22 Easy (but Fancy) Bruschetta Recipe Ideas to Try at Home (2024)

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22 Easy (but Fancy) Bruschetta Recipe Ideas to Try at Home (1)

By Taryn Pire

Published Apr 29, 2021

Besides its oft-butchered name (it’s brew-sket-ta, by the way), there’s little to get people riled up over this beloved Italian antipasto. For one, it involves a generous hunk of bread. Second, it can be topped with much more than just seasoned tomatoes—in fact, you can use virtually anything your heart desires. Here, 22 bruschetta recipe ideas to try at home this summer and beyond.

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PHOTO: JON COSPITO/STYLING: Heath Goldman

1. Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

Can you believe these summer stunners will only take you 15 minutes from start to finish? All it takes is layering seasoned ricotta cheese and pesto-coated tomatoes on thin slices of baguette.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Italian Bruschetta Bar

The word "bruschetta" often refers to tomato-topped bread when used stateside, but it actually has way less to do with produce than you may think. Technically, the only must is grilled bread that's been rubbed with garlic and topped with salt and olive oil—you can supplement with cheese, cured meats, veggies and beyond, hence this snack-filled masterpiece.

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3. Garden Fresh Bruschetta

You can't go wrong with the classic combo of tomatoes, garlic, fresh dill and EVOO. Pro tip: Drain the tomatoes a bit after dicing them to avoid soggy crostini down the road.

4. Pesto And Garlic Shrimp Bruschetta

Mediterranean meets Italian (meets our mouths). Think garlicky poached shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and tangy feta atop a layer of herbaceous pesto.

5. Mushroom Bruschetta With Balsamic And Thyme

Light on calories but still surprisingly filling, thanks to the mushrooms. (They have 3 grams of protein in every half-cup serving.)

6. Beet And Blueberry Bruschetta

Sure beets your usual lunch salad. (Sorry.) The key here is roasting the beets until they're tender, sweet and earthy.

7. Smashed Green Olive And Pistachio Burrata Bruschetta

Briny, creamy, crunchy—this creative take truly has it all. We especially love the addition of uber-sweet cara cara orange juice in the olive relish.

8. Easy Strawberry Bruschetta

Tangy balsamic glaze cuts right through the sweetness of summer strawberries and creamy goat cheese. Pair it with your favorite Pinot Grigio and lazy dinner is served.

9. Nectarine Fig Burrata Bruschetta

Using fresh figs and nectarines keeps the cook time to a minimum, but we're betting a few minutes on the grill would bring out all the fruits' sweetness.

10. Tomato, Salami And Chunky Arugula-basil Pesto Bruschetta

The homemade pesto spread is super rustic, since the ingredients are mashed together in a bowl instead of puréed in a blender or food processor. It's just the starter for an old-school Italian main, like pasta alla Norma.

11. Greek Bruschetta

Come for the refreshing combination of cucumber, cherry tomatoes and herbs. Stay for the creamy hummus and feta crumbles. Dare we suggest using toasted pita points instead of baguette?

12. Roasted Cherry Tomato And Whipped Feta Toast Points

So gorgeous, and yet a total cinch to put together. Seriously—the hardest part is waiting 20 minutes for the tomatoes to roast in the oven.

13. Tropical Breakfast Bruschetta

Y'all, it tastes like the beach. Think baked, sugared pieces of baguette topped with vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh fruit and toasted macadamia nuts. Feel free to use whatever tropical fruit you have, like kiwi, coconut flakes or papaya.

14. Classic Bruschetta With Cheese

There's only one way the O.G. mix of Roma tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette, garlic and fresh basil could get any better—with a handful of shredded mozzarella.

15. Avocado Bruschetta

Yup, your favorite breakfast fruit can do more than just avo toast and guacamole. Its buttery flavor and creamy texture are just what this mélange of zippy balsamic and juicy tomatoes calls for.

16. Smashed Pea Bruschetta

Spring produce in all its glory. The peas are smashed with fresh mint, rice vinegar, diced chiles and lemon before being topped with homemade pickled radishes.

17. Elote Bruschetta

If chips and salsa are getting stale at your weekly Taco Tuesday dinner, look no further than this corn-kissed alternative. The bread is spread with lime-cotija mayonnaise before being topped with charred corn.

18. Bruschetta Baked Brie

This isn't just a wheel of Brie baked to gooey perfection and topped with tomato bruschetta. The cheese is baked *inside* a hulled-out loaf of sourdough bread (!!!).

19. Zucchini And Ricotta Salata Bruschetta

Sprinkling the zucchini with salt ahead of assembling is key. They contain a ton of water, so sweating them in a colander to drain will keep the crostini from losing its crunch later on.

