Vegan Bruschetta (5 Ways!)

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This vegan bruschetta recipe is a twist on a classic Italian dish. It has a mixture of sweet tomato, crunchy zucchini, and creamy white beans that sit on top of a whole wheat baguette, topped with fresh herbs for a finishing touch. This simple recipe is great as an appetizer, light lunch, or side dish, and comes in 5 variations too!

I love a good bruschetta — it’s one of my favorite appetizers! Usually, it’s served as a starter in an Italian restaurant, but this easy vegan bruschetta with fresh vegetables and white beans is hearty enough to be a main dish.

This is one of those recipes you can change up based on whatever ingredients you have since pretty much anything will taste great on a big piece of crusty bread!

It’s also super versatile: you can make it as vegetarian appetizers for a party, or as a main dish for your family. You can use any vegetables you have on hand, and any canned beans that are in your pantry. If you don’t have fresh tomatoes, you can use diced tomatoes. The options are endless, but it will turn out delicious and perfectly seasoned every time! 

This vegan tomato bruschetta recipe is the perfect appetizer for any occasion, but it will also become one of your favorite go to Italian meals on nights you’re just not sure what to make for dinner!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love Vegan Bruschetta

• Versatile: This is a fabulous appetizer for any time of the year.
• Vegan: It’s a classic bruschetta recipe with a vegan twist!
• Wholesome: This recipe uses only fresh ingredients that are healthy and nutritious.
• Dairy-Free: There’s no need for modifications to accommodate a dairy-free diet. 
• Easy: This simple recipe can be made quickly, and cleanup is a breeze.
• Kid-Friendly: Kids will enjoy this bruschetta because it’s kind of like a little pizza! It’s got a nice Italian flavor, and the veggies are sautéed to a soft consistency that makes it really easy for little ones to chew and enjoy!

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🥘 Ingredients For Vegan Bruschetta On Crostini

This easy vegan bruschetta recipe calls for basic ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store or farmers market! I recommend buying organic ingredients (for both the bread and the vegan bruschetta toppings) whenever possible. 

• Whole Wheat French Baguette: Use a good quality whole wheat baguette to increase the fiber content. You can use any kind of bread you want, french bread, sourdough or this buckwheat sourdough bread, or ciabatta would all work well. I just recommend a hearty bread that’s whole grain!
• Vegetables: Red pepper, red onion, garlic, zucchini, and eggplant are sautéed in olive oil.
• Cannellini Beans and Diced Tomatoes: You’ll need just one can of each.
• Spices: For the best flavor, I recommend a combination of Italian seasoning, salt, and crushed red pepper.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Fresh basil makes is a great garnish and adds bright flavor.
• Optional: Vegan Mozzarella or Vegan Parmesan Cheese: These ingredients are totally optional, but they do give this easy bruschetta an authentic appeal. If you want to skip the vegan cheese altogether, you can sprinkle it with a bit of nutritional yeast to get that “cheesy” flavor.

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

Scroll to the bottom of the post to the recipe card for complete measurements and instructions.

• Beans: You can substitute dry beans for the canned variety — just prepare them as usually would before adding them to the recipe. If you don’t have white beans use any other canned beans or chickpeas as a substitute.
• Fresh Veggies: This is a great recipe to use up any fresh veggies or fresh produce you have on hand. Green bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and squash all work well, too. 
• Spice: Use your own preferred spice blend. 
• Different Types of Tomatoes: While we used canned tomatoes, any type of fresh tomato will work well in this recipe. Choose from beefsteak, cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or whatever looks best and fresh when you visit the grocery store. Some of the best tomatoes I’ve found are at the farmer’s markets, and the best time of year to enjoy tomatoes is in the summer!

🔪 How To Make Vegan Bruschetta

Here’s how to make this easy vegan bruschetta recipe. For more detailed instructions and nutrition facts, see the recipe card below.

Chop and sauté all the veggies:  Heat a large pan over medium heat. Drizzle olive oil in before adding the red onion, red pepper, zucchini, eggplant, and fresh garlic. Heat until the veggies are cooked through.

