Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Fig and brie crostini are the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and savory, making them an elegant yet simple appetizer for any occasion.
- This simple and quick recipe is great to enjoy in late summer and early fall, when figs are most abundant.
- In this post, you will also learn how to use alternative ingredients to make vegan and gluten-free options, and also which drinks are best to pair with these crostini!
There are appetizers… and then there are appetizers that make your guests suddenly forgive you for running out of wine. Fig and brie crostini fall into the second category.
I have to admit, I was always jealous of those people who had a fig tree in their yard or garden. Figs, along with melons, are my favorite summer fruit, so I always wanted to experiment with them, but haven’t really had the chance. And those Turkish figs in the store? I’m not really into them; they’re not nearly as good as the Croatian ones.
So, when my mom’s two fig trees finally brought so much fruit this year, that meant that I had to make a recipe with it. Something simple that can be enjoyed quickly. This is it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Baguette – I opted for classic here to get thin slices that get perfectly crisp and hold toppings well. Ciabatta can be a great alternative for a chewier bite.
- Figs – you need the best ones you can find. As a substitute, use some good fig jam (not dried figs, please)
- Cheese – I’m using Brie here, but you can also use goat cheese, blue cheese, whipped ricotta, or mascarpone.
- Olive oil – adds richness and helps toast the bread evenly. You can even use herb-infused olive oil as a replacement.
- Balsamic glaze – sweet-tart drizzle that ties everything together. You can even make it at home by reducing the balsamic vinegar (just don’t forget to keep the windows open during that)
- Salt and pepper – for balancing sweetness. Smoked salt would be great, too!
- Fresh herbs – thyme, rosemary, basil, or mint would be my choices here.
How to Make Fig Crostini (Step-by-Step)
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the end of this post. It has the exact amounts of ingredients and detailed recipe instructions!
1. Slice the Baguette
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and slice the baguette with the serrated knife.
2. Make the Crostini
Brush baguette slices with olive oil, arrange them on a baking sheet, and toast them in the oven for 8-9 minutes.
3. Add the Toppings
Place a slice of brie on each crostini and top with fresh fig slices. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground pepper. Decorate with fresh herbs of your choice (I had purple basil on hand) and enjoy!
Vegan & Gluten-Free Options
For a vegan alternative to brie cheese, you can make something like whipped almond ricotta or vegan brie cheese.
Many artisan bakeries now offer gluten-free loaves, and the procedure for making gluten-free crostini is the same. Just toast thin slices until crisp. It will work great with vegan brie!
Another gluten-free replacement for crostini would be toasted polenta rounds.
What to Serve With Fig and Brie Crostini
The crostini itself (without the toppings) can be made a day in advance, but the toppings should be added just before serving. Otherwise, crostini won’t be that crunchy.
Goat cheese, all types of blue cheeses, or even cashew cheese would be great options instead of brie.
Not really. Fresh figs are the best to use in this recipe. As an alternative to fresh figs, I would recommend a fig jam.
The leftover fig and brie crostini are best stored for an hour or two at room temperature. The sooner you eat them, the better!
Think about white and balanced white wines, or light-bodied red wines. Some sparkling wines can also be a great choice!
Wine and Drink Pairings for Fig and Brie Crostini
When it comes to serving these fig and brie crostini, you also need to think about what drinks can be served alongside, am I right? So, here are a few wine, cocktail, and non-alcoholic drink pairings that complement the sweetness of figs and the creamy brie:
- Chardonnay – creamy texture that mirrors brie, but crisp acidity to balance the figs.
- Sauvignon Blanc – bright, citrusy notes that cut through the richness of these crostini.
- Prosecco – a classic sparkling wine with light bubbles for a bit of a festive pairing.
- Pinot Noir – an earthy and fruity wine that won’t overpower this type of crostini.
- Fig and thyme gin spritz – for some lovely herbal brightness.
- Sparkling water with lemon – when I’m not in the mood for alcoholic drinks, this will be my choice. Simple, but clean the palate between bites.
More Snack and Appetizer Recipes
- SWISS CHARD AND RICOTTA PUFF PASTRY TURNOVERS
- CROATIAN FRITULE – SWEET FRIED DOUGH BALLS
- CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESE BOARD
If you try these fig and brie crostini, let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. For more inspiration, follow me on Instagram!
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Fig and Brie Crostini
Ingredients
- 8 slices baguette
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 100 g brie cheese
- 5 figs
- 3-4 tbsp balsamic glaze
- salt (to taste)
- ground black pepper (to taste)
- basil leaves (fresh)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and slice the baguette with the serrated knife.
- Brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Toast them in the upper rack in the oven for 5 minutes, flip, and toast 3-4 minutes more, until golden.
- Place a slice of brie on each crostini and top with fresh fig slices. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground pepper. Decorate with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or thyme. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided is an estimate based on ingredients data and should be used for informational purposes only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on factors such as portion size, preparation methods and ingredients used.
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