The winter holiday season means parties with friends, family gatherings, and lots and lots of yummy food! Here’s a simple appetizer that you can throw together in no time flat, the perfect “introduction” to your holiday celebration. These dainty Smoked Salmon Crostini are inspired by my love of bagels, lox, and cream cheese. They capture that awesome lox and cream cheese flavor, lightened up with a bit of Greek yogurt, served on crunchy little crostinis… a delectable bite-sized treat. I use smoked salmon here because I love the flavor, but feel free to use brined lox if you prefer.
Crostini, which translates to “little toasts” in Italian, are small, thin slices of toasted bread, brushed with olive oil. They originated in Italy during the Middle Ages as a peasant food. Those who could not afford expensive ceramic plates would use bread as a substitute (also known as a trencher). Now they are a popular tapas choice all over the world, likely because they can be topped with anything from cheese and roasted veggies, to honey and seasonal fruit… or, in this case, smoked salmon!
I’ve added Greek yogurt to the spread to cut down on fat and calories, while maintaining a creamy flavor. You can top the crostini with fresh dill or capers, or just stick with the smoked salmon to keep things simple. These little treats are packed with flavor, and they’re so easy to make… I can throw together a batch in 20 minutes (even less if I have somebody helping me assemble). These would be a fun opener for a holiday meal or a New Year’s celebration, or anytime you need a quick bite before the “main event.” Love them!
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Smoked Salmon Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 thin baguette
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 6 tablespoons cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- 4 ounces smoked salmon
- Capers or fresh dill for garnish
NOTES
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the baguette along a diagonal into 1/4 inch slices using a serrated knife. Do not slice them thicker than 1/4 inch, or they will be difficult to bite through when toasted.
- Place the slices on a cookie sheet. Stir together the melted butter and olive oil. If using unsalted butter, add a small pinch of salt to the mixture and stir to combine. If using salted butter, no need to add any additional salt. Brush the tops of the bread pieces with the oil and butter mixture.
- Place the bread into the oven and let it toast for 8-10 minutes till the bottoms of the bread slices are golden brown and toasted. Flip the slices to check for doneness-- they will brown more on the bottom than they will on the top.
- While baguette slices are toasting, place 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, cream cheese, dill, and lemon juice into a food processor. Process for about 30 seconds, scraping the sides of the processor periodically, till ingredients are well combined. Continue to add Greek yogurt till the mixture is soft and spreadable, but not overly liquid. I usually add about 3/4 cup of Greek yogurt, but the consistencies vary from yogurt brand to yogurt brand, so best to add slowly till the texture is right. Add salt to taste and process again to combine.
- Cut the smoked salmon into pieces large enough to top the baguette slices.
- When the baguette slices have cooled, top each slice with 1 tsp of the Greek yogurt mixture. Top the Greek yogurt mixture with a slice of smoked salmon. Place another small dollop of Greek yogurt mixture in the center of the smoked salmon slice. Top the small dollop with a couple of capers...
- or a small sprig of dill.
- Serve Smoked Salmon Crostini as a bite-sized appetizer.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
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Steamy Kitchen: Grilled Bruschetta with Asparagus and Parmesan Cheese
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Lynn Chaplar Carroll says
YUMMY!!!!! (y) 😀
Linda Walter says
oh yummy
Lauren Shapiro-Milana says
put a potato pancake under the lox instead of bread. yum.
Sabrina M. Bawell says
mmmm!! Love this!
Amanda Foxman says
Yum! I am going to try this one.
Shauna Zurbrugg says
It’s on my NY’s menu. Can’t wait!
Denise E. Rose says
yum!!!!
Alexis I Skriloff James says
absolutely perfect,w e were wondering what to have for newyears.
Mary Younkin says
Love love love lox, bagels, cream cheese and capers!! This looks so delish…can’t wait to make these!! Might not make it to New Year’s Eve!! 😉
Jacquies Spot says
i love ur recipe i used for Xmas brunch last year.. was one of the top favs that day!! making it for a wedding reception this jan 2014 too!
Janice M Schriber says
Mid sentence I scrolled past this picture and stopped to say “oohhhhhhh”. Yes. THIS is something we used to have every Sabbath morning years back. Great way to start the day.
Ronni Lynn says
For me, lightly toasted everything bagel with whitefish salad, slices of red ripe tomatoes, thin sliced sweet onion, paper thin kirby cukes and a large pot of hot tea…….is my favorite for breakfast, lunch, dinner or an anytime snack……yummo
Elayne Glasser says
I just bought nova lox and bagels with capers
Elizabeth Powell Robillard says
A favorite!
Judy Galford says
oh yummy! I love LOX!
Solveig Simonsen Mcloughlin says
My favorite daily lunch and/or snack!
Pam Rollins says
YUM!
Sharon Hanna says
I’ll take 2 please!
Cindy Chesler Seevers says
i posted yum b4i looked at other posts
how funny that was such a prevelant comment!
Cindy Chesler Seevers says
yum