This easy mushroom crostini recipe makes a rich, hearty, delicious appetizer that’s perfect for any special occasion gathering or weeknight dinner.
Hosting a party soon? You’ll need some tried-and-true easy appetizer recipes, and boy do we have a lot!
One of our favorite appetizers to serve at special occasion soirees and casual gatherings or family dinners alike: crostini.
This mushroom crostini recipe is one of my personal favorites. I think you will love it, too!
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🌟 Why this recipe works
Crostini means “little toasts” in Italian. And these little bite-sized finger foods are always a crowd pleaser. They are:
- Rich in flavor – the mushrooms with the herbed goat cheese and the caramelized onions are a symphony of flavors that harmonize beautifully together in every bite.
- Easy to make – I’ve included step-by-step photos below to help you make this delightful appetizer.
- Fancy, but still simple – This crostini appetizer looks elegant and impressive. Nobody needs to know just how easy it is to make!
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Baguette – Slice one baguette loaf into 12 thin equal slices.
- Olive oil and butter – We use both extra virgin olive oil and a pat of butter to caramelize the onions because we want that balance of flavor from the savory olive oil and the sweetness and richness of the butter.
- Onion – Use thinly sliced yellow onion. It does the best job of caramelizing.
- Mushrooms – Baby Bella mushrooms (cremini mushrooms) have the best flavor in this crostini.
- Garlic – You can add more minced garlic clove or less than what the recipe calls for, depending on your love of garlic (we always opt for more in our house!).
- Goat cheese – This adds a nice tangy flavor that balances the richness of the mushrooms and sweetness of the caramelized onions.
- Herbs – Some chopped fresh thyme leaves enrich the earthiness of the mushrooms. And we like to add a little sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley along with more chopped fresh thyme to garnish.
- Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and ground black pepper help season the goat cheese spread, but you can also season to taste after the crostini are assembled.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
You’ll find ingredient with measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are some step-by-step photos to help you make this easy appetizer recipe.
Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
Bake the baguette slices
- 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.
- Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip the bread slices halfway through the cooking time.
Caramelize the onions
3. Add butter to a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add onions and stir, cooking
5. Cook until the onions are soft and caramelized. Set aside.
Make the cheese spread
6. In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese,thyme, salt, and pepper with a fork or whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Cook the mushrooms
7. In a separate cast iron skillet or nonstick skillet, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms.
8. Stir and sauté mushrooms for 2-3 minutes, until soft.
9. Add the garlic and stir, sautéing for just about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the garlic is soft and fragrant.
10. Add the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, stir to combine.
11. Stir all together and then turn off the heat.
Assemble the crostini
12. Spread goat cheese spread mixture evenly over each crostini.
13. Top with about ½ tablespoon to 1 tablespoon of caramelized onions
14. Top with mushrooms.
Sprinkle chopped thyme over crostini to garnish, if desired.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
The beauty of this dish is that it can be served either way. Serve it right after it’s made. Or, refrigerate the crostini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before you’re ready to serve.
You can substitute any other soft cheese spread, such as Boursin cheese spread.
Yes, you can! Although it tastes different without the layer of caramelized onions, you can definitely leave them out if you’re just not feeling like adding them. This mushroom crostini is still a winner!
🍽 Serving ideas
This mushroom crostini is delicious served at almost any kind of gathering. From casual backyard barbecues to weeknight family dinners to big holiday feasts.
Some main courses that make delectable follow-up dishes to this crostini include air fryer filet mignon, Italian sausage and broccoli pasta, and slow cooker Filipino adobo short ribs.
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
Pair mushroom crostini with a red wine. You’ll want to serve a red wine with medium to high acidity, low tannins, and some earthy aromas and flavors to match the intensity of the mushrooms. A high acidity red wine will help match the tanginess and creaminess of the goat cheese spread.
An Oregon Pinot Noir pairs deliciously with all things mushrooms. Oregon Pinot Noirs tend to have earthier notes compared to California Pinot Noirs or Australian Pinot Noirs.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need. Click on the affiliate links below to shop the same kitchen tools I use to make this recipe.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Basting brush or pastry brush
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!
Mushroom Crostini
Equipment
Ingredients
For the crostini
- 8 ounce baguette, sliced into 12 ½" slices
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
For the caramelized onions
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
For the mushrooms
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounce baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Cheese spread
- 6 ounces goat cheese
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For finishing
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bake the bread
- Brush olive oil evenly over the baguette slices. You may need more than 2 tablespoons but be sure not to totally soak the slices; you just want to brush an even layer on top of one side.
- Place the baguette slices onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, flipping bread slices over halfway through the cooking time.
Caramelize the onions
- In a large non-stick skillet or cast iron skillet, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil and the butter over medium-high heat.
- Sauté onions, stirring regularly, for about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle in brown sugar and stir together. Continue cooking, stirring every once in a while, until caramelized, about 9-11 more minutes.
Make the cheese spread
- In a medium bowl, combine the goat cheese,thyme, salt, and pepper with a fork or whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Cook the mushrooms
- In a separate cast iron skillet or nonstick skillet, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the mushrooms. Stir and sauté mushrooms for 2-3 minutes, until soft.
- Add the garlic and stir, sautéing for just about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the garlic is soft and fragrant.
- Add the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, stir to combine, then turn off the heat.
Assemble the crostini
- Spread goat cheese spread mixture evenly over each crostini.
- Top with about ½ tablespoon to 1 tablespoon of caramelized onions
- Top with mushrooms.
- Sprinkle chopped thyme to garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
