This Strawberry Appetizer recipe features heart-shaped crostini topped with creamy blended cottage cheese, juicy strawberries, tangy balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of basil. With minimal ingredients and cook time, this is the perfect savory way to enjoy strawberries on Valentine’s Day! Plus, it’s higher in protein than whipped ricotta or whipped goat cheese.
Valentine’s Day is coming up and it’s the perfect excuse to go all out on the at-home dinner menu! Start by kicking off the night with a special, festive strawberry appetizer like these crostini with blended cottage cheese. Because strawberries aren’t just for dessert!
This recipe was inspired by whipped ricotta. Whipped ricotta was all the rage several years ago and I remember being hooked the minute I tried it. The silky, smooth texture and the rich taste pairs perfectly with crispy toast and many sweet and savory toppings.
So, this year, I wanted to create a bit of a healthier version by substituting cottage cheese for the ricotta. The taste and texture is shockingly similar but cottage cheese is higher in protein and lower in calories than ricotta. Don’t knock it till you try it!
Why You’ll Love this Strawberry Appetizer with Blended Cottage Cheese Crostini
- They are the perfect appetizer for your Valentine’s Day menu!
- Blended cottage cheese is higher in protein and lower in calories than whipped ricotta.
- These are approved by even the cottage cheese skeptics!
- Minimal ingredients and cooking required.
- This strawberry appetizer strikes a great balance of sweet and savory.
- They are both beautiful to look at, and delicious to eat!
What You Need to Make this Strawberry Appetizer with Blended Cottage Cheese Crostini
For the Crostini:
- Baguette: Some crispy slices of baguette are the perfect vessel for blended cottage cheese and strawberries!
- Olive Oil: Just a touch of olive oil to brush over the baguette slices prior to baking.
For the Blended Cottage Cheese:
- Cottage Cheese: Blended cottage cheese acts as a healthier, higher protein alternative to whipped ricotta in this strawberry crostini recipe. I highly recommend using 4% for the best, rich flavor. My favorite brands are Good Culture & Hood.
- Lemon Zest: Fresh lemon zest will add a bit of brightness and flavor to the blended cottage cheese.
- Honey: Sweeten up the blended cottage cheese with a touch of honey or maple syrup.
- Salt & Pepper: Season to taste with salt & pepper.
For Topping:
- Strawberries: Sweet & juicy strawberries go so well with the creamy blended cottage cheese. And it’s the perfect touch for Valentine’s Day!
- Balsamic Glaze: Balsamic glaze adds further sweetness and acidity to these crostini. I just use store-bought rather than making my own.
- Basil: To add a pop of color and a bit of savory, herby flavor.
- Flaky Sea Salt: Optional, but I love finishing these with a touch of flaky sea salt!
How To Make this Strawberry Appetizer with Blended Cottage Cheese Crostini
Slice Baguette & Brush with Olive Oil:
First, start by preheating your oven to 400F (or 450F if you prefer super crispy crostini).
Then, use a serrated knife to cut the baguette into ½ inch slices. Next, if you’re making this for Valentine’s Day and want them to be in cute heart shapes, cut each piece in half diagonally. Flip one of the pieces and put it together so that it forms a heart. If it’s not quite looking like a heart yet, use your knife to cut a small triangle at the top (see photos and videos for reference).
Next, add heart-shaped baguette slices to an extra large baking sheet and brush each side with olive oil. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 12 minutes (or roughly 6 minutes if the oven is at 450F). Finally, allow the crostini to cool for several minutes.
Prepare Blended Cottage Cheese:
Meanwhile, add all blended cottage cheese ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth and no clumps remain.
Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a piping bag or ziplock bag with the end cut off. Then, pipe the blended cottage cheese onto the cooled crostinis. Alternatively, you can just spread it out with a knife – this is easier but not quite as pretty.
Top Crostini with Strawberries, Balsamic & Basil:
Lastly, top each crostini with a generous amount of diced strawberries, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, basil, and a pinch of flaky sea salt. They’re best when eaten fresh, so dig right in and enjoy!
Do I Have to Make these Heart Shaped?
