Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta: A Zesty Recipe

Sun-dried tomato bruschetta upgrades ordinary bread into a culinary canvas bursting with Mediterranean charm.

These vibrant appetizers capture the essence of rustic Italian cooking with their bold, concentrated flavors.

Crisp, golden-edged slices become the perfect foundation for a tantalizing mixture of robust ingredients.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and herbaceous notes that dance across your palate.

Ancient preservation techniques infuse these tomatoes with an intense, concentrated essence that elevates simple ingredients.

Herbs and seasonings complement the rich, slightly chewy texture of the sun-dried delicacy.

You’ll find this appetizer strikes a delightful balance between simplicity and sophistication.

Why Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta Is a Bold Appetizer

• Craft Irresistible Texture Layers: These bruschetta slices deliver a perfect crunch from slow-baked baguette with soft, creamy cheese spread creating an amazing mouth-feel contrast that makes every bite delightful.
• Amplify Flavor with Simple Technique: Rubbing warm bread with fresh garlic cloves infuses subtle, aromatic notes without overwhelming the delicate sun-dried tomato and herbed cheese topping, elevating the entire appetizer.
• Quick Gourmet Entertaining Solution: This elegant appetizer comes together in under 30 minutes, requiring minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making it ideal for impromptu gatherings or sophisticated party snacks that look professionally prepared.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Bite-Sized Delight: Combining tangy feta, rich cream cheese, vibrant sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh green onions captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine in one perfectly balanced, colorful small plate.

Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta Ingredient Essentials

• Baguette: Classic French bread perfect for crispy bruschetta base with excellent texture.
• Olive Oil: High-quality oil for brushing and enhancing flavor, choose extra virgin for best taste.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, creamy base providing rich texture and mild tangy flavor.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbly Greek cheese adding sharp, salty notes to the spread.

• Garlic Cloves: Fresh aromatic ingredient for subtle infusion and depth of flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intense, sweet-tangy component giving concentrated tomato taste.
• Green Onions or Chives: Fresh herb garnish adding mild onion-like sharpness and color.

• Dried Herbs: Complementary herb blend for additional aromatic complexity.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface for even baking and easy bread preparation.

Building Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta in Minutes

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet

Warm the oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange baguette slices in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap.

• Baguette
• Parchment paper

Step 2: Create Crispy Baguette Bases

Brush each baguette slice with olive oil on one side. Save a small amount of oil for later. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until edges turn golden and texture becomes crunchy. The low heat ensures a perfect crisp without burning.

Step 3: Infuse with Garlic Essence

Remove baked slices from the oven. While still warm, gently rub each slice with fresh garlic cloves. This technique adds a subtle, aromatic flavor. Allow bread to cool completely before adding toppings.

• Garlic cloves
• Baked baguette slices

Step 4: Craft Creamy Cheese Spread

In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese with crumbled feta. Add dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until mostly smooth, keeping some feta chunks for texture. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

• Cream cheese
• Feta cheese
• Dried herbs
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 5: Assemble Bruschetta Masterpiece

Spread a generous layer of cheese mixture on each cooled baguette slice. Top with finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkle green onions or chives for a fresh kick.

• Cheese spread
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Green onions or chives

Step 6: Final Touch and Serving

Drizzle remaining olive oil over the prepared bruschetta. Serve immediately to enjoy maximum crispness and flavor. Perfect for appetizers or light snacking.

Tips for Best Texture in Bruschetta

• Slice Strategically: Cut baguette at a slight diagonal for more surface area and an elegant presentation.
• Temperature Control: Use room temperature cream cheese and feta for smoother, easier mixing and spreading.
• Garlic Infusion Trick: Gently rub garlic cloves while bread is still warm to maximize flavor absorption.
• Texture Balance: Chop sun-dried tomatoes finely to ensure even distribution and prevent overwhelming bites.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cheese mixture and toast bread slices in advance, assembling just before serving to maintain crispness.

Saving and Reheating Bruschetta Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover bruschetta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate the bread and cheese mixture to prevent sogginess and maintain crispness.
• Reheating: Warm bruschetta slices in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crunchiness. Avoid using a microwave, which will make the bread soggy and soft.
• Quick Tip: For best results, assemble bruschetta just before serving. If storing, keep components separately and combine right before eating to preserve the delightful texture and fresh flavors.

Pairing Drinks and Mains with Bruschetta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the tangy sun-dried tomato bruschetta with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, cutting through the creamy cheese and brightening the herbal notes.
• Match with Light Salad: Create a refreshing side of mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette to complement the rich, savory bruschetta and balance its intense flavor profile.
• Serve with Prosecco: The bubbly, light prosecco adds a playful effervescence that contrasts beautifully with the creamy cheese and intensely flavored sun-dried tomatoes, making each bite more exciting.
• Add Mediterranean Appetizer Companion: Pair with marinated olives or small plates of prosciutto to echo the Italian-inspired bruschetta's Mediterranean roots and provide additional texture and saltiness.

Unique Twists for Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta

• Mediterranean Olive Burst: Replace sun-dried tomatoes with chopped kalamata olives and add crumbled Mediterranean herbs like oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Roasted Red Pepper Fusion: Swap sun-dried tomatoes with finely diced roasted red peppers and sprinkle smoked paprika for a smoky, sweet flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Crunch: Mix fresh chopped basil and parsley into the cheese spread, topping with micro-greens and a light drizzle of balsamic reduction for an aromatic herb-forward bruschetta.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Incorporate finely minced jalapeños into the cream cheese mixture and garnish with pickled jalapeño slices for those craving extra heat and zesty notes.

Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rustic Italian sun-dried tomato bruschetta delivers Mediterranean flavors with crusty bread and rich tomato medley. Garlic, basil, and olive oil create a perfect harmony that transports diners to a charming Italian countryside.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) feta cheese, crumbled (or ricotta cheese)

Bread and Base:

• 1 French baguette, sliced
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil

Herbs, Vegetables, and Seasonings:

• 2–3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
• ½ cup (80 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• ⅓ cup (33 grams) chopped green onions, scallions, or chives
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Gently heat the oven to a low temperature of 300°F (150°C), preparing a parchment-lined baking sheet for toasting the bread slices.
2. Position baguette pieces in a single, even layer across the sheet, delicately coating each slice with olive oil on one side using a soft pastry brush.
3. Toast the bread in the oven for approximately 20 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve a golden, crisp texture without burning. The low temperature ensures a perfect crunch without excessive browning.
4. Upon removal from the oven, immediately glide fresh garlic cloves across the warm bread surfaces, infusing a subtle aromatic essence into each slice.
5. Allow the toasted bread to cool completely, preventing moisture from compromising the desired crisp texture.
6. In a mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese and feta together, creating a rustic, slightly chunky spread. Incorporate dried herbs, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
7. Generously layer the herbed cheese mixture across each cooled bread slice, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Distribute chopped sun-dried tomatoes atop the cheese layer, adding vibrant color and tangy complexity.
9. Garnish with finely sliced green onions or chives for a fresh, sharp accent.
10. Finish by drizzling the remaining olive oil over the assembled bruschetta, providing a glistening, rich finish.
11. Serve immediately to preserve the optimal crunch and flavor intensity.

Notes

• Perfectly crisp bruschetta requires low and slow baking at 300°F to achieve a delicate, crunchy texture without burning the bread.
• Rubbing warm bread with garlic cloves infuses a subtle, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire appetizer without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Creating a creamy cheese spread with feta and cream cheese adds rich, tangy depth while maintaining a rustic, slightly textured consistency.
• Sun-dried tomatoes provide an intense, concentrated burst of sweet-savory flavor that complements the creamy cheese base beautifully.
• Finishing with a drizzle of olive oil enhances the bruschetta’s richness and helps bind all the flavors together in each delightful bite.
• Serve immediately after assembly to preserve the crispness of the baguette and maintain the optimal temperature and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 30mg