These Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini are a seriously delicious appetizer. They’re made with tender asparagus wrapped in ham and topped with melted brie cheese, all on a crispy slice of French bread.
Every bite is a flavor explosion, and they’re perfect for any party or get-together. You’ll definitely want to try these!
Why You’ll Love These Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of textures and tastes is incredible. Crispy baguette gives way to tender asparagus, salty ham, and rich, creamy brie cheese. It’s a party in your mouth!
- Easy Elegance: These crostini look fancy and impressive, but they’re surprisingly simple to make. Perfect for a last-minute appetizer that feels special.
- Something for Everyone: Do you love savory and salty? Asparagus and brie satisfy that craving. Prefer a hint of sweetness? The ham adds a nice balance.
- Light Bite, Big Satisfaction: Crostini are the perfect size for mingling and sampling. You can enjoy the flavors without feeling weighed down.
- Seasonal Allure: Asparagus is at its peak in spring, making these crostini a delightful way to celebrate the season.
I bet you’ll find these asparagus brie and ham crostini to be irresistible!
Tips for Making Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini
Here are some tips for making delicious Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini:
Perfect Asparagus:
- Thinner is Better: Use thinner asparagus spears for even cooking and easier eating on the crostini.
- Season Simply: Salt, pepper, and a touch of olive oil are all you need to bring out the natural flavor.
Crusty Bread:
- The Right Size: Slice the baguette into bite-sized pieces that can comfortably hold the toppings.
- Brushing vs. Drizzling: Brush the bread with olive oil for even coating and less sogginess.
Melty Brie:
- Room Temperature is Key: Take the brie out of the fridge about 30 minutes before assembling to soften for easier spreading.
- Slice it Thin: Thinner slices melt more evenly and distribute better on the crostini.
- Broil it Right: Keep an eye on the broiler to ensure the brie melts without burning.
Assembly and Presentation:
- Layer it Up: Start with the asparagus, then ham, and top with brie for a visually appealing presentation.
- Don’t Skimp on Flavor: A sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or thyme adds a touch of brightness.
- Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze (Optional): A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness and acidity for an extra flavor dimension.
- Serve Warm: Enjoy the crostini while the brie is melted and the bread is warm for the best experience.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making incredible Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini that are sure to impress your guests!
How to Store and then Reheat Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini
Storing Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini requires some care to maintain their deliciousness. Here’s how:
- Refrigeration: If you have leftover crostini, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Ensure they are cooled to room temperature before sealing the container to prevent condensation, which can make the baguette slices soggy.
- Separation: To prevent the flavors from melding together and the bread from becoming overly moist, consider separating the crostini layers with parchment paper or wax paper before refrigerating.
- Use Within a Day: For the best taste and texture, consume the crostini within a day of assembly. While they can technically be stored for longer, the bread may lose its crispness, and the toppings may not be as fresh-tasting.
- Reheating: If you’d like to refresh the crostini before serving, you can briefly reheat them in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes. This will help crisp up the bread without overcooking the toppings.
- Toppings Preservation: Keep in mind that the brie cheese may solidify slightly when chilled. If you prefer it gooey and melted, you may want to remove the crostini from the refrigerator about 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to soften slightly at room temperature.
- Freezing Considerations: While it’s possible to freeze crostini, the texture of the bread and toppings may suffer upon thawing. If you do freeze them, wrap each crostini individually in plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
By storing your Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini properly, you can preserve their flavors and textures, ensuring they remain a delightful treat for you and your guests to enjoy, even after they’ve been prepared.
Tips for Choosing the Best Ingredients for this Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini
Asparagus:
- Freshness is Key: Look for bright green spears with tight, closed tips. Avoid limp or woody asparagus.
- Seasonal Advantage: Asparagus is at its peak in the spring, but if it’s off-season, choose firm, thick spears with no wilting.
- Size Matters: Opt for thinner spears (around the thickness of a pencil) for even cooking and easier handling on the crostini.
Brie Cheese:
- Ripeness Matters: Select a ripe brie that is slightly soft to the touch but still holds its shape. Avoid brie that is too hard or runny.
- Flavor Profile: Consider your preference. Triple-crème brie offers a richer, creamier taste, while double-crème brie is milder.
- Quality Counts: Look for brie with a bloomy white rind and no brown spots, which indicate spoilage.
Ham:
- Flavor Options: Choose a deli ham that complements your taste. Black forest ham adds smokiness, prosciutto offers a salty elegance, and regular deli ham is a classic choice.
- Thinly Sliced: Request the ham to be thinly sliced at the deli counter for easier layering on the crostini.
