Spinach Olive Dip Crostini

This Spinach Olive Dip Crostini is there when you want the craveable indulgence of a dip but the elegance of a crostini. It starts with toasted baguette slices topped in a super savory, immensely creamy blend reminiscent of Spinach Artichoke Dip with olives swapped in for the artichokes.

Adding a mild and buttery brininess, the California Ripe Olives cut through the richness of the cream cheese, mozzarella and Pecorino. Sour cream blends in a smooth and creamy layer of tanginess, echoed by the lemon that doubles down with both zest and juice. Spinach and garlic ground with an earthy element. Then red pepper flakes add a little hint of heat while herbs bring a shower of grassy freshness.

This Spinach Olive Dip Crostini is a party starter!

This crostini recipe gets the party going. We all know everybody loves a classic Spinach Artichoke Dip. But that had me asking, what if the artichoke hearts were olives? Then the idea evolved from a sharable dip to individual sized Spinach Olive Dip Crostini. This was the right idea. Each little crostini is an elegant and indulgent personal savory moment worth savoring. There is so much flavored jammed into each tiny toast, you'll be thankful you have a couple all to yourself. Sharing a dip could get messy.

Small bites with big flavor

Personally, I think the best party foods are finger foods. Snacky things that don't require utensils, or even a plate for that matter. Something you can snag from a tray and devour in a bite or two. But the real secret to a successful party appetizer, is something that's full of flavor, has an interesting contrast in texture and makes for a super satisfying bite.

More craveable olive recipes from Baking The Goods

California Ripe Olives are always in season

Since California Ripe Olives are canned, they are available all year long. The versatility of olives has made them a reliable ingredient for me since I can keep a stash in my pantry, at the ready. It turns out, this Spinach Olive Dip Crostini is also a dependable recipe since it's such a quick, simple and crushable snack to whip together.

These Spinach Olive Dip Crostinis are the ultimate appetizer & party guest

With appetizers we can get away with more in terms of richness and robust flavors. The goal is to run it home in a single snack that lingers with delight and intrigue. These Spinach Olive Dip Crostinis come dressed to the nines, they're great conversation starters, they disappear as quickly as they arrived and they have you thinking about them the next day. Now that's an ideal party guest! My Cheesy Olive Garlic Bread would make an excellent +1 to this crostini if you're looking for a hot double date.

What you need to make this Spinach Olive Dip Crostini

Nothing too wild going on here, just a mix of pantry staples, a good amount of dairy and some basic fresh ingredients that transform into the perfect appetizer for any gathering.

• Fresh baguette, preferably fresh from your favorite local bakery. It's sliced, drizzled in olive oil and baked in a single layer until crisp. These crunchy toasty slices are the perfect sturdy base the Spinach Olive Dip. A French baguette is classic but feel free to use sourdough, ciabatta or whatever bread browns your toast.
• California Ripe Olives add a mildly nutty, buttery and briny flavor with a velvety smooth bite that blends in with the dip and offers a nice contrast to the crisp crostinis.
• Fresh spinach brings the greens to the dip, giving it that coveted earthy and fresh flavor of a classic spinach dip.
• Olive oil is used to crisp up the bread and aids in building the flavors of the dip topping. Warming up the OO in a pan, then adding the garlic, red pepper flakes and lemon gets the base flavors rolling!
• Cream cheese is the sturdy, smooth and extraordinarily creamy core of the Spinach Olive Dip topping.
• Mozzarella brings that melty, stretchy cheesy goodness to the dip.
• Sour cream builds on the creamy structure while adding a smooth and subtle tanginess to the dip.
• Pecorino or Parmesan sprinkles in a nutty, salty, cheesy undertones.
• Garlic gives the topping an earthy umami hit. 2-3 garlic cloves seems to be the sweet spot in this savory recipe.
• Lemon layers in some bright, zesty acidity to slice through the richness.
• Fresh herbs like parsley and chives liven the dip with grassy freshness. Feel free to swap in other herbs for a different take. Dill would really lighten things up or rosemary could ground the dip with a warmer, woodier herbaceousness.
• Red pepper flakes give the Spinach Olive Dip Crostini some heat to contrast the creamy, rich, savory flavors. It's an optional addition but highly recommended.
• Salt + pepper just enhance the other flavors happening here. Since you can taste as you go, I recommend salting and peppering to taste with this crostini recipe.

