Mango Chutney Crostini Recipe
🥭 Mango Chutney Crostini is a colourful, irresistible appetiser featuring crisp golden baguette slices topped with creamy cheese, sweet and tangy mango chutney, toasted pecans, crispy bacon and fresh spring onions. Easy to prepare and bursting with contrasting flavours and textures, these elegant crostini are perfect for parties, brunches, festive gatherings and effortless entertaining.
Equipment
- 1 Sharp Bread Knife
- 1 Mixing Bowl:
- 1 Small Spatula or Butter Knife
- 1 Baking Tray –
- 1 Mixing Spoon –
- 1 Small frying pan
- 1 Kitchen Paper:
Ingredients
- 250 g 1 French baguette
- ⅔ cup mango chutney
- 200 g cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup spring onions - finely chopped
- ¼ cup pecans - roughly chopped
- 4 slices cooked bacon - crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare The Baguette
- Preheat the oven to 200°C fan / 220°C conventional / Gas Mark 7.
- Slice the baguette diagonally into approximately 1 cm-thick pieces.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking tray.
- Brush each slice lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 6–8 minutes, turning halfway through, until crisp around the edges and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Step 2: Make The Creamy Base
- Place the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl.
- Add the curry powder, black pepper and a small pinch of salt.
- Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature for about 20 minutes beforehand if needed.
Step 3: Prepare The Mango Chutney
- Stir the mango chutney to loosen it.
- If it contains large mango pieces, chop them slightly for easier spreading.
- Do not add extra sugar, as the chutney already provides sufficient sweetness.
Step 4: Toast The Pecans
- Place the chopped pecans in a dry frying pan over medium-low heat.
- Toast for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove from the heat once fragrant and lightly golden.
- Allow to cool.
Step 5: Prepare The Bacon
- Cook the bacon until crisp.
- Transfer it to kitchen paper to remove excess fat.
- Once cool enough to handle, crumble or finely chop it.
- For a meat-free version, omit the bacon or replace it with toasted seeds.
Step 6: Assemble The Crostini
- Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture over each toasted baguette slice.
- Spoon a small amount of mango chutney over the cream cheese.
- Sprinkle with toasted pecans.
- Add a little crumbled bacon.
- Finish with finely chopped spring onions.
- Arrange the Mango Chutney Crostini on a serving platter.
Step 7: Serve And Enjoy
- Serve shortly after assembly to maintain the contrast between the crisp bread and creamy topping.
- For gatherings, keep the components chilled and assemble close to serving time.
- Garnish with extra spring onions and toasted pecans if desired.
Notes
- 🥖 Toast the Baguette Until Golden: Slice the baguette evenly and toast until crisp around the edges while keeping the centre slightly tender for the best texture.
- 🧀 Soften the Cream Cheese: Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing so it spreads smoothly over each crostini without tearing the bread.
- 🥭 Choose A Good Mango Chutney: Use a thick, fruity mango chutney with a pleasant balance of sweetness and spice so it sits neatly on the creamy topping.
- 🌰 Toast The Pecans Carefully: Toast the pecans over medium-low heat until fragrant and lightly golden, stirring frequently to prevent them from burning.
- 🥓 Cook The Bacon Until Crisp: Crisp bacon provides a delicious savoury contrast to the sweet mango chutney and creamy cheese.
- 🌿 Add Fresh Spring Onions: Sprinkle the spring onions over the assembled crostini just before serving to keep their colour, freshness and crunch.
- ✨ Assemble Just Before Serving: Add the toppings shortly before serving to prevent the mango chutney from softening the crisp baguette.
- 🍽️ Serve at Room Temperature: Allow the assembled Mango Chutney Crostini to sit for a few minutes before serving so the flavours can blend beautifully.