Strawberry Balsamic Bruschetta

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share

Strawberry balsamic bruschetta tops crispy toasted bread with fresh strawberries, creamy goat cheese or ricotta, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

It’s a simple summer appetizer that balances sweet, tangy, and savory in every bite.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Ready in 15 minutes
  • No cooking beyond toasting bread
  • Elegant enough for entertaining, easy enough for a snack
  • Showcases peak-season strawberries
  • Light and refreshing alternative to heavy appetizers

Ingredients

For the bruschetta:

  • 1 French baguette, sliced diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices (about 20 slices)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
  • 4 oz goat cheese, softened (or ricotta cheese)
  • 2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
  • Fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (about 8-10 leaves)
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Optional additions:

  • 1 tablespoon honey (drizzled over the finished bruschetta)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios or toasted almonds
  • Fresh mint instead of basil

Steps

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
  3. Brush both sides of each slice lightly with olive oil.
  4. Toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp on both sides — or grill for 1-2 minutes per side until char marks appear.
  5. Let the toasts cool for a few minutes — they’ll crisp up more as they cool.
  6. While the bread toasts, hull and dice the strawberries into small pieces about 1/4 inch in size.
  7. Place the diced strawberries in a bowl and set aside — don’t add anything to them yet.
  8. If using goat cheese, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften for easier spreading.
  9. Spread about 1 teaspoon of goat cheese or ricotta on each toasted baguette slice.
  10. Top each slice with a spoonful of diced strawberries.
  11. Drizzle balsamic glaze over the strawberries — use a squeeze bottle for a cleaner drizzle.
  12. Scatter the sliced fresh basil over the top.
  13. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt and a crack of black pepper.
  14. Serve immediately while the bread is still crisp.

Helpful Tips & Substitutions

Use ripe strawberries. This recipe depends on sweet, flavorful berries — out-of-season strawberries won’t have enough flavor to stand up to the cheese and balsamic.

Balsamic glaze vs. balsamic vinegar. Balsamic glaze is thick and syrupy — don’t substitute regular balsamic vinegar, which is too thin and acidic.

Make your own glaze. Simmer 1 cup balsamic vinegar over medium heat until reduced by half and syrupy, about 15-20 minutes — let it cool before using.

Cheese options. Whipped ricotta, mascarpone, burrata, or even cream cheese all work as substitutes for goat cheese.

Bread matters. A crusty French baguette or Italian bread works best — soft sandwich bread gets soggy too quickly.

Day-old bread is fine. Slightly stale bread actually toasts better and crisps up more than very fresh bread.

Add crunch. Toasted chopped walnuts or pistachios add textural contrast if you want more complexity.

Serving Ideas

Arrange the assembled bruschetta on a long rectangular serving platter for an elegant presentation.

Serve as a passed appetizer at summer parties, bridal showers, or wine nights.

Pair with a glass of rosé, Prosecco, or a light Sauvignon Blanc.

Set out all the components and let guests assemble their own for a DIY bruschetta bar.

For a light lunch, serve 3-4 bruschetta per person alongside a simple green salad.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Toast bread ahead: Make the toasted baguette slices up to 4 hours in advance — store in a single layer at room temperature, uncovered, to maintain crispness.

Prep strawberries ahead: Dice strawberries up to 2 hours before serving and refrigerate — don’t add salt or they’ll release too much liquid.

Assemble last minute: Top the bruschetta right before serving — assembled bruschetta gets soggy within 10-15 minutes.

Make it a DIY station: Set out toasts, cheese, strawberries, and toppings separately and let guests build their own — this solves the soggy problem entirely.

Not suitable for storage: Leftovers don’t hold up — the bread absorbs moisture and loses its crunch.

Summer in a Bite

This bruschetta proves that the best appetizers don’t require complicated techniques or long ingredient lists.

The combination of juicy strawberries, tangy goat cheese, and sweet-tart balsamic is a classic for good reason.

Make it when strawberries are at their peak and you’ll have a new go-to summer appetizer.

Similar Posts