These festive naan crostini are packed with holiday flavors and are perfect for entertaining.
This blog post was sponsored by Stonefire® Authentic Flatbreads but all opinions expressed are my own.
Holiday season has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Spending time with family, opening presents, eating lots of good food… what’s not to love? But let’s face it- the holidays can be a bit hectic at times too. Amidst the hustle bustle of holiday shopping, holiday parties, wrapping gifts, school functions, and everything else, getting dinner on the table can sometimes be a challenge. And what about when those unexpected guests pop by for a holiday visit?
Instead of reaching for a bag of chips, this season, I ask you to invite Stonefire into your kitchen and say #HelloNaan. Stonefire makes authentic naan, artisan flatbread, pizza crust and naan crisps. If you’ve never tried naan, it’s an Indian flatbread that’s traditionally made in a tandoor (clay) oven. It’s the perfect vehicle for scooping up curries and sauces but can also be used in so many different dishes like sandwiches, pizza and quesadillas. You can also toast wedges of Stonefire naan and serve them with homemade dips.
During the holidays when I’m entertaining, I love making crostini. Crostini are slices of toasted bread that you can top with pretty much anything you like and serve as an appetizer. They’re the perfect dish to make when guests stop by because they can be assembled quickly and they feed a crowd. I like to use seasonal ingredients when making crostini. In the summer, I top my crostini with summer produce like fresh tomatoes or berries. But since I was developing a holiday recipe, I decided to use ingredients and flavors that I love to eat this time of year like sweet potatoes, apples, cranberries, and cinnamon.
When I went to my local Publix, I found the Stonefire products in the bread aisle near the tortillas and wraps. They had several different varieties including Original Stonefire Naan, Whole Grain Naan, Garlic Naan, and even adorable Original Mini Naan. All of their products are made with the highest quality ingredients. Stonefire uses no artificial colors, preservatives, flavors or hydrogenated oils, which are often added by bread manufacturers to make their products shelf-stable. Because of this, Stonefire products have a limited shelf life of 7 days (but they can be frozen for 1 year). Stonefire flatbreads are actually shipped to grocery stores frozen and then are thawed and date coded by the retailers. So when you buy Stonefire naan, always look for the little sticker on the package with the “use by” date.
As soon as I saw the Stonefire Original Mini Naan, I snatched up a few packages because I knew they’d be perfect for my crostini! In fact, I had so much fun experimenting in the kitchen that I ended up coming up with two delicious recipes that are perfect for holiday entertaining. First up, my Whipped Sweet Potato and Ricotta Naan Crostini. Sweet potatoes are the epitome of holiday food for me. Every year, my husband makes a delicious sweet potato casserole that we all devour. This crostini takes all of those comforting flavors and puts them into a bite-sized appetizer. When you blend ricotta cheese in a food processor, it becomes creamy and silky smooth. When you add sweet potatoes, maple syrup and cinnamon, it’s transformed into a lovely orange, cloud-like spread that’s perfect to put on toasted naan. Chopped pecans add a delightful crunch.
My Apple Cranberry Naan Crostini have a mixture of sweet and savory flavors. I love making baked stuffed brie with dried fruit and nuts during the holidays but it can be a bit of work to prepare. This dish takes all of those same flavors and incorporates them into an easy-to-assemble, elegant appetizer. I simmer chopped apples with dried cranberries, maple syrup and cinnamon. Then I melt slices of brie cheese on the naan and top it with some of the fruit mixture. A sprinkling of walnuts and fresh thyme is the perfect finishing touch.
Recipe
Whipped Sweet Potato and Ricotta Naan Crostini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potatoes (about 2 small or 1 large potato), washed
- ½ cup part skim ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup plus extra for drizzling
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 1 package Stonefire Original Mini Naan
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a knife. Place them on a plate and microwave until cooked, 7-8 minutes, turning over halfway through.
- Put the ricotta in a food processor and blend until creamy. Scoop the sweet potato from their skins and add it to the food processor along with the maple syrup and cinnamon. Blend until smooth.
