This Classic Tomato and Basil Bruschetta recipe is only a few simple ingredients so each one must be at peak freshness.
Juicy tomato and garden-fresh basil piled on a fried French baguette is the indulgent appetizer we reach for when celebrating.
The aroma of the basil, juicy pop of fresh tomato, and the shattering crunch of the fried bread take simple ingredients to a whole new level.
Tomato and Basil Bruschetta was on everyone’s mind after seeing the movie Julie & Julia.
I can still recall the scene when Julie’s husband bites into the bruschetta—instantly, we wanted fried bread layered with juicy tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese.
This recipe follows much of Julia Child’s recipe, especially the part where you fry the bread in olive oil with a couple of minor changes of my own. We enjoy a healthier version made with Whole Wheat French Bread as shown in the pictures below.
TIP: When using whole wheat bread, cut the bread slightly thinner, it is denser than regular white French bread.
Tips for Selecting Flavorful Tomatoes
- Smell the tomato. A flavorful tomato should have a pleasant earthy fragrance. If you smell nothing, it will likely taste flat and flavorless.
- Look for smooth, tight skin with flesh that yields just a little to pressure and no squishy spots.
- Red tomatoes should be deep red in color, not pink or green.
- Ripe tomatoes should feel heavier in the palm of your hand than unripe tomatoes because of the weight of the juices.
- Tomatoes still hanging on a piece of the vine may have better flavor (but not always). We prefer the flavor of Campari tomatoes over other on-the-vine varieties.
Mixing the chopped tomatoes and basil. 
Frying the bread in olive oil. 
Fried bread ready for tomato and basil topping. 
Finished bruschetta.
Recipe Variations
- Drizzle with aged balsamic
- Melt a slice of gouda on the bread before topping
- Add chopped garlic in with the tomatoes and basil
- Toast the sliced bread in the oven and finish with a drizzle of olive oil instead of frying the bread (this will not be as sumptuous and crisp)
- For less garlic flavor, simply rub the fried bread with a cut clove of garlic and skip the butter and garlic step
More Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love
- Guide for Making the Best Charcuterie Board [Includes Shopping List]
- Quick and Easy Prosciutto-Wrapped Shrimp & Goat Cheese Appetizer
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Caprese Salad Bites Appetizer
- Ricotta & Goat Cheese Flatbread
- Fresh Peach and Heirloom Tomato Salsa
- Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms Appetizer
Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (1/4 to 1/3 cup)
- 1 loaf French bread , sliced 1″ thick
- 3/4 pound ripe tomatoes , coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 3 tablespoons butter , softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Mix tomatoes and basil, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside. Mix garlic with butter.
- Heat olive oil in frying pan and fry bread until golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towel.
- Lightly spread some of the garlic butter on one side of the bread. Leftover garlic butter can be refrigerated for later use.
- Using a slotted spoon, drain the tomato-basil mixture of excess liquid and top each slice of bread. Salt and pepper, to taste. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Drizzle with aged balsamic
- Melt a slice of gouda on the bread before topping
- Add chopped garlic in with the tomatoes and basil
- Toast the sliced bread in the oven and finish with a drizzle of olive oil instead of frying the bread (this will not be as sumptuous and crisp)
- For less garlic flavor, simply rub the fried bread with a cut clove of garlic and skip the butter and garlic step
Nutrition
Serve Bruschetta as an appetizer or as a light lunch with a garden side salad.
Jill says
I just love how the crunchy the bread is with this recipe.
When Harry Met Celery says
Hey this is lovely! I’m going to make something similar on my blog soon. When you have the time do drop by my space http://whenharrymetcelery.wordpress.com/
Judy says
I agree that bruschetta is heavenly, of course, just about anything tastes great on top of fried garlic bread 🙂 Let me know how you liked it.
oldereyes says
Bruschetta is a bit of heaven on earth. There’s a restaurant near us that we love that has lobster Bruschetta which is amazing. I’m going to try your recipe.
Bud aka Older Eyes
Tes says
Wow it looks really fresh and truely summer. I watched Julie & Julia, too. The same scene was in my memory 🙂
heathernramirez says
Hello Judy, I was looking at some of your recipes they look delicious. I found out a bit ago that I love cooking. And looking at some of your pictures and recipes they look delicious. I will have to try them out.