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!
Wow this looks fabulous! Love the fruit and cheese combo!
The crostini look AMAZING and your kids are adorable!! I sure hope we can meet in person one day soon. :)
Thanks! I hope so too, Sarah!
Please come visit me in CA. Our kids can be insane together.
Also, I’m roasting grapes tonight, because you inspired me to. This looks great!
Umm yes–we need to get these kiddos together! What did you do with your roasted grapes?
Yum! I might have to adapt these to a phyllo cup version for a dinner party!
What a great idea!
Haha I love the photo video at the end! So darn cute!! Im glad you shared this recipe too! It looks incredible :)
Thanks Carla!
OMG, one I love this recipe but I think your cute kids rule on this post. Love the potty in the back. No shame.
No shame at all. She’s doing great! :-D
I love the combo of fruit and cheese! YUM!
Definitely! Thanks Tieghan!
Your kids are the cutest! I LOVE this crostini, it looks so fabulous!
Thanks Miss! See a familiar quilt in the background?
I didn’t notice at first! I was too caught up in those stinkin cute crossed eyes.
What a funny video!! I love that you can do that. I take a lot of random pics of the kids, but am awful about taking videos. And I can’t believe she can cross her eyes – I can’t even do that! I also love roasted grapes. We put them on our pizza!
I know! She is sooo goofy.
SO so funny! I mean the crostini is delicious and all but your kids stole the show :)
I know! I wish it was video, N was cracking up.