Bruschetta Caprese is one of the easiest and most flavorful appetizers and works for any occasion. It uses just a few ingredients and comes together quickly!
I’ve been making appetizers for years – for parties, birthdays, the cooking classes I’ve taught, and even creating unique flavor combinations for brands. One of my absolute favorites has always been making bruschetta! It’s such an easy way to elevate party food and can be tailored to the occasion.
You start with crostini, which is essentially a fancy word for a small slice of toasted bread, usually from a baguette. Once you add toppings, it becomes bruschetta, regardless of what toppings you’ve chosen. Bruschetta Caprese is so simple yet so flavorful, it’s no wonder that it’s so popular!
What Is Bruschetta Caprese
If you’ve ever had a caprese appetizer salad then you’re already familiar with the flavors of bruschetta caprese. Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil are layered with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of coarse salt. A drizzle of balsamic glaze is also sometimes added – I rarely make caprese without it.
Use those same ingredients as a topping for crostini and you’ve got bruschetta caprese. It’s that simple! You can use smaller tomatoes sliced and left whole, or you can dice the tomatoes and toss them with small pieces of the mozzarella. I always leave the fresh basil until the end so it stays ultra fresh.
Crostini is a common addition to a charcuterie board, too, and I’ll often use bruschetta as the “anchor” to my boards. This recipe is perfect for that, or you can get more charcuterie board ideas on my new site that was just launched last month!
Why You’ll Love Bruschetta Caprese
There are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- It’s incredibly simple to make! Anyone can toast some bread and slice tomatoes, so it’s a great choice no matter your level of cooking skill.
- It’s easy on the wallet. None of the ingredients are expensive but, when combined, they taste like a million bucks.
- It uses just a handful of ingredients. When you’re making food for a party or even just a quick, easy meal or snack, having a recipe with a short ingredient list can be extremely helpful!
- Everyone loves it! Bruschetta caprese is always one of the first appetizers I make to disappear. It’s easy to pick up and enjoy in just a few bites and the flavor is incredible.
Bruschetta Caprese Main Ingredients
Baguette – This is what you’ll use to make the crostini, which serves as the base for the other ingredients.
Olive oil – For drizzling onto the bread before toasting and on the other ingredients before serving.
Tomatoes – Roma tomatoes are the ideal size if you prefer to use slices. Cherry tomatoes are really flavorful and are great for slicing or dicing.
Fresh mozzarella – The cheese you use – in this case, mozzarella – needs to be fresh or the flavor and texture won’t be quite right.
Fresh basil – You must, must, MUST use fresh basil – NOT dried. The fresh basil is key to the overall success of the final dish.
Balsamic glaze – This ingredient is optional but highly recommended. It will still be delicious without it, but a little drizzle of balsamic glaze adds so much flavor that you should definitely use it if you can.
Find the complete Bruschetta Caprese ingredients list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How To Make Bruschetta Caprese
- Make the crostini: Slice a baguette into ½ inch thick slices, then drizzle with a little olive oil. I like to sprinkle them with a little coarse salt, too. Place them on a sheet pan and broil until the edges are golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Set them aside to cool.
- Make the toppings: Slice or dice the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. If they’re sliced, simply place a slice of each onto a crostini and add a fresh basil leaf, then drizzle with a little olive oil and balsamic glaze (if using). You can add two of each if there’s room. Don’t forget to season with a little coarse salt!
- Prep Alternatives: If you’ve diced the tomato and mozzarella, toss them together in a small bowl with just enough olive oil to coat. Spoon it onto the crostini, then top with some torn or chiffonade basil. Sprinkle with a little coarse salt and add a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Variations
- Add diced avocado – this is a great addition and adds a nice texture and flavor. Just be sure to add it just before serving to ensure it keeps its beautiful green color.
- Add chili flakes for a little spice.
- Add freshly minced garlic for even more flavor.
- If you have a surplus of fresh zucchini in the summer, give it a quick sauté until it’s just crisp-tender, then add a slice to the bruschetta.
- Use the ingredients – minus the bread – as a stuffing for baked chicken breast.
- Use burrata cheese instead of fresh mozzarella.
- Make it into a salad, and consider serving it family style.
- Toss all the ingredients with pasta for a quick and easy meal.
- Use slow-roasted tomatoes in place of fresh.
- Using cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls (bocconcini), plus the fresh basil leaves and a small square of toasted bread, make little caprese bites using sturdy toothpicks or small skewers.
Make Ahead Of Time
Bruschetta Caprese can easily be made ahead of time. The crostini can be made up to two days ahead and kept at room temperature in an airtight container. The tomatoes and mozzarella can both be sliced ahead of time, then kept in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Simply assemble the bruschetta just before serving, which will take just a few minutes since you’ve prepped everything ahead of time!
Bruschetta Caprese Recipe
Bruschetta Caprese is one of the easiest and most flavorful appetizers and works for any occasion. It uses just a few ingredients and comes together in just minutes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 - 3/4 french baguette, sliced into 16 ½ inch thick slices
- 3-4 Roma tomatoes, sliced, or 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 16 fresh basil leaves, whole, torn, or chiffonade
- 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tbs balsamic glaze, or to taste
- Coarse salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to Broil.
- Make the crostini: Slice the baguette into 16 ½ inch thick slices, drizzle with a little olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with a little coarse salt, too.
- Place them on a sheet pan and broil until the edges are golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Set them aside to cool.
- Wash and slice the tomatoes. Layer them on the crostini with the fresh basil and mozzarella. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and balsamic glaze, if using. Season with a sprinkling of coarse salt. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 273mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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