Fresh Cherry Tomato Bruschetta with Basil
A quick and easy appetizer featuring juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and toasted bread, perfect for entertaining or a fresh snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed, torn by hand
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or finely grated
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 small loaf baguette or rustic Italian bread, sliced about 1/2-inch thick
Instructions
- Rinse 2 cups (about 300g) of cherry tomatoes and slice them in half. Place in a medium mixing bowl.
- Tear 1/2 cup (about 10g) of fresh basil leaves by hand and mince or grate 2 garlic cloves finely. Add both to the tomatoes.
- Drizzle 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of extra-virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of balsamic vinegar over the tomato mixture. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine. Let sit for about 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Slice the baguette or rustic bread into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Brush each bread slice lightly with olive oil and toast for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
- Rub each toasted bread slice with a cut garlic clove while still warm. Spoon a generous amount of the tomato and basil mixture onto each slice. Optionally, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan or red pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the bread’s crispness. If preparing ahead, refrigerate the tomato mixture and toast bread just before serving.
Notes
Tear basil leaves by hand instead of chopping to preserve oils and aroma. Toast bread just before assembling to keep it crisp. Rub toasted bread with garlic clove for subtle flavor without bitterness. Use high-quality olive oil for best taste. Let tomato mixture rest for 10 minutes to meld flavors but avoid letting it sit too long to prevent soggy bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 bruschetta p
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: bruschetta, cherry tomato, basil, appetizer, easy recipe, Italian, fresh, quick snack