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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.

Help Yourself to Even More Summery Recipe Inspiration!

  • Lavender Lemon Bars
  • Layered Raspberry & Peach Crisp
  • Creamy, No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Mousse with Strawberries
  • White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse with Raspberry Compote

And for even more inspiration, follow me on INSTAGRAM @shekeepsalovelyhome, on PINTEREST and FACEBOOK! And if you ever make any of my tasty drinks or treats, take a picture and tag me. I want to see!

A book cover with a title that says “Elegant Appetizers,” beside a title that says “Don’t forget your free ebook! Subscribe.”
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.
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: International
Diet: Low Salt
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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.

  6. 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
  7. 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

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