Air Fryer Bruschetta

An Easy Air Fryer Bruschetta Recipe that is healthy and delicious! With fresh tomatoes, basil, and bread toasted in the air fryer in minutes. You can have this entire dish put together in less than 45 min! This appetizer is perfect for a party or any night of the week.

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What is Bruschetta?

Bruschetta is originally from Italy and was created as a way of salvaging bread that was going stale. It is usually served as an antipasto or appetizer consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt. There are different ingredient variations of the recipe including tomatoes, vegetables, beans, cured meat, basil, garlic, onion, or cheese. In most grocery stores and restaurants today, bruschetta is in reference to the tomato topping when in fact it is the grilled bread the bruschetta is served on.

How to make Air Fryer Bruschetta

1. Mince 2-3 garlic cloves and set aside. In a pan over medium-low heat, add 4 tbsp olive oil and allow the oil the heat up. Add the minced garlic cloves and cook quickly for about 1-2 minutes, just until you can smell the garlic and it becomes lightly browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic or it will be bitter. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the oil and garlic cool.
2. While the garlic and oil are cooling, dice the tomatoes and slice up the basil into thin pieces (see tip below). Place the tomatoes, basil, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes into the bowl and toss together. Add the garlic and oil and toss to combine. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow all of the flavors to combine.
3. Preheat your air fryer at 375° for 3 minutes. Cut the baguette into slices. Slice one of the garlic cloves in half and generously rub the top of each bread slice with the garlic. Brush each slice with olive oil.
4. Place as many bread pieces in your air fryer basket that will fit with room in between (mine fit 5). Air fry for 3-4 minutes and remove to cool, there is no need to flip and toast both sides. 3 minutes gave the bread a nice crusty edge with just a hint of softness still in the middle. 4 minutes was a perfectly toasted and crispy slice. Once all of the slices have been toasted, top each one with the tomato mixture and serve immediately.

Ingredient List for Easy Bruschetta Topping

• 1 medium crusty baguette
• 6 medium tomatoes
• 4 tbsp olive oil (plus more for brushing on bread)
• 2-4 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp basil, sliced thin
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes 

Quick Tip: Use Fresh Ingredients

Make sure you are using FRESH ingredients. Fresh tomatoes, fresh basil (not dried), fresh garlic (not from a jar), and “good” olive oil and balsamic vinegar. For a dish like bruschetta where it’s all about the fresh ingredients and taste, using fresh, high-quality ingredients is essential to a great result. I’m the first person to buy sale or generic items at the grocery store. However, for the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, you are only using a few tablespoons. Invest in the good stuff and use it for dishes that require it. Don’t cook with the good olive oil, use it for topping and flavor.

What kind of bread to buy

The best bread for this bruschetta is a crusty basic baguette from your local grocery store. My store sells a small-sized baguette for $2. It’s freshly baked each day and it was the perfect size for this recipe. Of course, you can use whatever bread you like or have on hand. Remember, bruschetta was originally created to use up stale bread before it went bad so if you have bread about to go, this recipe is for you!

Other Topping and Serving Ideas

I wanted to make a classic bruschetta for this recipe and keep it as easy as possible with the least amount of ingredients. However, there are many different ways to serve this recipe, here are a few ideas:

• Make Pesto Chicken with Bruschetta
• Add a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese before adding the tomato topping
• Drizzle with a balsamic reduction for added sweetness
• Add freshly ground black pepper to the top for an extra spice
• Cut up small pieces of fresh mozzarella and add right to the tomato mixture
• Add avocado to the toasted bread first and make an Italian version of Avocado Toast!

What Air fryer I used for this Recipe

There are so many different types of air fryers out there now, and each one is slightly different. There are countertop air fryers, air fryer ovens, and air fryer attachments to name a few. I have the Mealthy CrispLid attachment for my Instant Pot and I love it! It fits right on top of my Instant Pot and has a glass lid so I can see what’s happening to my food while air frying. It is a little smaller than some other air fryers out there, but it’s the perfect size for my family and worked perfectly to toast the bread for this recipe.

What if I don’t have an Air Fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer, no problem. You can easily toast the bread for the bruschetta in your toaster oven or regular oven. Of course, every oven is different. I would suggest starting with a preheated oven at 375º and checking on the bread after 3 minutes to ensure the bread doesn’t burn.

Quick Tip: How to easily cut Basil Slices

Here is a quick and easy way to get perfect fresh basil slices every time. All you need is a pair of kitchen scissors! Stack a few basil leaves on top of each other from largest to smallest. Roll up the basil leaves as tight as you can and hold with your fingers. Carefully cut slices off the end of the basil roll until you have sliced all the way to the end (watch your fingers!). That’s it!

Print

Air Fryer Bruschetta

Easy Air Fryer Bruschetta makes the perfect appetizer or side to any dish. With fresh tomatoes and basil, this bruschetta is healthy and delicious!

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Keyword air fryer bread, air fryer recipe, basil, bruschetta, crostini, easy appetizer, easy side dish, fresh tomatoes

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 minutes

Marinating Time 30 minutes

Total Time 44 minutes

Servings 14 pieces

Author EmilyFabulous

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• mixing bowl
• basting/pastry brush

Ingredients

• 1 medium crusty baguette
• 6 medium tomatoes
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus more for brushing on bread)
• 2-4 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsplarge basil, sliced thin
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

• Mince 2-3 garlic cloves and set aside. In a pan over medium-low heat, add 4 tbsp olive oil and allow the oil the heat up. Add the minced garlic cloves and cook quickly for about 1-2 minutes, just until you can smell the garlic and it becomes lightly browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic or it will be bitter. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the oil and garlic cool.
  
• While the garlic and oil are cooling, dice the tomatoes and slice up the basil into thin pieces (see tip below). Place the tomatoes, basil, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes into the bowl and toss together. Add the garlic and oil and toss to combine. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow all of the flavors to combine.
  
• Preheat your air fryer at 375° for 3 minutes. Cut the baguette into slices. Slice one of the garlic cloves in half and generously rub the top of each bread slice with the garlic.
  
• Brush each slice with olive oil.
  
• Place as many pieces in your air fryer basket that will fit with room in between (mine fit 5). Air fry for 3-4 minutes and remove to cool, there is no need to flip and toast both sides. 3 minutes gave the bread a nice crusty edge with just a hint of softness still in the middle. 4 minutes was a perfectly toasted and crispy slice.
  
• Once all of the slices have been toasted, top each one with the tomato mixture and serve immediately. Enjoy!
  

Video

Notes

Always read the instruction manual that came with your Air Fryer and follow all safety guidelines. 

More Easy Recipes to Try

• Chile Relleno Enchiladas
• Easy Ramen Noodle Recipe
• Easy French Onion Soup
• Air Fryer Toasted Coconut Lime Donuts

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