Bite-Sized Ina Garten Goat Cheese Toasts Recipe

These goat cheese toasts radiate Mediterranean charm with their crisp foundation and creamy spread.

Rustic baguette slices transform into elegant canapes through strategic layering and bold seasoning techniques.

Each bite promises a delightful balance between crunchy texture and smooth, tangy cheese.

Fragrant garlic and quality olive oil elevate this simple appetizer into a sophisticated starter that feels both homemade and refined.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these toasts work brilliantly as party nibbles or casual weekend snacking.

Guests will appreciate the harmonious blend of ingredients that dance together in perfect culinary symphony: delectable and irresistible.

Why Goat Cheese Toasts Are a Must-Have Starter

• Effortless Elegance: Whip up these goat cheese toasts in under 20 minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a sophisticated appetizer that looks like it came from a fancy restaurant.
• Textural Symphony: Enjoy the perfect balance of crispy, crunchy baguette slices with creamy, tangy goat cheese and the briny pop of green olives, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.
• Flavor-Packed Simplicity: Elevate basic ingredients through smart techniques like garlic rubbing and olive oil brushing, which infuse maximum flavor with minimal effort, making these toasts a foolproof crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

Gather What You Need for Goat Cheese Toasts

Main Ingredients:

• Baguette: A classic French bread perfect for crispy, elegant toasts with a golden crust and soft interior.

• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that provides rich flavor and smooth texture to the toasts.

• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crisp toast surface with rich Mediterranean flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall taste and helps season the toasts evenly.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic depth to the toast.

• Green Olives: Briny, salty topping that adds a sharp contrast to the creamy goat cheese.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, pungent flavor when rubbed on the toast surface for extra depth.

How to Toast Like Ina Garten

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Slice Baguette Perfectly

Grab a sharp knife and slice the baguette diagonally into twelve thin pieces, each about ¼-inch thick. Aim for uniform slices to ensure even toasting.

Step 3: Season Bread Slices

• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Step 4: Crisp and Golden Toasting

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the slices become wonderfully crisp.

Step 5: Infuse with Garlic Flavor

Once toasts cool slightly, take a fresh garlic clove and gently rub the cut side across each toast. This adds a subtle, aromatic garlic essence.

Step 6: Creamy Goat Cheese Topping

Spread a generous layer of soft goat cheese over each toasted slice. Ensure even coverage for maximum flavor.

Step 7: Add Olive Garnish

Top each toast with halved green olives. The briny olives provide a perfect tangy contrast to the creamy cheese.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange toasts on a beautiful serving platter. These can be served warm or at room temperature, making them perfect for impromptu gatherings or elegant appetizers.

Pro Tip: For extra elegance, sprinkle some fresh thyme or chopped chives on top before serving.

Tips for Golden Toast with Creamy Cheese

• Select Prime Ingredients: Choose a crusty artisan baguette and creamy, tangy goat cheese from a local dairy for maximum flavor depth.
• Monitor Toasting Time: Watch the oven closely to achieve perfectly golden, crisp edges without burning the delicate bread surface.
• Maximize Garlic Infusion: Gently rub fresh garlic cloves across warm toasts to release aromatic oils and enhance the bread's flavor profile.
• Create Consistent Cheese Layer: Use a small offset spatula to spread goat cheese smoothly and evenly, ensuring each bite delivers balanced taste.
• Preserve Olive Freshness: Delicately place briny olives on top of the toasts moments before serving to maintain their vibrant texture and prevent soggy bread.

Keeping Toasts Fresh and Flavorful

• Freeze Perfectly: Wrap individual toasts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month to preserve their delicate texture and tangy flavor. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Optimize Freshness: Keep toasts crisp by storing bread and goat cheese separately until ready to serve. Assemble just before eating to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Prevent Staleness: If storing assembled toasts, place a paper towel inside the container to absorb excess moisture. This simple trick helps maintain the toast's original texture and prevents sogginess.

Goat Cheese Toast Upgrades You’ll Love

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace green olives with sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle chopped fresh basil for a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Sensation: Add thinly sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes on top of the goat cheese to create a zesty, spicy kick that elevates the original recipe.
• Herb Garden Fusion: Mix finely chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and chives directly into the goat cheese before spreading, infusing extra aromatic layers of flavor.
• Prosciutto Paradise: Drape thin slices of crispy prosciutto over the goat cheese toasts for an elegant, savory enhancement that adds richness and texture.

Final Crunch for Goat Cheese Fans

Goat Cheese Toasts epitomize French countryside charm with simple, elegant ingredients.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms ordinary baguette slices into sophisticated appetizers perfect for gatherings.

Mediterranean flavors dance across crisp toasts, creating memorable culinary experiences.

Robust goat cheese melts seamlessly against golden-brown bread, while green olives provide salty complexity.

Salt, pepper, and garlic elevate these small bites from basic to extraordinary.

Share these delectable toasts with cherished friends, photograph their rustic beauty, spark conversations, and inspire culinary creativity among those who appreciate nuanced gastronomic delights.

Ina Garten Goat Cheese Toasts Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s goat cheese toasts elevate simple appetizers with French countryside elegance. Creamy herbed goat cheese spread over crisp baguette slices creates a luxurious starter perfect for intimate gatherings or elegant parties.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread:

• 1 fresh French baguette

Dairy and Cheese:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) creamy goat cheese (like Montrachet), at room temperature

Seasonings and Accompaniments:

• Olive oil (good quality)
• 1–2 garlic cloves, halved lengthwise
• Kosher salt (or sea salt)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Pitted green olives (such as Castelvetrano), halved

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F (200°C), ensuring an even temperature throughout.
2. Using a sharp knife, slice the baguette diagonally into twelve uniform pieces, each measuring approximately ¼-inch (0.6 cm) thick for consistent toasting.
3. Position the bread slices in a single, uncrowded layer on a clean baking sheet, allowing sufficient space between each piece for optimal crisping.
4. Generously brush each slice with extra virgin olive oil, then delicately sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor profiles.
5. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and toast for 8-10 minutes, monitoring until the edges turn golden brown and the texture becomes crisp and crunchy.
6. Remove the toasts and allow them to cool slightly, then gently rub one side of each piece with a freshly cut garlic clove, transferring subtle aromatic notes.
7. Spread a smooth, even layer of creamy goat cheese across the toasted surface, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Artfully top each crostini with halved green olives, creating an attractive and flavorful garnish.
9. Present the crostini warm or at room temperature, perfect for immediate enjoyment as an appetizer or light snack.

Notes

• Select Peak Freshness: Grab crisp baguettes and creamy goat cheese at their prime to guarantee maximum flavor explosion in every bite.
• Control Baking Temperature: Watch toasts closely during golden-browning process, preventing burnt edges that can ruin the delicate texture.
• Maximize Garlic Infusion: Gently massage warm garlic across toasted surfaces, allowing intense aromatic oils to penetrate bread deeply.
• Create Consistent Cheese Layer: Smooth goat cheese carefully across each toast, ensuring balanced taste and texture in every mouthful.
• Preserve Olive Crispness: Strategically place olives moments before serving to maintain their vibrant taste and prevent unwanted bread sogginess.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 toast (of 12)
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg