From whipped ricotta and roasted grapes to tahini mushrooms or crab with chilli. here are the elevated toasts that prove you don’t need a dinner party to serve something chic.
Crostini – Prosciutto, Figs & Mint
Jamie Oliver
Salty prosciutto, sweet ripe figs, and fresh mint leaves, all resting on a bed of golden crostini… this recipe is as photogenic as it is packed with flavour. A light drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze takes it up a notch – perfect as an aperitivo bite or part of a luxe brunch spread. Even if we’re not going to Italy for the summer (sigh), at least our toast can. Get the recipe.
Roasted Grape Toast with Honey Whipped Ricotta
The Original Dish
Easy to assemble and effortlessly chic – in other words, everything we want in a smart toast. The art of such morsels lies in the understanding that a crisp base provides the perfect canvas for a thoughtful balance of flavour and texture, and this recipe is a case in point. Seedless grapes are roasted with olive oil and a pinch of salt until soft, caramelised, and bursting with juicy sweetness. Meanwhile, hazelnuts are toasted to a deep golden hue, their skins rubbed off and roughly chopped for a satisfying crunch. Sourdough is grilled until golden, while ricotta is whipped with honey and olive oil, then seasoned with salt and freshly cracked pepper to create a silky, subtly sweet layer. The result? A perfect bite: savoury meets sweet; creamy meets crisp. Heaven on toast, and a dream to serve at your next dinner party. Get the recipe.
Crispy Maple & Tahini Mushrooms On Toast
Riverford
Thought you loathed mushrooms? Think again. There’s something undeniably moreish about a dish that offers crunch, sweetness, and umami all in one bite – and these crispy maple tahini mushrooms do just that. This recipe hits that comforting-yet-chic sweet spot. Mushrooms are tossed in maple syrup and tahini, then roasted until irresistibly crisp around the edges and tender at their core. Served atop a soft, creamy base of gut-loving labneh, this is the perfect quick lunch or supper – endlessly inviting, delicious and impressive all at once. Get the recipe.
Crab Toasts With Chilli & Lime
Waitrose
Fresh, zesty, and just the right amount of fiery, Diana Henry’s crab toast is a masterclass in minimal effort, maximum flavour. Sweet white crab meat is folded with red chilli, lime juice, and a touch of mayo, then spooned generously over golden, pan-toasted bread (ciabatta is recommended over sourdough). A final flourish of coriander brings everything into balance. It’s light, luxe, and ready in minutes – ideal for easy entertaining or an elevated lunch. Get the recipe.
Bruschetta
Olive Magazine
The original and arguably the best ‘posh’ toast recipes, this Italian classic is so simple and tasty that we’re tempted to make it nearly every time guests come over – and much of the rest of the time, too. It barely warrants a recipe, but the key is to griddle the toasts first and then rub them with garlic for maximum flavour. Given that we don’t, alas, live in the sun-drenched climes that produce Italy’s superior tomatoes, our top tip is that even the most flavourless supermarket varieties can be transformed by chopping small and scattering with a handful of sea salt and a sprinkling of sugar to bring out the natural – if latent – sweetness. Easy as pie – and even tastier. Get the recipe.
Broad Bean, Pecorino & Olive Bruschetta
Olive Magazine
If you’ve developed a taste for bruschetta, do try your hand at these toasted squares of focaccia, with baby broad beans, mint leaves and Taggiasche olives as we head into summer. An explosion of fresh, summer taste – all in a single bite. Wash it down with something white and chilled for the ultimate summer day delight. Get the recipe.
