Brown Butter Radish Crostini Recipe

Introduction

Brown Butter Radish Crostini is a simple yet elegant appetizer that combines nutty, rich butter with the crisp, peppery bite of fresh radishes. Perfect for entertaining or a light snack, these crostini offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

• Ice
• Water
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 baguette, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 12 small red radishes, sliced very thin (preferably on a mandoline)
• Flaky sea salt, for serving
• Fresh thyme leaves, for serving
• 1/4 lemon, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice water, then place a medium bowl inside the larger one. Ensure the inner bowl remains completely dry, with the water coming up to a couple inches below its top.
2. Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the butter smells nutty and the milk solids turn golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Carefully transfer the browned butter to the prepared medium bowl in the ice water. Add kosher salt and whisk constantly until the butter thickens, lightens in color, and reaches a whipped texture, about 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Adjust the oven rack to the top position and turn on the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil the bread until lightly golden on one side, about 1 minute. Flip with tongs and broil the other side until golden.
5. Step 5: Spread a generous amount of the brown butter onto each toasted baguette slice. Season with freshly ground black pepper, then top with thin radish slices, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, fresh thyme leaves, and a squeeze of lemon.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mandoline to slice radishes very thin for the best texture and presentation.
• Substitute fresh thyme with other herbs like chives or parsley for a different flavor profile.
• For a bit of heat, add a light drizzle of chili oil or sprinkle red pepper flakes over the crostini.

Storage

These crostini are best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the bread and radishes. If you need to store leftover brown butter, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Reheat lightly before spreading on toasted bread. Avoid assembling crostini ahead of time to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the brown butter in advance?

Yes, you can make the brown butter ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently and whisk before using to restore its creamy, whipped texture.

What if I don’t have a broiler for toasting the bread?

You can toast the baguette slices in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp.

Brown Butter Radish Crostini Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 98 reviews

Brown Butter Radish Crostini is a delightful appetizer featuring thinly sliced radishes on toasted baguette slices generously spread with nutty, whipped brown butter. Topped with fresh thyme, flaky sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon, this simple yet elegant crostini offers a perfect balance of rich, creamy, tangy, and crisp textures and flavors.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 crostini 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French-inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Brown Butter

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Crostini

• 1 baguette, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• 12 small red radishes, sliced very thin (preferably on a mandoline)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Flaky sea salt, for serving
• Fresh thyme leaves, for serving
• 1/4 lemon, for serving

Other

• Ice
• Water

Instructions

1. Prepare ice water bath: Fill a large bowl halfway with ice water, then nest a medium bowl inside it. Ensure that the medium bowl remains completely dry and that the water level reaches a few inches below the top of the medium bowl. This setup will help cool the brown butter quickly after cooking.
2. Make brown butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Lower the heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring frequently. Watch closely as the butter develops a nutty aroma and the milk solids turn golden brown, usually about 5 minutes.
3. Whisk brown butter: Carefully transfer the hot butter to the prepared medium bowl in the ice water bath. Add the kosher salt and whisk constantly until the butter thickens into a whipped texture and lightens in color. This should take around 3 minutes.
4. Toast the bread: Move your oven rack to the top position and preheat your broiler. Lay the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Broil the slices for about 1 minute until lightly golden on one side, then flip each slice and broil until golden on the other side. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
5. Assemble crostini: Spread a generous amount of the whipped brown butter onto each toasted baguette slice. Season each with freshly ground black pepper. Arrange thin radish slices over the buttered bread, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh thyme leaves. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice to add brightness. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Use a mandoline slicer for uniformly thin radish slices that enhance texture and presentation.
• The ice water bath helps the brown butter solidify slightly and develop a creamy, whipped consistency.
• Broil the bread close to the heating element and watch carefully to avoid burning.
• Fresh thyme adds an herbal note that complements the nuttiness of the butter and sharpness of the radishes.
• Serve these crostini immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Keywords: Brown Butter, Radish, Crostini, Appetizer, French, Easy, Whipped Butter, Toasted Bread, Fresh Thyme, Lemon