Incredibly simple Toast Appetizers. Ideal for parties and entertaining and yet so easy, they make a perfect TV snack too. Make with your favourite bread and top your way…
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Toast Appetizers – A quick and tasty party piece
Toast appetizers must be the quickest, easiest and most versatile quick bites on the planet. They can be made at the drop of a hat with pretty much anything you have to hand… meat, fish, cheese, veggie or vegan. With gluten free or wheat toast… Baguettes or standard loaves.
Whether you have a gathering or party planned or just want ideas up your sleeve for an impromptu visit from friends and family, keep this one pinned! It will make you look like the perfect host/ess in minutes and with zero skill.
What bread should I use to make Toast Appetizers?
Whatever your dietary requirements, pretty much any bread will work. Commercial bread is fine… Yes… even shop-bought gluten free bread generally toasts well. But go for loaves that are not pre-cut, so that you have control over the thickness of slices. I prefer something with a little more depth for party toasts.
For the BEST appetizers though, I recommend making your own bread. At Gluten Free Alchemist we have some amazing bread for toast… Our gluten free Wholemeal bread is fabulous, as is its bread-maker Wholemeal sister. And we have a Vegan Wholemeal for our plant-based friends too.
If you want something a little ‘whiter’, our Store Cupboard loaf may be what you are looking for. But we also have a couple of loaves which are at their best toasted… I’m talking Chestnut & Rice Flour Bread and Pumpkin Seed & Sunflower Seed Bread.
Shapes for Toast Appetizers
So, you’ve sorted the toast…. Now let’s talk shape!
Cutting toast shapes using cookie cutters will make these appetizers extra special. Any shape you like is good, but try to avoid anything too intricate as the toast needs to take on a neat cut line. Or… Just cut simple triangles if you prefer. Remember to make them small (they are ‘appetizers’ after all). And always remove the crusts!
Of course, if you are going for a more traditional ‘Bruschetta’ appeal, using toasted French bread or baguette is also an option. Or alternatively, you can use the same ‘top and eat’ principles with Blini. You’ll find my easy gluten free blini recipe here.
What can I put on party toasts and Bruschetta?
When thinking about toppings for toast appetizers, be as creative as you like. These mini bites work with pretty much any favourite combination of ingredients (individual or paired) alongside carefully matched sauces and savoury sprinkles.
For these vegan Toast Appetizers (which were made on my Vegan Wholemeal), I used Our Paula’s Vegan Mushroom and Walnut Paté, topped with a simple decorative walnut. And her Vegan Coriander, Lime & Ginger Hummus with some pretty fresh chopped chives from the garden. But like I said, pretty much anything goes…
Here’s a few ingredient ideas to inspire you :
Meat and fish
- salami
- ham/serrano ham
- tuna (fresh or tinned)
- smoked salmon
- caviar
- prawns (or prawn cocktail)
- meat and fish patés
- hot smoked salmon
- crab
- bacon
- chicken
- chicken liver
- ‘Full English Breakfast’ (like these Blini)
Cheese and Vegetarian
- cream cheese, cottage cheese or ricotta
- creamed mushrooms
- blue cheese
- goats cheese
- cheeses topped with figs/pears/other fruit
- pesto (even Basil Pesto)
- Halloumi
- Mozzarella,
Vegan
- Caramelised Onion Hummus
- vegan paté
- roasted peppers/squash/ other veg
- Baba Ghanoush
- home-made houmous
- vegan cheeses
- figs
- bean dips
- roasted tomatoes
- sundried tomatoes
- guacamole or crushed/sliced avocado
- green bean & caramelised onion chutney
Extras and savoury sprinkles
- herbs
- sour cream (and DF alternatives)
- nuts and seeds
- olive oil (possibly flavoured)
- balsamic syrup
- honey
- pear & ginger preserve
- well-paired fruits
- paprika or chilli flakes
- baby salad leaves
- parmesan shavings
- chipotle
- mayonnaise or aioli
- simple salt & pepper
- home-made butter
How to make toast appetizers
Once you have the bread and toppings decided, the rest is straight forward…
- Ahead of making… Prepare your chosen toppings if they need cutting/slicing/mixing to be neat and exciting.
- Toast the slices to a lovely golden colour (no one wants anaemic-looking toast bites).
- Cut into your chosen shapes.
- Lightly butter the toast if that is something that works with the rest.
- And finally… carefully arrange the toppings on the toasts.
If you are making toast appetizers using toppings that are dry or don’t lie flat, it may help to ‘stick’ them on top of something paired, which is a little wet and creamy. No-one needs embarrassed guests when the top rolls off the toast as soon as it’s picked up.
If using spreads and creams that hold their shape, you could also use piping, or try making ‘quenelles’. It honestly doesn’t matter if they aren’t perfect. But it’s fun (if you have time) to give it a go.
Like this idea?
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Happy Cooking
Toast Appetizers (or Party Bruschetta)
Key equipment
- toaster
- cookie cutter (optional) or sharp knife
- spoon
Ingredients
- 6 slices bread of choice thick-sliced
- 200 g chosen paté/hummus etc approx weight See Main BLOG POST for ideas on variations
Instructions
- Ahead of making… Prepare your chosen toppings if they need cutting/slicing/mixing to be neat and exciting.
- Toast the slices to a lovely golden colour.
- Cut the toast into shapes using a cookie cutter or sharp knife.
- Lightly butter the toast if that is something that works with the rest.
- Carefully arrange the toppings on the toasts.
Notes
Nutrition
© 2019-2023 Kate Dowse All Rights Reserved – Do not copy or re-publish this recipe or any part of this recipe on any other blog, on social media or in a publication without the express permission of Gluten Free Alchemist
delicious recipe.. I am planning this amazing recipe on my son’s birthday party.
Hope everyone will like this. Thanks a lot for sharing this yummy recipe..
You’re welcome
What a bunch of great ideas here!! I love the cut toasts – you could cut them into any shape. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Wishing you a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.
Thank you Helen. Absolutely. They are so versatile x
This is such a lovely idea! Perfect for parties like Fiesta Friday! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jhuls. Sometimes simple is the best way xx
Brushetta in some form is a staple party food for me so easy to make! Lots of lovely suggestions for toppings here, Thank you.
Thank you Jacqui. It’s definitely a quick and easy one to have in the back pocket xx
Love all the flavors of fall!
Thank you Michele. x