Description
Create a delicious and customizable Bruschetta Bar featuring crispy toasted bread slices topped with a variety of fresh tomato basil topping, cheeses, cured meats, and flavorful accompaniments. Perfect for entertaining, this recipe offers multiple topping combinations and can be prepared either baked or grilled for perfectly golden crostini.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- French, Italian, or Sourdough baguette or loaf
- Ciabatta bread (cut larger slices in half or thirds)
Tomato Basil Topping
- 4–5 ripe Roma tomatoes (seeded and finely diced, can use cherry tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (rough chopped)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
- Pinch fresh cracked black pepper
Cheese Selection
- Burrata
- Fresh mozzarella
- Goat cheese
- Provolone
- Mascarpone
- Boursin
- Ricotta
Meats
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Soppressata
- Mortadella
Additional Toppings and Condiments
- Pesto
- Blackberry or other fruit jam
- Honey
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Grilled vegetables
Instructions
- Prepare Tomato Basil Topping: Seed and finely dice the ripe tomatoes and transfer them to a medium bowl. Add chopped basil, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Gently toss all the ingredients together. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat Oven for Baked Crostini: If baking crostini, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Brush and Bake Bread: Brush both sides of the sliced bread (French, Italian, Sourdough, or Ciabatta) with olive oil and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, then flip the slices and bake for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Rub with Garlic: Remove the baked crostini from the oven and gently rub each slice with a garlic clove for added flavor.
- Grill Crostini (Alternative Method): Alternatively, grill the bread slices over medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes per side or until golden with crispy grill marks. Once grilled, rub the garlic cloves over the toasted bread.
- Set Up the Bruschetta Bar: Arrange small bowls filled with the tomato basil topping and other condiments such as pesto, jams, honey, and sun dried tomatoes on a large board or tray. Surround the bowls with the various cheeses, cured meats, and grilled vegetables. Arrange the toasted or grilled bread slices around the toppings for easy serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Invite guests to build their own bruschetta creations using the assortment of bread, toppings, cheeses, and meats. Try suggested combinations like fresh tomato bruschetta with burrata and prosciutto or goat cheese with blackberry jam and honey for a flavorful experience.
Notes
- Let the tomato basil topping sit for at least 5 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Use either baking or grilling method for crostini depending on your preference and equipment.
- Feel free to mix and match toppings to suit dietary preferences and taste.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor in the bruschetta mixture.
- For a more intense garlic flavor, rub the garlic on warm crostini immediately after toasting or grilling.
- Keep the bread slices uniform in thickness for even toasting or grilling.
- Store any leftover toppings separately and assemble before serving to prevent soggy bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: bruschetta, crostini, appetizer, Italian, tomato basil, cheese platter, party food, antipasto
