Crostini al Salmone

Need an elegant yet EASY appetizer recipe? Make this crostini al salmone recipe! Salmon crostini is beautiful, rich and flavorful, and a delicious blend of crunchy, briny, salty, fresh flavors.

No matter what, I believe crostini will never go out of style. It's the easy appetizer that keeps getting reinvented and is always a crowd pleaser.

We've been making crostini with different toppings for years. It's especially fun in the summertime with fresh fruits and summer vegetables. Like this summer berry crostini with ricotta and this caprese crostini.

This crostini al salmone is a wonderful appetizer to enjoy all year long.

🌟 Why this recipe works

This easy crostini recipe is a fave. It's:

• Easy to make - The steps are simple. You can follow along with the step-by-step recipes below.
• Perfect for seafood lovers - Salmon is a favorite among most seafood lovers, and this crostini al salmone really highlights the delicious salmon flavors.
• An elegant appetizer - Salmon appetizers are often seen as being sophisticated and elegant. This crostini recipe looks impressive but is so easy to make!
• Simple - Even though it may look "fancy," this is a truly simple salmon recipe using ingredients you can find in almost any local grocery store.

🛒 Ingredient notes

• Baguette - You'll need one baguette, which you can get from your grocery store's bakery section. Slice it on the bias to create 12 even slices.
• Salmon - You can find thinly sliced smoked salmon in your grocery store's refrigerated seafood section.
• Cream cheese mixture - To create the cream cheese spread, you'll need whipped cream cheese, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
• Red onion - Thinly slice red onions to top the crostini.
• Capers - You can find little bottles of capers in your grocery store's canned and bottles pantry aisle, usually next to the pickles. Sometimes stores will keep them in the deli section near the olives.
• Lemon wedges and dill sprigs - If you want, you can serve this salmon crostini with lemon wedges and sprigs of fresh dill for garnish.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

This is a super easy recipe, as you'll see in these step-by-step photos. For the full list of ingredients with measurements, and more detailed instructions, check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

Bake the baguette slices

1. Using a pastry brush or basting brush, lightly brush both sides of each baguette slice with olive oil. Place onto the prepared lined baking sheet.
2. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip the bread slices halfway through the cooking time.

Make the cheese spread

3. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper with a fork or whisk until well combined.

Assemble the crostini

4. Spread cream cheese spread mixture evenly over each crostini.

5. Top with sliced smoked salmon.
6. Sprinkle a few thin slices of red onion on each crostini.
7. Top each crostini with a few capers.

Sprinkle chopped dill to garnish. Serve with lemon slices.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

🍽 Serving ideas

This crostini al salmone appetizer would be wonderful served at every kind of gathering, from large swanky soirees to casual home get-togethers and dinner parties.

For an elegant dinner party, consider serving it alongside shrimp and cucumber canapes or mushroom vol-au-vents. Then serve a beautiful herb crusted rack of lamb or cast iron scallops over cilantro lime brown rice.

Or enjoy this crostini on any busy weeknight with an Asian carrot cucumber salad and shrimp and corn bisque.

🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

Salmon is a "meaty" fish, so it can pair well with both a crisp dry white wine and a light-bodied red wine.

If you're in the mood for a white wine, serve this with a lightly oaked Chardonnay.

If you want to pair it with a red wine, serve it with an Oregon Pinot Noir or a Gamay.

Or, opt for something in between and serve this salmon crostini with a refreshing Rosé wine.

More appetizer recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!