Learn How to Make Bruschetta Bread with just 6 ingredients in less than 20 minutes for a delicious easy classic Italian appetizer.
When you bite into the garlicky crispy crostini and taste the fresh heirloom tomatoes tossed Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, extra virgin olive oil and Sicilian Spice Blend, you will think you died and went to heaven. How can just a handful of ingredients give you so much pleasure? It’s the quality of the ingredients. Good quality ingredients like in our antipasto wreath charcuterie skewers are all you need to make your recipes shine.
What is Bruschetta?
Bruschetta is an antipasto appetizer or primo dish. It is usually made out of a rustic Italian bread that is drizzled with olive oil, rubbed with fresh garlic and salted and grilled or try our Whole Wheat Herb Focaccia Bread. Then it can be topped with a tomato relish like we have prepared, fresh mozzarella and sometimes cured parma. Today we kept it very simple and classic.
What's to Love
Easy and simple bruschetta is crowd pleasing appetizer you can get on the table in about 20 minutes flat. When the boys are starving and can't wait for dinner, I put a big plate of bruschetta on the table and they will leave me alone for at least another hour.
The simple taste of the fresh juicy tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and balsamic on top of crunchy chewy garlic bread will have them coming back for more. What is your secret for getting your family to stop eating everything until you can get dinner on the table? With your gardens in full harvest, be sure to try our Caprese Salad on a Stick for a super easy and fun appetizer with tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella cheese.
Don't like Tomatoes?
In addition, this is a simple dish an easy to please all the picky eaters in your family. If you have one kid that won't eat tomatoes, just sprinkle some extra parmesan or mozzarella cheese on the bread for baking and they can eat it plain instead. I don't like being a minute chef to my kids but sometimes little changes can make everyone in the family happy.
Sometimes, if you get your children involved in the cooking process and teach them How to Make Bruschetta Bread they are more excited to try new things. You might be surprised. They might actually eat a tomato if they made it. Really!
Lazy Cooks Bruschetta
If you are super lazy and do not feel like chopping up tomatoes, you can make a do it yourself assemble chartreuse platter. Throw on your board a few thin slices of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh whole basil leaves and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), balsamic vinegar, Italian spice and salt and pepper and call it a day. Grab a few grilled breads and you are in business.
The difference between this version and the classic is that the classic allows the flavors to mingle and that is a very good thing. If you like the idea of a chartreuse platter be sure to try our DIY Ultimate Bagel Bar Brunch.
Bread is the key ingredient
I think one thing that makes this appetizer really lovely is finding some really good bread. A good hearty bread with a crisp crust, chewy center with lots and lots of nooks and crannies or holes in the bread for all of the flavors to get their way inside the bread. Today, we used a hearty Ciabatta bread. It is an Italian bread made with wheat flour, salt, yeast, and water. We sliced it in half lengthwise and then sliced into about 3 inch sections for the perfect bit sized appetizer.
Lower Carb Option/Gluten Free
If you have gluten sensitives, you can try a gluten free bread or our Sesame Low Carb Cloud Bread. You can grill your sesame low carb cloud bread for just a couple of minutes just to get those nice grill marks and to make the exterior crispy. Perfect for those that are watching their carb intake.
Heirloom tomatoes are in season
We have a share a little secret with you. Believe it or not, we have an intense attraction to heirloom tomatoes. Seriously, it is more like an addiction. Going to the Farmer’s Market in the summer is one of our favorite activities. We love the fresh produce, the friendly atmosphere and recipe inspiration. However, we just can’t hold back when it comes to heirloom tomatoes, that is until we see the price… One heirloom tomato was about 3 pounds and 8 USD…??? Really???? Holy cow!
So, plan B it is. We chose these really deliciously sweet and fragrant vine grown tomatoes. If you grow your own tomatoes, this recipe was meant for you. Be sure to try our recipe for Heirloom Tomato Cucumber Salad and Easy Summer Millet Salad if you are in love with heirloom tomatoes too.
What type of Balsamic vinegar?
