Easy Smoked Salmon Crostini Recipe

Hand reaching for smoked salmon crostini topped with herbed cream cheese, red onion, capers, and fresh dill.

Easy Smoked Salmon Crostini Recipe

Smoked salmon crostini is an elegant appetizer with crisp toasted baguette, a creamy herb and garlic spread, and fresh, vibrant toppings. Perfect for brunch, holidays, and effortless entertaining.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Servings Crostini

Ingredients

For the Crostini

1 baguette sliced into 24 rounds (about ½-inch thick)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

For the Herb & Garlic Spread

225 g herb and garlic cream cheese softened
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped
1 tbsp capers drained
2 tbsp red onion finely diced

For Assembly

120 g cold-smoked salmon torn into bite-sized pieces

For Garnish

fresh dill
extra capers
lemon zest
thinly sliced red onion

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and lightly brush both sides with olive oil.
Toast the crostini for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
In a medium bowl, beat the softened herb and garlic cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in the lemon juice, lemon zest, dill, capers, and diced red onion until well combined.
Spread or pipe about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto each cooled crostini. Then top each with a piece of cold-smoked salmon. Finish with fresh dill, capers, lemon zest, and thinly sliced red onion. Serve immediately for the best texture.

Notes

Use cold-smoked salmon for the best texture. It's silky, delicate, and ideal for serving cold.

Let the crostini cool completely before adding the topping to keep the cream cheese from softening too much.

Soften the cream cheese first so it whips up light and fluffy without any lumps.

Assemble just before serving to keep the crostini crisp and prevent them from becoming soggy.

Don't overload the crostini. A thin layer of spread and a small piece of salmon make each bite easier to eat and better balanced.

Store the components separately. Toasted crostini will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days, and the cream cheese spread can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.

Nutrition