Let’s Make a Baguette Board: AKA The Perfect Appetizer

This baguette board truly deserves to be on the table at your next gathering! I know very few people who don’t enjoy starting a meal off with a little bread. Take boring sliced bread up a notch by offering a board with a few pairing options, so that your guests can build their own delicious bite of baguette. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a casual get-together or simply craving a tasty snack, this easy appetizer idea is sure to impress!

Pair it with this cocktail: Cucumber Jalapeño Garden Gin and Tonic

How to Make a Baguette Board

To start, you need to find a really good baguette. When I have the time, I like to skip the grocery store options and pick one up from a local bakery. The bread will be fresher and taste better, plus you’ll be supporting a local small business– a win-win! If you’re in Jupiter, Bread by Johnny is a must! The crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior of a freshly baked baguette provides the perfect base for everything else on our baguette board.

Now that we have our baguette, it’s time to choose the pairings. On mine, I’ve included whipped salted butter, creamy goat cheese topped with honeycomb, an assortment of olives, slices of nutty manchego, and cubes of tangy Parmesan. Plus, fresh cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumber. And although it’s not pictured, I highly recommend adding roasted garlic as well!

When you’re deciding on what to include on your own board, think about what your guests like, what you like and maybe something new to try. Customize your board with additional ingredients like prosciutto, fig jam, or fresh fruits. Get creative and cater to your taste buds.

I love playing around with whipped butter. This baguette board featured whipped butter with sea salt, but you could also add pepper, herbs or other spices to your butter.

If you don’t have honeycomb, honey is still a great option to add to your board; it pairs well with both manchego and goat cheese!

Adding fresh ingredients like the cherry tomatoes and cucumbers adds some lightness and freshness to an otherwise heavy appetizer. You can also add some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an extra aromatic touch!

How to Roast Garlic

Roasting garlic mellows out the pungency of the garlic and turns it into this sweet and buttery flavor bomb. Spread it on a slice of baguette, and trust me, you’ll be in garlic heaven!

To roast garlic, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Take a whole bulb of garlic, peel off the outtery paper parts while leaving the skin intact and slice off the top, exposing the cloves inside. Place the garlic bulb on a sheet of aluminum foil, drizzle it with a tablespoon or two of olive oil, and wrap it tightly in the foil.

Place your wrapped garlic in a muffin tin (you can do multiple heads, just wrap them separately and place them in their own cavity of the muffin tin). Let it roast in for about 40-45 minutes, or until the cloves become soft and golden brown. You should be able to easily pierce the garlic with a knife.

Once roasted, the garlic will be soft, creamy and easy to spread on your slice of baguette!

Putting together your Baguette Board

Now all that’s left to do is put together your baguette board, which is part of the fun! Slice your baguette so it’s easy to grab, then arrange your ingredients around the bread. Use cute ramekins, add fresh herbs and feel free to get creative! Be sure to add a few spreaders to your butter and goat cheese, and that’s it! Your super simple appetizer is ready to be enjoyed.

A baguette board is such a simple thing to throw together, but it looks elegant and creates a fun and memorable eating experience for your guests! Experiment with different combinations, have fun arranging the board, and savor every bite.

After all, food has a way of bringing people together, and this baguette board is a perfect embodiment of that. So gather your loved ones, share stories and enjoy!