These easy, elegant smoked salmon crostini make a perfect appetizer or party snack. The familiar pairing of smoked salmon and cream cheese is brightened with fresh herbs and a crisp baguette, and the little finishing touch of pickled red onion adds a tangy pop. The recipe can be made dairy-free and comes together in under 20 minutes.
I love making small, beautiful appetizers that don’t require hours in the kitchen. These smoked salmon crostini use just a handful of ingredients but look and taste special, so they’re perfect for sharing at brunches, cocktail parties, or casual gatherings. They’re quick to prepare and disappear fast—one bite and guests will be coming back for more.
This idea takes cues from the classic smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, but I like to boost the flavor by blending fresh herbs into the cream cheese and finishing each crostini with a sliver of quick-pickled red onion. Use any spreadable cream cheese you prefer—regular, lactose-free, or dairy-free—to suit your needs.
When you’re hosting next, prepare a tray of these crostini so you can spend less time assembling in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests. They’re light, flavorful, and addictive—expect them to be gone quickly.
If you want other crostini ideas, try steak crostini with caramelised onions and chimichurri for a heartier option—more prep but big on flavor.
Key Ingredients
A few simple components are all you need to make these smoked salmon crostini quickly and easily.
Quantities and the full ingredient list are provided in the recipe card below.
- French baguette – sliced and toasted to create a crisp base for each crostini.
- Olive oil – brushed on the baguette slices so they brown nicely in the oven or air fryer.
- Cream cheese – any spreadable cream cheese works. Spreadable varieties (including dairy-free versions) are easiest to mix and spread.
- Fresh herbs – finely chopped parsley, dill and chives give the cream cheese a bright, fresh flavour.
- Smoked salmon – use your preferred smoked salmon; a good quality product makes a difference.
- Pickled red onion – a quick pickle of thinly sliced red onion, sugar and white vinegar adds crunch and acidity to balance the richness.
Step-By-Step Instructions
The recipe breaks down into three straightforward steps: prepare the herbed cream cheese, toast the baguette slices, and assemble the crostini. No specialized equipment is required, though an electric mixer will speed up the cream cheese whipping.
Preheat your oven to 180°C. Slice the baguette into 1.5 cm rounds, lightly brush each slice with olive oil, and bake until golden and crisp, turning once so both sides brown evenly. You can also use an air fryer if you prefer.
For the herbed cream cheese, place the cream cheese and chopped herbs in a mixing bowl, season with salt and pepper, and beat by hand or with an electric mixer until smooth and airy.
When the toasts are crisp, spread each piece with the herbed cream cheese, top with a ribbon or fold of smoked salmon, and add a small amount of pickled red onion. Finish with a sprig of fresh dill or a sprinkle of chopped chives and transfer to a serving platter.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Swap the baguette for a gluten-free bread or crispbread to make gluten-free crostini.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below — I’d love to hear how it turned out!
More simple appetisers:
Easy Baked Beef Meatballs
Seared Scallops with Avocado, Smoked Salmon and Caviar
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites
Smoked Salmon Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 french baguette
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 250 grams dairy-free cream cheese (or preferred variety)
- 1 cup chopped fresh herbs parsley, dill, chives
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 120 grams smoked salmon
- Pickled red onion for garnish
Instructions
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Slice the baguette into 1.5 cm rounds and brush each with olive oil. Bake at 180°C until golden, turning once so both sides crisp evenly.
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Combine the cream cheese and chopped herbs in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and mix until smooth and creamy by hand or with an electric mixer.
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To assemble, spread each toast with the herbed cream cheese, top with smoked salmon and a small amount of pickled red onion, then garnish with dill or chives. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip: Make a quick pickle by combining sugar and white vinegar with very thinly sliced red onion and letting it sit while you prepare the rest of the crostini.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is a guide only and is calculated using automated tools; accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Adjust calculations for the exact ingredients you use.
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