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    Home » Snacks

    Tomato Pesto Bruschetta

    Published: Aug 12, 2023 · Modified: Sep 26, 2023 by Louise-Claire Cayzer · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    This delicious Tomato and Pesto Bruschetta recipe makes the most of delicious summer tomatoes. The fresh pesto toasts which are topped with juicy tomatoes that have been tossed in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, make the ultimate Italian-style snack. Just add a glass of prosecco for the perfect Apero!

    Vegan pesto tomato bruschetta being picked up to eat. this recipe

    If you've ever been to Italy, you'll know they take Apero (Aperetivo) very seriously. That hour when the sun starts to set, and everyone comes out for a walk and a chat with friends, then to sip wine, possibly with a snack, such as a bruschetta, piled high with juicy tomatoes.

    Of course, the toppings for bruschetta vary, and you can choose to use store-bought pesto, but if you've made a batch of my Vegan Basil Pesto, then you're just a few steps away from the best Aperetivo imaginable! Other delicious topping ideas are this Mushroom Tapenade or why not try making this Whipped Tofu Feta then topping with the juicy tomatoes?

    Finally, make sure to pronounce Bruschetta properly! It is said: Brus-ke-ta. Ch in Italian is always a hard 'k' sound, not a soft 'ch' like cheese.

    Jump to:
    • 🍅Ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳Instructions
    • 🌶Substitutions & Variations
    • 🔪Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • ❗Top tip
    • ❓FAQ
    • More Apps:
    • More Italian:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 🌶Substitutions & Variations
    • 💬 Comments

    🍅Ingredients

    The ingredients for this bruschetta recipe are simple, but make sure to get the best possible for the most delicious outcome.

    Ingredients for the pesto and tomato bruschett laid out.
    • Ciabbata or other crunchy bread that can be sliced. You want a crispy crust, with a bouncy but soft interior that can soak up but not collapse under all the tomato juices.
    • Good Pesto: Make your own Vegan Pesto, or choose a supermarket 'fresh' pesto. You can use pesto from the jar, but it won't be quite as delicious.
    • Ripe Juicy Tomatoes: because large tomatoes can be very variable where I live, I like to use cherry tomatoes, which are often more flavorful, however, if you can get good larger tomatoes, (or grow your own!) use those. The key is you want a juicy, sweet-tart tomato that hasn't been in the fridge.
    • Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use your fancy stuff! The quality of the olive oil will add an extra dimension of flavour.
    • Good Balsamic Vinegar: A little balsamic vinegar enhances the tomatoes natural sweetness.
    • Flakey Sea Salt (or Kosher Salt): The little crystals of flakey sea salt are perfect when sprinkled over tomatoes.
    • Optional: A clove of garlic to rub on the bread after toasting. If you're making this without the pesto this is extra delicious, but the pesto will have garlic in it, so is a nice-to-have rather than must.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    👩‍🍳Instructions

    This Tomato and Pesto bruschetta only takes a few minutes to make!

    Thickly cut slices of ciabatta or other bread.

    1. Thickly slice the bread you have chosen, and toast lightly on both sides

    Mix the chopped tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

    2. While the bread is toasting, chop the tomatoes into 1cm pieces. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt and mix.

    Spread the toasted bread with pesto.

    3. Rub a cut clove of garlic over one side of the toast (optional) then spread thickly with pesto.

    Top the pesto bread with tomatoes and eat.

    4. Top the pesto toasts with the tomato mixture. Garnish with a few basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

    Hint: Don't store your eating tomatoes in the fridge! This 'kills' their tomato flavor and makes them wooly and not so delicious.

    🌶Substitutions & Variations

    Bruschetta is a really popular appetizer, as it's so easy to mix and match to make your own!

    • Other Fancy Breads- instead of ciabatta, choose little squares of foccacia or slices of sourdough.
    • Gluten-Free- Choose gluten-free bread.
    • Spicy- add a hint of spice by chopping a red chilli in with the tomatoes, or adding a sprinkle of chilli flakes or some hot sauce.
    • Roasted Peppers: Use roasted peppers in place of the tomatoes. Choose jarred peppers, or make your own with this Air Fried Roasted Peppers recipe.
    • Slow Roasted Tomatoes: If your tomatoes aren't very sweet and tasty, give them a boost by making Air Fryer Roasted Tomatoes or slow roasting them in the oven.
    • Replace the pesto with Whipped Tofu Feta then top with the tomatoes.
    • Canapes: Use bread that slices up smaller, such as a baguette to make bite-sized bruschetta for a party!

