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Mushroom crostini is the perfect bite-sized appetizer for everything from holidays to happy hours. Toasty bread is topped with creamy goat cheese, caramelized onions, and garlicky mushrooms — ready in 20 minutes. This versatile appetizer is quick, elegant, and perfect for entertaining.
For more easy recipes that are perfect with crostini, try my Mozzarella Bruschetta and Pesto Bruschetta.
Tips for the Best Mushroom Crostini
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread — it toasts evenly and stays crisp longer.
- Don’t crowd the mushrooms — sauté in batches for the best flavor and texture.
- Toast the bread just before assembling if serving immediately; if prepping ahead, store and re-crisp before serving.
- Room temperature goat cheese (or any spread) spreads easier without tearing the bread.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make Mushroom Crostini
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions.
Place onions in a saute pan with butter and olive oil over low-medium heat. This can take some time for the onions to soften; you don’t want them to brown or burn. They will soften and turn a beautiful caramel color, which could take up to 20 minutes – but it’s totally worth it!
Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms.
Add the garlic, salt, and mushrooms to the onions. Continue cooking until the mushrooms are golden brown and all the liquid has evaporated from the pan. Set aside.
- Don’t stir too often — letting mushrooms sit helps them caramelize.
- Pro Tip: Try using a mix of cremini and shiitake mushrooms for a deeper, “wild” flavor.
Step 3: Make the Crostini.
Brush baguette slices with remaining olive oil and bake for 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Quick Note: Don’t overbake — you want the crostini crisp but not too hard to bite.
Step 4: Assemble & Serve.
Top each piece of crostini with a spoonful of goat cheese and a spoonful of mushrooms. Serve and enjoy!
- Quick Note: Want dairy-free? Try hummus or a cashew-based spread instead of cheese.
Variations and Serving Ideas
- Goat Cheese Crostini: Classic combo — rich, tangy flavor complements mushrooms.
- Ricotta + Thyme: Softer flavor; drizzle with honey for sweet-savory contrast.
- Balsamic Mushroom Crostini: Add a touch of balsamic glaze or reduction for depth.
- Herbed Butter Version: Skip the goat cheese, finish with compound butter and parsley.
Serving Ideas
- Pair with full-bodied wines like chardonnay or pinot noir and dark and/or hoppy beers like stouts, porters, and IPAs
- Serve on a cheese board as a warm complement.
- Combine with soups or salads for a light meal.
Storage Tips
Storage and Make Ahead
- Toast ahead: Store crostini in an airtight container for 1–2 days; re-crisp in oven before serving.
- Cook mushrooms in advance: Refrigerate up to 2 days. To reheat, give it a quick sauté in a non-stick pan until heated through.
- Assemble just before serving to maintain crisp texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between crostini and bruschetta?
Crostini means “little toasts” and are typically topped with more delicate, elegant toppings. Bruschetta has grilled bread with more rustic toppings like chopped tomatoes, olive oil, basil, or even meats and cheeses.
Can I make mushroom crostini ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the mushrooms up to 2 days in advance, storing in the fridge. To reheat, give it a quick sauté in a non-stick pan until heated through. Toast the crostini up to 2 days in advance, storing in an airtight container; re-crisp in oven before serving.
How do I keep crostini from getting soggy?
Brush the bread pieces lightly with olive oil, toast until crisp, and add toppings just before serving to keep crostini from getting soggy.
What mushrooms work best?
Cremini (baby bellas) are always a favorite, but you can also use white button mushrooms for a milder flavor or shiitake and oyster mushrooms for more of a wild, earthy flavor.
Can I substitute the cheese or make it dairy-free?
Use a plant-based cashew cheese spread or hummus to make this appetizer dairy-free.
Recipe Tips
- Silica packets are your crispy food friend. If you’re making the crostini ahead of time, let them cool completely and add them to a zip-top bag or an airtight container with a leftover silica packet or two from your last pair of shoes or that old bag of jerky. It’ll help remove any latent moisture from the air and keep your toasts nice and crispy for a few extra days!
- As the Beatles said, “Let it be.” When caramelizing the onions, you only need to stir the mixture occasionally. It is important to give the onions time to caramelize.
More Elegant Appetizers
Mushroom Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 medium White onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons Butter salted
- 7 tablespoons Olive oil or ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 8 ounces Mushrooms sliced
- 1 Baguette sliced
- 1/2 cup Crumbled goat cheese or soft goat cheese used as a spread
Instructions
- Combine the onion, butter, and ¼ cup of the olive oil in a pan. Cook the onions over medium heat until soft and caramelized.
- Once the onions have caramelized, add the minced garlic, salt, and mushrooms. Continue cooking the mushrooms over medium heat until they are sauteed.
- Once sauteed, set the mushroom mixture aside and brush olive oil over the baguette slices.
- Bake the bread for five minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Top the bread with a spoonful of crumbled goat cheese (or spread with soft goat cheese) and mushrooms.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Toast ahead: Store crostini in an airtight container for 1–2 days; re-crisp in oven before serving.
- Cook mushrooms in advance: Refrigerate up to 2 days. To reheat, give it a quick sauté in a non-stick pan until heated through.
- Assemble just before serving to maintain crisp texture.
- Make this dairy-free by using hummus or a plant based cashew spread instead of goat cheese.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
