Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini with Marinated Cherry Tomatoes are the perfect spring appetizer. Creamy goat cheese studded with fresh herbs is spread onto crisp crostini and topped with glossy marinated cherry tomatoes, creating a bite that’s bright, fresh, and full of spring flavor.
When I’m hosting an elegant gathering on a spring afternoon, shareable, two-bite appetizers always feel like the right move. They keep the table setting minimal and invite guests to mingle freely. Small plates signal that it’s perfectly acceptable to grab a bite, wander through the garden, and settle into the afternoon in a relaxed, effortless way.
Crostini may be a classic, but for a romantic spring party, I like to give them a fresh perspective. Here, herbed goat cheese brings bright garden flavor while remaining creamy and tangy. Glossy marinated cherry tomatoes rest gently on top, adding color, sweetness, and just the right amount of seasonal charm. These are beautiful little bites meant to be enjoyed without fuss. They’re simple, elegant, and full of spring.
I love serving these crisp crostini as part of my Simply Romantic Spring Tea Party menu, where the flavors of a traditional tea inspire something altogether more modern and unexpected. A floral cocktail begins the afternoon, a tea-infused dessert closes it, and these crostini — alongside a silky white bean dip swirled with pesto — anchor the table with freshness and ease.
Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini with Marinated Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Brush both sides of baguette slices with olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- In a food processor, combine goat cheese, cream, lemon zest, chives, parsley, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and whipped.
- In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, chives, salt, pepper, and a pinch of lemon zest. Toss to combine evenly. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to marinate.
- Spread goat cheese onto cooled crostini. Top with marinated tomatoes allowing juice to run off before spooning on to crostini. Serve immediately.
From My Table
- Baguette slices can be toasted earlier in the day and kept in an airtight container until ready to serve. Do not over-toast these. You want them to stay together when your guests bite into them.
- The goat cheese mixture can be made earlier in the day as well and kept in the refrigerator. Allow to come to room temperature before spreading.
- Tomatoes are best marinated shortly before serving — no more than 1 hour ahead for optimal texture. Let most of the juice run off the tomatoes before plating them on the crostini–you don’t want the crostini to become soggy.
- I love a mixture of colors for the tomatoes, if you can get them.
- I like to serve these on a long platter. It keeps them so pretty for serving and grabbing while mingling.
- Feel free to play with the herbs in the goat cheese mixture. If you have something lovely growing in the garden, even better.
Out in the Garden
My Simply Romantic Garden Tea Party features these Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini–perfect for sharing and mingling. That is such a gorgeous menu that starts with a floral gin cocktail, offers herb-infused apps, and closes the night with a tea-inspired English posset.
These crostini would also pair so nicely with my Silky Green Spring Pasta and Asparagus Flatbread on my Modern Spring Dinner Party Menu. I think they would also make a beautiful pairing with the Spring Salmon with Mustard and Dill on my Bright Early Spring Dinner Party Menu. Or pair them with my Simple Arugula Salad (a fan favorite!) for a light lunch.
