Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: This roasted grape crostini appetizer features sweet roasted grapes nestled into creamy ricotta cheese on crispy crostini, and drizzled with honey. Simple, but so delicious!
How long it takes: 25 minutes to roast the grapes, 10 minutes to prep the crostini
Equipment you’ll need: small rimmed baking pan, foil or parchment paper
Servings: makes 12 crostini
I had a little party with some friends recently and I made these roasted grape and ricotta crostini. I wasn’t actually going to share this recipe until I tasted it and had that “holy cow, I need to share this recipe” moment. This appetizer is amazing!
roasted grapes
So flavorful! Roasted grapes might be one of my favorite things. The flavor of the grapes is intensified by roasting, and the grapes are bursting with juice. I first tried roasted grapes in this pork tenderloin with roasted grapes and ever since, I’ve been hooked. They are sweet, soft, and so flavorful.
Super easy to make. Simply wash and stem grapes, put them on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, toss with a little olive oil, salt, and a few sprigs of thyme, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. They should look slightly wrinkled (just slightly, we’re not looking for raisins here!) and the skins splitting just a bit.
Prep ahead. You can make the grapes ahead for this recipe. Let them come to room temperature or gently warm them before adding the ricotta to the crostini and topping with grapes and honey.
How to make Roasted Grape Crostini
Make the crostini (toasted bread slices). If you’re unsure how to make your own crostini, try my easy recipe for how to make crostini. You can toast the bread three different ways, and top the crostini in a variety of ways. If you want, you can also purchase the crostini already toasted and ready to use.
Spread ricotta on each one. I use a butter knife to spread a couple tablespoons of ricotta on each one. I find that it’s more spreadable if I take some out of the container, put it in a small bowl, and stir it until it’s smooth. Another option is whipped ricotta which is easy and can be made ahead. Whipped or spreadable cream cheese is good, too. Choose a flavor like honey pecan or brown sugar cinnamon if you like but you’ll want to skip the honey drizzle because the flavored cream cheese is sweetened.
Add the roasted grapes. Arrange a few roasted grapes on each crostini. The grapes can be warm, room temperature, or even cold.
Garnish. Drizzle a little honey over each crostini, and add a couple of fresh thyme leaves.
You’ll love how easy and delicious this appetizer is (and so will your friends)! Enjoy with a glass of chilled chardonnay. Fermented grapes with roasted grapes, a perfect match!
More Crostini Toppers
Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette, cut into ¼ to ½-inch slices (see note)
- 1 cup (heaping) red seedless grapes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (at room temperature)
- honey, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread grapes on foil or parchment paper-lined rimmed baking sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and thyme sprigs. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes or until grapes begin to burst. They should look slightly wrinkled with the skins splitting just a bit. Cool slightly before serving.1 cup (heaping) red seedless grapes, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Toast the bread (see note) using the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. You can toast the crostini in the oven while the grapes cool, if you like or you can make the crostini ahead of time.1 French baguette, cut into ¼ to ½-inch slices
- Put the ricotta cheese in a small bowl and stir it until it's smooth and more spreadable.1 cup ricotta cheese
- To serve, spread approximately 2 tablespoons of ricotta on each crostini, using a table knife or something similar. Top with roasted grapes, thyme leaves, and drizzle with honey. Enjoy immediately(ish).
Notes
- Baguette: You’ll need 12 to 14 slices so you may not use the whole baguette, depending on how large it is and how thick your slices are.
- How to make crostini: To prepare the bread toasts (crostini), refer to how to make crostini. It’s very easy to do and the recipe will show you three different ways to toast the bread.
- Variations: Use green grapes or another type of seedless grape. Pitted sweet cherries are wonderful when roasted, too. Grape or cherry tomatoes can be substituted for grapes. If you’re not a fan of ricotta, try cream cheese spread, either plain or flavored, or any cheese spread you like.
- Make ahead: The grapes can be roasted a day ahead and refrigerated. Allow them to come to room temperature or re-warm them in the oven, if desired. The bread can be toasted up to a few days in advance. Cool completely before storing in an air-tight container or bag.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I want to try this with goat cheese…
Hi! I just saw your post for this recipe, and it looks delish! I was planning on making it a few hours ahead of time (need to sit through a graduation ceremony in between) and was wondering your thoughts on how long it would last put together? I figure I can drizzle with honey just before serving, but I’m concerned about the ricotta making the bread soggy :(
I think that the ricotta would make the bread soggy, but you could toast the bread and roast the grapes in advance. Then it wouldn’t take too long to put together.
Your kids are too cute!!
I need to experiment more with roasted grapes!
UM, I want this.
And your cute as hell kids? Just stop it.
oh my gosh I love that GIF! I might have to make a few of those! E makes the craziest faces!! Love these crostinis too! What a great combo!!
Love that adorable GIF! Your kids are just so cute. And these little bites sound perfect as well – love the idea of the roasted grapes in there!