Italian recipes are made with only a handful of ingredients. That is why it is really important to use quality ingredients when learning How to Make Bruschetta Bread. There is a huge difference between grocery store quality run of the mill balsamic vinegar and AGED balsamic vinegar.
You do not need to purchase super high-end balsamic vinegar for this recipe. However, a balsamic that has aged enough that it is naturally thick and syrupy is preferred. We love Organic Fondo Montebello Aceto Balsamico
In addition, we like Mie Radici’s Nocellara Organic Reserve extra virgin olive oil and their Sicilian Spice Mix which we used in this Bruschetta bread recipe.
More quick and easy summertime appetizers
Lemon Lavender Goat Cheese Spread
Baked Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
How to Cook Shishito Peppers on the Grill
Learn How to Make Bruschetta Bread this year and have the essentials for the easiest appetizer ever.
Italian Appetizers
Best Italian Stuffed Artichokes
Baked Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
Dairy Free Bolognese Polenta Bites
How to Roast Sweet Mini Peppers
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How to Make Bruschetta Bread
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups tomatoes or 3 large ripe tomatoes chopped (heirloom or vine ripened tomatoes preferred)
- ¼ cup basil fresh chiffonaded (stems removed) - optional
- 2 cloves garlic
(one crushed for bread and one finely minced for tomatoes) - ¼ cup olive oil
and extra for drizzling on bread - 2 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
(We used Organic Fondo Montebello Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP) - 1 teaspoon Sicilian Spice Mix (or Italian Seasoning)
(we used dried Mie Radici Sicilian Spice Mix) - Salt and pepper
to taste - 10 oz bread loaf sliced baguettes or hearty Tuscan style bread or more if your crew is hungry.
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add chopped tomatoes, basil, one clove minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, Sicilian Spice Mix or dried Italian herb mix and Salt and pepper to taste. Stir and set aside.
- Drizzle olive oil on bread and rub fresh crushed garlic on each slice. Add a little dash of Sicilian Spice Mix and salt and pepper if desired (optional)
- Grill bread on BBQ or gas outdoor grill, indoor grill plate for about 2 minutes on each side or until your bread has nice grill marks and is golden brown. If Mother Nature is not cooperating, you can bake in oven for about 3-4 minutes at 375 degrees F (or 190 degrees C) for about 5-7 minutes or just until lightly golden brown.
- Serve your grilled toasted Italian bread with the delicious tomato topping. (Let everyone help themselves.) enjoy!
Eha says
No appetizer his for me but one of my beloved breakfasts to make if I am not having smoked eel or spicy herring! Delightful !!
HWC Magazine says
We love Bruschetta for breakfast too. Going to leave all the smoked eel and spicy herring for you my dear friend. Wishing you a super day ahead. Take Care
mimi rippee says
Wonderful! I've never heard of Sicilian spice! I'll have to check amazon...
HWC Magazine says
Hi there Mimi. I just checked and Mie Radici Sicilian spice blend is also available on Amazon. Now, you and I are are going to need to knock out a wall for our new walk in pantry to accommodate all of our spices and herbs from around the world. (smiling)
Cal says
The outside grill is closed for the season. What do you recommend to do this in a regualr electric oven? How do I get the same crisp bread ?
HWC Magazine says
Hi there Cal! You can preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and brush your bread with oil and herbs and bake for about 8-12 minutes of until the bread is lightly golden. In addition, you could also use a grill pan to toast your bread, if desired.
Larry says
Perfect - Easy Peasy. I was looking for more bread recipes here. So happy to find this.
HWC Magazine says
Thanks so much Larry. Glad you liked this recipe. Wishing you a super week ahead.
Ken says
This is so helpful -- I need more of this in my life.
How long does your bread keep?
Whats the best way to revive it after a day or more?
HWC Magazine says
Bruschetta bread is best eaten right after grilled or toasted. However, if you have left over bread you can pop it in the oven at 350 degrees F wrapped in aluminum foil for about 10 minutes or until heated through.