    🔪Equipment

    The good news is, that Bruschetta needs very little equipment. I do think that a good sharp knife makes all the difference when chopping tomatoes, however. There's nothing worse than the blade of the knife slipping off the skin and skidding around, squishing the tomato, rather than chopping it.

    🥫Storage

    Bruschetta really needs to be eaten soon after it's made. However, if you make extra tomatoes, just put them in an airtight container in the fridge and use up within a day or two.

    ❗Top tip

    The key to this recipe is the best ingredients. Make sure to get really ripe tomatoes (or roast them if they're not so great), buy a good pesto, or better still, make your own. And of course choose a great quality olive oil!

    ❓FAQ

    When should I serve Bruschetta?

    Bruschetta makes a really delicious appetizer or canape. It is also perfect for serving as a summer snack with wine as the sun goes down.

    Which tomatoes are best for Bruschetta?

    Choose tomatoes that are full-flavored and ripe. I like to choose cherry tomatoes as where I live they are more consistently flavorful, however any sweet-tart and juicy tomato will be delicious.

    More Apps:

    Looking for other appetizers like this Tomato Pesto Bruschetta? Try these:

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    If you love this recipe, please share this post with your friends on Pinterest or Facebook, or tag me on Insta! Don't forget to also please comment and star ⭐this recipe too!

    Love & Vegan Yummies, Louise xx (P.S. Follow me on Insta and Tik Tok!)

    📖 Recipe

    Tomato and Pesto bruschetta on a plate ready to eat.

    Tomato Pesto Bruschetta

    Louise-Claire Cayzer
    Super easy and full of summer flavours, this tomato and pesto bruschetta is the perfect Appetizer or 'Apero'
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 12 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Canape
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 256 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Knife

    Ingredients Note:

    For accuracy, I measure all ingredients in metric as standard, then convert and test the recipe for American cup measurements etc.

    (Heads up Aussie and UK readers- your measurements in cups are sometimes different, so please use metric or check you have the correct cup and spoon type!!)

    Ingredients

    • 8 slices good bread (such as ciabatta. )
    • 4 tablespoon basil pesto
    • 200 g (1 ⅓ cups) cherry tomatoes (or other juicy tomatoes)
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon flakey sea salt
    • 1 clove garlic (optional)

    Instructions

    • Slice the bread and lightly toast.
      8 slices good bread
    • Chop the tomatoes into 1cm chunks and place in a bowl, then sprinkle over the balsamic vinegar and olive oil, with half the salt. Mix Well.
      200 g cherry tomatoes, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 clove garlic
    • Once the bread is toasted, optionally rub the cut clove of garlic over one side of each.
      1 clove garlic
    • Spread the pesto over one side of each slice of toast.
      4 tablespoon basil pesto
    • Top the toast with the chopped tomatoes.
    • To serve, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the top, and garnish with a little flakey salt and a basil leag.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    🌶Substitutions & Variations

    Bruschetta is a really popular appetizer, as it's so easy to mix and match to make your own!
    • Other Fancy Breads- instead of ciabatta, choose little squares of foccacia or slices of sourdough.
    • Gluten-Free- Choose gluten-free bread.
    • Spicy- add a hint of spice by chopping a red chilli in with the tomatoes, or adding a sprinkle of chilli flakes or some hot sauce.
    • Roasted Peppers: Use roasted peppers in place of the tomatoes. Choose jarred peppers, or make your own with this Air Fried Roasted Peppers recipe.
    • Slow Roasted Tomatoes: If your tomatoes aren't very sweet and tasty, give them a boost by making Air Fryer Roasted Tomatoes or slow roasting them in the oven.
    • Replace the pesto with Whipped Tofu Feta then top with the tomatoes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 7gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 993mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 548IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 102mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe and loved it? Follow and Mention @vegan_larder or comment and ⭐ below

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    Hi! I'm Louise-Claire! I believe vegan and plant-based food should be easy to make, never scary and above all, absolutely delicious. Also, it's for everyone, not just for vegans!

    I'm a photographer, recipe developer and gardener. You'll find me in the kitchen, in the studio or wandering the garden, picking delicious veggies to make recipes for you! So why not stay a while, check out some of my recipes and try one or two for yourself...Find out more on my About Me page.

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