This Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini is an elegant appetizer that requires only a few ingredients, comes together in minutes and is sure to impress your guests.
Looking for a delicious, quick, and easy appetizer? This simple Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini is the perfect choice.
Made with ready-to-serve cold-smoked salmon and flavorful Boursin cheese, this crostini combines creamy, tangy, and savory flavors on a crispy baguette slice. It’s an elegant addition to any gathering, whether you're hosting a dinner party, a brunch, or a holiday celebration.
Starters with smoked salmon are always a favorite. While both cold and hot smoked salmon are delicious, cold-smoked salmon is ideal for making easy appetizers like this smoked salmon crostini or this Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Dip.
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How to Make it
This Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini appetizer is made with only 6 ingredients. It's ready in minutes and looks beautiful and classy once assembled.
You can prepare parts of this canapé ahead of time by toasting the baguette slices and combining the ingredients of the Boursin spread the day before the party. Just refrigerate the spread and keep the crostini in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature until you're ready to assemble the appetizer.
Here's an overview of the ingredients and steps needed to make this delicious smoked salmon crostini. Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient amounts.
Ingredients Overview
- Baguette
- Olive oil
- Smoked salmon: I use cold-smoked salmon for a nicer presentation but if you prefer hot-smoked salmon it can also be used.
- Boursin Cheese: I used the Garlic & Fine Herbs flavor for this crostini recipe. Herbed cream cheese can work as a substitute.
- Sour cream. I prefer full-fat sour cream for best texture and flavor.
- Smoked pepper: This is optional, but so good. Substitute with regular black pepper.
- Fresh chives: Fresh dill sprigs also look lovely.
Steps Overview
- Slice baguette into thin slices and place them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Lightly brush the tops with olive oil. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and toast until the bread is crispy and lightly golden on top, about 2 minutes. For extra crispy crostini, flip the slices over, brush lightly with oil and place under broiler for a minute or two.
- To make the creamy spread, combine the Boursin cheese with sour cream by whisking it vigorously to form a velvety smooth cream that can be easily spread.
- When ready to serve, spread a dollop of the mixture on the crostini and then top with a slice of smoked salmon.
- If desired, sprinkle with a tiny amount of ground smoked pepper and top with a spear or two of fresh chives. And voilà, your delicious appetizer is ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions
This easy appetizer is perfect for serving at special occasions and holiday parties. You'll want to serve the smoked salmon and Boursin cheese canapés shortly after assembling them.
Serve them alongside a cheese and fruit platter, crackers, and a bowl of these savory Roasted Almonds or Spiced Nuts.
Every bite of this Boursin cheese salmon appetizer is scrumptious, your guests will devour them!
Enjoy!
More Easy Appetizers
Smoked Salmon and Boursin Crostini
Ingredients
- 24 slices of baguette That’s about ½ baguette sliced into ¼-inch rounds.
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 115 grams smoked salmon
- 7 Tablespoons Boursin cheese Garlic & Fine Herbs
- 7 Tablespoons sour cream I used full-fat
- ½ teaspoon smoked pepper Substitute with regular black pepper.
- a few sprigs of fresh chives or fresh dill sprigs optional
Instructions
- Place a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high.
- Set the slices of baguette on a baking sheet. Brush the tops with a little olive oil.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler and toast the bread until they are crispy and lightly golden on top, about 2 minutes. For extra crispy crostini, flip the slices over, brush lightly with oil and place under broiler for a minute or two.
- Whisk the Boursin cheese with the sour cream until you have a lump free creamy consistency.
- Spread the creamy mixture on the crostini. Top with a slice of smoked salmon and sprinkle with a tiny bit of pepper.
- To finish, garnish with fresh chives or fresh dill.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- The moisture from the Boursin cheese will soften the crostini somewhat so it's best to serve these as soon as possible after you've assembled them.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in January 2015. It has been updated.
