Smashed Avocado Crostini with Everything Seasoning

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

• •Rimmed baking sheets (2)
• •Pastry brush
• •Wire cooling rack
• •Serrated knife for slicing baguette

Instructions

1. 1

   Toast the crostini

   Preheat your oven to 400°F with a rack in the center position. Arrange baguette slices in a single layer on two rimmed baking sheets. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil. You want a thin, even coating that encourages browning without making the bread greasy. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through, until the edges are golden and the centers feel firm to the touch. They'll crisp further as they cool.

   Slice on the bias for elongated ovals that show off more avocado. A sharp serrated knife prevents crushing.
2. 2

   Cool completely

   Transfer crostini to a wire rack and let them cool completely, at least fifteen minutes. Patience here prevents soggy bottoms. Warm bread releases steam that gets trapped under the avocado, turning crisp toast into limp disappointment. Room temperature crostini stay crisp for hours under the topping.

3. 3

   Prepare the avocado

   Cut avocados in half lengthwise, working your knife around the pit. Twist the halves apart and remove the pit. Score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern while still in the skin, then scoop into a mixing bowl. Add lemon juice immediately and toss to coat. The acid slows oxidation, buying you precious time.

   Ripe avocados yield to gentle pressure at the stem end but don't feel mushy. The skin should peel away easily from the flesh.
4. 4

   Smash to proper texture

   Using a fork, smash the avocado to your preferred consistency. I favor a rough smash with visible chunks. It looks more honest than a smooth puree and provides textural interest. Season with fine sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust. The mixture should taste bright and well-seasoned, slightly more aggressive than you think, because the bland bread will absorb some of that punch.

5. 5

   Assemble the crostini

   Spoon a generous tablespoon of smashed avocado onto each crostini, using the back of the spoon to spread it to the edges. Pile it high in the center. These should look abundant, not stingy. Drizzle each with a thread of olive oil. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the tops with enthusiasm. Finish with a few flakes of finishing salt.

6. 6

   Serve promptly

   Arrange crostini on a serving platter and present within thirty minutes of assembly. The clock is ticking. Place any remaining everything seasoning in a small bowl beside the platter so guests can add more. There are always guests who want more.

   If serving over an extended period, assemble in batches. Keep smashed avocado covered with plastic pressed directly against the surface.

Chef Tips

• •Everything bagel seasoning typically contains sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and flaky salt. Make your own by combining equal parts of each, adjusting salt to taste. Trader Joe's version started the craze, but most grocery stores now stock it in the spice aisle.
• •Scaling is simple arithmetic: each avocado yields enough for about six crostini. For a party of twenty, double the recipe. For forty guests, quadruple it. The crostini themselves multiply without complication.
• •Choose avocados at varying stages of ripeness when shopping days ahead. Firm ones ripen on the counter. Perfect ones go in the refrigerator to hold. This staggered approach means you'll have ripe avocados exactly when needed.
• •A finishing drizzle of high-quality olive oil does more than add richness. It creates a slight barrier that slows browning. Use the good stuff here, something you'd happily dip bread into.

Advance Preparation

• •Crostini can be toasted up to 5 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They actually improve slightly as they dry out completely.
• •Avocado must be prepared no more than 30 minutes before serving. There are no workarounds for this. Plan your timing accordingly.
• •For parties, prepare your mise en place: toast crostini days ahead, have avocados at perfect ripeness, measure lemon juice, portion everything seasoning. Assembly then takes under ten minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition Information

2 crostini (about 85g)