20. Beet Bruschetta With Goat Cheese

Good things come to those who wait, including this spring appetizer. The garlicky beets take about an hour to turn fork tender, but your patience will most definitely be rewarded.

21. Brunch Bruschetta Bar

So many of the components can be made ahead, like the sun-dried tomato muhammara, basil pesto or marinated cherry tomatoes. On the big day, just lay out all the toppings, spreads and cheeses so your guests can assemble their own crostini.

22. Bruschetta Tart With Whipped Goat Cheese

We never thought we'd say this, but you won't even miss the bread—promise. Bookmark it now to serve at Mother's Day brunch later.

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22 Easy (but Fancy) Bruschetta Recipe Ideas to Try at Home (24)

Taryn Pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...

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22 Easy (but Fancy) Bruschetta Recipe Ideas to Try at Home (2024)

FAQs

What is the fancy description of bruschetta? ›

Bruschetta (pronounced brew-SKET-tah) is an Italian appetizer or antipasti that starts with a base of toasted or grilled bread. The bread is then served warm either with a topping spooned over or with a topping on the side so each person can build their own bruschetta.

What is the topping on bruschetta called? ›

food blogger Author has 2.8K answers and 46.9M. · 10mo. Though the whole thing is usually called bruschetta, the topping is called the condiment.

Why is my bruschetta soggy? ›

Top the bruschetta right before serving to prevent it from going soggy. Alternatively, you can serve the bruschetta and topping separately and allow your guests to assemble them. Another step that can help is adding an ingredient to protect the bread from wetter ingredients.

What are the best tomatoes 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!

Is bruschetta good or bad for you? ›

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.

What is a fun fact about bruschetta? ›

Bruschetta traces its roots back to ancient Rome, where peasants created a simple dish by grilling leftover bread over an open fire. This practice allowed them to make use of stale bread and add flavor to their meals. The word “bruschetta” comes from the Italian verb “bruscare,” which means “to roast over coals.”

What's the difference between cicchetti and bruschetta? ›

Bruschetta is served both as an appetizer and as an aperitif. Cicchetto, on the other hand, is a typical Venetian dish. Actually, the term "cicchetto" means a variety of small snacks; it is not a definite dish but many small bites.

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 is difference between bruschetta and crostini? ›

The main difference between these two toasts is that crostini is often thinly sliced, while bruschetta is usually served in thicker slices and drizzled with olive oil before it's toasted. The standard topping is diced tomato mixed with olive oil, garlic and Italian herbs—delicious, but a little boring.

What is the French version of bruschetta? ›

The French call them tartines, the Americans Toasts and the Italians Bruschetta. The Webster Dictionary defines them as: an open sandwich, one with a rich or elaborate topping. No matter what you call them, we all seem to love them! I love serving Tartines as a heavier passed appetizer at parties.

How do you enhance bruschetta? ›

Add 1 tablespoon of lime zest, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried chili peppers (to taste) for an extra kick. Smear the toasted baguette points with goat cheese, or crumble some queso fresco into the topping. Make it vegan by using an avocado in place of goat cheese on the bread.

How long will homemade bruschetta last in the fridge? ›

Once the bread is lightly toasted, rub garlic on each slice and spoon on the tomato mixture. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze, if desired, and enjoy! Store any excess bruschetta in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

How do you pair bruschetta? ›

As Marcello Brunini says, bruschetta is usually served as “antipasto” (hors d'oeuvres) or as a snack while drinking wine; so they can be served by themselves or along with other dishes like morsels of cheese, olives, mixed plate with salame, prosciutto etc., pickled vegetables etc.

What is bruschetta topping made of? ›

It's just a mixture of chopped tomatoes, balsamic, basil, and garlic, spooned over olive-oil brushed slices of toasted baguette or rustic bread. It's perfect for a party because you can make a large batch of the topping ahead of time, as well as toasting baguette slices.

Is bruschetta a full meal? ›

Typically, bruschetta is a snack, first course or an appetizer, but I think of bruschetta more as a meal. I like to top this grilled bread with simple toppings and serve them with a green salad. Place bowls of cherry tomatoes, olives and fruit, a platter of cheese and a bottle of light red wine on the table.

Can you eat bruschetta by itself? ›

So yes, since you can eat untoasted bread, you can definitely eat raw bruschetta. You could even rub a slice of bread with a clove of garlic, drizzle a little olive oil on it, and sprinkle on a pinch of salt, then eat that untoasted.

How do you eat Trader Joe's bruschetta? ›

Serve it on toasted baguette slices, toss it with hot or cold pasta, or spoon it on grilled or roasted chicken or fish. However you choose to enjoy it, we guarantee enjoyment, every time.

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