Easy Bruschetta Recipes: Quick Bites for Parties & Brunch (Print Version)

Whip up easy bruschetta recipes for your next party or brunch! Fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic on crispy bread make a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 crusty baguette or ciabatta loaf
02 - 4-5 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced

→ Flavor Boosters

03 - 3-4 cloves fresh garlic, minced (plus 1 whole clove for rubbing)
04 - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
05 - ¼ cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
06 - 2 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional)

→ Seasonings

07 - ½ tsp sea salt (or to taste)
08 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those tomatoes ready. I usually dice about 4-5 Roma tomatoes into small, even pieces. You want them small enough to stay on the bread but not so tiny they become mush. Toss them into a bowl, and this is where I usually remember to give them a good sprinkle of sea salt and a grind of black pepper right away. It helps draw out some of their moisture and seasons them from the inside out. Don't forget this step; it makes a huge difference!
02 - Now for the flavor bomb! Mince about two cloves of fresh garlic really fine. I'm talking tiny. Add it to your diced tomatoes. Then, grab a big handful of fresh basil leaves, stack them, roll them up like a cigar (that's called a chiffonade!), and slice them into thin ribbons. Add these vibrant green ribbons to the bowl. Drizzle generously with a really good extra virgin olive oil – I mean it, don't be shy! This is where the magic starts to happen, and the kitchen begins to smell absolutely divine. Give it a gentle stir.
03 - Alright, time for the bread! Slice your baguette or ciabatta into ½-inch thick rounds. I like mine a bit rustic, so perfect slices aren't necessary. Lay them out on a baking sheet. You can either brush them lightly with olive oil or, for a real treat, rub them with a cut garlic clove for an extra garlicky kick. Pop them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until they're golden brown and perfectly crispy. Watch them like a hawk, though; they go from perfect to burnt in a blink! I've had many a blackened toast moment, oops.
04 - Once those bread slices come out of the oven, while they're still warm and fragrant, take a peeled, raw garlic clove and gently rub it over the toasted surface of each slice. This step, my friends, is a game-changer. The warmth of the bread helps the garlic release its aromatic oils, infusing every bite with that glorious garlicky punch. It's a little trick I learned after my earlier "too much garlic" incident; this way, the flavor is there without being overwhelming.
05 - Now for the grand finale! Spoon a generous amount of your seasoned tomato mixture onto each toasted garlic-rubbed bread slice. Don't be shy; load 'em up! The contrast of the crunchy bread and the juicy, fresh topping is what we're after. I love seeing the little bits of basil and bright red tomatoes piled high. This is where it starts looking like those magazine pictures, honestly.
06 - To finish, give your assembled bruschetta another light drizzle of that good olive oil. If you're using balsamic glaze, now's the time for a fancy swirl over the top. A few extra fresh basil leaves, maybe a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and you're ready to serve! They look so vibrant and inviting, don't they? I usually arrange them on a big platter, and they disappear in minutes. Enjoy the compliments, you earned 'em!

# Notes:

01 - Always use ripe, seasonal tomatoes; it makes all the difference.
02 - Prep the tomato mixture and bread separately to avoid soggy bruschetta.
03 - Rubbing warm toast with a raw garlic clove gives a fantastic, balanced garlic flavor.
04 - Serve immediately for the best texture and freshest taste.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Baking sheet
02 - mixing bowls
03 - sharp knife
04 - cutting board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 150
Total Fat: 8g
Total Carbohydrate: 17g
Protein: 3g

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