Whipped Ricotta Avocado Crostini

A classic crostini is the perfect holiday party appetizer – and, there’s no better way to elevate your crostini game than with my Whipped Ricotta Avocado Crostini. These bite-sized crostinis are topped with a dollop of creamy whipped ricotta and avocado, followed by a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, crushed walnuts, and the perfect drizzle of honey. Say goodbye to boring finger foods – this is a recipe that will impress your guests and keep them satisfied!

When it comes to the perfect holiday party appetizers, for me, there is one deciding factor: ease! The holidays are stressful enough; between shopping for gifts, wrapping presents, participating in all of the classroom activities, prepping the house to have family over… and, not to mention, preparing the holiday dinner itself, the last thing that you want is to spend hours in the kitchen preparing appetizers. Generally, when I am preparing to host a holiday party or Christmas dinner, I like to whip up my Ultimate Easy Beef Tenderloin, which, while easy, is definitely a more time and labor-intensive recipe. Since that is the star of the show, I prefer that the appetizers are simple enough that I can prepare them while the beef tenderloin is roasting, saving me both time and energy. If you’re anything like me, then you’re going to love this recipe!

Recently, my friend Hannah of Lovely Delites came up from Los Angeles to visit me and we create two different simple, easy, and dreamy holiday appetizers. First up were our Roasted Boursin Stuffed Dates, and now we have these Whipped Ricotta Avocado Crostinis. My most popular holiday recipe of 2023 was my Spiced Roasted Carrots with Lemony Whipped Feta, and this year, we’re swapping out the whipped feta for whipped ricotta, which is just as delicious. There’s something about whipped cheese that is so easy to make, yet truly takes any recipe to the next level. If you haven’t tried it yet, you absolutely need to!

These crostinis come together in under 30 minutes and are sure to impress your friends and family. The avocado makes them a beautiful, vibrant green color, while the garnish of crushed walnuts, pomegranate seeds, and honey drizzle is the perfect mixture of sweet and salty in every bite. If you love the mix of sweet and salty, then you will absolutely love this recipe!

What You Need to Make These Whipped Ricotta Crostinis

• Baguette: The base for a perfect crostini is, of course, none other than a baguette! You’ll want to slice the baguette into slices that are approximately one-inch thick. You can also opt to use a gluten-free baguette, if you prefer – Mariposa Bakery is my favorite gluten-free bakery here in San Francisco and they ship nationwide!
• Olive Oil: Olive oil not only adds healthy fats to this recipe, but also adds a delicious flavor to the baguette. Don’t skip it!
• Avocado: It wouldn’t be a Whipped Ricotta Avocado Crostini without the avocado! You’ll need one whole avocado in order to make this recipe.
• Ricotta Cheese: Just like with the avocado, the ricotta cheese is also a “must” in this recipe. Whipped ricotta is light and fluffy and truly takes on a flavor of its own!
• Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt adds the perfect balance of flavors to this recipe.
• Lemon Juice: I recommend using the juice of one whole lemon to make this recipe. If you like it less lemony, you can always vary the amount of lemon juice that you use, to meet your preference.
• Garlic: I will always recommend using fresh garlic, whenever possible. It adds the best flavor to any recipe, and this crostini recipe is no exception!
• Walnuts: Crushed walnuts add a delicious crunchy texture to this recipe that pairs perfectly with the smooth whipped ricotta!
• Pomegranate Seeds: I love a sweet and salty topping, and the pomegranate seeds adds just a little bit of sweetness without being overpowering.
• Honey: A drizzle of honey adds the perfect sweet finish to an already perfect bite – don’t skip it!

How to Make This Bite-Sized Holiday Appetizer

To prepare these crostinis, start by preheating your oven to 350 F. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the baguette into approximately 1-inch thick slices and line them up on the baking sheet. Then, brush the tops of the baguette slices with olive oil and transfer them into the oven. Bake the crostinis for 8-10 minutes, until the tops of the baguette slices are golden brown. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and set them aside.

While the crostinis are baking, prepare the whipped ricotta. Add the avocado, ricotta cheese, sea salt, lemon juice, and garlic to a food processor and process for about three minutes, or until the whipped ricotta is perfectly smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the salt and lemon as needed, then transfer the mixture into a piping bag with your choice of piping tip.

Once the baguettes are done, pipe the whipped ricotta on top of each one, repeating until all of the ricotta has been used and the crostinis have been topped. Finally, garnish each crostini with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle each crostini with a little honey, then serve and enjoy!

Other Holiday Appetizers That You’ll Love

If you’re looking for more holiday party-friendly recipes to enjoy this season (alongside these crostinis, of course), then you will love these other picks!

• For a touch of sweetness: These Perfect Frosted Cranberries are a sweet and festive addition to any holiday party dinner table!
• A better alternative to spinach & artichoke dip: My Marry Me Dip is a unique take on the classic Marry Me Chicken – only instead, it swaps out the chicken for spicy Italian Sausage for a dip that is creamy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious.
• The perfect finger food: These Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Romesco Dipping Sauce are not only the ultimate finger food, but are also a delicious way to get in some extra veggies.
• Garlic bread meets its match: My Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread is not only a delicious, cheesy alternative to traditional garlic bread, but is such a fun way to impress your guests! The pull-apart technique makes the bread so pretty and perfect for serving at your next holiday event.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim