What is the difference between bruschetta and Caprese?

Many think that bruschetta refers to the diced tomato topping, but bruschetta is actually grilled bread with toppings. While tomato bruschetta is the most popular topping, you can top the grilled bread with lots of things! Caprese, on the other hand, is typically a salad made with tomato, basil, and mozzarella, so there's no bread. In this bruschetta recipe we combine the best of both worlds!

Do you serve bruschetta hot or cold?

I like to serve bruschetta at room temperature with the toasted crostini warm from the oven. Although room temperature crostini will work as well. Bruschetta is great for a cook-out or party because it doesn't need to be kept cold or warm. Just let it sit out on the counter at room temperature.

Why is my bruschetta watery?

Bruschetta typically gets watery from the juices in the tomatoes. This is where using grape tomatoes really comes in handy as they have small seeds and not much for guts. If you're using a slicing tomato or beef steak tomato, consider removing the guts and seeds to avoid watery bruschetta.

10 Minute Bruschetta with Mozzarella

Name: 10 Minute Bruschetta with Mozzarella
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pint halved grape tomatoes; 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1/4 cup julienne cut basil + more for garnish; 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced; 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls; Kosher salt; fresh cracked pepper; 14 oz. French bread, sliced; balsamic glaze, optional

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4.8 from 5 reviews

This quick and easy 10 Minute Bruschetta with Mozzarella is one of the best simple appetizers ever. It's loaded with fresh summer flavors and takes just minutes to throw together, which makes it a family favorite in our house!

Author: Kylie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 pint halved grape tomatoes
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup julienne cut basil + more for garnish
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
Kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper
14 oz. French bread, sliced
balsamic glaze, optional

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Instructions

In a large bowl combine tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, basil, garlic, mozzarella, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Set aside while you broil crostini.
Brush sliced French bread with 1 tablespoon olive oil, brushing it in an even layer across the bread.
Broil for 1-2 minutes.
Then flip sliced French bread over and brush with another tablespoon olive oil. Broil for another minute or so.
Top toasted crostini with bruschetta and mozzarella.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze, garnish with basil and enjoy!

baking sheet

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Notes

You might be tempted to skip the broiling of the sliced French bread, but I'm telling you, it really makes all the difference in this recipe. It gives you a super crisp base for the ripe juicy tomato topping. Regular sliced French bread will work in a pinch, but it will soak up more of the juices from the bruschetta and may get soggy. The additional brush of olive oil on the sliced bread will also add another layer of flavor that your guests will love!
The ingredients for the bruschetta can be prepped ahead of time, but I don't recommend assembling the bruschetta more than a couple hours in advance. The vinegar in the bruschetta will begin to break down the tomatoes and they'll continue to release their juices which will give you a watery bruschetta. The great part about this recipe is that it takes just a few minutes to throw together which, in my opinion, makes up for not being able to make it in advance!

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 272
Sugar: 3.8 g
Sodium: 726.6 mg
Fat: 8.2 g
Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
Carbohydrates: 34.6 g
Fiber: 2.6 g
Protein: 15.9 g
Cholesterol: 5.1 mg