How to make bruschetta toast so you can top it with cherry tomatoes, goat cheese or make a sweet option with fresh fruit. Best appetizer.
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. (affiliate links present)
Bruschetta with Mozzarella
Of course a thin slice of cheese popular in Italian cuisine is always a winner on top of this. I always make at least a few pieces of bruschetta with cheese when I am making this, others are dairy free. Why? So my husband can actually enjoy it. Nowadays there are lots of dairy free cheese options too though.
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 in the oven too.
Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
When it comes to buying produce 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.
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.
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.
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.
Air Fryer Bruschetta
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.
- To make this topping start with a skillet over medium heat. Heat some of your olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and cook 2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool as you prepare the tomatoes.
- Finely dice them and place in a medium bowl. Pour the garlic infused olive oil into the bowl, along with the balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and basil.
- Stir to combine, set aside and allow this to marinate for 30 minutes.
- 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.
How to Make Bruschetta Toast Ahead of Time
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.
- 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.
- Tomatoes diced, fresh or canned and drained
- Use some good olive oil
- I love using some of my roasted garlic air fryer style made the day before for this
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- A pinch of salt and pepper
- Fresh basil diced fine
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.
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How to Make Bruschetta Toast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tomatoes diced
- 1/3 c olive oil
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
- 1/4 c basil diced fine
- 1 baguette sliced
- 1/8 c mozzarella or parmesan shredded
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat 2 Tablespoons of the olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool as you prepared the tomatoes.
- Finely dice tomatoes and place in a medium bowl. Pour the garlic infused olive oil into the bowl, along with the balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and basil. Stir to combine and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 400F. Slice baguette into 1.5" slices. Brush both sides of each slice with olive oil and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
- 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.
- Air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Brush olive oil on both sides of your bread slices and lay inside in one single layer. Close drawer and cook for 1 minute or until as browned as you'd like them to be.