Name: Simple Homemade Bruschetta with Fresh Tomato Basil Topping
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 large tomatoes, diced; ¾ cup fresh basil (15 g); ¼ red onion, diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 whole garlic clove; ¾ tablespoon olive oil (11 ml); 1 teaspoon kosher salt (4 g); 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper (2.3 g); Italian Style bread loaf; 1 tablespoon grated parmesan (5.6 g); 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (15 ml)

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Have you ever had bruschetta? It's a perfect little treat that is delicious by itself but also great as a starter for any meal. This fresh bruschetta recipe is a great recipe to show off your kitchen prowess without tons of effort. Everyone loves the flavors and it never fails to impress, and this version makes it easy with step-by-step instructions.

Fresh Bruschetta Recipe

Bread, tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil are an ideal combination in my opinion. Whatever you add to your bruschetta just elevates the flavors, and this, next to my Caprese salad, is one of my favorite dishes to make and share. It's practically foolproof, and the thing about bruschetta is it is easy to make in just a few minutes.

This goes really well with Italian dishes, and we love it with this baked feta pasta with tomatoes or my easy 30-minute chicken pasta primavera. Of course, you can always go with the classic spaghetti bolognese as the entree with this appetizer.

What Bread is Bruschetta Made From?

Bruschetta is typically made with nice Italian bread or baguette. The sliced bread can be whatever you prefer, but it is best with a nice white bread like the classic French loaf or Italian baguette. You can also often find pre-sliced bread pieces that are made just for this recipe. When you find those, you are often going to see them in the deli department. They also often have flavored bread like rosemary and garlic, or herb and cheese that are excellent for this.

Is Bruschetta the Bread or the Topping?

While you may think of it as the whole recipe or the topping, bruschetta is actually just the bread itself. The term simply describes a toasted bread drenched in olive oil with garlic and other toppings. You can add any number of toppings to your bruschetta bread but the recipe below is the most commonly recognized.

I like bruschetta with tomatoes and onions as shown, but you can also make it and serve with olive tapenade or an herbed cheese spread. It's delicious and easy to make and the variety of toppings make it a great choice for a multitude of meals and events.

What are the Best Tomatoes For Bruschetta Topping?

The most important part of picking tomatoes to go on your toasted bread is that you choose ripe tomatoes. My favorites are Roma, cherry, and grape tomatoes as they tend to have a nice sweet flavor that isn't bitter. A good beefsteak tomato is another option that is common. If you want more color, choose an heirloom variety that includes some red, yellow, orange, or purple.

Should I Use Fresh or Roasted Garlic?

Fresh garlic is what is used in this recipe to rub on the toasted bread. You can, however, use roasted garlic if you prefer. I like the sweetness of roasted garlic, but that is an extra step you would have to take if wanted in this recipe. It just adds a little more flavor that is nice and can elevate the flavor just a bit.

Is Bruschetta Eaten Hot or Cold?

It is best eaten hot, but you can serve at room temperature or cold if you prefer. If you are making this ahead of time, I recommend serving the bread toasted freshly. You can always keep it on a warming tray or pop it into the oven for even just 5 minutes prior to serving to heat back up and make the flavors pop.

The topping temperature depends upon what you are serving. The fresh tomato mixture is usually served at room temperature or chilled. You can do what you prefer but room temperature seems to be the most common choice.

How Do You Keep Bruschetta From Getting Soggy?

Ideally, you will toast the bread just before serving and only top right as you plate the bruschetta. You will also want to make sure you are not adding too much olive oil, but just enough. If you find your bruschetta is soggy, it may be the topping that is a bit too watery. Tomatoes can vary in how watery they may be so you may also just want to drain them a bit before you mix and add to the toasted bread.

Ingredients

Tomatoes
Basil
Garlic
Onion
Olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
Italian bread or baguette
Parmesan cheese

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make Fresh Bruschetta

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Prepare the topping by dicing tomatoes, chopping basil, mincing garlic, and dicing the onion.

In a large bowl, combine the tomato, basil, garlic, salt, black pepper, and olive oil then stir to combine then set aside at room temperature.

Slice your Italian bread or baguette into ½" rounds, then place on the prepared baking sheet.

Drizzle the top of the bread with olive oil. Do not soak in oil but a light drizzle. You can also brush this on for a more controlled application.

Toast the sliced bread for 6 to 8 minutes until just crisp and golden. Watch carefully while toasting.

As soon as the bread has been removed from the oven, rub with a garlic clove then lightly salt.

Top with the tomato mixture before serving.

If desired, sprinkle with parmesan and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a little extra flavor.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

Whether you call them appetizers or snacks, bite-sized foods are a favorite. There is just something about that single little bite having all of the flavors you want together for an easy bite. Below are more of my favorites that are delicious, easy to make, and definitely a hit with everyone at your dinner table or event. These are ideal for sharing, great for tucking into bento boxes, and perfect for parties or snack times. Make sure to bookmark, pin, or print the recipes to add to your menu soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 8