Baked Carrot and Cheese Crostini Appetizer Melt

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A cheesy, sweet, and garlic-y melt is the perfect and addicting appetizer for any party! The baked carrot and cheese crostini is a fantastic appetizer mix made from just three simple ingredients!

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Carrots and cheese can be seen as two random ingredients with no connection in a recipe whatsoever, or they can be the perfect easy appetizer you didn’t know you needed. If it’s your first time making this appetizer, your taste buds will thank you!

The sweetness of the carrots combined with cheese on a fresh French baguette slice makes this a perfect appetizer that is there for you when you’re in a pinch. Melted cheese over the bright orange and sweet carrots and a touch of mayonnaise and garlic perfectly combine to make a delicious toasted appetizer that looks gorgeous on a serving platter.

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Where did this Baked Carrot and Cheese appetizer come from?

Crostini is an Italian appetizer made with toasted bread slices. They are usually made using baguette, the bread is sliced, brushed with olive oil, and lightly toasted to achieve a crispy, crunchy texture. Cheese crostini recipes can be quite common, especially among Italian appetizer recipes. It’s delicate, colorful, and delightfully tasty.

Easter is the one holiday of the year when I host for my parents and sisters plus their families. This year’s cooking went so smoothly because everyone brought something. I ended up making Roast Lamb, I made it out of lamb shanks that I pre-ordered from a local store and also added less water, so it won’t be a soup.

Also, I made potatoes (they turned out soft and flavorful! ) My sister brought a healthy cauliflower salad, and my other sister brought a delicious Greek salad along with this baked carrot and cheese appetizer.

No dinner party goes by without some form of bread slices with toppings and crostini appetizers are a perfect solution for entertaining! And who doesn’t love bread? The options for these perfect party appetizers are simply endless.

Of course, I couldn’t resist putting in a great addition to the large selection of these recipes. With three ingredients and so much flavor, this carrot and cheese crostini is a well-loved favorite among my guests. You don’t need that much time to put together this easy recipe, either! The serving platter will be ready in no time.

It’s hard to say no to this savory bite!

We all love making an easy recipe especially one with simple ingredients. Mozzarella cheese, fresh carrots, and one or two garlic cloves atop baguette slices make for one of the most delicious ideas I have ever tried. The savory flavor in these toasts makes them perfect to serve as a light bite-sized appetizer to start the evening, but you can enjoy the carrot topping in other ways, too.

While the instructions say to bake the crostinis, if you’re making a smaller batch a toaster oven works the same. These appetizers will come out with that light orange tinge from the carrots, and if you use cheddar cheese, a rich orange color. Baking the carrots adds another layer of natural sweetness. The toasted baguette is the best base for an appetizer. They can be served with a simple green salad, for a simple and amazing weeknight meal.

It’s also an easy way to layer ingredients on, cook, and go! No extra setup or put-together is needed, and with a cooking time of only 10 minutes, this makes the crostini the ideal fun finger food. It pairs well with Brussels sprouts, so don’t forget it when you’re preparing for your next party or one of those game days. All the ingredients combine for an explosion of fun flavors that will keep everyone entertained.

Just three key ingredients!

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Three main ingredients go into the mix, and they contain amazing health benefits. It’s great to have an appetizer that not only benefits your body but also is amazing to serve because it pairs well with any meal. Balance it out with a great protein and side dish!

Carrots: The nutritional, colorful, and sweet carrots taste even better once baked.

Garlic cloves: Increase the depth of flavor in the finished appetizer.

Cheese: A great savory topping for crostini.

Along with this, you’ll also need mayonnaise and bread.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make Baked Carrot and Cheese Crostini

1: Prepare the oven

Preheat the oven to 400F.

2: Grate and mince ingredients

Use a vegetable peeler to peel the carrots then a fine grater to grate the carrots and cheese.

3: Mix the key ingredients

In a medium bowl, mix grated carrots, minced garlic, grated cheese, and mayonnaise

4: Spread mixture over bread

Place on a baking tray and spread sliced bread or fresh French baguette slices onto a baking sheet in a single layer then spread carrot mixture on each bread slice.

5: Bake and serve

Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese starts to melt. Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips

You can prepare the carrot mixture the night before which lets the flavors strengthen in the fridge overnight. Place the mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 days ahead of time.
The crostini should be crispy on the outside but the inside should be tender.
Baking crostini at a high temperature for a shorter time will keep them from dehydrating and over-toasting.

Recipe FAQs

Which cheese should l use?

You can use the cheese your family prefers. It can be crisp and tangy fresh goat’s cheese, creamy and soft mozzarella, the popular cheddar cheese, bright feta cheese, or vegan cheese for those who are lactose intolerant.

Which bread is best for a crostini?

It’s best to make crostini appetizers with a soft baguette or a long, narrow loaf that has a light texture. The bread needs to be thin enough to bite, but thick enough to support the carrot mixture so 1/2-inch thick is just right.

What’s the difference between a crostini and a bruschetta?

They are both Italian in origin and are often used interchangeably. Crostini in Italian translates to “little toasts” or “little crusts”. They are served as an appetizer with a topping and spreads. Bruschetta is from the Italian Bruscare which is translated as “to roast over coals.” This traditional garlic bread is made by rubbing slices of toasted bread with garlic cloves, then drizzling the bread with extra-virgin olive oil. They’re grilled over a fire and are slightly thick

Here are more of my favorite healthy appetizer recipes:

The Quick, Creamy, and Delicious Mushroom Crostini Recipe is a simple and fancy appetizer for any occasion.

This Easy Cream Cheese Bell Peppers Appetizer is filled with tasty, cheesy flavors!

A Tomato Galette Recipe from Scratch is ideal as a starter for any event.

Other Tasty Carrot Ingredient Recipes

If you tried this Baked Carrot and Cheese Crostini Appetizer Melt or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!