Description
Classic Italian bruschetta combines crisp toasted bread with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. It is a fresh and flavorful appetizer ready in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Baguette or rustic Italian bread, sliced
Ripe tomatoes, diced
Fresh basil leaves, chopped
Garlic cloves, minced
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
Balsamic vinegar (optional)
Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven or grill to medium-high heat.
- Slice the baguette or rustic Italian bread into individual pieces and lightly brush each slice with extra virgin olive oil.
- Arrange the bread on a baking sheet or place it directly on the grill. Toast until golden, crisp, and lightly browned on both sides.
- While the bread is toasting, combine the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, black pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a bowl. Add balsamic vinegar if desired.
- Gently mix the tomato topping until evenly combined without crushing the tomatoes.
- Let the tomato mixture rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Spoon the fresh tomato mixture generously over each toasted bread slice.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired and serve immediately while the bread is crisp.
Notes
For mozzarella bruschetta, add small pieces of fresh mozzarella to the tomato mixture or place a thin slice on each piece of toast.
For a sweeter, tangier finish, drizzle the assembled bruschetta with balsamic glaze.
Diced avocado or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can be added for variation.
For extra garlic flavor, rub a halved fresh garlic clove over the warm toasted bread before adding the tomatoes.
To prevent soggy bruschetta, toast the bread well and add the tomato topping immediately before serving. Drain especially juicy tomatoes if necessary.
Store leftover tomato topping and toasted bread separately. Refrigerate the topping in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Re-crisp leftover bread in the oven for a few minutes before serving. Do not reheat the tomato mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Toasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg