I have been making this tomato bruschetta for years, and it has always been a crowd favorite. Holidays, parties or even for a quick appetizer before dinner at home – there is NEVER any left, and there are never any regrets.
Tomato bruschetta is extremely refreshing and simple to make. If you’re anything like me, you likely have the majority of the ingredients in your kitchen already, with the exception of maybe the baguette.
For such a simple recipe, this appetizer is jam packed with flavor, largely due to the garlic. I am never conservative when I use garlic. If a recipe calls for two cloves, you better believe I am using at least five! I saute the garlic until fragrant and golden before mixing it with the rest of ingredients. This brings out so much more flavor than you’d get if you just stirred in raw garlic.
Brushing the baguette slices with seasoned olive oil also makes a big difference. Not only does it add a lot to the taste but it also creates a nice chewy crunch that helps hold the whole bite together. If you bake the slices without any type of preparation, they’ll crunch in the crumbly type of way that nobody likes.
If you are looking for other appetizer ideas, try my Spring Rolls with Sweet & Spicy Dipping Sauce or my Fried Mac and Cheese Balls!
Tomato Bruschetta With Garlic and Basil
Ingredients
1 french baguette, cut into 1/4-inch slices
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 vine tomatoes, diced
1/2 small white onion, chopped
2-3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Juice from 1/4 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Shredded parmesan (optional)
Steps
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Saute minced garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil until fragrant and golden. Set aside.
- Chop tomatoes, onion and fresh basil and combine in a mixing bowl. Add sauteed garlic WITH the excess olive oil from the pan.
- Squeeze 1/4 lemon juice over the vegetable mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix well and chill in the refrigerator.
- In a small bowl, season the other 2 tablespoons of olive oil with salt and pepper.
- Lay baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with seasoned olive oil. Bake for 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
- Top each baguette slice with a spoonful of tomato bruschetta and a small sprinkle of shredded parmesan (optional).
You had me at garlic! I am a huge garlic fan. Will put it on absolutely anything! Seriously. Anything.
This is one of my absolute favorites! These look delicious!
OMG you made me sooo hungry now! I love bruschetta, now I know what I am having for lunch tomorrow 🙂 great recipe!
YUM! I love this recipe and these photos! Now I’m craving 🙂
Your bruschetta looks amazing! Tomato basil bruschetta is a quick and healthy snack. We make it a lot at our house.
Looks great! And it’s nice & simple. Adding this to the list of recipes to try.
Bruschetta really is such a easy dish, still it’s so yummy!!!
This one of my favorite mini meals or go to appetizers. Love all of these ingredients!
I love bruschetta! It’s such a simple appetizer, and I love how versatile it is. I put garlic in everything, and love that you do it in this bruschetta as well. Definitely pinning this one
It has been a while since I had bruschetta. I am saving this for late 😀 I love it so much and tastes so good with basil and garlic 😀 I have to try this out 🙂
What a brilliant and easy idea, to entertain guests or even as a little healthy snack. Love your recipes, keep up the great work x
This looks super yummy, and such a great healthy snack!
Sophie | MapleTreeBlog
Yum! This looks delicious and so refreshing!
Oh I love bruschetta so much and this version looks amazing!! Can’t wait to try it!
I stumbled across a little cafe this weekend and they had an entire section of their menu dedicated to bruschetta and it was heavenly – I had mine with serrano ham but I love the classic tomato and basil combination. These teeny tiny ones look like perfect appetizers – or maybe just a tv dinner ha!
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I love fresh tomatoes with onion and they look soo tasty with your other ingredients. Perfect snack!
This is a great party idea, Katie! Healthy and easy to make, everyone will love them!