herbs and balsamic.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword crostini pizza, how to make crostinis, what are crostinis

Freezer Friendly No

Prep Time 3

Cook Time 10

Total Time 13

Servings crostinis

Calories 172kcal

Author Bethany Kramer

Ingredients

8 ciabatta bread slices (1/2-inch in thickness)
8 mozzarella cheese slices (or 1 cup pre-shredded)
1-2 Tablespoons oil
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes *optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375F.
Toast bread slices: arrange sliced bread on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush both sides of bread with olive oil then sprinkle bread slices with garlic powder. Bake for 3 minutes on each side. Tip: if you do not have a basting brush, you can dip your fingers into the oil and rub the oil evenly onto the bread using your hands.
Add toppings: remove bread slices from oven and layer with marinara, mozzarella slices, and parmesan cheese.
Final bake: Then add crostinis back into the oven with toppings and bake for additional 4 minutes, then broil on HIGH for 1-2 minutes. When cheeses have melted, remove pan from the oven. Top with chopped fresh basil, a small drizzle of balsamic, red pepper flakes, and serve!

Notes

Types of bread to use for crostini's: you can use many different types of bread to make this recipe. My personal recommendations are a french baguette, ciabatta, or any type of crusty bread that isn't too wide when sliced. You want to keep the size of bread smaller since they are "mini" toasts.

Herbs & spices for toppings: utilize your spice cabinet and use dried herbs & spices to top your pizzas and add more flavor! We love using an extra pinch of garlic powder, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and cracked black pepper.

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