A diet without dairy cheese is far from boring. This dairy-free roasted grape crostini is proof. Baguette slices are toasted with olive oil, topped with creamy ricotta style spread (yes, it’s dairy-free!), and finished with balsamic roasted grapes and onion. It’s a taste and textural delight that you can enjoy for a small plate night, or serve as an appetizer to any guest, whether they are dairy free or not.
This Dairy-Free Roasted Grape Crostini is Ready for your Spread
This creative appetizer was an entry in one of our recipe contract tests contests that we held nearly a decade ago. It was shared with us by Emily Vallozzi. We’ve recently updated her recipe with additional information, and have a few recipe notes below.
- Baguette – Most baguettes, whether fresh from the bakery or taken and bake, are dairy free by ingredients. But of course, always check the label to be sure. I have seen a baguette or two that contained milk over the years. If you have gluten free needs, look for brands like Udi’s (contains egg), or Schar (contains soy).
- Olive oil – Emily uses extra virgin olive oil, which is common in crostini recipes. If you’re concerned about high heat cooking with this oil, you can use a regular olive oil for cooking. Other baking oils, like canola oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil would likely work well as alternatives.
- Vinegar – Balsamic vinegar is key in this recipe. If you must, you can substitute red wine vinegar. Wouldn’t use another vinegar like apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. Those are a bit too harsh for this recipe.
- Salt – If you need to reduce your sodium intake, you can lower the salt in this recipe. We find it still quite delicious with 1/2 teaspoon salt. You can always sprinkle on a little coarse salt if you feel it’s lacking in flavor.
- Grapes – Use seedless red grapes. You can substitute seedless green grapes, or use both types for color and flavor contrast.
- Onion – Red onion is ideal for this recipe, but a yellow onion or sweet white onion will work if that’s what you have on hand.
- Herbs – Emily chooses fresh thyme for garnish, but other herbs pair nicely with these ingredients, too. Fresh rosemary, basil, or chives are great alternatives.
- Other Garnish – We think this dairy-free roasted grape crostini begs to be sprinkled with a little freshly ground black pepper. Some people also like a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze, honey, or maple syrup.
Special Diet Notes: Balsamic Roasted Grape Crostini
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy free / non dairy, optionally gluten free, peanut free, soy free, vegan, plant based, and vegetarian.
Dairy-Free Roasted Grape Crostini
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven broiler, and line of baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the baguette slices in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Brush the slices with about 3 tablespoons of the olive oil.
- Broil the bread until golden, about 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the mini toasts to a serving platter.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 425ºF.
- In a large bowl, toss together the grapes, onions, balsamic vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt.
- Spread the grape mixture out on your lined baking sheet. Roast until the grapes begin to caramelize, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- To assemble, spread each crostini with cashew ricotta, and then top with the grapes and onions. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Also Try our Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms!
