Xanthan Gum Free Pesto-Walnut Artichoke Olive Crostini

Total time30 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time10 min

4.5

(15)

Xanthan Gum Free Pesto-Walnut Artichoke Olive Crostini

These crostini are the kind of appetizer that disappears from the platter before you even sit down. Toasted whole-grain rounds get loaded with a bright, herby walnut pesto — made entirely in a food processor from fresh basil, raw walnuts, garlic, and lemon juice — then topped with a tangy mix of chopped artichoke hearts and buttery Castelvetrano olives. Every component is naturally free of thickeners and binders, so there's nothing to swap out or work around; the recipe just works as written. The walnut pesto is especially worth noting — it delivers that rich, creamy spread texture through the nuts and olive oil alone, no additives needed. A hit of red pepper flakes and a squeeze of fresh lemon keep the topping lively and a little bold. These are best served the moment they come together, while the crostini are still crisp and the pesto is vivid green. Whether you're hosting a crowd or just treating yourself, this is one of those recipes that looks far more impressive than the effort it actually takes.

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Ingredients

6 servings

For the crostini

1 whole-grain baguette (about 12 oz), sliced into ½-inch rounds (about 18 slices)
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
¼ tsp flaky sea salt

For the walnut pesto

2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
½ cup raw walnuts
2 cloves garlic, peeled
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

For the topping

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts in water, drained and roughly chopped
½ cup castelvetrano olives, pitted and roughly chopped
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For serving

2 tbsp fresh basil, thinly sliced, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush the tops with the 3 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
2
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are golden and the tops are crisp and dry to the touch. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for 5 minutes.

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