Valentine Appetizers (Cute Heart-Shaped Crostini)

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Give your crostini a heart-themed makeover with these adorable tomato, mozzarella, and basil Valentine Appetizers. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Eight bruschetta bites topped with basil, mozzarella, and heart-shaped tomato slices are arranged neatly on a wooden board. The toppings form a double heart pattern on each piece.

I love crostini, making different variations like my snowman cheese crostini, tomato crostini, and goat cheese crostini for every holiday and occasion. However, when it comes to Valentine’s Day snacks, these tomato and mozzarella crostini bites are my go-to.

A hand holds a piece of bread topped with heart-shaped slices of tomato and mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, on a gray surface.

With fun heart shapes and fresh herbs, they look impressive but are quick and easy to assemble, making for a great appetizer for a date night at home or the perfect afternoon snack. Set out a platter for family and friends, and they’re guaranteed to disappear fast.

Ingredients for Valentine Appetizers

Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!

Baguette: Or similar bread you can slice.
Butter: Fry the baguette slices in butter to crisp them up. I always use salted butter for the best flavor, but use what you have.
Tomatoes: Large tomatoes such as plum or beefsteak. Be sure to place the cookie cutter on the soft side of the tomato.
Fresh mozzarella: You’ll need a firm cheese you can shape.
Basil: Adds a vibrant and fresh taste.
Seasoning: Garlic, sea salt, and pepper.

Recipe Tip

It’s easiest to pierce the tomato skin if you stick the cutter into the soft side and press it against the skin using your thumb and index fingers. If you get any odd pieces of tomato skin, trim them with a knife.

How to Make Valentine Appetizers

A hand slices a tomato on a wooden cutting board. Three heart-shaped tomato pieces are placed nearby.

Prepare the ingredients: Fry the baguette slices. Slice the outside of the tomato and the mozzarella. Grate the remaining tomato, add a mashed garlic, and season.

Hands using a heart-shaped cutter to cut a slice of tomato.

Cut out the hearts: Use the medium and small heart cookie cutters to shape the tomato and mozzarella hearts.

Slices of toasted bread topped with basil, mozzarella, and heart-shaped tomato pieces are arranged on a wooden board. A hand spoons a tomato mixture onto a crostini.

Assemble the appetizers: Top the crostini with grated tomato mixture and the tomato and mozzarella hearts.

Slices of bread topped with basil, and heart-shaped tomato and mozzarella are arranged on a wooden board. A hand sprinkles sea salt on one piece.

Final details: Add fresh basil, season, and serve.

Possible Variations

Tomato: Swap for figs, mango, watermelon, strawberries, ham, or other colored tomatoes.
Mozzarella: Use cheddar, feta, manchego, or any other hard cheese you can shape.
Grated tomato base: Try pesto, cream cheese, whipped feta, olive tapenade, or simply rub your crostini with garlic.
Baguette: Crackers, toast, puff pastry, or pieces of sourdough.
Fresh basil: Try thyme, mint, or chives.

How to Store Leftovers

Keep leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container, and enjoy within 1 day.

FAQs

Can I make the Valentine’s Day appetizers in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the tomato and mozzarella hearts, as well as the tomato mixture a few hours in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge. Wait to fry the baguette slices and assemble shortly before serving.

Can I serve this dish even though it’s not Valentine’s Day?

Of course! They are perfect for date night, engagement parties, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, and other special occasions.

I’d also like to serve some other crostini options for my sweetheart. What other toppings can you suggest?

Try shrimp, avocado and cucumber, prosciutto and asparagus, or mushrooms topped with bread crumbs and chopped fresh parsley.

More Appetizers

Appetizers

Avocado Cheese Toast

Sides

Ciabatta Garlic Bread

Valentine's day

Valentine’s Bunny Crostini

Valentine's day

Valentine’s Day Cheese Board

If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Foodbites, then I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment and rating below.

Toasted bread slices topped with basil leaves, heart-shaped mozzarella, and heart-shaped tomato pieces make delightful health bites, all arranged neatly on a wooden serving board.

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Servings: crostini

Valentine Appetizers

By Sine Siemkowicz

Crispy crostini topped with grated tomato, mozzarella, and tomato hearts.

Prep: 30

Cook: 5

Total: 35

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Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Slice the bread.
Panfry the slices in butter on medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides.
Allow to cool.
Cut the tomato four times along the outside skin. Repeat with the second tomato.
Use the medium and small heart cookie cutters to make your tomato hearts.
Grate the remainder of the tomatoes and add one clove of minced garlic, a dash of sea salt and pepper.
Slice the mozzarella.
Make small and medium-sized hearts with the cutters.
Spread the grated tomato mixture onto the crostini.
Top with the medium mozzarella and tomato hearts, the smaller hearts, and some basil leaves.
Serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 514mg, Potassium: 118mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 388IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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