Busy moms, this recipe delivers big flavor with very little fuss. Garlic Shrimp Crostini with Avocado makes a quick appetizer or light dinner you can pull together on a weeknight or for guests. It looks fancy but comes together fast, so you get praise without a lot of extra time in the kitchen.
If you want a simple side to round out the plate, try pairing it with a fresh salad like Apple Arugula Salad with Maple Pecans. It balances the richness and keeps things fresh.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Garlic Shrimp Crostini Recipe
This recipe works for families because it feels special but stays practical.
- Prep takes minutes: slice bread, mash an avocado, and season shrimp.
- Cook time stays short: shrimp cook in about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Kid-friendly flavors: mild spices with creamy avocado win over picky eaters.
- Make-ahead options: you can toast crostini ahead and heat shrimp quickly.
- Little fuss, big reward: it looks like restaurant food without the stress.
How to Make Garlic Shrimp Crostini
Ingredients
10-12 baguette slices (about ½” thick), 6 tbsp olive oil, divided, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 avocado, Juice of ½ lime, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, 2 big garlic cloves, cut into slivers, ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the baguette into 10-12 pieces (½ inch thick) and lay them on the baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil with garlic powder and brush the mixture on both sides of the baguette slices.
- Bake the crostini for 10-15 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Meanwhile, scoop the avocado into a bowl and mash it. Add lime juice, salt, and black pepper, and mix well.
- In a skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over low heat, add garlic slivers, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high, add the shrimp, and season with smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook the shrimp for 3-5 minutes until they turn pink and opaque, then set aside.
- Spread the avocado mixture on the baked crostini and top each with a shrimp.
Garlic Shrimp Crostini with Avocado
A quick and delicious appetizer featuring garlic shrimp on crispy crostini topped with creamy avocado.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 10–12 baguette slices (about ½” thick)
- 6 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 avocado
- Juice of ½ lime
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 big garlic cloves, cut into slivers
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the baguette into 10-12 pieces (½ inch thick) and lay them on the baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil with garlic powder and brush the mixture on both sides of the baguette slices.
- Bake the crostini for 10-15 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Meanwhile, scoop the avocado into a bowl and mash it. Add lime juice, salt, and black pepper, and mix well.
- In a skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over low heat, add garlic slivers, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high, add the shrimp, and season with smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook the shrimp for 3-5 minutes until they turn pink and opaque, then set aside.
- Spread the avocado mixture on the baked crostini and top each with a shrimp.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of textures.
Notes
For best results, serve the crostini immediately after assembly to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 crostini
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
How to Serve
Serve these crostini right away while the bread stays crisp. Arrange them on a large platter for parties or family nights.
For a heartier meal, serve alongside a warm pasta or squash dish like Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage. The crostini work well as an appetizer or as a topping to a simple salad for a quick weeknight dinner.
Pair with chilled white wine for adults and citrus water for the kids.
How to Store
Store leftover shrimp and avocado separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Keep crostini in a sealed bag at room temperature for a day, then re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 4 to 6 minutes.
Do not assemble crostini ahead of time if you want them crispy. Assemble right before serving for best texture.
Tips and Variations
- Use day-old baguette for extra crunch when toasting.
- Swap smoked paprika for regular paprika if you prefer less smoke.
- Make mini crostini for kids by cutting slices smaller.
- Add a squeeze of lime on top of each shrimp for extra brightness.
- For a dairy twist, add a thin smear of cream cheese under the avocado.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp? A: Yes. Thaw fully, pat dry, and cook as directed.
Q: Will the avocado brown? A: The lime juice helps. Mash just before serving for best color.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Use gluten-free baguette or toasted gluten-free bread slices instead.
Conclusion
You can make Garlic Shrimp Crostini with Avocado quickly and feel proud serving it. It looks polished, tastes fresh, and keeps things simple for busy weeknights or parties. Save this recipe and try it the next time you want a no-fuss, delicious bite that everyone will love.
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