Easy Sheet Pan Caprese Bruschetta Board
A quick and easy appetizer featuring roasted cherry tomatoes and garlic, fresh mozzarella, and basil served on toasted baguette slices. Perfect for fresh entertaining and crowd-pleasing gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes (Campari or Sungold preferred)
- 4–5 fresh garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 8 oz (225g) fresh mozzarella (small bocconcini or mozzarella pearls)
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (optional)
- 1 loaf French baguette or ciabatta, sliced ½ inch thick
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, a pinch)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the cherry tomatoes and chopped garlic with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly coated.
- Spread the tomato and garlic mixture in a single layer on the sheet pan. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tomatoes are blistered and slightly caramelized and garlic is soft and fragrant.
- While the tomatoes roast, slice the baguette into ½-inch thick slices. Arrange on a separate baking sheet, brush lightly with olive oil, and toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden and crisp, flipping halfway through.
- Once the roasted tomatoes and garlic are slightly cooled, transfer the mixture to a serving board or leave on the sheet pan for a rustic look.
- Tear or slice the fresh mozzarella and scatter evenly among the roasted tomatoes. Sprinkle chiffonade basil leaves on top.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over everything and add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Adjust seasoning with extra olive oil or salt as needed.
- Arrange toasted bread slices around the board for guests to spoon the roasted Caprese topping onto their toasts. Encourage piling on basil and mozzarella for maximum flavor.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the sheet pan to ensure tomatoes caramelize instead of steaming. Stir halfway through roasting for even cooking. Toast bread separately to keep it crisp. Add fresh basil last to preserve flavor and color. Balsamic glaze is optional but recommended for tangy sweetness. For vegan version, substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese or marinated tofu and use vegan bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6th of the b
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
Keywords: Caprese, bruschetta, sheet pan, appetizer, easy, fresh, entertaining, roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, basil