In addition to the olives, the spinach, olive oil, garlic, lemon, herbs and most of the dairy used in this Spinach Olive Dip Crostini all come from California. Look for that California Grown label when shopping to know you're getting trusted ingredients grown in the Golden State!

Three quick steps to making this Spinach Olive Dip Crostini

Step 1 - Bake the crostini. It's easy, just slice the fresh baguette into ½" thick slices. Transfer to a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper then toss to coat. Bake at 400°F for 6-7 minutes until crisp and you're golden.

Step 2- Make the Spinach Olive Dip Topping. All of this happens in a single pot on the stovetop. First olive oil is warmed. Then the garlic, red peppers, lemon zest and juice are added to get the aromatics going. Next, that mountain of spinach is cooked until it has wilted all the way down and the moisture has evaporated. Then the cream cheese and mozzarella are stirred in over low heat until smooth and creamy. Followed by the sour cream, Pecorino, the olives and herbs, stirring until the dip is well mixed and ultra creamy.

Step 3 - Assemble, bake & serve. Finally, the dip topping is liberally slathered on top of the toasty baguette slices. Then the crostinis are baked until the topping is warm and almost browning on top. Just before serving the crostini are topped with more olives and fresh herbs. Serve immediately and watch them disappear in moments! Be sure to stash a couple to the side so you don't miss out.

Optionally prep ahead & bake just before serving

Since this Spinach Olive Dip Crostini should to be initially experienced at its optimal, straight from the oven warmth, I suggest prepping ahead of time. You can slice and toast the olive oiled baguettes in a single layer on a baking sheet, quickly cook and mix up the spinach olive dip and top the crostinis with the dip in advance. Simply assemble, store them in the fridge and pop them in the oven just before serving. Plus, the savory smell of the crostinis baking is almost as enchanting as the taste. Those wafts of bubbling cheese and warm garlic will have your guests craving the moment you present them with these tasty toasts!

While there is nothing quite like the piping hot bite of a steamy Spinach Olive Dip Crostini, these babies are also great at room temperature. So they hold up well as a set it and forget it appetizer.

How to enjoy leftover Spinach Olive Dip, if you have any

Depending on how heavily you dress your crostini and the size of the bread you're serving it on, you may have some extra Spinach Olive Dip leftover. It is a dip, so the answer is obvious! Transfer that dip to a fancy bowl, use a spoon to give it a sexy swirl and drizzle on a little olive oil followed by a shower of fresh herbs. Serve it with crackers, veggies or go old school and serve it with tortilla chips like you're back at an Applebee's!

And I should probably disclose that while testing this recipe we added it to our morning toast topped with a fried egg and tomatoes and it was pretty mind blowing. I also swiped some on the bun of a grilled veggie smashburger, which took the burger beyond!

Spinach Olive Dip Crostini is always a good idea

When something is this easy to make and even more enjoyable to eat, it's a recipe for success. This Spinach Olive Dip Crostini is the appetizer you need to be bringing with you to every kind of gathering you can think of. It would effortlessly anchor a light brunch spread or elegantly up level a cocktail party. Really, this crostini recipe works any time of day, any time of year and anywhere you want to impress guests! I hope you'll add it to your party hit list immediately, I certainly have.

This post was proudly made in partnership with California Grown and California Ripe Olives. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting me and the brands that I love. Follow @cagrownofficial and @calripeolives on Instagram to learn more about the foods grown in California, farm practices and discover new recipes!

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