The Best Bruschetta Recipe

This is the Best Bruschetta recipe, and it’s so easy to make! You’re going to love serving up this delicious Italian-inspired appetizer to kick off your summer dinners, parties, or my favorite way…by the pool!!

Make sure to try my Beach Bread too! It’s insanely delish!

Easy Homemade Bruschetta Recipe

With tomato season around the corner, it’s time for one of my favorite warm-weather appetizers: bruschetta! This easy bruschetta recipe is made with juicy ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and zesty balsamic vinegar. Piled on top of a crunchy toasted bread slice, what’s not to love?

You’re going to be making this Italian-inspired bruschetta all season long. It’s full of summer-y flavor and super refreshing! My Balsamic bruschetta is a perfect easy appetizer for casual dinners, summer cookouts, or parties.

What is Bruschetta? 

Bruschetta is classic Italian appetizer/an Italian antipasto, traditionally made from bread that’s grilled, rubbed with fresh garlic, and then brushed with olive oil. Possibly the most common variation of bruschetta is the one we’re making today, with a topping of fresh diced tomatoes and herbs. 

What Is Bruschetta Topping Made Of?

• Garlic: Finely minced fresh garlic will impart better flavor into the bruschetta (compared to chopped garlic, for example).
• Olive Oil: When it comes to simple recipes, the quality of your ingredients is key. Get a nice, good quality extra virgin olive oil to use in your bruschetta recipe.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated.
• Tomatoes: Since tomatoes are the star here, it’s a good idea to buy in season. I prefer smaller, sweeter varieties such as Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, but almost any ripe, fresh tomato will work. NOTE: dice up the tomatoes and drain the excess juice. This will help prevent your bruschetta from being too liquid-y.
• Fresh Basil: Perfectly compliments the flavors of the tomatoes, garlic, balsamic and oil.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Lends some refreshing acidity as well as authentic flavor to the bruschetta.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Maybe a bit unconventional, but I like my bruschetta with a subtle hint of heat. You can omit the red pepper flakes if you prefer, but I feel like it adds the best flavor.
• Optional Red Onion: I actually don’t add onion into my bruschetta recipe, but I am noting it here for you as an added option. So many love onion, I just don’t happen to, so add in 1/4 cup of diced red onion if you would like!

What Kind of Bread to Use For Bruschetta:

For the best bruschetta, I always choose a French baguette. However, just about any kind of crusty bread loaf will do. It’s best to use bread that’s a day or two old and on the drier side, cut into slices about a half-inch thick for toasting.

• Bread: French baguette is my first choice for bruschetta recipes, due to its crusty texture. I cut the bread loaf into half inch slices to make them the perfect thickness for toasting.
• Olive Oil: The olive oil is an important step in this recipe to get restaurant-style bruschetta!
• Bread Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder

The Trick to Crunchy Toasts!

Brushing the bread slices with olive oil helps your toasts become the best, crunchiest versions of themselves. The seasoned oil allows the bread to toast up crisp, while giving flavor.

How to Make Bruschetta

Prepare the Bruschetta Topping: Toss the diced tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, grated parmesan, basil, vinegar, and seasonings. Mix everything together, then cover the bowl and place it into the fridge to chill while you prepare the toasts.

Prepare the Bread: Slice the baguette into half-inch pieces. Whisk together a mixture of olive oil, salt and pepper, plus a pinch of garlic powder, and brush this over both sides of the baguette slices.

Toast the Bread: Arrange the bread slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake the slices in a 425°F oven. Flip the toasts about halfway through so that both sides get evenly toasted.

Assemble: Once the crostini have cooled, top each crunchy bread slice with a spoonful of tomato bruschetta. Give them an extra sprinkle of grated parmesan and serve!

Recipe FAQs

Tips for the Best Bruschetta

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Like many Italian recipes, fresh ingredients play a big role in bruschetta. Aside from the next-day bread, aim for the freshest, best quality ingredients possible. Ripe, in-season tomatoes, fresh garlic and basil, quality olive oil – it also helps to shop for your ingredients no more than a day ahead! 
• Give the Tomatoes Enough Time to Marinate: It’s important to chill the bruschetta topping in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (15 minutes in an absolute pinch!). This is what lets all the flavors mingle and mellow out. Budget the time accordingly, and don’t skip this step!
• Avoid Soggy Bread: Only top toasted baguette slices with the tomatoes just before you’re going to serve them, to avoid the bread becoming soggy.
• Don’t Let Leftovers Go to Waste: If you have leftover tomato bruschetta, use it to make Grilled Bruschetta Chicken or Bruschetta Burgers the next day!

Make It Fancy!

• A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds massive flavor, while just making it look pretty. The added taste the glaze gives pairs beautifully with the balsamic vinegar you added to the tomato mixture!
• Melt cheese on the toasts. A sprinkle of Parmesan, fresh mozzarella or low moisture grated mozzarella take this up to the next level, while aiding in preventing the toast from getting soggy!
• Add some chopped, fresh basil leaves on top to garnish!

How To Serve Bruschetta:

• Bruschetta is a crowd favorite at parties and gatherings. Try it next to other easy appetizers like these Cheesy Pizza Breadsticks and Chicken Parm Sliders, and Cheesy Tuscan Sausage Dip.
• Serve your homemade bruschetta alongside summer grilling recipes like Hawaiian Grilled Huli Huli Chicken and Chicken Pineapple Skewers. You can even grill the bread slices while you’re at it!
• Bruschetta makes the perfect starter for an Italian-style pasta dinner. Serve it on weeknights next to Mushroom and Garlic Butter Pasta, Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta, Buttery Lemon Spaghetti, or Cheesy Baked Mostaccioli. 

Can I Make This Bruschetta Recipe in Advance?

You can prepare the tomato topping up to 24 hours before you plan on serving it, making bruschetta perfect for entertaining! Store the tomato mixture in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to top your toasts.

Scoop the delicious tomato mixture on top of your toasts right before serving. This will prevent the toasts from becoming too soggy. Or serve the toasts plain on a plate with a bowl of the marinated tomatoes and allow your guests to top their own!

More Simple Appetizer Ideas

• Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
• Quick and Easy Feta Dip
• Pigs In A Blanket
• Beach Bread
• Cheesy Bacon Ranch Bombs

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