15-minute Crostini with Cheese and Strawberry-Fig Preserves

Name: 15-minute Crostini with Cheese and Strawberry-Fig Preserves
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Latin
Ingredients: 1/2 cup of my Strawberry-Fig Preserves Recipe (or any store-bought fig jam or fig spread); 4 slices of Crusty Bread (see notes). I used 4 large bread slices in this recipe since my Italian loaf was a bit wide.; 1 cup of Shredded Gouda Cheese (see notes); 6 tablespoons of Salted Butter at room temperature; 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 tablespoons of Pepitas - aka hulled pumpkin seeds (sunflower kernels work too); 1 teaspoon of Orange Zest (see notes); 1/2 teaspoon of Ground Chipotle Chili Peppers (see notes); Fresh Ground Black Pepper.

December 17, 2023 by Juyali (ju-ja-lee) 38 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 19 reviews

This easy 15-minute Crostini with Cheese and Homemade Strawberry-Fig Preserves recipe explodes with flavor and elegance.

Crostini with Cheese and Homemade Strawberry Fig Preserves is a delightful twist to the typical tomato and herbs version. A touch of sweet strawberry-fig preserves paired with creamy Gouda cheese, and the smokiness from the Chipotle chili peppers make these easy crostini the difference between basic and tasty appetizers.

This Fig Crostini recipe was inspired by my homemade Strawberry-Fig Preserves recipe on this site and pairs well with these refreshing drinks: Peruvian Pisco Sour and Guava Mimosas.

Homemade-Strawberry-Fig Preserves-in-a-jar

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What makes this crostini recipe so fantastic? Let me count the ways:
Best Bread for Crostini
Equipment needed
Ingredients
How to Make this recipe
Related recipes
Latin drinks you may want to pair this recipe with
📖 GET THE RECIPE! 🍽️

Developing recipes that use fig jam is always at the top of my mind because I love anything with figs. I wanted to create a unique and easy recipe that tasted amazing and made a new use for my Fig recipes like the Strawberry-Fig preserves featured in this post, and my other Sweet Fig Preserves.

If you're looking for an impressive homemade appetizer that's as simple as it is delicious, you're in the right place. This recipe is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and spicy. And the best part? It's ready in 15 minutes, making it the ultimate choice in your easy appetizer recipe arsenal.

Crostini, the fancy name for Italian toasts, is a versatile type of appetizer that allows you to play around with different toppings. Today, we're focusing on a fig-inspired twist that will elevate any crostini game. Slices of crusty bread toasted to perfection and then adorned with the goodness of strawberry-fig preserves, cheese, and a compound butter flavored with spices and orange zest. Serve alongside fresh figs if you are lucky to have some!

What makes this crostini recipe so fantastic? Let me count the ways:

It's an elegant appetizer yet effortless: This recipe looks and tastes like it came straight from a fancy restaurant, but it's surprisingly easy to make when you follow the simple steps in this recipe.
The unique combination of flavors: The sweet, salty, and spicy blend is a winner, and the touch of elegance from the preserves makes it a fantastic choice for any occasion. These crostini are a perfect appetizer for the holiday season, casual get-togethers, or enjoying a quiet evening with a glass of wine.
Perfect for using leftover bread: A day-old baguette or bread that has turned a bit stale gets a new lease on life in this recipe, becoming golden brown and crispy when toasted. A great way to use stale bread that it’s still safe to eat. No need to waste a single slice!
The star of this recipe is this Homemade Strawberry-Fig Preserves (though a store-bought fig spread will do in a pinch). My recipe for homemade preserves features fresh California black mission figs and strawberries simmered with sugar and a touch of lemon juice. Recipes with fig spread are having a moment, and this one puts them center stage, proving that fig spreads are so much more than just a cheese plate garnish.

Best Bread for Crostini

Good crusty bread is the foundation of a good homemade crostini. A dense interior texture that is chewy yet airy like French bread is an excellent choice. Here are a few bread options to consider when looking at the grocery store offerings:

French baguette
Rustic Italian bread
Sourdough bread
Ciabatta bread

Equipment needed

Baking sheet or sheet pan
Serrated knife
Cutting board
Parchment paper

Ingredients

This recipe makes 4 large or 8 small Crostini

See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

My recipe for Strawberry-Fig Preserves (or any store-bought fig jam or fig spread)
Crusty Bread (like Rustic Italian bread, Sourdough, Ciabatta bread, or French baguette). I used 4 large bread slices in this recipe since my Italian loaf was a bit wide.
Shredded Gouda Cheese (Gouda's mild, sweet, and creamy flavor is divine, but Gruyere, Edam, Swiss Emmental, Havarti, Cheddar and even Muenster make fantastic substitutes)
Salted Butter at room temperature (I used Land O'Lakes butter)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pepitas (Pepita de Cala b aza) - aka hulled pumpkin seeds (sunflower kernels work too)
Orange Zest (orange zest adds a unique and delicious touch, but lemon zest can work in a pinch)
Ground Chipotle Chili Peppers (the smoky and spicy hero that takes these crostini to new heights – a combo of smoked paprika and chili powder or cayenne pepper can work as a substitute).
Fresh ground Black Pepper.

How to Make this recipe

While traditional crostini are baked, this recipe uses the broiler for speed. I divide the butter spread in half to have enough for both sides of the bread.

Follow these simple steps for a perfect bite:

Step 1 - Make the flavored butter

Mix the butter, orange zest, ground chipotle chili pepper, olive oil, and freshly ground pepper in a small bowl.
Stir well until the mixture is well integrated and smooth. Adjust the amount of Chipotle based on your spice preference. You can start with less and add more to the taste.
Set the broil to high.
Slice the bread with a serrated knife to create equal slices that won't crumble under the toppings. I used medium-thick slices for this recipe due to the amount of crostini toppings.

toasted-bread-for-Crostini-with-Cheese-and-Homemade-Strawberry-Fig Preserves

Step 2 - Toast the bread

Arrange the sliced bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
I used 4 large bread slices since my Italian loaf was a bit wide.
Spread half the butter mixture on one side of the bread slices (leave half the mixture to use for the other side)
Broil for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and toast to your desired crispness (Keep an eye on them – broilers can cook quickly!).
Remove from the oven.

toasted-bread-with-pepitas-for-Crostini-with-Cheese-and-Homemade-Strawberry-Fig Preserves

Step 3:

Spread butter on the other side and sprinkle with Pepitas

Broil again for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. This step ensures the bread is golden brown on both sides and the pepitas are crunchy.

toasted-bread-with-cheese-for-Crostini-with-Cheese-and-Homemade-Strawberry-Fig Preserves

Step 4:

Remove from the oven, sprinkle the cheese evenly among all bread slices.

toasted-bread-with-melted-cheese-for-Crostini-with-Cheese-and-Homemade-Strawberry-Fig Preserves

Step 5:

Return the bread to the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

toasted-bread-with-Strawberry-Fig Preserves

Step 6 - Dress the Crostini with the sweet fig preserves.

Top each bread slice with a dollop of the strawberry fig mixture. Serve with fresh figs and some herbs like basil if desired.
That's it! Enjoy!

Pro Tip: The ideal texture of a well-toasted crostini in this recipe is crispy on the outside yet slightly tender inside.

The marriage of strawberry-fig preserves and cheese on a crostini has been a tasty addition to my repertoire of appetizers. Whether you're a fan of figs or just looking for a delightful, unique recipe, I hope these crostini will become your new favorite too!

So, next time you're pondering what to serve at your gathering, consider these crostini with fig jam appetizer.

And, BUEN PROVECHO!