I decided to take bruschetta a level up by cooking it and serving it hot. Beautifully toasted crusty garlic bread, topped with roasted tomatoes and a deliciously sweet, sour balsamic glaze. A quick, easy and exciting appetiser to wow just about anyone.
I am so happy that this idea of having a cooked version of bruschetta actually worked. And I am starting to wonder if I prefer this version of bruschetta more than the original.
When you get served a classic bruschetta in a restaurant, do you find yourself struggling to keep the tomato on the bread? I know I do, not that it’s the end of the world, but roasted cherry tomatoes stay on top of that sucker a whole lot easier. And with each bite, a cherry tomato will be like a little flavour bomb going off in your mouth.
Reducing balsamic vinegar
A balsamic reduction may not sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but it actually completely transforms the vinegar into a glaze. Meaning that the sugars intensify and texture goes thicker, which gives you a much better result when drizzling it over your bruschetta. Oh, and a balsamic reduction can also be used as an amazing garnish.
Normal balsamic vinegar that hasn’t been reduced is fine as well, but if you use too much it will just splash everywhere and it can even make the bread go soggy. Besides, the tomato and the onions are already acidic in this dish, and the sweet glaze can balance that out.
That being said, you don’t want to reduce the balsamic vinegar too much, I would say no more than 60%. Otherwise, it can go too sweet, but also keep in mind that as the balsamic reduction cools down, it will go even thicker. So don’t make the mistake of reducing the vinegar for too long because it doesn’t look thick enough right away.
If you want to test the thickness of the balsamic glaze, dip a spoon into it. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.
Storing the balsamic reduction in a squeeze bottle works perfectly. If you have any left over, you can keep it in the fridge for later use.
Why did I soak the red onion in vinegar?
This is a technique I love to use when preparing onions, especially when I add them to something like a fresh salad. Raw onion can be way too strong and in my opinion, be an interference more so than an added ingredient.
What the vinegar and a touch of salt do, is they draw out some of that strength and also make the onions go nice and sweet. Which goes perfectly with the roasted tomatoes and crusty bread. When you’re done soaking the onions and you’re ready to drain them, don’t forget to really squeeze that excess moisture out of the onions. This will help you achieve that really nice, sweet, softened onion.
Buy a good quality loaf of bread
Remember, this isn’t your everyday jam on toast, this is something a little extra special. And if the base of the dish is poor quality, well, it will show in the end result. I find that a good loaf of sourdough bread is perfect for bruschetta.
It has that perfect crunch in the crust, and that freshness in the middle. You can use a different kind of bread if you wish but again, use a decent quality loaf, not one of those everyday square loaves.
Oh, and if you want to be extra healthy, you can use something like brown bread or multi-grain bread.
You don’t have to use butter
You can use a healthier fat if you wish, just keep in mind that the flavour will be lighter and less rich than butter. If you use let’s say, grape-seed oil (one of my favourite versatile light healthy oils), you’ll end up with more of a garlic perfume essence instead of a rich buttery flavour. Both are great but just different.
This is also a good tip if you want to make the recipe vegan because if that is the case, changing the fat for the garlic bread is the only thing you need to do.
Now, let’s move on to the recipe, shall we! If you want to stay updated for a new recipe every week, feel free to subscribe, you will also receive a free ebook that features 10 amazing recipes. And if you were looking for more appetizers, then you may want to have a look at these Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

Roasted Cherry Tomato & Garlic Bread Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
Balsamic glaze:
- ¾ cup of balsamic vinegar
Bruschetta:
- 1 large red onion peeled and finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil plus extra for roasting the cherry tomatoes
- 75 g butter
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 loaf of sourdough sliced
- 500 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 bunch of basil
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
Balsamic Glaze:
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Put the balsamic vinegar in a pot, then bring it to a boil over the stove. Once the vinegar is boiling, turn the heat down low and simmer the vinegar until it reduces by half.
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You can dip a spoon in the reduction. If the vinegar coats the back of the spoon, that is a good indicator that the glaze is thick enough. If you want you can transfer the glaze to a squeeze bottle or you can just store it away in a container until it's time to use it.
Bruschetta:
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Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees F).
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Put your chopped red onions in a bowl, then add your red wine vinegar, your olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. Mix together and then set aside.
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Put your butter and garlic in a small pan, then melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter starts bubbling, turn the heat down low and let the butter simmer for 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and then set aside as the garlic gets infused in the butter.
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Pre-heat a griddle pan over medium to high heat, then place your slices of bread in. Toast the bread both sides until you get a nice colour. Once the bread is toasted, use a pastry brush to brush the garlic infused butter over one side of the bread.
