Peach Crostini with Whipped Ricotta and Honey

Looking for easy summer appetizers? These grilled peach crostini are fresh, simple, and full of sweet and savory flavor. They make a beautiful peach appetizer for warm-weather entertaining, backyard dinners, or casual snacking.

This grilled peach crostini recipe is exactly the kind of dish that belongs on a summer table. It is quick to prepare, colorful, and made with only a handful of ingredients. Crisp grilled bread, creamy goat cheese, fresh basil, warm peaches, and a light drizzle of honey come together in one easy appetizer that feels special without being complicated.

The idea came together after a busy week away with family. We took a road trip to British Columbia for a few days of camping, and although the drive was long with little ones and a few minor truck issues along the way, the trip was worth it. We spent time outdoors, visited a nostalgic fairy-tale forest attraction from childhood, and made plenty of family memories before heading home.

Here are my three little bears.

Before leaving for the trip, this peach crostini appetizer was tested and perfected. Peaches are such a wonderful summer ingredient, and they work beautifully in savory recipes. Their natural sweetness pairs well with tangy cheese, fresh herbs, grilled bread, and a small amount of honey. If you enjoy fruit in savory dishes, this recipe is a great place to start.

These grilled peach crostini take very little time to assemble, but they look impressive on a platter. They are ideal for summer parties, patio dinners, bridal showers, barbecues, or any occasion when you want a fresh appetizer that guests can pick up and enjoy without much mess.

What is a crostini appetizer?

A crostini appetizer is a small slice of toasted or grilled bread topped with flavorful ingredients. Crostini are popular for entertaining because they are bite-sized, easy to serve, and simple to customize. They usually start with a baguette or a slender loaf of crusty bread, sliced into rounds and toasted until crisp on the outside.

From there, the toppings can go in many directions. Crostini are often served with cheese, prosciutto, tomatoes, roasted vegetables, herbs, or fruit. In this version, grilled peaches are the star. The bread is topped with a creamy goat cheese and basil mixture, then finished with diced grilled peaches and honey.

The result is a savory peach appetizer with just enough sweetness to make every bite balanced. The goat cheese adds tang and creaminess, the basil brings freshness, the bread adds crunch, and the peaches soften slightly on the grill, becoming juicy and fragrant.

How do you make peach crostini?

Start by preheating the grill to medium-high heat. Slice a baguette or narrow loaf of crusty bread into rounds about 1 1/2 inches thick. Drizzle one side of each bread slice with olive oil, then place the slices oil-side down on the hot grill. Grill them for a couple of minutes, just until they have light grill marks and a crisp surface. Remove the bread and place it on a serving plate to cool slightly.

Next, prepare the peaches. Cut three peaches in half and remove the pits. Place the peach halves cut-side down on the grill. Let them cook for a few minutes, until they soften and pick up a bit of smoky flavor from the grill.

While the peaches are grilling, mix the goat cheese with finely diced basil. Spread about a teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture over each piece of grilled bread. Once the peaches are soft, transfer them to a cutting board and dice them into small pieces. Spoon the diced peaches over the cheese-topped crostini.

The final step is a light drizzle of honey over the platter. The honey enhances the natural sweetness of the peaches without making the appetizer overly sweet. Because the goat cheese is tangy and the basil is fresh, the finished crostini remain deliciously savory.

Do you have to use goat cheese?

No, goat cheese is not the only option. It works especially well because it is creamy, tangy, and easy to spread, but you can use ricotta or cream cheese if you prefer a milder flavor. A spreadable vegan cheese can also be used for a dairy-free version.

If you choose a vegan cheese, you may also want to replace the honey with maple syrup to keep the appetizer fully vegan. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still pair nicely with the grilled peaches and basil.

You also do not need an outdoor barbecue to make this recipe. An indoor grill can work well too. Keep it fairly hot so the bread becomes crisp and the peaches soften properly. Whether you prepare these on an outdoor grill or indoors, serve them as soon as possible for the best texture.

These grilled peach crostini are best enjoyed fresh, while the bread is still crisp and the peaches are juicy. They can sit at room temperature for a few hours if you are serving them at a party, and leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for a few days, though the bread will soften over time.

Other appetizer ideas you may enjoy include:

• Strawberry rhubarb salsa
• Pepper poppers
• Queso fundido with chorizo