Fresh basil leaves add a peppery flavoring to classic appetizers like roasted tomato bruschetta.
You can make a wide variety of savory appetizers with fresh basil leaves including crostini’s, flatbread, breadsticks, and finger food appetizers.
Try making one of these chef worthy appetizers for your next party!
Prosciutto and Brie on Artisan Crackers
Prosciutto and brie on artisan crackers is a crispy appetizer with a sweetened finish to it.
Artisan crackers are arranged on a plate, and topped with a slice of brie cheese on each of them.
Basil leaves are placed on top of the brie, along with strips of prosciutto that are placed in a folded shape.
A couple sprigs of arugula are placed on top of the prosciutto to complete the base of the appetizer.
Drizzle a bit of honey and balsamic reduction all over the artisan crackers and enjoy!
Watermelon Bruschetta
Watermelon bruschetta has creamy undertones, mixed with refreshing watermelon and sweet balsamic reduction.
Watermelon bruschetta is made by whipping together feta cheese and ricotta cheese.
Baguette slices are toasted and then a layer of the whipped ricotta and feta cheese is spread on top.
Watermelon is cubed into small pieces, and placed on top of the creamy layer.
Add a little freshly chopped chives, basil leaves, and ground pepper to the bruschetta.
Drizzle with balsamic reduction and your watermelon bruschetta is ready to be served.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
Roasted cherry tomato bruschetta is served warm, made on crispy garlic crostini’s.
The roasted tomatoes are tossed with fresh basil leaves, and then placed on top of the crostini’s that have been rubbed with garlic.
The bruschetta topped with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, and a drizzle balsamic vinegar.
Lemon Basil Ricotta Crostini
Lemon basil ricotta crostini has a refreshing citrusy flavor to it.
Ricotta is mixed together with lemon zest, black pepper, and salt for a rich base to the crostini.
Freshly made crostini’s are baked in the oven, and layered with the ricotta mixture.
Add a couple of strips of fresh basil leaves to the tops of the crostini’s.
Drizzle olive oil on top and enjoy!
Whipped Feta with Roasted Strawberries
Whipped feta with roasted strawberries is a warm strawberry appetizer served with toasted crusty bread for dipping.
Diced strawberries are roasted in the oven with balsamic vinegar and honey until the juices are released from the strawberries.
In the meantime, feta is whipped in a food processor along with Greek yogurt, olive oil, and pepper.
To assemble, spread a thin layer of whipped feta on top of a slice of crusty bread, and top with roasted strawberries.
Garnish with thin strips of fresh basil leaves.
Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil
Strawberry caprese with lemon and basil is a cheesy and fruity toothpick appetizer.
Cubed mozzarella is marinated with lemon juice, lemon zest, thin strips of fresh basil leaves, olive oil and salt.
Strawberry caprese is made by cutting strawberries in half.
To assemble the appetizer, place a strawberry, a slice of mozzarella cheese, and then repeat again together in a stack.
A toothpick is placed through the stack to create the strawberry caprese appetizer.
Fresh ground pepper is sprinkled on top of the appetizer to finish it off.
Prosciutto and Apple Crostini
Prosciutto and apple crostini is made by adding a layer of fig jam on top of a freshly prepared crostini.
A fresh leaf of basil is added on top of the fig jam.
A thin slice of apple is added to the crostini along with a strip of prosciutto.
The prosciutto appetizer is topped with balsamic reduction to give it a sweet finish.
Pepperoni Caprese Bites
Pepperoni caprese bites are an eye catching appetizer assembled on a toothpick, with a basil vinaigrette dressing.
To assemble the pepperoni appetizer, place a fresh piece of mozzarella, then a folded piece of pepperoni, a fresh basil leaf, and a cherry tomato on a toothpick.
Drizzle basil vinaigrette dressing on top and serve immediately.
Peach Flatbread
Flatbread is a delicious crispy, warm peach appetizer. Flatbread can be cut into small pieces so it’s easily eaten.
Peach flatbread is made by simply brushing olive oil on the edges of the flatbread dough.
Add pizza sauce on the dough, and arrange fresh mozzarella on top of the pizza sauce.
Place folded pieces of prosciutto all over the flatbread. Slice peaches and dry off excess water. You don’t want too much leaking into your flatbread or it won’t crisp up.
Bake the flatbread, and add fresh leaves of basil once it comes out of the oven, along with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Simple Mozzarella Bruschetta
Simple mozzarella bruschetta is a tasty appetizer you can serve warm, right out of the oven.
Make your own crostini’s by slicing a baguette, brushing olive oil on to one side of the bread, and then broiling it in the oven for 2 minutes until it’s toasted.
Assemble the bruschetta by putting one slice of tomato, and one slice of mozzarella onto the crostini’s. Add a couple basil leaves to the bruschetta, and then broil in the oven until the cheese has started to melt.
Drizzle balsamic reduction over the bruschetta and enjoy!
Strawberry Bruschetta with Cream Cheese
Strawberry bruschetta with cream cheese is a sweet balsamic appetizer.
Cream cheese is mixed with vanilla extract and a bit of sugar.
A baguette is sliced into thin pieces, and toasted to create the bottom layer of the bruschetta.
To assemble the bruschetta, a thin layer of vanilla cream cheese is spread on the freshly toasted baguette slice.
The cream cheese will melt a little from the warmed bread.
Sliced strawberries are added on top of the cream cheese, with a couple strips of basil leaves.
Strawberry bruschetta is finished off with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Pizza Focaccia Breadsticks
Pizza focaccia breadsticks are served with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Focaccia bread is made fresh, and then topped with olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic powder prior to baking.
The bread is baked in the oven until the edges are crispy and golden brown.
After it comes out of the oven, the focaccia bread is topped with shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
The cheese is broiled until it’s a bubbling and brown.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve the focaccia bread appetizer warm, right out of the oven.
Serve the focaccia appetizer with your favorite warmed up pizza sauce, and enjoy!
Spicy Italian Sausage Dip
Spicy Italian sausage dip is a hot, creamy sausage dip served with crackers or crostini’s.
Spicy Italian sausage is cooked and broken up into smaller pieces.
The sausage is mixed with cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese to create the base of the dip.
Sausage dip is spiced with red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
Diced tomatoes and banana peppers are added to the dip, and then it can be placed in a heat proof dish.
The sausage dip is topped with more mozzarella cheese and baked in the oven until the cheese has started to brown.
Garnish with strips of fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
