Caprese Bruschetta Recipe: Easy Fresh Appetizer with Basil & Balsamic
This Caprese Bruschetta is a quick, fresh appetizer featuring toasted bread topped with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, sweet basil, and a tangy balsamic glaze. It’s perfect for gatherings and can be easily adapted to fit various dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 baguette or rustic Italian bread (about 14 oz), sliced 1/2-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes (about 12 oz), diced (Roma or cherry tomatoes preferred)
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or diced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or torn
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice baguette into 1/2-inch thick pieces (about 16 slices) and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Brush each bread slice with olive oil on both sides. Bake for 5-7 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Remove bread from oven and gently rub the cut side of the garlic clove over the warm slices.
- While bread toasts, pour balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Add honey or maple syrup if using. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes until thickened. If too thick, add a splash of water.
- Dice tomatoes and mozzarella into small cubes. Toss together in a bowl with chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Drain excess liquid if tomatoes are very juicy.
- Spoon tomato-mozzarella mixture onto each toasted bread slice (about 1 tablespoon per piece). Arrange on a platter.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over each bruschetta using a spoon or squeeze bottle.
- Sprinkle extra basil leaves on top for garnish. Serve immediately while bread is warm and crunchy.
Notes
Use day-old bread for extra crunch. For gluten-free, use GF baguette or polenta rounds. Vegan option: swap mozzarella for vegan cheese or avocado. Prep topping and glaze ahead, but assemble just before serving to avoid soggy bread. If balsamic glaze thickens too much, add a splash of water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bruschetta piece
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: caprese bruschetta, appetizer, Italian, basil, balsamic, mozzarella, tomato, vegetarian, party food, easy recipe