EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
Updated

  • View Recipe
  • 15

    ratings
  • 27 comments

Toasted baguette slices topped with a fresh tomato and basil mixture. So delicious and easy to whip up. You’ll be making this homemade bruschetta all summer long!

EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Table of Contents

  • Tomato Bruschetta Recipe
  • What is Bruschetta?
  • How to Make Bruschetta
  • Bread for Serving
  • Quick Tips
  • More Ways to Use Fresh Tomatoes
  • Bruschetta Recipe Printable Recipe

Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

Bruschetta is a great way to use up those fresh summer vegetables in the garden. Whenever we have an abundance of tomatoes and basil, it’s one of my favorites to make along with basil pesto, cucumber tomato salad and corn and tomato salad. So fresh and delicious!

One of my favorite appetizers to make during the summer is fresh tomato and basil bruschetta. I love growing tomatoes and basil in my garden and this recipe is the perfect way to use them up. The two flavors taste amazing together and make the perfect light and refreshing snack. I love to make bruschetta when we’re entertaining and grilling out on the patio. It’s always a huge hit!

What is Bruschetta?

Bruschetta is an Italian word that means toasted bread with toppings. The classic bruschetta recipe typically includes toasted bread drizzled with olive oil that’s topped with a fresh tomato and basil mixture. The flavors meld together and taste super fresh and delicious.

EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (3)

How to Make Bruschetta

In a medium-sized bowl, add the chopped tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic, garlic and basil. Mix until combined. Then add salt and pepper to taste. Store the bruschetta in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to marinate together.

Bread for Serving

I typically serve my bruschetta with a French baguette. The slices are smaller with crusty edges, which makes them perfectly bite-sized. They also toast in the oven pretty quickly. You could definitely use other types like Italian or French bread, however the slices will most likely be larger.

  • French baguette
  • Crostini
  • French bread
  • Italian bread
  • Garlic bread

Toasting bread in oven

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
  2. Cut the baguette into 1/2 inch slices and lightly brush with olive oil.
  3. Bake until lightly toasted.

Grilling the bread

Place the baguettes on the grill for a few minutes on each side (flip when you’re starting to see slightly charred grill marks).

EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (4)

Quick Tips

  • Use ripe tomatoes and drain any excess juice after chopping.
  • Add fresh mozzarella to make bruschetta caprese. It’s a wonderful addition!
  • For more flavor, drizzle witha balsamic glaze right before serving.
  • Wait to top the baguette slices with bruschetta until right before serving. You don’t want the bread to get soggy.
  • Make bruschetta chicken the next day with leftovers.

More Ways to Use Fresh Tomatoes

  • Garlic Roasted Tomato Sauce
  • Caprese Salad
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Easy Ratatouille Recipe

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!

EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (10)

Bruschetta Recipe

4.87 from 15 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

Author: Jamielyn Nye

Toasted baguette slices topped with a fresh tomato and basil mixture. So delicious and easy to whip up. You'll be making this homemade bruschetta all summer long!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8

PrintRatePin

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups finely chopped roma tomatoes (about 4-5)
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 3-4 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 French baguette
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Combine the tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and basil. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

  • Preheat oven to425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.

  • Cut the french baguette into 1/2 inch slices. Lightly brush olive oil on the top. Bake until lightly toasted (about 3-5 minutes).

  • Top bread with bruschetta right before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Can drizzle balsamic glaze on top before serving.

Make your own mini baguette by using my homemade french bread recipe. Just roll the loaves out longer in size so that the slices are smaller than regular french bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 61mg | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Categorized as: Appetizers, Dairy-Free, Italian, Mini appetizers, Vegan, Vegetarian

EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (11)

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

More about Jamielyn Nye

More Appetizer Recipes to Enjoy This Summer

  • Mango Salsa Recipe
  • Best Guacamole Recipe
  • 5-Ingredient Grilled Pineapple Salsa
  • Restaurant Style Salsa

Add a comment

27 comments

    • Connie
    • EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (16)

    This was delicious, my husband who is not a big fan of tomatoes loved it. We always have appetizers for New Years and this will be definitely served. It’s a keeper .

    • Reply
      • Jamielyn Nye

      I’m so happy to hear it was a hit!

      • Reply
    • Rachael Yerkes
    • EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (17)

    my favorite thing to snack on! if you’ve never had it you need to try this out! So delicious!

