Asparagus Crostini with Parmesan Crisps Recipe, Ingredients & Directions

Have you ever tried asparagus on toast? It may sound a little weird, but this crispy asparagus crostini (that’s Italian for little toasts) with melted cheese and crispy pancetta is a delicious new snack you’ve got to try, Check for Asparagus Crostini with Parmesan Crisps Recipe.

Crostini starts with slices of French bread that are brushed with olive oil, toasted until crispy, and then used as little bite-sized pieces of toast. They make the perfect base for all kinds of tasty toppings from cheese, veggies, meats and more. The crunch of the crisp bread combined with the other ingredients is simple but delicious.

The real star of this recipe is the asparagus. Fresh, tender asparagus spears are roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper until they get a little browned and crispy around the edges but are still bright green and tasty. Then they’re sliced up and combined with the other fun mix-ins.

Asparagus is a really healthy vegetable that’s in season right in the springtime. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that help your body in all kinds of ways. Vitamin K, which is important for healthy bones, and vitamin A for good vision and a healthy immune system are just two examples. It’s also a good source of fiber, which helps digestion.

The next key ingredient is the cheese. A blend of smooth and creamy whole milk ricotta cheese and nutty, salty shredded parmesan cheese gets spread over the crispy toast. As the crostini bakes, the cheese mixture gets hot and melty, perfectly complementing the crunch of the bread and the crisp-tender asparagus.

For an extra special crunch, little crisps are made from heaping spoonfuls of just parmesan cheese. As they bake, the cheese melts together and turns into golden brown, lacy crackers. They add even more texture excitement!

Adding the pancetta is what makes these crostini over-the-top delicious. Pancetta is Italian bacon made from pork belly that’s salt cured and spiced. When it’s cooked up, it gets nice and crispy, almost like bacon chips. The sweet, salty, savory pancetta flavor takes this snack to the next level.

While asparagus crostini may sound fancy, the beauty of this recipe is that it’s actually pretty simple to make. And though it has some unique ingredients like the pancetta and ricotta, they come together quickly into a fun fresh snack or appetizer everyone will love.

The crispy, crunchy crostini base gets loaded up with all kinds of delicious textures and flavors that are hard to resist. Sweet, salty, nutty and savory all in one bite!

If you’re ready to get cooking, here’s a step-by-step guide to making these delicious asparagus crostini right at home. Make sure a grown-up helps with the oven and stove parts!

– Baguette

– Asparagus

– Olive oil

– Salt and pepper

– Shredded parmesan cheese

– Whole milk ricotta cheese

– Fresh basil

– Pancetta (Italian bacon)

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Slice a long skinny bread called a baguette into rounds about 1/2 inch thick.

2. Brush the bread slices lightly with olive oil on both sides. Toast them in the oven for 5-7 minutes until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.

3. Snap the woody ends off a bunch of asparagus spears. Toss the stalks with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 5 minutes until starting to brown but still crisp-tender. Let cool then slice into 1/4-inch pieces.

4. In a small bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, shredded parmesan, and some chopped basil.

5. Spoon small heaping teaspoons of shredded parmesan onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, shaping into little rectangles. Bake for 6-8 minutes until lacy and golden brown. Set aside.

6. Cook diced pancetta in a sauté pan over medium heat until crispy, about 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

7. Spread the ricotta mixture onto each crostini toast. Top with pancetta, roasted asparagus slices and an extra sprinkle of basil.

8. Bake the loaded crostini for 7-9 minutes until hot and cheese is melted. Top each with a crispy parmesan rectangle and enjoy!

Once you get the basic recipe down, there are lots of ways to customize these yummy crostini bites…

– Try different cheeses like cheddar, goat cheese or mozzarella

– Use different vegetables like roasted red peppers, tomatoes or caramelized onions

– Swap in crispy bacon for the pancetta

– Add spices like paprika or Italian seasoning to the cheese spread

– Drizzle with balsamic glaze after baking

Let your creativity go wild! The crispy toasted bread base takes well to all kinds of flavors.

These crostini are great to serve at parties or family gatherings. Prepare the roasted vegetable topping and cheese spread ahead of time, then simply assemble and bake the crostini right before serving. They also make a nice light meal along with a salad or soup.

Making these bite-sized snacks is a fun cooking project for kids too. From roasting the asparagus to shaping the crispy cheese crackers and assembling the crostini, there are lots of hands-on steps that teach basic kitchen skills. Kids will love customizing their own creations and enjoying these crispy, cheesy treats!

This unique asparagus toast is full of textures, flavors and healthy ingredients that everyone will enjoy. The crispy base, nutty cheese, roasted veggies and sweet pancetta come together into a mouthwatering appetizer that’s sure to get rave reviews. So gather your ingredients and get cooking this tasty new snack. I hope you like reading Asparagus Crostini with Parmesan Crisps Recipe with Ingredients.