These Walnut Canapés are exactly the crunchy, elegant touch your appetizer table has been missing! Super quick to prepare and incredibly refined, they combine a creamy ricotta-Parmesan spread with the earthy flavor of walnuts — all served on cute bite-sized pieces of soft sandwich bread.
They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, aperitivo nights, brunch buffets, or any time you want a no-stress finger food that looks impressive but takes minutes to assemble. With just a handful of ingredients, these canapés deliver a delicious contrast of textures: velvety cream on top, soft bread underneath, and a crunchy walnut to finish.
What Are Walnut Canapés?
Walnut canapés are small savory bites made with shaped bread bases topped with a creamy spread enriched with ricotta, Parmesan, and finely chopped walnuts. Traditionally served during aperitifs or festive gatherings, canapés are meant to be eaten in one or two bites — small, elegant, and full of flavor.
This version celebrates the natural richness of walnuts, which pair beautifully with soft ricotta, creating a creamy, nutty topping that feels both rustic and refined.
Why Everyone Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Only 10 minutes of prep required.
- Elegant Appearance: Perfect for parties, aperitifs, and holiday spreads.
- Irresistible Contrasts: Soft bread + creamy filling + crunchy walnut.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the cream in advance and assemble just before serving.
- Customizable Shapes: Use cookie cutters to create stars, circles, flowers — ideal for themed events.
Tips for Perfect Walnut Canapés
- Use firm sandwich bread so the shapes stay neat.
- Dry the bread slightly in the oven for 3–4 minutes if you want a lightly crisp base.
- Season well — the cream should be flavorful, not bland.
- Add honey for a sweet-and-savory variation.
- Make them festive with star or tree-shaped cutters during the holidays!
How to Store Walnut Canapés
Store the ricotta walnut cream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Assemble the canapés just before serving to keep the bread soft and the walnuts crunchy.
How to Freeze Walnut Canapés
The assembled canapés should not be frozen, as the bread becomes soggy. However, you can freeze:
- The ricotta-walnut cream (for up to 1 month)
- The cut bread shapes (for up to 2 weeks)
Thaw and assemble fresh.
Ingredients
How to Make Walnut Canapés
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Place 100 g of walnuts in a food processor and chop finely until they reach a crumbly, sandy texture. This forms the nutty base of the creamy spread.
Place 100 g of walnuts in a food processor and chop finely until they reach a crumbly, sandy texture. This forms the nutty base of the creamy spread.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and the chopped walnuts. Mix with a fork until smooth, creamy, and well blended. Set aside.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and the chopped walnuts. Mix with a fork until smooth, creamy, and well blended. Set aside.
Lay the slices of sandwich bread on a cutting board. Using cookie cutters, create shapes such as circles, squares, stars, or flowers. This is what makes the canapés visually appealing.
Spread about ½ teaspoon of the ricotta-walnut cream on each bread piece, smoothing the top.
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Lay the slices of sandwich bread on a cutting board. Using cookie cutters, create shapes such as circles, squares, stars, or flowers. This is what makes the canapés visually appealing.
Finish each canapé with half a walnut gently pressed on top. This adds crunch, beauty, and a burst of flavor.
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