    • Reply

Load More

EASY Homemade Bruschetta Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

FAQs

What type of tomato is most commonly used for bruschetta? ›

Something sweet and juicy, like heirloom tomatoes, tomatoes, vine tomatoes or Roma tomatoes. If making bruschetta when tomatoes are not in season, I recommend using grape or cherry tomatoes instead. Garlic – We will use just a clove to rub on the bread! Oil – The best extra-virgin olive oil you can afford!

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Tomato skins and seeds can be bitter, and removing them improves the flavor and texture of your bruschetta topping. Seeds and skin also contain extra water, which can make your bruschetta runny and your toast points soggy.

How healthy is bruschetta? ›

The primary ingredient in Bruschetta is tomatoes and as you already know tomatoes are extremely good for health. They are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, folate and potassium. Moreover, they are also a rich source of antioxidants such as Chlorogenic Acid that is known to help lower blood pressure.

Why is my bruschetta bitter? ›

Gently tear or chop them just before adding them to the bruschetta. Another factor could be overripe or low-quality tomatoes, which can taste bitter. Try using fresh, ripe tomatoes for a sweeter flavor. Also, be sure you're using good quality, fresh olive oil for the best taste.

What are the best tasting tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

But cherry tomatoes are pretty great, too. Varieties like Sungolds, Sweet 100s, Black Cherries and Yellow Pears are another excellent option. Not only are they easier to prepare—no need to seed or peel, just simply cut them in half —but they add extra sweetness, too.

Should I deseed tomatoes for bruschetta? ›

A lot of recipes say to seed the tomatoes so that you're left with only the drier diced flesh, but I'm against this, since the seeds contain so much great flavor. For the same reason, I don't like to pre-salt my tomatoes and drain the juices, as other recipes suggest.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 47.1M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

Do you have to refrigerate bruschetta after opening? ›

It is generally not recommended to leave perishable foods, especially those containing ingredients like tomatoes and garlic, at room temperature for more than 2 hours. To ensure food safety, it's advisable to refrigerate bruschetta if it has been left out for an extended period.

How long does a jar of bruschetta last in the fridge? ›

Q: How longdoes bruschetta last in refrigerator? Personally, I treat it like pasta sauce and use an open jar in the fridge within 4-5 days.

What can I use instead of basil for bruschetta? ›

If you must use a basil substitute, try some oregano, thyme, or marjoram in your bruschetta recipe.

What is a fun fact about bruschetta? ›

Some experts think that the word 'bruschetta' may come from the name of an instrument once used in Italy by cattle breeders: the 'brusca'. It was a rough brush, meant to clean up oxen and horses from dead hair. Its shape was very similar to that of a bruschetta.

Is bruschetta bad for cholesterol? ›

Bruschetta is a great choice to give your heart and blood stream a dose of protection. Olive oil helps maintain healthy levels of LDL cholesterol in our body and providing Vitamin E and essential fatty-acids.

How do you upgrade bruschetta? ›

40 ways to make your bruschetta even better
  1. Grilled haloumi and tomato bruschetta with za'atar caper salsa. ...
  2. Roasted capsicum bruschetta. ...
  3. Bruschetta with butter-braised zucchini and smoked salmon. ...
  4. Eggplant, fennel and burrata rye bruschetta. ...
  5. Tomato conserva bruschetta. ...
  6. Mushroom bruschetta with garlic and macadamia pesto.

How long can bruschetta sit out? ›

Tips for Serving and Storing

This is best served cold or at room temperature. But don't let it sit at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. Bruschetta is one of those things that can last in the fridge as long as the tomatoes stay good. Eventually the vinegar will break down the tomatoes and turn kind of mushy.

How do you soften bruschetta bread? ›

In the oven: Preheat oven to 200° or Warm setting. Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for 5-10 minutes. In the microwave: Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 10 seconds.

What kind of tomatoes do Italians use? ›

San Marzano: Perhaps one of the best known varieties, the San Marzano tomato is a DOP-certified plum tomato, thin and pointed, which is grown near Napoli. Its bittersweet taste – making it perfectly suited to a variety of dishes – is beloved across the world.

What is the most popular tomato in Italy? ›

Simply known as San Marzano – The King of Tomatoes is one of Italy's most popular varieties. It has an intense flavor, thick flesh, and low acidity that make it perfect for creating rich tomato sauces. It is said to have fewer seeds than other varieties, which makes them easier to prepare.

What is the most commonly used tomato? ›

Globe tomatoes are one of the most popular types of tomatoes—best for slicing and layering on top of sandwiches. Smaller varieties, like cherry and grape tomatoes, are good for snacking or eating halved in the best salad ever.

Which tomato is best for caprese? ›

When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5779

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.