Game Day Chili Cheese Crostini with Toasted French Bread
Golden toasted French bread crostini topped with creamy cheese spread, hearty canned chili, and melted cheddar create the ultimate game day appetizer. The combination of crispy bread, tangy cream cheese mixture, and savory chili delivers bold flavors that satisfy hungry crowds. Perfect for parties, sports gatherings, or casual entertaining when you need something hearty and crowd-pleasing. The broiled cheese topping adds an irresistible melted finish that makes these disappear fast.
Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can ConAgra WOLF Brand Chili, any flavorhomemade chili1:1fresher
use any preferred recipe
- 2 loaves French bread, fresh baked
- 8 ounces cream cheese, full fat, softened
- 4 ounces sour cream, full fat
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 425F with rack in middle position
- 2
Heat chili in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally
- 3
Slice bread into 1/2 inch thick pieces
- 4
Brush both sides of bread slices with olive oil and arrange on rimmed baking sheet
- 5
Bake bread 8-10 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden brown
- 6
Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and 1/2 cup cheddar in bowl until blended
- 7
Remove toasted bread from oven and turn on broiler
- 8
Spread 2 tablespoons cream cheese mixture on each bread slice
- 9
Top each with 2 tablespoons warm chili and sprinkle with remaining cheddar
- 10
Broil 1-2 minutes until cheese melts
- 11
Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately
Tips
Use day-old bread for better structure that won't get soggy under the toppings
Keep chili warm while assembling to prevent cheese mixture from melting prematurely
Watch broiler closely as cheese can go from melted to burnt quickly
Good to Know
assembled crostini best served immediately, components can be prepped separately
toast bread and prepare cheese mixture up to 4 hours ahead, assemble and broil just before serving
serve hot immediately after broiling for best texture
Common Mistakes
slice bread evenly to avoid uneven toasting
don't oversoak bread with oil to prevent sogginess
watch broiler closely to prevent burning cheese
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
use any preferred recipe
FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can toast the bread and prepare the cheese mixture hours ahead, but assemble and broil just before serving to maintain crispy texture.
What if I don't have a broiler?
Bake at 450F for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts, though you won't get the same golden top as with broiling.
How long will leftovers keep?
These are best eaten immediately as the bread becomes soggy when stored. Components can be refrigerated separately for 2-3 days.