No, of course not! Since this recipe is part of my Valentine’s Menu, I wanted to add some festive flare by making them heart-shaped. However, if you want to make your life easier, or if you’re planning to make these for a different occasion, you can just keep the baguette slices as is.
Are There any Substitutes for the Cottage Cheese?
I promise that even cottage cheese skeptics will enjoy this recipe. Because when cottage cheese is blended, it’s just 1000% better. The curdles and clumps are replaced with a smooth, silky texture that’s very similar to whipped ricotta.
Another benefit of using cottage cheese is that it’s higher in protein and lower in calories than ricotta, which makes this strawberry appetizer more balanced.
However, if you would really like to swap the cottage cheese out with something else, you can fall back onto the old faithful…ricotta. I haven’t personally tested this, but it should work great!
Can I Use Low-Fat or Non-Fat Cottage Cheese?
Although you technically could use low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese in this recipe, I wouldn’t recommend it. For the best rich flavor, you’re going to want to use full-fat (4%) cottage cheese.
Sometimes you can get away with using a lower-fat version in recipes where cottage cheese is not the “main character” but in here…you’ll really notice a difference if you don’t use full-fat. But trust me, this is still packed with protein and plenty of healthy ingredients!
Expert Tips:
- Slice the baguette normally if you’re not making this for Valentine’s Day: Of course, you don’t have to make these in the shape of a heart. If you’re making them for another occasion, or just want to keep it easy, simply slice the baguette into 1/2inch pieces.
- Allow the crostini to cool before adding the blended cottage cheese: Otherwise it will get melty and slip right off!
- Use a piping bag or ziplock bag to apply the blended cottage cheese: Piping it onto the crostini like this makes it really beautiful and is also oddly therapeutic. However, you can also spread it out using a knife.
How Do the Leftovers Store?
Of course, this Strawberry Appetizer with Blended Cottage Cheese Crostini is best eaten fresh. That’s because as leftovers sit, the cottage cheese seeps into the bread and makes it soggier, and the strawberries will start to deteriorate as well.
If you’re making this for a party, I would recommend assembling it right before you’re ready to eat. However, you can definitely can prep the different elements ahead of time and keep them separate. Leave the crostini out at room temperature and the whipped cottage cheese and strawberries in an airtight container in the fridge.
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for more Valentine’s Day Recipes?
- Marry Me Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Harissa Maple Carrots with Whipped Feta
- Gluten Free Monster Cookies
- Chocolate Tahini Protein Balls
- Easy Hot Chocolate Pie
Strawberry Appetizer with Blended Cottage Cheese Crostini
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Pastry brush
- piping bag or ziplock bag (optional)
Ingredients
For the Crostini:
- 1 baguette (12oz)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Blended Cottage Cheese (you will have extra):
- 16 oz cottage cheese (4% preferred)
- ½ tbsp honey or maple syrup
- zest from ½ lemon
- salt & pepper to taste
For Topping:
- strawberries (about ¾ lb, finely diced)
- fresh basil chiffonaded
- balsamic glaze
- flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F (or 450F if you prefer super crispy crostini).
- Cut baguette into ½ inch slices. Then, cut each piece in half diagonally. Flip one of the pieces and put them together so that they form a heart. If it's not quite looking like a heart yet, use your knife to cut a small triangle at the top (see photos and videos for reference).1 baguette
- Add heart-shaped baguette slices to an extra large baking sheet and brush each side with olive oil. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 12 minutes (or roughly 6 minutes if the oven is at 450F). Allow the crostini to cool for several minutes.2 tbsp olive oil
- Meanwhile, add all blended cottage cheese ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth and no clumps remain.16 oz cottage cheese, ½ tbsp honey, zest from ½ lemon, salt & pepper
- Transfer the blended cottage cheese to a piping bag or ziplock bag with the end cut off. Then, pipe the blended cottage cheese onto the cooled crostinis. Alternatively, you can just spread it out with a knife.
- Top each crostini with a generous amount of diced strawberries, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, basil, and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Enjoy!strawberries, fresh basil, balsamic glaze, flaky sea salt
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.