Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius or 355 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut the crusts off the bread.
Roll over the bread slices with the rolling pin until they are completely compressed/condensed down.
Use a cutter or knife to cut four shapes from each bread slice.
Pour half the oil onto a plate and press the slices of bread into it on both sides. Top up with more oil as and when necessary so that each piece of bread is covered.
Place the bread slices on a lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes or until crisp.
Allow to cool back to room temperature and store in an airtight container lined with parchment paper/baking paper.
Notes
This recipe works better with fresh bread.
Make sure that the bread is fully compressed.
Don't cut them too big; you need to make sure each canape is bite-sized.
Ensure that each canape base is covered in oil on both sides.
Allow 8-10 canapes per person per hour of a cocktail party.