- Freshness First: Opt for ham that appears moist and has a vibrant pink color.
Bread:
- Baguette Basics: Choose a fresh baguette with a crisp crust and airy interior. Avoid baguettes that are too soft or hard.
- Size it Up: Select a baguette that allows you to cut bite-sized pieces to accommodate all the delicious toppings.
- Consider Alternatives: If baguettes aren’t available, use a sturdy bread like ciabatta or a rustic Italian loaf. Just ensure it can be cut into small slices and hold the toppings without becoming soggy.
More Easter Recipes
- How To Color Easter Eggs Naturally
- Easter Brunch Creme Brulee Baked Oatmeal
- Mini Chocolate Rum Cupcakes
- Bunny-Approved Baked Easter Doughnuts
- Easter Simnel Cake
- Nutella Easter Egg Candy
- Old-Fashioned Peanut Rolled Eggs
Making the Recipe
Asparagus Brie and Ham Crostini
Ingredients
- 10 slices French Bread Baguette sliced into 1/2″ slices
- 6 pieces Fresh asparagus spears cut into 2″ pieces
- ½ pound ham thinly sliced, cut into strips
- ¼ pound Brie cheese cut into 1/4″ slices
- Olive oil
Instructions
- On a pan, place the asparagus pieces and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and toss to coat. Bake at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Brush each of your baguette slices with a little olive oil. If you want them really toasted, broil them for about 2 minutes on each side.
- If not, simple stack the asparagus spears on top of the bread. Then add the ham and then top with the cheese.
- Put in the oven and broil for about 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Remove and serve.
The soft Spring palette is perfect for Easter…Great idea, too, about accommodating kidlets with mozzarella…Thank you for sharing this recipe, Nicole.
Praying that this season brings you healing and peace <3
Ah don’t worry the kids will love it once they grow up a bit. I didn’t like it either as a kid but then later on I started to miss it in Asia. Wish I could have all your crostini now.
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. He was young… I hope you are slowly feeling better though. =I
I’m sure your kids will develop the taste for brie. I don’t know how anyone could not love such a wonderful cheese. And I could take a platter of your crostini. It’s perfect for Easter and spring.
This deliciousness is right up my alley! I’m thinking these need to be added to our Easter Table this year!
What a creative crostini! I just love it!!
What a great appetizer! I could munch on these all day lol. Thank you for sharing!
I once had a fancy pants sandwich at Disney that was basically this. I’d rather have yours. YUM!
I just licked my screen—WOW these are beautiful and the flavor combination is something I would LOVE! I hope Spring is coming to MD soon, I could use some warmer weather right about now. Have a Happe Easter.
So pretty Nicole!
I could live on crostinis, and this one has all the right ingredients! Beautiful colors Nicole. A big hug to you and your family during these sad moments.
Those look fantastic, Nicole. I love asparagus, and ham together – putting it on a crostini with Brie sounds amazing!
Yeah, my kids haven’t developed the palates for Brie yet…but I’m sure they’d gobble up the mozz version! Your crostini look perfect for Easter!
So delicious! And beautiful.
Goodness!! These look so fresh and yet so decadent. I looove brie and asparagus!
The PERFECT combination of flavors… and so pretty!
So sorry to read about your loss. Sending many prayers your way.
I’ve been eying these all morning–the fact that I can’t have one *right now* is disappointing, but I’ll be patient and make these for Easter next weekend!
Oh my goodness I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if my daughter didn’t like brie. Hubby loves very stinky cheeses so we often have them in the house so I guess she is just use to it. These crostinis would seriously hit the spot for me right now.
The weather eludes me. It was warm here yesterday, and now they’re calling for snow. I think it’s confused. These little bites look delicious.
So very pretty, the perfect light bite for Spring!
Yum I could eat a whole plate for dinner! And you may need a plate to get through this snowstorm. Think spring!
Yum yum yum! These look like such a perfect bite, and I love the beautiful colors!
Mmm these look wonderful! My husband loves asparagus…and I love all of the other stuff haha so I will have to try these out!
Once again, dearest Nicole, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of a good friend and beloved father, husband and son. I’ve been thinking about you a lot, hoping that you’ve been taking comfort in your friends and family.
As for these crostinis – every element is amazing. Together, this dish is perfection! I used to be a fool and didn’t like Brie cheese either. Now, I love it! It’s like butter in cheese form. Sending you hugs and well wishes!
These are adorable! What a perfect Easter appetizer with the ham and asparagus!
This looks so good Nicole!! And congrats on being listed on Recipes.com Best of the Blogs for asparagus. My #SundaySupper post was listed there too 🙂