Description
This Garlic Shrimp and Avocado Crostini recipe combines perfectly toasted baguette slices with a flavorful topping of garlic butter shrimp, fresh cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and zesty lemon juice. Ideal as a party appetizer or a light snack, this dish balances savory, fresh, and tangy flavors, ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crostini
- 1 French baguette (ends trimmed and cut into 1/3-inch slices)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 shallot (diced)
For the Shrimp Topping
- 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 avocado (halved, peeled, seeded and diced)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (or more, to taste)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet by lightly oiling it or coating with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Toast the Baguette Slices: Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes until they are lightly toasted and golden brown. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Sauté Garlic and Shallot: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and diced shallot, cooking while stirring frequently until fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Fresh Ingredients: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, chopped parsley, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix gently to combine without mashing the avocado.
- Assemble the Crostini: Spoon the shrimp and avocado mixture generously over each toasted baguette slice.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the crostini immediately for the best texture, allowing guests to enjoy the crisp toast alongside the fresh shrimp topping.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor and texture, but frozen shrimp can be thawed and used as well.
- Adjust the lemon juice quantity to balance the acidity to your taste preference.
- The avocado adds creaminess; handle gently to maintain chunks rather than mashing it too much.
- Optionally, garnish with extra parsley or a drizzle of olive oil for added richness.
- Serve crostini promptly to keep the toast crisp, as the avocado and tomato mixture can soften it over time.
