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Home » Appetizers » Crostini with Balsamic Strawberries and Ricotta

Crostini with Balsamic Strawberries and Ricotta

Published: May 5, 2019 · Modified: Mar 1, 2021 by Genevieve Morrison · This post may contain affiliate links

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These crostini with balsamic strawberries and ricotta are sweet, tart, creamy and perhaps the prettiest appetizers you can serve at your next fancy picnic, Mother’s Day brunch or bridal shower. They also take less than 20 minutes to prepare!

10 balsamic strawberry crostini, garnished with small flowers, on a marble plate.

I served these beautiful treats with prosciutto and chive cream cheese crostini at my last brunch party and at first, I could tell my guests were a little unsure about them.

At first glance, people may not expect an appetizer that combines a fruit with a cheese, bread and balsamic vinegar to be particularly tasty. But when one guest gave it a try, his eyes lit up, and he said “That’s incredible!” they all disappeared in an instant.

Assorted strawberry and prosciutto rose crostini on a marble plate.

How to Make These Crostini – Step by Step

1. Slice the baguette into 12 ½ inch slices. Toast them at 350 F. for 5 minutes or until nicely toasted.

2. While your tiny toasts are toasting, chop strawberries into teeny, tiny pieces until you have ½ cup.

3. If your strawberries are very ripe, you might want to place them on a paper towel while you prepare the balsamic reduction sauce to allow the juice to release. Otherwise, the strawberry juices will water down the sauce when combined.

4. In a small saucepan, add 4 tbsp. balsamic vinegar and 2 tsp. of brown sugar. Reduce the vinegar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, until the consistency is somewhat thick and saucy.

A collage of 4 numbered images showing how to make crostini with balsamic strawberries and ricotta.

5. While the sauce reduces, prepare 1 tsp. of lemon zest.

6. Combine strawberries and lemon zest, pour the balsamic reduction sauce into your measuring cup or bowl, and gently stir.

7. Add a little ricotta to each toast.

8. Then carefully add the delicious balsamic strawberries to the crostini.

A collage of 4 numbered images showing how to assemble crostini with balsamic strawberries and ricotta.

A Few Tips

1. Only use fresh strawberries

Frozen strawberries will release too much liquid once thawed and will be a bit too mushy to give these crostini a nice, fresh texture.

2. Assemble these crostini just before serving

Assemble the crostini about 20 minutes, at most, before serving. If you want to prep your strawberries and sauce a few hours beforehand, simply keep the chopped strawberries and sauce separate until you’re ready to assemble the crostini.

Sliced strawberries on a butting board with other whole strawberries and flowers.

Common Questions

1. Does balsamic vinegar really go with strawberries?

It sure does! A strawberry’s most forward flavors are sweet, a little citrusy, and flowery. Balsamic vinegar is also sweet, but has a tangy flavor that “fills in the blanks,” so to speak, of strawberry, the way that salt complements pepper, or sweet complements sour. The flavors round each other out nicely.

2. Can I make any substitutions?

I’d say the strawberries, baguette, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar are all a must, but if you want this crostini to be more dessert-like, you can substitute mascarpone for the ricotta.

3. What will I require for this recipe?

• cutting board
• bread knife
• small bowl
• baking sheet with rack
• lemon zester or grater
• measuring cup
• small saucepan

3 strawberry crostini on marble.

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A balsamic strawberry crostini, garnished with a few small flowers, surrounded by others on a marble plate.

Crostini with Balsamic Strawberries and Ricotta

These crostini with balsamic strawberries and ricotta are sweet, tart, creamy and perhaps the prettiest appetizers you can serve at your next fancy picnic, Mother’s Day brunch or bridal shower.
4.86 from 27 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: International
Diet: Low Salt
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 crostini
Calories: 48kcal
Author: Genevieve Morrison

Equipment

  • cutting board
  • bread knife
  • small bowl
  • baking sheet with rack
  • lemon zester or grater
  • measuring cup
  • small saucepan

Ingredients

  • ½ cup strawberries – chopped
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest
  • 2 tsp. brown sugar
  • 5 tbsp. ricotta
  • ½ baguette
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Slice the baguette into 12 ½ inch slices. Toast them at 350 F. for 5 minutes or until nicely toasted. 
  • While your tiny toasts are toasting, chop strawberries into teeny, tiny pieces until you have ½ cup. If your strawberries are very ripe, you might want to place them on a paper towel while you prepare the balsamic reduction sauce to allow the juice to release. Otherwise, the strawberry juices will water down the sauce when combined.
  • In a small sauce pan, add 4 tbsp. balsamic vinegar and 2 tsp. of brown sugar. Reduce the vinegar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, until the consistency is somewhat thick and saucy.
  • While the sauce reduces, prepare 1 tsp. of lemon zest.
  • Combine strawberries and lemon zest, pour the balsamic reduction sauce into your measuring cup or bowl, and gently stir.
  • Add a little ricotta to each toast, then carefully add the delicious balsamic strawberries to the crostini.

