Last Updated on November 28, 2021 by Kimberly Stroh
The key to having a delicious party spread is to keep the recipes simple. You don’t need complicated recipes for tasty bites for everyone to enjoy. Whenever I need appetizers, I like to do most of the work ahead of time so I can focus on being a hostess. This Make-ahead Bacon and Cheese Crostini appetizer recipe is my favorite. I’ll even double it because they disappear so quickly – they’re just addictive and *too* easy to eat.
So many people don’t understand the difference between a bruschetta and crostini. Traditional bruschetta is made with Italian bread and has a roasted tomato spread over the top. There are different variations, but the bread is the biggest difference. Crostini is made with a whiter bread that has a finer texture.
Crostini uses a white baguette and this recipe, in particular, calls for a French baguette. You can make your slices round or cut them at an angle, if you’re feeling extra fancy. I just shop the day before my event at my local grocery store to buy their French baguette. If you’re shopping at a local market, you might want to read up on French bread buying tips.
Looking for even more great appetizer ideas to serve with this one? Here are other favorite recipes:
How To Make This Bacon and Cheese Crostini Appetizer Recipe
I’m going to show you how you can make this recipe prior to your gathering, but you can also throw this together at the last minute without stress. It just depends on the timing you prefer. Personally, I like knowing that most of my work in the kitchen is done. All you have to do is melt the cheese right before serving.
How To Make This Crostini Ahead Of Time
The day before your event, you’ll want to mix together the topping. This means combining the cheese, almonds, bacon, mayonnaise and green onion in a mixing bowl. Once it’s combined, just place some plastic wrap over the bowl and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. The day of the event, you just spread the mixture on top of the baked crostini and let it melt a few minutes before serving.
What To Serve With Bacon and Cheese Crostini
I love to open a great bottle of wine anytime I am serving appetizers. There is definitely a salty touch with the cheese and bacon topping. Salty foods (olives, cured meats, feta, oysters, parmesan, and miso) are most successful with dry sparkling wines and high-acid whites and reds.
Serve this Bacon and Cheese Crostini along other easy appetizers for a memorable party spread that people can mingle around. I love a great Charcuterie Board recipe too.
Recipe Substitutions You Can Make
If you don’t have access to French bread, you can always use another type of bread. Anything with a crusty outside would work well. Turkey bacon is another substitution if you don’t like to use pork product. You can omit the almonds for a nut-free version. Lastly, any white cheese could be substituted. I love to grade my own cheese for a thicker texture vs. buying shredded cheese in a bag.
How To Store Leftover Crostini
This is a hard recipe to keep overnight because of the melted cheese. It doesn’t microwave well either. Make as much as you need to for your party and you can always store the topping overnight to use again the next day. You cannot freeze the topping or finished crostini.
What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store:
- French Baguette
- Monterey Jack Cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Slivered Almonds
- Bacon
- Green Onion
- Salt
Step-By-Step Directions To Make Bacon and Cheese Crostini Appetizer
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheese, mayonnaise, almonds, bacon, green onion and salt. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight, if you’re making this recipe ahead of time. Or preheat oven to 400º and move onto the next step, if making the day of your event.
Slice French Baguette into 36 slices about 1/4 inch thick. Place bread slices on an uncreased baking sheet and bake at 400º until lightly browned for 8-9 minutes.
Spread the topping mixture, using a teaspoon, over each bread slice. Bake until cheese is melted for 7-8 minutes.
Sprinkle with additional almonds, if desired and serve immediately.
Bacon and Cheese Crostini Appetizer Recipe
Elegant and easy, everyone loves this bacon and cheese crostini appetizer which can be made ahead of time.
Ingredients
- 1 French Bread Baguette (cut into 36 slices)
- 2 Cups Shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese
- 2/3 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 Cup Toasted Slivered Almonds
- 6 Bacon Strips, Cooked and Crumbled
- 1 Green Onion, Chopped
- Dash Of Salt
- Optional: Addition Slivered Almonds
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheese, mayonnaise, almonds, bacon, green onion and salt. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight, if you're making this recipe ahead of time. Or preheat oven to 400º and move onto the next step, if making the day of your event.
- Slice French Baguette into 36 slices about 1/4 inch thick. Place bread slices on an uncreased baking sheet and bake at 400º until lightly browned for 8-9 minutes.
- Spread the topping mixture, using a teaspoon, over each bread slice. Bake until cheese is melted for 7-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle with additional almonds, if desired and serve immediately.