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Drain the onions through a sieve, then push the onions down with the back of a spoon to get rid of the excess liquid. Transfer onto a piece of kitchen paper to drain.
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Put your cherry tomatoes in a bowl, season them with some salt and pepper, then drizzle in a touch of olive oil. Mix together and then put them on a tray lined with baking paper, making sure you spread the tomatoes out evenly. Roast them in the oven for 10 minutes.
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Put the roasted cherry tomatoes and the red onion to a bowl and mix together until well combined.
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Spoon your tomato mixture over your garlic bread then lightly drizzle over some of your balsamic glaze.
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Finally, garnish the bruschetta with plenty of basil and serve.
Recipe Notes
- Don't reduce the balsamic glaze anymore than around 60%. Otherwise, it can be a bit too thick and overpowering.
- You can make plenty of balsamic vinegar for future use and then store it in a squeeze bottle.
- Once you've soaked your onions, make sure you really squeeze the excess moisture out to get rid of the intense heat in the onion.
- But a good quality, crusty loaf of bread for this recipe.
- Remember, if you want a healthier fat or oil. Or if you want to make this recipe vegan, you can use a different kind of fat. Such as canola oil, grape seed oil, vegetable oil, nut oil etc.
Gorgeous and delicious.
oooh sounds and looks delish 🙂
Thanks so much! Really appreaciate it (:
Thanks so much Tash!! Your blog looks fantatic too!!
Beautiful!! 🙂
Thank you Anthea! Have a lovely day (:
I love balsamic reduction! So flavourful! And this bruschetta is my kinda Friday night eats with a glass of vino! YUM!
me too dawn! And I love the sound sound of your friday night ritual!!
Thanks so much 😃
this looks scrumptious and nutritious.Very nicely complied post.Each details has been explained with such an ease.Will try this soon.
I actually thought the first picture was bruschetta served on top of a sweet potato, rather than bread. Which also sounds like a fantastic way to eat this bruschetta, especially since you serve it hot!
Drool Drool Drool. I love everything about this Roasted Cherry Tomato & Garlic Bread Bruschetta. Cherry tomatoes and garlic make the BEST tomato sauce, so you know it’s going to be bomb in bruschetta form. I need to try this!
Thank you Aditi! Love your work and I hope you enjoy this recipe (:
Hmmm this is interesting you bring that up Julie. Maybe could be served on that sweet potato toast the vegans invented. Thanks for sharing that (:
Thanks Dominique I’m super glad you like it! Love the work you do by the way (:
I love the flavor combination on this bruschetta! Such an easy and delicious appetizer!
It really does work beautifully Daniela. Love your work btw (:
I say butter all the way. I am obsessed with all things cooked in butter. This looks fantastic! I have never tried bruschetta
Thanks Chef!! I bet your roasted cherry tomato bruschetta was amazing. Keep up the awesome work you’re doing man! (:
Yes I have to admit butter does make your food amazing. And you totally should give bruschetta a go. It’s a wonderful appitizer (:
This looks like one fantastic dish! Perfect for an appetizer, lunch or even a side for dinner.
I love everything about this! I love the flavors this is going to have! I really like how you took such detailed photos of all the steps!
Last week I scoured the internet for a fresh version of bruschetta. I finally found the perfect crusty loaf of bread and have been craving bruschetta for months now. This is the first thing I’m going to make tomorrow!
We are enjoying the last of tomato and basil season now. Will have to try this before they’re all gone!
Thanks sharon!! It really is (:
Thanks so much Kelly, Was super nice to wake up to a comment like this (:
Jessica, you have totally made my day!! I really appreciate you, keep up the good work you’re doing and have an incredible day!!
Ahhh, shame that season it coming to end end. For me it’s just about to start over hear in Australia (:
I love roasted tomatoes! Such a great combination with garlic bread!
This looks and sounds amazing. Love a good bruschetta so thanks for sharing all your tips.
Our tomatoes are just starting to come in so I would love to make this to have for dinner! YUM!
Gorgeous pictures, Nicolas! I’m drooling over this bruschetta! Is it bad that I want some for breakfast?! I love how easy this is, too. Pinned!
this looks absolutely stunning!!!! loving the presentation and the recipe – pinned!
It really is!! Nice to change things up a bit.
No worries Steph! Thank you for commenting!
It would be the perfect thing to make with homegrown tomatoes!
No it’s not bad and thank you so much for your lovely comment and for your share! Really appreciate it! (:
Thanks so much for sharing!