Everyone loves toast—and even the most hopeless cook can pull it off. But whether you call it toast, crostini or bruschetta, now that crunchy bread is officially cool, you can take that as a license to serve it at your next dinner party. Here, 7 fresh, summery, super-easy recipes. Better yet, serve these all at once!
No need to turn on the grill: The topping for this genius adaptation of Mexican grilled street corn can be done in a skillet, but still gets great smoky flavor from a dusting of chili powder.
Roasted tomato crostini with basil pesto and ricotta
Update the classic tomato-basil bruschetta with these easy twists. Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast them to bring out a concentrated sweetness. Then whip fresh basil into a bright, silky pesto.
Blackberry and lemon-zest crostini
Basically summer on a slice of bread, these pretty little bites star juicy blackberries and a drizzle of honey plus a savory burst of fresh thyme and lemon zest. It all sits on a silky layer of mascarpone cheese.
Sweet potato and tahini crostini
Store-bought tahini paste and a quarter cup of chickpeas give this colorful sweet potato spread a familiar, hummus-like flavor. Hints of maple syrup and sage add aroma and richness.
Though this fancy-seeming appetizer is sure to turn heads, the recipe couldn’t be simpler: All it takes is a trio of tart strawberries, tangy goat cheese and sweet shredded basil. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top to add a sophisticated kick.
Slightly spicy garlic-rubbed toasts are the perfect pairing for sweet and tender summer squash. Fresh rosemary, olive oil and lemon amp up the vegetables’ mild flavors.
Sesame Brussels sprouts crostini with shaved pecorino
Layer on the flavor with shaved pecorino, sprouts doused in soy sauce, and a one-two punch of nutty taste, thanks to the sesame oil and sesame seeds.