Zesty Italian Peasant Bread Appetizer

Transform your appetizer game with this irresistible Zesty Italian Peasant Bread Appetizer—a rustic medley of vibrant flavors and textures. Featuring crusty Italian bread toasted to golden perfection, this recipe pairs sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes with the bold aromatics of fresh basil, minced garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a zesty, tangy kick. A sprinkle of dried oregano and a hint of red pepper flakes enhance the authentic Italian essence, while creamy mozzarella adds indulgent balance in every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for gatherings, dinner parties, or a quick snack. Serve warm, garnished with basil, and watch as it steals the spotlight at your table! Keywords: Italian bread appetizer, basil tomato topping, zesty peasant bread, quick appetizer recipe, easy mozzarella bruschetta.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 loaf crusty Italian bread
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Slice the Italian bread into 1-inch-thick slices and lay them out on a baking sheet.

Step 3

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil evenly over the bread slices and toast in the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Step 4

While the bread is toasting, dice the cherry tomatoes into quarters and place them in a mixing bowl.

Step 5

Mince the garlic cloves finely and add them to the bowl with the tomatoes.

Step 6

Chop the fresh basil leaves into thin strips and mix them into the bowl.

Step 7

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Toss the mixture gently to combine.

Step 8

Slice the mozzarella cheese into thin pieces or small cubes.

Step 9

Remove the toasted bread from the oven and immediately top each slice with a spoonful of the tomato mixture and a slice or cube of mozzarella.

Step 10

Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(865.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1980.9

Total Fat 81.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 73.7mg	0%
Sodium 4302.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 242.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 18.4g
Protein 69.7g	0%

Vitamin D 18.1IU	0%
Calcium 1014.2mg	0%
Iron 14.2mg	0%
Potassium 1179.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.1%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 48.9%