These radishes and butter crostini appetizers are an easy recipe to serve at your next get-together. The crunch of the radish, paired with rich butter and a little flake salt is all you need to wow your party guests. It's one of my favorite appetizers and I’m sure you’ll love it too!
ONE OF MY FAVORITE APPETIZERS
The combo of radishes, butter, and salt on top of a piece of crusty bread is my idea of heaven. I love how the freshness of the radishes pairs with the rich and creamy butter. The flake salt ups the flavor and the chopped chives add some dimension to this party-perfect appetizer.
While I adore this appetizer and I would eat a tray of them myself, I think they are best suited for smaller get-togethers. Say...no more than ten or twelve people.
They would have been great for my grandma’s 80th birthday party where there was a small group of our immediate family. I probably would steer clear from making them for a large Superbowl potluck.
RADISHES AND BUTTER AND SALT AND...
The ingredients in this recipe are so so simple. Since this is such a simple appetizer recipe, you do want to make sure that you use awesome ingredients and I've got some tips to help you when picking up ingredients!
THE RADISHES
Did you know there are quite a few varieties of radishes in the world? There are many more than I knew of. This article from Gardening Know How gives a brief intro to some of the more common types.
For my photos of the Radishes and Butter Crostini, I used a mix of watermelon radishes, easter radishes, and french breakfast radishes. Aren’t they gorgeous? I picked the breakfast and easter radishes up from the Hollywood Farmer’s Market and the watermelon radishes came from the grocery store.
Using a variety of radishes creates a beautiful spread, but it isn’t necessary to go as crazy as I did. Using the standard red radish found in most grocery stores is a fantastic option for this easy recipe. Also, watermelon radishes have been fairly easy to find in stores as well! So keep an eye out for them if you want to give them a try!
THE SPICY RADISH
I do have a quick note on black Spanish radishes...make sure you know what you’re getting into if you decide to use them for this recipe. A couple of years ago I got some in a CSA box and eating them raw was not for me! They had such a bite and were way too spicy for me, but once they were roasted they were perfect!
Anyway, all I’m saying is that some radishes can have quite a bite so if you pick some up that you’ve never tried before, give them a taste raw before serving them to your guests! If not, they may be in for quite a surprise.
Ultimately, use what you have on hand and can easily get! No need to hunt down pretty radishes when this appetizer will be devoured in seconds!
THE BUTTER
Since this recipe is so simple and only has a few ingredients, the quality of butter is so important.
I really enjoy using Kerrygold Salted Butter for this recipe. It’s so good and the color is also gorgeous. If you can’t find Kerrygold, which is at Trader Joe’s, any other European style butter is also a great option for this Radishes and Butter Crostini recipe.
THE SALT
You’ll want to get your hands on some flake salt for this easy appetizer! Flake salt has the best texture and works so well with the radishes and butter.
Definitely stay away from using regular table salt or anything type of coarse salt. There isn’t anything wrong with it, but it just doesn't work great with this recipe. You want something that has a softer crunch (if that makes sense).
If it’s difficult for you to find flake salt, you can substitute kosher salt like Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt and it will work fine!
AND...CHIVES!
I’ve seen this mixture of radishes and butter and flake salt a lot on recipe sites. Either topped on soft french bread or crostini like this version and while they all look delicious I wanted to add one more dimension to this delicious appetizer.
I tried a few different herbs sprinkled on top of the radishes when testing this recipe, and the winner is chives! Chives really add another dimension to this easy appetizer. The mild onion flavor they add just takes this recipe to another level!
If you don’t love chives, you can absolutely skip them, but I highly recommend you give them a try!
HOW TO MAKE RADISHES AND BUTTER CROSTINI STEP-BY-STEP
Can't wait to make this delish party appetizer? These step-by-step photos will show you how to make this easy recipe!
Step 1: Thinly slice your radishes.
Step 2: Place your radishes in an ice bath.
Step 3: Evenly spread the softened butter on the crostini.
Step 4: Top the buttered crostini with radishes, chives and flake salt!
RADISHES AND BUTTER CROSTINI APPETIZER RECIPE TIPS
When you make this tasty and super easy appetizer, definitely check out these tips! They’ll help you save time and find the best tool to use for slicing your radishes.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS
Honestly, this recipe is not the best for making ahead of time. (If you are looking for an easy to make-ahead appetizer, this bruschetta recipe is great!) If you leave them assembled in the fridge too long, the crostini can get soft (I kind of like it, but it really isn’t the best way to serve them!). You also want to keep the butter soft and keeping them in the fridge before the party won’t help that situation. Lastly, the radishes can lose their crunch if they are exposed to salt too long.
BUT, there are a few things that you can do to save you time when you do assemble the appetizers.
Slice, ice, and chill your radishes up to three days before assembly. Follow the recipe as called for, but after putting the radishes in an ice bath dry them off thoroughly. Wrap them in a slightly damp towel and store them in an airtight container. If you do this a few days before assembling your Radishes and Butter Crostinis, you’ll save yourself at least a good 30 minutes.
Make the crostini up to one week before you plan on using them.
If you normally keep your butter in the fridge, you can pull it out and keep it on the counter the night before assembling the recipe. BTW, did you know that you can keep butter at room temp for up to a week? Here's an article from Southern Living about keeping butter at room temp.
When you’re ready to party and add this radishes and butter recipe to your party food spread, know that you can spread the tiny toasts up to two hours before serving!
Spread your softened butter on the crostini, place on your party platter, and leave it at room temp. Right before your guests arrive top them with the radishes you already sliced and sprinkle with chives and flake salt. Easy peasy!
EQUIPMENT
Are you wondering how to slice radishes as thin as I did for my photos? I use a mandoline to get those super thin slices. A mandoline is a kitchen tool that is used to thinly slice ingredients. They help create slices of food that have an even thickness and can be paper-thin.
They are also really great for slicing things quickly. I like to use a mandoline for slicing onions, radishes, and potatoes to name a few things. I use this mandoline and highlight recommend it, but if you want one with a more hefty handguard you can try this one.
Also, if using one makes you nervous you can purchase a cut glove. This kitchen tool is no joke, so you’ll only want to use it if you feel super confident in the kitchen.
YOUR TURN TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS EASY APPETIZER
Alright, friend! Make this easy and delicious appetizer recipe and let me know what you think! Make sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram so I can see how much everyone loved it!
Radishes and Butter Crostini Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 bunch red radishes
- 30 pieces crostini or other bread
- 6 tablespoons European style salted butter softened (I perfer Kerrygold)
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon flake salt if using salt finer than flake salt, use less
Instructions
- Thinly slices radishes and chill in an ice bath for at least 10 minutes or until crisp.
- Drain radishes and dry off using a kitchen towl.
- Evenly spread butter on the crostini, about ½ teaspoon per crostini.
- Top with radishes and sprinkle with chives and salt.
- Enjoy with your friends!
Notes
- Feel free to use a vareiety of radishes
- Soften the butter by placing out on your counter overnight
- It's best to assemble these appetizers right before serving
- 1 serving = 3 pieces
MORE DELISH RECIPES
Need more recipe ideas for your next party spread? Check out these killer recipes to help you wow your guests!
Crostini - A must make! Seventh Heaven - A perfect gin cocktail. Tomato Basil Bruschetta - Killer summer appetizer!
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