Strawberry Bruschetta with Ricotta and Balsamic Glaze Recipe
Delight in this refreshing Strawberry Bruschetta, a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors atop perfectly toasted baguette slices. Juicy marinated strawberries combined with fresh basil, creamy honey-whisked ricotta, and a hint of balsamic create an elegant appetizer or light snack that’s easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings (one crostini per serving) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberry Topping
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and diced
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, julienned, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Crostini
- 1 baguette, divided into 24 slices about ½-inch thick each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
Ricotta Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
Optional Garnish
- Balsamic glaze, to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Strawberries: In a bowl, combine the diced strawberries, julienned basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Mix gently to coat the fruit and herbs evenly. Set this mixture aside to marinate, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Oven and Baguette Slices: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the baguette into 24 slices, each approximately ½ inch thick. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Brush and Season the Crostini: Lightly brush both sides of each baguette slice with olive oil or avocado oil. Sprinkle the tops with kosher salt to taste, ensuring a well-seasoned base for your bruschetta.
- Bake the Crostini: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the slices until they turn golden brown and crisp, around 10 to 12 minutes. Flip the bread slices halfway through baking to ensure even toasting on both sides. Once done, remove from the oven and let them cool slightly. You can store cooled crostini in an airtight container for up to 1 day if preparing in advance.
- Make the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and honey. Whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes very smooth and creamy, ready to spread on the crostini.
- Assemble the Bruschetta: Spread about 2 teaspoons of the honey-ricotta mixture evenly over each toasted baguette slice. Top each slice with a heaping tablespoon of the marinated strawberries. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and drizzle balsamic glaze over the top if desired for an extra touch of sweetness and presentation.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Strawberry Bruschetta immediately to enjoy the contrast of textures and fresh, vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, ripe strawberries for natural sweetness and juiciness.
- You can substitute fresh basil with mint leaves for a different herbal twist.
- Balsamic glaze is optional but adds beautiful sweet acidity and an elegant finish.
- Make crostini up to one day in advance and store in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute ricotta with a plant-based cheese and honey with maple syrup.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the ricotta mixture according to your sweetness preference.
Keywords: strawberry bruschetta, easy appetizer, ricotta cheese, fresh basil, balsamic glaze, summer appetizer, toasted baguette
