Irresistible Ina Garten’s Goat Cheese Toasts Recipe for Foodies

Warm, golden toasts with a delightful goat cheese spread showcase Ina Garten’s culinary magic in this simple yet elegant appetizer.

Her recipe brings together classic ingredients with a touch of sophistication.

Creamy goat cheese melts perfectly onto crisp, toasted bread, creating a mouthwatering bite that’s both rustic and refined.

The combination of fresh herbs and tangy cheese creates an irresistible flavor profile that beckons food lovers.

Each slice promises a delectable experience that transforms an ordinary moment into something special.

These toasts work brilliantly as a quick starter or a delightful snack that impresses with minimal effort.

You’ll want to savor every delicious morsel of this easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 270 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes on Ina Garten’s Goat Cheese Toasts

• Baguette: Crusty foundation that provides a delightful crunch and perfect canvas for toppings, select a fresh artisan-style bread with a crisp exterior.
• Olive Oil: Adds golden richness and helps create a beautifully bronzed toast surface, choose a high-quality extra virgin variety for best flavor.

• Kosher Salt: Elevates the overall taste profile, helps draw out natural bread and cheese flavors.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and aromatic depth, freshly ground provides maximum zesty punch.
• Garlic: Delivers a robust, pungent undertone that transforms simple toasts into gourmet bites, select firm cloves without sprouts.

• Goat Cheese: Delivers tangy, smooth texture with elegant richness, choose a soft, spreadable variety at room temperature for easiest application.
• Green Olives: Brings briny, Mediterranean flair with a delightful salty contrast, select plump, firm olives without blemishes.

Kitchen Essentials for Toasting Bread & Cheese, Ina Style

• Baking Sheet: Essential for creating crispy, golden toasts.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for slicing baguette diagonally with precision.
• Pastry Brush: Ideal for evenly coating bread slices with olive oil.
• Garlic Clove: Needed for rubbing a subtle garlic flavor onto toasts.
• Cutting Board: Great for slicing baguette and preparing ingredients.
• Serving Platter: Useful for presenting the beautiful goat cheese toasts.

Toasting Method for Goat Cheese Appetizers

• Oven Warmup

Crank up the oven to get it toasty and ready for our delicious adventure.

• Baguette Magic

Slice the bread at a playful angle, creating elegant diagonal pieces that will become crispy golden delights.

• Oil and Season

Drizzle olive oil over the bread slices, then sprinkle with a touch of salt and pepper to awaken their flavor potential.

• Crispy Transformation

Pop the baking sheet into the hot oven and let the bread turn golden and crunchy, developing a beautiful texture.

• Garlic Whisper

Once the toasts cool slightly, gently glide a garlic clove across the surface, infusing each piece with a subtle, aromatic hint.

• Creamy Crowning

Spread smooth, tangy goat cheese generously across the toasts, creating a luxurious blanket of flavor.

• Final Touch

Dot the cheese-covered toasts with briny green olives, adding a sophisticated and zesty finish to your elegant appetizer.

Ways to Elevate Goat Cheese Toasts, Ina Garten Style

• Experiment with different soft cheeses like feta, blue cheese, or herbed cream cheese for unique flavor profiles.
• Sprinkle chopped fresh thyme, rosemary, or chives on top of the goat cheese to elevate the taste and add a vibrant touch.
• Layer thin slices of prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers for an elegant appetizer twist.
• Prepare the toasts and toast base up to a day in advance, storing them separately. Assemble just before serving to maintain crisp texture.
• Drizzle a touch of honey, balsamic glaze, or red pepper flakes for an unexpected burst of flavor that complements the creamy goat cheese.

Plating Tips for Ina Garten’s Simple Starter

• Pair with Fresh Greens: Complement the rich, tangy goat cheese toasts with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Wine and Appetizer Combo: Serve alongside a chilled glass of crisp sauvignon blanc or a light pinot grigio to enhance the goat cheese's creamy texture.
• Elevate Weekend Brunch: Create an elegant brunch spread by adding these toasts to a charcuterie board with cured meats, additional olives, and fresh herbs.
• Quick Party Pleaser: Arrange on a rustic wooden board for an instant crowd-pleasing appetizer that looks sophisticated yet takes minimal preparation time.

How to Keep Goat Cheese Toasts Fresh

• Maximize Freshness: Store toasts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, ensuring they maintain their crispy texture.
• Quick Refrigeration: If topped with goat cheese, refrigerate immediately and consume within 24 hours for optimal taste and food safety.
• Smart Prep Ahead: Bake baguette slices and store untopped toasts in a sealed container for 3-4 days, adding toppings just before serving to prevent sogginess.
• Freeze with Caution: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze plain toasted baguette slices in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month, thawing at room temperature before serving.

Crispy Ina Garten Goat Cheese Toasts Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s goat cheese toasts combine rustic French flavors with elegant simplicity. Crisp baguette slices topped with creamy herbed goat cheese create a delightful appetizer you’ll savor at your next gathering.

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Ingredients

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• 1 French baguette (fresh)
• 8 oz (225 g) creamy goat cheese (like Montrachet), room temperature
• 1–2 garlic cloves, halved lengthwise
• olive oil (good quality)
• kosher salt (or sea salt)
• freshly ground black pepper
• green olives (Castelvetrano), pitted and halved

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring uniform heat distribution for consistent toasting.
2. Bread Transformation: Slice baguette diagonally into twelve elegant, thin pieces, creating uniform crostini bases with precision cutting techniques.
3. Initial Seasoning: Arrange bread slices on baking sheet, lavishly coating each piece with extra virgin olive oil, then delicately seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate flavor complexity.
4. Toasting Process: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges achieve a golden-brown crispness, maintaining a watchful eye to prevent over-browning.
5. Aromatic Enhancement: After removing from oven, gently rub each toast with a freshly cut garlic clove, infusing subtle, fragrant undertones into the crisp surface.
6. Cheese Application: Spread a luscious, creamy layer of goat cheese across each toast, ensuring complete and smooth coverage.
7. Final Garnish: Crown each crostini with halved green olives, creating an elegant and tantalizing visual and flavor finish.
8. Serving Suggestion: Present these gourmet toasts warm or at ambient temperature, offering a sophisticated appetizer that delights the palate.

Notes

• Slice Precisely: Cut baguette diagonally at exact ¼-inch thickness for uniform, crispy toasts that cook evenly.
• Oil Evenly: Brush olive oil generously but lightly to prevent soggy bread and achieve golden, crisp edges.
• Garlic Technique: Gently rub raw garlic clove on warm toast to infuse subtle, aromatic flavor without overwhelming intensity.
• Temperature Control: Toast at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning and ensure perfect golden-brown color.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg