Description
This Easy Tomato and Bacon Bruschetta is a delightful appetizer featuring crispy toasted baguette slices topped with a flavorful mixture of diced cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, and savory crumbled bacon. Finished with a touch of garlic and an optional balsamic glaze drizzle, this recipe offers a perfect balance of fresh and smoky flavors and can be prepared quickly in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 French baguette, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Topping
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 4 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for toasting the bread slices evenly and thoroughly.
- Prepare the Bread: Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet. Lightly brush each slice with olive oil to ensure a golden, crispy texture. Toast in the oven for about 5-7 minutes until the slices are golden brown and crisp on the edges.
- Make the Topping: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the diced cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, fresh basil, crumbled cooked bacon, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Gently toss the mixture to blend the flavors together evenly.
- Assemble the Bruschetta: Remove the toasted baguette slices from the oven and spoon the prepared tomato and bacon mixture generously over each slice while the bread is still warm.
- Serve: Optionally, drizzle balsamic glaze over the assembled bruschetta for a sweet and tangy finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the warm, crispy bread and fresh topping combination.
Notes
- You can cook the bacon fresh or use pre-cooked bacon to save time.
- Cherry tomatoes can be substituted with vine-ripened tomatoes if preferred; just dice them finely.
- For a more intense flavor, finely mince the garlic and let the topping sit for 5-10 minutes before assembling.
- The balsamic glaze is optional but adds a lovely sweet tang to complement the savory flavors.
- This bruschetta is best served immediately to keep the bread crisp and topping fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 5 bruschetta pieces)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