Notes

1. Only use fresh strawberries
Frozen strawberries will release too much liquid once thawed and will be a bit too mushy to give these crostini a nice, fresh texture.
2. Assemble these crostini just before serving
Assemble the crostini about 20 minutes (at most) before serving. If you want to prep your strawberries and sauce a few hours beforehand, however, simply keep the chopped strawberries and sauce separate until you’re ready to assemble the crostini.

Nutrition

Serving: 1crostini | Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 33mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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Comments

  1. Rebecca

    June 23, 2024 at 5:47 pm

    Would this work to do the ricotta, sliced strawberries and drizzle a store bought balsamic glaze on top? I imagine it would be pretty! But the strawberries would not be mixed in with the glaze. Just curious as I have the glaze already in my cupboard, and it sounds like it would be pretty quick!

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      June 25, 2024 at 1:42 pm

      I think that would work perfectly well, although it would be a little less flavorful. But give it a try, it certainly won’t be unappetizing.

      Reply
  2. Monica

    May 20, 2024 at 2:21 am

    Oh these were really disappointing! I thought they’d be great. The ricotta needed to be seasoned, it was so plain. And the toast was not toasty anymore after putting the cheese and toppings on. (I served immediately.) I didn’t enjoy them, and it didn’t look like my guests did, either…

    Reply
  3. Amanda

    August 23, 2023 at 10:57 pm

    I just want to say these were a delight and so quick and easy to make. I just made them for my boyfriend and I to snack on and we were both surprised at how tasty these were! Lovely!

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      August 24, 2023 at 3:18 pm

      OH how nice! Thank you for telling me! So happy you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  4. Donna Nagy

    February 23, 2023 at 9:51 pm

    Can these be served not hot but coldish? Could I make the crostini the night before and put them in zip-lock gallon bags, making about 100 of them? I would think it would take on a sweeter taste if I add a small amount of honey to the ricotta cheese and then add the strawberry balsamic mixture on top. Can I refrigerate the balsamic reduction till the next day? Need to pre-prep due to time restrictions that morning.

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      March 03, 2023 at 7:07 pm

      Sorry for the late reply. I actually serve them only cold. I make everything the day before serving, myself. If you just keep the reduction separate, as you mention, everything can be done the next day.

      Reply
  5. Anonymous

    February 03, 2023 at 12:06 am

    would cream cheese work instead of ricotta?

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      February 03, 2023 at 1:09 am

      As long as it’s whipped cream cheese, I think it would work almost as nicely.

      Reply
    • Doreen

      June 16, 2023 at 3:06 pm

      What are the flowers that you decorated with ?

      Reply
      • Genevieve Morrison

        June 16, 2023 at 6:41 pm

        I believe they were white phlox. 🙂

        Reply
  6. linda

    September 08, 2022 at 6:15 pm

    Hi Genevieve!
    What a lovely appetizer! 🙂 easy recipes are definitely my favorite ones! And I just subscribed to ensure I won’t miss any of your new recipes. Oh, I just got your recipe book! 🙂 I just can’t wait to read it! It is absolutely gorgeous!!
    I will certainly talk about that lovely balsamic strawberry crostini recipe in one of my next posts! Of course, I will let you know! 🙂
    Talk to you soon
    Linda

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      September 08, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      Aww, thank you Linda! Enjoy all of my recipes!!

      Reply
  7. Angela

    June 11, 2022 at 4:28 am

    Use prepared got balsamic glaze? And if so, how much?

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      June 14, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      If you already have a balsamic glaze, use 1 ounce. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Lyncca

    April 24, 2022 at 3:44 pm

    This was delish. I added the little prosciutto roses and home grown basil to create my “flowers”.

    Reply
  9. Loriel Samaras

    July 01, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    What kind of flowers are those? I would absolutely love it if your recipes would include all the beautiful flowers you use to garnish.

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      July 01, 2021 at 5:29 pm

      I believe those were white pholox. I always assume that folks may not have access to the exact flowers I have, but I’ll be sure to mention what they are, going forward. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Loriel

        September 09, 2021 at 12:11 am

        Yay, thank you so much!!!

        Reply
      • Olga

        February 01, 2022 at 3:05 pm

        Thank you for mentioning the white pholox flowers. Do you get them at a florist ? Where would I be able to find them. They give the dish that final touch. So pretty

        Reply
        • Genevieve Morrison

          February 01, 2022 at 4:24 pm

          There’s a farmer’s market on weekends right across from where I live in Brooklyn, and I often get my flowers there. I don’t think white pholox is currently in season, but I’ve seen a few English daisies (small, pretty ones), this time of year that look just as pretty.

          Reply
          • Sharon

            February 08, 2022 at 6:13 pm

            What others green can be added for a little more color?

          • Genevieve Morrison

            February 08, 2022 at 6:44 pm

            Mint would probably be the nicest green to go with strawberry, I’d say.

  10. Dorine M.

    May 27, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    The prettiest appetizers at my daughter’s graduation party. 5 stars!

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      May 27, 2019 at 11:34 pm

      Thank you! xoxox

      Reply
  11. Sara

    May 12, 2019 at 6:02 pm

    These are so cute! I made these for mother’s day and everyone loved them! Thank you! xoxo

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      May 27, 2019 at 11:35 pm

      Aww, thank you!

      Reply
4.86 from 27 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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