Easy Peach Crostini Appetizer

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Got Peaches? Make these Easy Peach Crostini Appetizers! Fresh, sweet peaches, tangy chevre, balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of fresh basil on homemade crostini. Easy to make ahead and oh-so good!

Summer Is the Perfect Time for Peach Crostini

As you may or may not know, Washington state peaches are amazing.

Though the Yakima Valley is best known for its wonderful apples and cherries, their peaches are pretty hard to beat. Sometime between late July and the middle of August, I try my best to get my hands on a whole box.

If need be, I’ll drive the four-hour round trip to Thorp Fruit stand to buy peaches. Seriously, they’re that good. But if I’ve got a friend who is coming that direction, I’ll ask them to buy some for me.

Last week, a friend texted and said, “Hey! I’m at Thorp’s. Do you still want peaches?”

Boy, did I!

A few hours later, I had a twenty-five-pound box of fresh, perfectly ripe Yakima peaches in my kitchen. To quote Monty Python, there was much rejoicing.

But you may be wondering – what does a person DO with twenty-five pounds of peaches?

Quite a bit will end up dried for wintertime snacking or used to make my Easy Homemade Granola. Some will be used for recipes that end up in the freezer. (One of those will be coming your way soon. Stay tuned!)

And, of course, some of those yummy, ripe peaches will be enjoyed fresh in recipes like the Easy Peach Crostini Appetizer.

What You Need to Make Easy Peach Crostini

Summer cooking is some of the best cooking, and the easiest. Because when fruits and veggies are at the just-picked peak of flavor, they do a lot of the work for you.

Peaches are definitely on that list!

There’s really nothing quite as delicious as a ripe peach. When cooking with them, it’s wise to keep things simple and let the flavor shine through. This Easy Peach Crostini Appetizer does exactly that.

There are really just five basic components for this appetizer – crispy homemade crostini, creamy tangy chevre, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and a perfectly ripe slice of peach with a sprinkle of fresh basil.

Each part is simple and straightforward. But when you put them all together, the delicious combination is something to savor.

Really, there’s no better way to start off your next summertime gathering than by bringing out a platter of these scrumptious, easy-peasy Peach Crostini Appetizers.

The recipe is crazy simple. But let’s talk through a couple of important tips, starting with the peaches

How to Pick the Perfect Peach

When a recipe is as simple as the Easy Peach Crostini Appetizer, it’s important that you use the very best ingredients possible.

Using sweet, perfectly ripe (but not too ripe!) peaches is key in the recipe. But how can you tell if peaches are ripe?

I’ve got a few tips…

Color

Though this isn’t the only factor you need to consider, a peach with a deep, reddish pink blush on the skin is more likely to be ripe.

Fragrance

Ripe peaches will have a lovely, peachy scent. Don’t be afraid to get your nose down there and get them a good sniff. If you don’t smell anything, that peach might need a little more time to ripen.

Feel

For me, this is the most important clue to peach ripeness. A perfectly ripe peach should give just a little when you gently press your fingers into the skin. If it doesn’t give – the peach is underripe. An overripe peach will be very soft and give too much.

Next, let’s talk crostini

How to Make Crostini at Home

Crostini are basically slices of oven-toasted baguette brushed with a little oil. They’re easy and inexpensive to make at home.

Take a good baguette from the grocery store and slice it about half an inch thick. I like to slice mine at a slight angle, so I get a surface that’s large enough to hold plenty of toppings.

Next, you’ll brush each slice with a little olive oil and bake in the oven. I turn them over halfway through baking so both sides are golden brown. That’s really all there is to it!

A whole baguette will make a LOT of crostini – probably forty to fifty pieces. Unless you’re feeding a large crowd, that might be more than you need. Not to worry!

Extra crostini can be stored in plastic zipper bags in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to use them, just reheat for about five minutes in a 350-degree oven.

I’m all about making things ahead, and keeping a bag of crostini in the freezer for last-minute entertaining is a smart idea.

That’s one of the things I love about these Easy Peach Crostini Appetizers too. You can make most of it ahead and assemble just before your guests arrive.

Here’s how…

Make-Ahead Tips for Easy Entertaining

While you could make your peach crostini on the day of your gathering, a lot of the prep can be done the day before.

We already talked about the crostini. You can either bake them the day before or take some from the freezer and reheat them if you’ve made them and stored. One thing to note – the crostini should be at room temperature when you assemble the appetizer. If you’re baking them that day or reheating, leave time for them to cool completely.

Your crostini will be spread with a mixture of soft chevre (goat cheese), fresh ground pepper, and a splash of milk. If you’re making ahead, mix it up the day before and store it covered in the fridge.

Two things I would NOT prep the day before are the peaches and fresh basil.

Peel the peaches just before assembling, so their color stays beautiful and bright. If you MUST do them ahead, toss with a little bit of lemon juice to preserve the color. But only a little! You want your peaches to taste sweet, not tart.

Roll your basil leaves up into little “cigars” and slice thinly to create pretty ribbons. (Also called a chiffonade). Do that just before serving so the basil doesn’t wilt or lose its bright green color.

How to Assemble Your Peach Crostini

When you’re ready to serve, spread each Crostini with a generous tablespoon of the chevre mixture.

Then, drizzle a little balsamic glaze back and forth across each Crostini. You can buy prepared balsamic glaze at most grocery stores.

Nonna Pia’s is my brand of choice, and I always keep a bottle in the pantry. It’s great on all kinds of dishes – a terrific way to jazz up a plain piece of chicken, fish, or pork. Love this stuff!

Finally, lay a nice, thick slice of fresh peeled peach on the crostini, sprinkle a few basil ribbons on top, and serve.

That’s all there is to it!

Give this Easy Peach Crostini Appetizer a try soon. You and your guests will love it!

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