How to Make Bruschetta Toast

This is how to make bruschetta toast in the oven or air fryer to top with cherry tomatoes, goat cheese or make a sweet option with fresh fruit. A pretty simple appetizer that is great on a charcuterie board.

Throwing a party and always love serving lots of finger foods? We will share how to make bruschetta toast with you because there are so many possibilities for this easy appetizer. Sweet or savory, you just can’t go wrong.

What is Bruschetta?

These are small pieces of toast created into a bite size Italian appetizer topped with olive oil, salt, and a variety of fresh toppings such as tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, or cured meats. It is often served as a starter and highlights simple yet flavorful ingredients.

You could use any type of thinly sliced cheese but mozzarella is the most common. When I am making this I also make a few that are dairy free. Why? So my husband can actually enjoy it. Nowadays there are lots of dairy free cheese options too though.

Ingredient Notes

For the base you just want a large baguette that you can slice diagonally about 1 inch thick each. Depending on how big of a group you are serving you may need more than one.

When it comes to buying produce to make the top mixture I am all about what is on sale. If larger tomatoes are way cheaper then that is the direction I go. I do really like cherry because they are already small and they can just get sliced in half. What’s left will get devoured by my girls which is a win win.

Want a lighter option? We will share that one below in the printable recipe card. Using diced tomatoes, fresh herbs and of course olive oil is always a must. Not only do you need it to stay moist and add flavor but it gets the outside to a golden brown Toast in the Oven too.

What kind of tomatoes are best for bruschetta?

Cherry, Plum or on the vine still are the most desirable. Either way you want them to be ripe but not too soft. A bit firm is ideal when you gently squeeze. Any wrinkling of the skin you should stay away from.

What Type of Bread is Best for Bruschetta?

You want something smaller in size especially if you’re serving this as an appetizer. A French baguette that is sold in the bakery section of the grocery store works well. Typically they are in a paper bag open at one end and smaller than French bread you’d use for French toast.

The outside is flaky and crispy, easy to slice. Pagnotta is another win if you can find it. You want that crust for the ideal texture whether you’re adding produce on top or serving with a butter board.

How do I stop my bruschetta from getting soggy?

First off stay away from veggies that are quite wet when sliced. If you set a slice of mozzarella or other cheese on top right out of the oven it will create a barrier as well. Then place your more moist elements on top of that to avoid a soggy baguette.

How Long to Cook Bruschetta in Air Fryer

Directions below are for the oven but you could easily toast it like our air fryer toast, but smaller, in your Ninja Foodi or other brand as well. Follow the same directions but lay slices in a single layer in your basket. Timing is quicker, closer to 1 minute on each side.

How Long to Bake Bruschetta in Oven

Preheat oven to 400F. Slice your loaf into 1.5″ pieces. Brush with olive oil on both sides and place bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet without overlapping. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 4-7 minutes until golden brown.

Top the baguette slices with the tomato mixture and then garnish with parmesan or mozzarella cheese, as desired. You can make other toppings for your toasted bread as well though. Spreading on some air fryer bone marrow is amazing, as well as some avocado spread on other pieces.

If you have a lot going on that day you can certainly toast these the day before. The key is how you save them, and no matter what they will be best the day of so I won’t lie about that. In case that is your only option you will want to ensure they are cooled completely first.

How to Make Bruschetta Toast Ahead of Time

Slide into a gallon freezer bag stacked. Zip almost all the way shut but not quite. In the little open area suck all of the air, I mean all of it, out – vacuum sealed bags are best. Leave on your countertop until the next day and then dress when you are ready

If you want to prep really fast just use canned diced tomatoes and drain that instead of freshly chopped tomatoes. Just toss in a large bowl some tomatoes with garlic, olive oil and fresh basil for a really fast prep. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and you’re ready.

What Goes Good on Bruschetta?

We share how to make bruschetta toast in the oven below, super easy, but what is on top is what people are really going to talk about. If you have a large crowd coming over I highly suggest making a few selections for each charcuterie board on your serving table.

Seriously this is probably the cheapest thing to serve when people come over and everyone loves them. I mean even kids love things they can pick up and eat in a few bites, adults can pop them in whole. Adding fresh fruit with some goat cheese on top and a honey drizzle is a great sweet option we love too.