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Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes and Topping Guide

By Deborah L Melian

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Discover a new world of quick and easy appetizers with these delicious bruschetta and crostini recipes and topping guide.

Bruschetta with Tomato Olive Oil and Basil
Bruschetta with Tomato, Olive Oil and Basil

How to Make Delicious Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes with Helpful Toppings Guide

There’s no one way to make amazing bruschetta and crostini, but if you’ve never made it before, here are some delicious recipes and topping guide to help you on your way.

I am fond of bruschetta and for good reason. It’s one of the easiest appetizers I know of to make for any occasion.

You can prepare most of the ingredients ahead of time, sometimes even a day or more in advance.

Then when it’s time to serve all you have to do is bring out all the toppings, including making the toasted bruschetta and crostini and whola! instant party!

You don’t even have to limit when you serve bruschetta. Think of it as your one-stop appetizer for almost any gathering including:

  • weddings
  • anniversary parties
  • wedding and baby showers
  • birthday parties
  • gals’ soirees
  • guy’s night out
  • kids snacks and parties
  • picnics
  • pool parties
  • barbecues
  • work parties and more!

What is Bruschetta and Crostini

To put it bluntly, both bruschetta and crostini are basically toast with toppings. But it’s how the bread is sliced, as well as, the toppings that makes all the difference between a ho hum bruschetta or crostini and an out-of-this-world one.

Still, if you’ve never made bruschetta or crostini, here’s a bit of background—just in case.

Traditionally, bruschetta is toasted whole slices of bread that is traditionally browned over coals (although not always). Crostini, on the other hand, are sliced toasted rounds. You’ll find in many relaxed foodie circles that many folks use these terms interchangeably.

Crostini Mixed Toppings
Crostini with Mixed Toppings

Bruschetta is considered an antipasto or appetizer dish from Italy. Diners usually rub toasted bread with garlic, followed by a drizzle (or two) of olive oil. The bruschetta may or may not be topped with chopped tomatoes, mashed beans or a mix of sliced fresh or cured meats, chunks of seafood and/or cheese, hard or soft.

However, here in the U.S., bruschetta is considered a canapé. Usually, these small bites are served as hors d’oeuvres with drinks (alcoholic or not) and before the main dish. Note: the bread may or may not be toasted and most often a variety of one or more ingredients are placed on the bread.

Keep in mind that you can serve bruschetta or crostini as an appetizer or as a meal in itself. You decide.

Easy Entertaining – Crostini/Bruschetta Bar Ideas

Crostini and Bruschetta Bars are becoming more popular today because of how easy it is to set it up and the ease of keeping it refilled during special occasions.

Just like a buffet, you’ll need to provide a number of tasty toppings so that guests and/or family members can pick and choose their favorite, layer and nosh at will.

Here’s an informative video that shares some ways how you too can set up a crostini or bruschetta bar at home.

Tips for Making Bruschetta Ahead of Time

Here are some quick and easy tips to keep bruschetta and crostini fresh for your party:

• Toast your bread or rounds on the day of, close to the time you plan to serve.

• Or, slice and freeze bread and rounds in advance of needing it. Then, when guests drop by or you need an appetizer for an impromptu party, you have bread at the ready. Toast and serve. (See Video below.)

Crostini – An Appetizer for Unexpected Guests

See how easy it is to prepare on-the-spot appetizers with crostini that have been sliced and frozen ahead of time.

Easy Bruschetta Topping Ideas

Keep in mind that the sky’s the limit on mixing and matching ingredients. Even the idea of sweet and savory can be had all by varying the different layers of ingredients.

But that being said, bruschetta is meant to be an easy dining solution, so you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff if you don’t have all of the ingredients listed above.

The idea is to keep your menu simple.

So try mixing and matching one or more of these easy bruschetta topping ideas at your next gathering:

Butter-Sauce-Dressing Options:

  • pesto
  • dill dip
  • cucumber dip
  • vinaigrette
  • lemon aioli
  • balsamic vinegar
  • peanut butter
  • hummus
  • pico de gallo

Vegetable Options:

  • arugula
  • roasted peppers
  • grilled corn
  • garlic: fresh, roasted
  • onions: fresh, sautéed
  • tomatoes: fresh, marinated, sautéed
  • carrots
  • jicama

Fruit Options

  • fig jam
  • strawberries
  • lignon berries
  • fruit preserves
  • fruit jams
  • bananas
  • chutney

Meat Options:

  • smoked bacon
  • prosciutto
  • roasted beef, chicken, ham, lamb
  • raw beef
  • dried and/or aged meats
  • jerky

Seafood Options:

  • cooked shrimp
  • smoked or raw salmon
  • ceviche
  • caviar

Cheese Options:

  • ricotta
  • goat cheese
  • brie
  • feta
  • mozzarella
  • cream cheese, flavored or plain
  • blue cheese
  • mascarpone

Gluten Free Bruschetta-like Options:

  • gluten-free bread–all types toasted
  • Asturi Bruschettini
  • endive
  • radicchio
  • pattypan rounds (see Recipe below)
  • chickpea crackers
  • rice cakes
  • Schär Crostini
Asturi Bruschettini
Asturi Bruschettini

Easy Bruschetta Appetizers for Parties

As mentioned above, there are so many ways to make an amazingly delicious bruschetta. Here are some recipe ideas to whet your appetite:

1. Roasted Pattypan with Tomatoes and Basil Recipe (Gluten-Free Recipe)

Roasted Pattypan with Tomatoes and Basil Appetizer Recipe - Plated Pattypan Squash

2. Spanish Catalan Tomato Bread

Spanish Catalan Tomato Bread - WisconsinHomemaker.com

3. Classic Tomato Bruschetta

Classic Bruschetta

4. Poached Egg and Salmon Bruschetta

Poached Egg and Salmon

5. Black Olive Tapenade Bruschetta

Bruschetta Tapenade

6. Roasted Vegetable Crostini with Melted Cheese

Roasted Vegetable Crostini

7. Roasted Pumpkin and Feta Bruschetta

Roasted Pumpkin and Feta Bruschetta

8. Italian Pesto Bruschetta

Italian Pesto Bruschetta

RELATED: Mixed Herb and Nut Pesto Recipe

9. Goat Cheese and Fig Jam Bruschetta

Goat Cheese and Fig Jam Bruschetta

10. Comfit of Onion Bruschetta

Comfit of Onion Bruschetta

11. Strawberry Mascarpone Crostini

Strawberry Mascarpone Crostini

For more delicious appetizer ideas, be sure to check out Wisconsin Homemaker’s Recipe Section.

Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes and Toppings Guide found on Wisconsin Homemaker

 WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you do try any of Wisconsin Homemaker’s recipes, ideas or products be sure to share your comments below and photos on Instagram or Pinterest with a tag @wisconsinhomemaker and hashtag #wisconsinhomemaker Thanks!


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DISCLAIMER: Deborah L Melian is a participant in the Amazon Service LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She also is a participant in Google AdSense Affiliate program. 


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About Deborah L Melian

I am a midwestern wife and mother who loves to share family friendly recipes, along with my two cent's worth on everything home and garden. I live in Wisconsin. You can follow me on FACEBOOK • TWITTER • PINTEREST • INSTAGRAM

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***Deborah L Melian is a participant in the Amazon Service LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate she earns from qualifying purchases. She also is a participant in Google AdSense Affiliate program.***

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