Classic Italian bruschetta is a celebration of simplicity and flavour from vibrant, fresh ingredients. It traditionally features grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. But why stick with the classic bruschetta toppings? Explore our collection of bruschetta recipes ranging from the beloved classic to innovative takes with new, exciting toppings. Whether you prefer timeless flavours or are keen to try something new, you will find the perfect recipe to delight your taste buds.
Find your next favourite among our easy bruschetta recipes
We have a delicious collection of creative bruschetta recipes with all your favourite toppings, different types of bread, and innovative flavour combinations in every bite. Whether your taste leans towards the timeless classics or you are eager to explore a blend that is distinctly your own, you are sure to find something.
1. Classic bruschetta
Indulge in a traditional Italian recipe with this classic bruschetta. It is simple yet flavourful, using high-quality ingredients to create a savoury snack, starter, or side dish. This recipe includes authentic ingredients: toasted bread, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil.
2. Mushroom bruschetta
Looking for a delicious and different bruschetta recipe? Try our mushroom bruschetta with olives and parmesan cheese . The combination of earthy mushrooms, salty parmesan, tangy crème fraiche, and fresh parsley creates a perfect balance of flavour and texture. It is a luxurious, flavourful comfort food with ties to Italian cuisine and delicious, fresh ingredients.
3. Avocado bruschetta
This avocado bruschetta recipe makes for the perfect quick, easy-to-make snack that packs a punch of flavour. It combines a cream cheese and avocado spread with a fresh tomato salad on top of toasted sourdough bread. The contrasting textures and flavours make for a perfect combination that is sure to please your taste buds. It makes for a savoury breakfast, light lunch, quick snack, or easy side dish.
4. Bruschetta with tomatoes
Impress your guests with this crowd-pleasing recipe for bruschetta with tomatoes. The classic Italian appetiser perfectly combines crispy toasted bread, juicy, ripe tomatoes, and an innovative twist of cream cheese with sun-dried tomatoes. A marinade of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, along with a touch of fresh basil, creates depth and complexity. It has the flavours of an authentic tomato bruschetta but spiced up with a tangy vinaigrette, flavourful cream cheese, and pungent red onion.
5. Bruschetta with peppers, asparagus, and bean purée
Make bruschetta a gourmet experience with this mouth-watering bruschetta with peppers, asparagus, and bean purée. It holds a creamy bean purée with salad cheese and is garnished with grilled vegetables that are full of flavour. The bruschetta offers a variety of crispy, creamy, and chewy textures that will leave you craving more.
Revive stale bread by turning it into delicate bruschetta
Stale bread has a firm texture that holds up well to grilling or toasting. This firmness allows the bread to achieve a crisp exterior while maintaining some chewiness inside. This gives you a satisfying, textural contrast that is a hallmark of good bruschetta. The slightly dried-out nature of stale bread also ensures it does not become too soggy when topped with juicy tomatoes or other wet ingredients.
When it comes to flavour, stale bread has a more concentrated flavour than fresh bread. When you leave bread leftovers to sit for a while, it reduces moisture and intensifies the inherent flavour of the bread, whether it is sour rye or sourdough, sweet white bread, or nutty wholemeal. Grilled or toasted, it gets a richer, more complex flavour profile. So, the next time you have leftover bread, cook up a batch of delicious bruschettas and enjoy the rich flavour, as well as the fact that you just put leftover bread to good use.
Other savoury ways to use leftover bread
Leftover bread is ideal in many other recipes, too. Cut it into cubes, mix it with butter and seasonings, and bake or fry to crispy croutons. Find inspiration in our best recipes with croutons. Croutons from leftover bread crisp up nicely for the same reasons why stale bread is good for bruschetta; it is drier and, therefore, much better at crisping up and soaking up flavours. You can also use stale bread for breadcrumbs to create a crunchy coating for meat or vegetables, giving oven-baked dishes a gratinated top. Breadcrumbs are also suitable for filling in meatballs, bread dumplings, and the like, where they contribute flavour and texture. Take a look at our top 3 recipes with breadcrumbs.
Of course, leftover bread can also be used in sandwiches and toast. Fried in butter and paired with delicious toppings or fillings, any piece of stale bread will be revived. Find inspiration for savoury lunches, afternoon snacks, and even a dessert in our top 7 toast recipes.
Perfect as an appetiser, snack, side, or finger food
Bruschetta is a fantastic choice for anything from a casual snack to a sophisticated side dish. Serve it as a snack, a light appetiser, a delicious side, or as finger food on a buffet or at a reception. As an appetiser, bruschetta is a light yet flavourful start to a good meal, stimulating the palate with its vibrant ingredients. As a snack, it offers a quick, satisfying nibble that is easy to prepare and incredibly tasty, perfect for those moments when you need a little something between meals.
As a side, bruschetta complements a wide array of main courses, enhancing dishes with its crispy texture and robust flavours. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, salads, or grilled meats, adding a touch of Italian flair. Its practical size makes bruschetta a superb choice for finger food at gatherings. Guests can enjoy mingling while indulging in these tasty bites.
