Name: Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pint, 10 oz, cherry tomatoes, quartered; 2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; ½ teaspoon red wine vinegar; ½ teaspoon lemon zest; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ French baguette, sliced into 8-10 pieces; 1 peeled garlic clove

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Perfect for an easy appetizer.

This Cherry Tomato Bruschetta combines juicy cherry tomatoes with fresh basil, lemon zest, and olive oil and is piled onto crispy baguette slices for an easy appetizer that’s perfect all summer long.

Cherry tomato bruschetta on a white plate garnished with basil.

Ingredients

Every ingredient has a purpose in this simple bruschetta and you can taste them all too. Cherry tomatoes stay juicy and sweet, fresh basil, lemon zest, olive oil, and a splash of red wine vinegar brighten everything up, and rubbing warm toasted bread with garlic adds incredible flavor without overpowering the tomatoes.

cherry tomatoes – look specifically for cherry tomatoes and not just grape tomatoes, typically they are rounder and sweeter
fresh basil
extra virgin olive oil – this is a dish where you want to use your nicer, extra virgin olive oil
red wine vinegar
kosher salt – I use Diamond Crystal in all my recipes
black pepper
garlic cloves – peeled, to rub on the toasted bread
baguette – or small round toasts
red wine vinegar
lemon zest

Ingredients to make bruschetta including cherry tomatoes, French bread, seasonings, oil, and basil.

How to Make Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Salt the Tomatoes: Toss the cherry tomatoes with salt and let them rest before draining off the excess liquid. This concentrates their flavor and helps prevent soggy bruschetta.

Make the Topping: Mix the tomatoes with olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon zest, black pepper, and fresh basil.

Rub with Garlic: While the bread is still warm, rub each slice with a peeled garlic clove for subtle garlic flavor.

Assemble and Serve: Spoon the tomato mixture over each slice just before serving and finish with flaky salt, basil, and an extra drizzle of olive oil.

Sliced toasts, buttered and toasted, and tomatoes mixed together with the remaining ingredients in a bowl.

What to Serve with Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Bruschetta is great served as an appetizer or on an antipasto platter.

It also could work as a side dish to chicken milanese or meats right off the grill!

How to Make Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Ahead of Time

You can prepare the tomato topping up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate it. Toast the bread shortly before serving and assemble just before eating so the bread stays crisp.

It’s not very tasty with soggy bread!

Equipment I Use to Make Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Flat Skillet – I love to use this griddle pan for toasting the bread, amongst many other things
Microplane – so helpful for zesting lemons!

Today’s elevation: Use cherry tomatoes as they're naturally sweeter and less watery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you salt the tomatoes first?

Salting draws out excess moisture, concentrates the tomato flavor, and helps keep the bread from becoming soggy.

Can I use regular tomatoes?

Of course, but cherry tomatoes are naturally sweeter which I enjoy for bruschetta.

What’s the best bread for bruschetta?

A French baguette or Italian loaf both toast beautifully and hold the topping well. Ideally something that toasts up nicely and holds its shape when picked up.