Add the rest of the topping ingredients: Add the white beans, Roma tomatoes, Italian spices, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir until combined and heated through. If you are using vegan cheese, stir it in right when the tomato mixture is almost done cooking, and let it warm for 1-2 minutes until it melts.

Warm your bread: Using a sharp knife, slice the baguette into thick slices. Toast the bread on a grill pan or in the toaster oven until slightly crispy and golden brown.

Assemble your bruschetta: Top each of the baguette slices with the white bean mixture, some fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped fresh basil, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

💭 Expert Tips

• Pick the freshest bread: Use a fresh whole-wheat baguette for best results!
• Make the topping ahead of time: If making in advance store the topping in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• If you use fresh tomatoes, remove the liquid! Remove the seeds and salt the tomatoes before adding them to your bruschetta mixture so they don’t make the bread too soggy.
• To ensure your bread isn’t soggy, don’t forget to toast or grill it properly and don’t cut it too thin! 1/2 inch thick is the perfect thickness to ensure perfect bruschetta.
• For more flavor, cut a garlic clove in half and rub it lightly on one side of each bread slice. This imparts a subtle garlic flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.
• Timing is key! Top the toasted or grilled bread with the veggie mixture just before serving. You want to maintain the crispness of the bread.

📖 Variations

I love the bright flavors of the fresh veggies on this version, but you can make other types of bruschetta, too. There’s a seemingly endless list of what to put on bruschetta! Here are some other bruschetta ideas: 

• Olive Bruschetta: If you love the brininess of olives, add some chopped kalamata olives to the tomato mixture! Or try spreading a tapenade on the toasted bread before adding the vegetable topping.
• Vegan Caprese Bruschetta: Instead of the white bean bruschetta topping, use a simple combination of heirloom tomatoes, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh basil leaves with a balsamic glaze or balsamic reduction drizzled over top. Feel free to add some vegan mozzarella too!
• Vegan Bruschetta Pasta: Instead of serving the bruschetta topping mixture over crusty bread, try tossing it with some whole wheat pasta or chickpea pasta. Mix in some olive oil or marinara sauce, too.
• Mexican Bruschetta: Instead of fresh basil, use cilantro; instead of Italian seasoning, use taco seasoning, and instead of tomatoes, use tomato salsa!
• Greek-Style Vegetarian Bruschetta: Mix a little lemon juice into the vegetable mixture and sprinkle some feta and extra oregano on top. Keep it vegan by using vegan feta.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Bruschetta can be served either warm or cold, depending on the various toppings of your choice. This recipe is served warm, but some of our variations above can be served cold with warm toasted bread.

If you’re wondering what to eat with bruschetta, there are a number of dishes you can pair it with – or you can enjoy it all on its own! 

• Salads: For a light meal, serve the bruschetta with a simple side salad, keto Greek salad or gluten free pasta salad.
• Pasta: Instead of plain bread, pair this bruschetta with vegetarian pesto pasta, vegan rasta pasta, or this vegetarian pasta bake.
• Soups: Try serving this simple bruschetta alongside Italian chickpea soup or garbanzo bean soup.

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

Gluten-Free Bruschetta: Substitute a gluten-free baguette for the bread to make this veggie bruschetta recipe gluten-free!

🫙 Storage Directions

You can make this recipe up to 3 days in advance. However, do not place the tomato and bean mixture on the toasted baguette until you’re ready to serve, or the bread will become soggy.

To Refrigerate: Once the mixture comes to room temperature, place it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store it for up to 3 days. Assemble and toast the bruschetta fresh when you’re ready to serve. 

To Freeze: You can freeze the topping for up to 3 months in a resealable plastic freezer bag. You can also slice the bread and freeze it separately. Thaw the topping in the refrigerator and warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, and toast the bread in the oven or toaster oven when you’re ready to serve.

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🥕 More Healthy Vegan Recipes!

• Black Bean Quinoa Burgers
• Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
• Vegan Quinoa Patties
• Vegan Arepas
• Southwestern Tofu Scramble
• Thai Basil Eggplant
• Chipotle Black Bean Burgers
• Healthy Vegan Pop Tarts

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