- Turn the broiler on. Place the naan on a baking sheet and spray them lightly on both sides with cooking spray. Heat them under the broiler about 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly toasted.
- To assemble the crostini, cut each naan into 4 pieces. Spread some of the sweet potato mixture on each piece and top with chopped pecans. Drizzle with a little maple syrup and serve.
Nutrition
Recipe
Apple Cranberry Naan Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 medium apple diced (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons apple juice
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 package Stonefire Original Mini Naan
- Cooking spray
- 8 ounces brie cheese sliced
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts chopped
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- 1 Heat the apple, cranberries, apple juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat. Cover and simmer 10-12 minutes until the apples start to soften. Remove from heat.
- 2 Turn the broiler on. Place the naan on a baking sheet and spray them lightly on both sides with cooking spray. Heat them under the broiler about 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly toasted. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and arrange the brie slices on the naan. Return it to the oven for another 30 seconds until the brie starts to melt.
- To assemble the crostini, cut each naan into 4 pieces. Place a spoonful of the apple cranberry mixture on each piece and top with some chopped walnuts. Garnish with thyme and serve.
Nutrition
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James says
Hi Sonali,
Gorgeous! I would love to try this at home. Thank you so much for posting this. My family would definitely love it!
Kris ~ Big Rigs \'n Lil\' Cookies says
These both sound outstanding, but your Whipped Sweet Potato and Ricotta Naan Crostini is calling out to me!!
Sarah says
These look very pretty, and would make such yummy finger food!
Bam's Kitchen says
Sonali what a brilliant and healthy indulgence for the holiday season! We use crostini breads often but naan bread is even better. Chewy, delicious and the perfect idea for a morning gathering I am having later this week. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season. Pinned and shared!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I absolutely adore naan, so these holiday naan crostini are just screaming my name!! These are so beautiful, festive and fun! I absolutely need to add these to my appetizer line up!! Cheers, friend!
AZ@...And a Dash of Cinnamon says
I love the toppings that you chose for this! What a great use for naan. I think I need to eat more of it haha
Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen says
Wow, yum! Both of these recipes sound so tasty. Perfect small bites!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
What a clever idea! Both of these toppings sound delicious! Especially that sweet ricotta concoction! <3
Rebecca | NOURISHED. the blog says
Both of these crostini recipes look amazing. I am loving anything with sweet potatoes these day and I love how creative and unique the apple one is. I don't know which one I want to try first!!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Sonali you have the most beautiful recipes!! These look amazing!!!
Alisa Fleming says
What a brilliant spin on crostini! They look good enough for breakfast, too - like nutrient-packed little carb hits - exactly what I'm craving!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
Love that you used naan as a crostini! Both of these recipes sound so delicious and perfect for holiday entertaining!
Farrah says
The holiday season is definitely one of my favorite times of the year as well! <3! That crostini looks amazing and I love that you made it with naan! ;]! So perfect for a festive holiday appetizer!!
Kelli says
These are so pretty and sound amazing! When I went to Pin I couldn't decide which version I wanted a picture of, so thankfully you had one with both 😉 I have a holiday party at work next week and have been trying to decide what to make - you may have just solved my problem as either of these would be delicious and easy!
Elizabeth Shaw says
I hands down will always have a crostini on my app menu! I love the colors in here and how versatile Naan is! I love how many great recipes you have using this too. I just wish you could let me taste test for you!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Sonali, these are spectacular. And if they were left around me, there is no way that they would be shared!
Sara @ sarahaasrdn.com says
So pretty Sonali and so festive! Great idea for the holidays!
Heather @ FITaspire says
Ooh- I really love the sound of the cranberry crostini - that's something I don't cook with often at all! What a great appetizer for holiday parties though!! 🙂
Chelsey says
These look absolutely DELICIOUS!!!! Definitely using this idea for my New Years party!!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
What a delicious appetizer option!! So unique 🙂 Totally pinning for when I go home for the holidays next weekend!! I think my family would love.