Looking for a flavorful twist on classic bruschetta? This Grilled Garlic Bread Bruschetta recipe will satisfy your cravings. With perfectly toasted bread, topped with a zesty tomato mixture and a hint of garlic, this easy-to-make dish is a crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
If you ask me what a perfect side dish or appetizer is, bruschetta is going to top that list. Crunchy bread, with pops of juicy and sweet tomatoes, and easy to eat as a finger food? It’s a no brainer! When summer rolls around, I love to make it on my grill instead of oven so that I can keep my kitchen cool. I’ll shake it up a little bit with my Grilled Garlic Bread Bruschetta. While garlic isn’t all that new of a flavor for this dish, by incorporating it in both the toasted bread as well as the tomato topping, it packs a bit more of a punch.
Ingredients
- Baguette: Thin and crusty making it the perfect choice for a bite sized finger food.
- Butter: Helps the baguette get an even toast while helping to coat the bread in garlic.
- Garlic: Pungent, aromatic, nutty flavor that sweetens as it cooks on the bread, but stays a bit more spicy as it’s raw in the tomato topping.
- Cherry tomatoes: The star of the topping and small bites of juicy, sweet goodness. You could also use diced Roma tomatoes or halved grape tomatoes.
- Basil: Adds fresh, peppery flavor and color to the dish.
- Olive oil: Dresses the tomato topping and helps to slightly soften the bread slices to make it easier to chew.
How to Make Grilled Garlic Bread Bruschetta
Start your Grilled Garlic Bread Bruschetta by making the garlic butter for the bread. Put your softened butter in a small bowl, then take a microplane and freshly grate your garlic in with it.
Then season the butter with a bit of salt and black pepper.
Take a fork and mix it all together until evenly combined.
Then, depending on the consistency, use either the fork, a knife, or a cooking brush to spread the garlic butter on the insides of your cut in half baguette.
Preheat your grill to high heat, then toast your bread butter side up first for about 3 minutes, then flip to toast butter side down for around 2 minutes. Keep an eye on it, you don’t want it to burn!
To make your tomato bruschetta topping, start by cutting your cherry tomatoes in half and then tossing them in a large bowl.
Then take your fresh basil leaves that you’ve finely chopped to the bowl with the tomatoes.
Take your microplane again and grate in some more fresh garlic.
And then drizzle in your extra virgin olive oil over the top, and season with some kosher salt and pepper.
Gently toss it all together until mixed evenly.
Then take your grilled bread butter side up and generously top with the tomato mixture. I like to pre-slice the bread before topping.
Once toast is topped, you’re ready to serve and enjoy your Grilled Garlic Bread Bruschetta!
Shake It Up
- Up the Italian flavor. When drizzling in the olive oil, drizzle in a little balsamic vinegar to add some intense, but classic Italian flavor.
- Add some cheese. Sprinkle on some parmesan cheese or feta and it would be delicious with the other flavors.
- Try different breads. You could use a wider loaf of French bread, or the more traditional ciabatta.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What kind of bread is best for bruschetta?
Any firm bread with a sturdy crust can be used for bruschetta. The traditional Italian bread that is used it ciabatta, but many people also use French bread, like a baguette.
Is bruschetta and garlic bread the same?
No, they aren’t the same. At least not the type of garlic bread that most Americans eat, but they are similar.
Is crostini the same as bruschetta?
No, as they use different types of bread. The bread for crostini is usually much thinner, and bread for bruschetta is more rustic.
More Grilled Sides
- Grilled Veggies with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
- Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Salad
- Grilled Asparagus and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese
- Grilled Eggplant with Tahini Sauce
- Grilled Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries
Eat It, Like It, Share it!
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A delicious taste of Italy to serve alongside dinner, or a quick and tasty app for a party, my Grilled Garlic Bread Bruschetta is perfect for many occasions.
No fork required.
Grilled Garlic Bread Bruschetta
Ingredients
- 1 baguette (halved, lengthwise)
- ½ cup butter (softened to room temp)
- 4 cloves garlic (grated)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Tomato Bruschetta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ¼ cup basil (chiffonade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Pre-heat grill on high heat. In a small bowl, mix together softened butter with grated garlic, salt and pepper using a fork. Spread mixture evenly on both half of the baguette. Grill, butter side up, for 3 minutes then flip and finish butter side down for 2 minutes (turning once.)
- While bread is grilling, toss together tomato bruschetta in a medium bowl (tomatoes through salt and pepper.) Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
- To serve, remove baguettes from grill and slice in to large wedges. Top with tomato bruschetta to serve.