Heidi says
This appetizer recipe looks delicious. I plan to make it for brunch on Sunday. But I noticed the smoked salmon is missing from the recipe ingredients. How much smoked salmon will be needed? Thanks!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hi Heidi, so sorry about that, you'll need about 3.5 to 4 ounces (or about 115 grams) of smoked salmon.
Joan Deschamps says
Why would these have to be "served immediately"? I was hoping to make them to take to a "pot luck" holiday gathering which is about 30 minutes from my home.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Hi Joan, you could do that for sure, but the humidity from the cheese and sour cream spread will soften the bread a little and so the crostini won't be as crisp. Also I'm not sure how well the assembled crostinis will travel, they may come apart a bit. Is it an option to assemble the crostini at the gathering?
Joan says
Thanks for the explanation; I should have thought about the crostini softening! I think I will save these for a time when the gathering is at my home and travel isn't involved. (Assembly at the gathering isn't practical due to limited counter space.)
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
My pleasure Joan. If you really want to make something with smoked salmon, you could try the smoked salmon and cream cheese dip on my blog, it's delicious, can be served with a variety of veggies, crackers and breads and it will travel very well.
alifemoment says
I am really getting hungry right now, great starter and great shots, I love smoked salmon
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks! Appetizers with smoked salmon are always a hit with me!
Lan | morestomach says
this is so fancy looking! i adore smoked salmon, though i never buy it. for a nondairy version, when i need a bagel lox, i typically ask for avocado and it provides just the right amount of creaminess. but using garlic&herb cheese is so goooood.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
I agree avocado is really good as well. It's a great idea for a creamy base substitute for those who don't eat cheese or simply for variety. Thanks for the idea!
Baraa says
Looks delicious!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you so much!!
spiceinthecity says
Yum, i love smoked salmon, so love this idea 🙂
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you, glad you like it 🙂
deliciouslynell says
How fresh and lovely!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you!
chefjulianna says
Oh my gosh, your crostini are so beautiful! I completely adore Boursin, so your dish is right up my alley. I just know that smoked salmon on top of it is a little bit of heaven! Thanks so much for joining us for the big fiesta!! Your photos are just gorgeous, by the way! 😀
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you so much! I'm so glad I made it to the Fiesta
indusinternationalkitchen says
What a colorful and lovely appetizer! And love that its so easy to make. I like smoked salmon and this definitely seems like a great combination of flavors and textures. I am not that familiar with boursin but will check it out now! 🙂
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you Indu! Boursin is really delicious and it comes in different flavour variations as well. But I'm sure that flavoured cream cheese would also be delicious.
Janine says
Yum, I love smoked salmon paired with cream cheese. Never tried the Boursin herb flavour, but I'm sure it tasted as amazing as it looks. Now I have to go find me some of that cheese!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks Janine! Hope you can find it but if not I'm sure a garlic and herb cream cheese would be delicious as well.
Hilda says
I'm glad you were able to join us for this special occasion despite your busy schedule. These crostini are so pretty, and a delicious way to enjoy smoked salmon. Beautiful photography too. Hope you enjoy the party which is still in full swing.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you so much Hilda. I hope to return to FF52 tonight to see what more others have brought with them :).
Hilda says
I don't think you'll be disappointed.
The Novice Gardener says
We've been on a Boursin kick lately in our house. My kids just slather it on plain crackers. Quick snack after school. Putting it on crostini and adding smoked salmon turns it into an appetizer fit for a special occasion!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Boursin is definitely a favourite in our household as well. It pairs well with so many foods. I'm glad that this appetizer turned out to be special enough for FF52!
Julie is HostessAtHeart says
This appetizer is a show stopper! I really like the combination of using the boursin instead of just a creamed cheese.
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thanks Julie! I liked it too, the flavour of this Boursin cheese really goes well with the smoked salmon.
Lily says
I'm a big fan of smoked salmon too. I usually have it with cream cheese, but your idea with the herb and garlic cheese is even better, thanks for bringing these to the party:)
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits says
Thank you so much Lily! I love it with cream cheese as well 🙂