Easy Avocado Bruschetta Recipe

If you ask me, bruschetta just got even better.

This Italian-inspired appetizer takes the classic tomato version and gives it a California twist with creamy avocados. Fresh garlic and herbs mix with ripe tomatoes on top of perfectly toasted bread slices.

I love how the avocado adds a smooth, rich layer that plays so well with the crispy base. A splash of lemon juice keeps everything fresh and bright, while a pinch of sea salt brings all the flavors together.

It’s a crowd-pleasing starter that feels both familiar and new – perfect for everything from casual get-togethers to dinner parties.

What Kind of Avocados Should I Use?

Hass avocados are your best bet for this bruschetta recipe since they have a rich, creamy texture and consistent flavor that works perfectly as a spread. You’ll want to pick avocados that yield slightly when gently squeezed – they should feel soft but not mushy. If your avocados are too firm when you buy them, let them ripen at room temperature for a few days, or speed up the process by placing them in a paper bag with a banana. Once they’re ripe, you can keep them in the fridge for a few days to prevent them from getting too soft. Just be sure to use them soon after cutting, and don’t forget that splash of lemon juice to keep them from browning.

Options for Substitutions

This tasty appetizer can be adapted with several easy swaps if you’re missing ingredients:

• Baguette: Any crusty bread works here! Try ciabatta, sourdough, or even thick-cut country bread. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the toppings.
• White balsamic vinegar: Regular balsamic vinegar works fine, though it will darken the mixture slightly. You can also use red wine vinegar or even fresh lemon juice.
• Cherry tomatoes: Regular tomatoes cut into small chunks work just as well – just be sure to remove the seeds. Roma tomatoes are particularly good since they’re less watery.
• Fresh basil: While fresh basil gives the best flavor, you can use dried basil in a pinch (use 1 tablespoon instead). Fresh parsley or cilantro can also work for a different twist.
• Avocados: This is the star ingredient, so there’s no real substitute. Just make sure they’re ripe but not too soft for the best texture.
• Garlic powder: Out of garlic powder? Use half a clove of finely minced fresh garlic or 1/4 teaspoon of granulated garlic for the bread.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge with avocado bruschetta is timing – cutting and mashing the avocados too early can lead to browning, so always prepare them last and toss with lemon juice immediately to maintain their fresh green color. When toasting the baguette slices, keep a close eye on them as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in seconds – about 3-4 minutes under the broiler is usually just right. Another common mistake is not removing the seeds from the tomatoes, which can make your bruschetta watery and cause the bread to become soggy – take the extra minute to deseed them and your bruschetta will stay crispy longer. For the best flavor, let the tomato mixture sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before assembling, allowing the flavors to blend while keeping the bread crispy and the avocado fresh.

What to Serve With Avocado Bruschetta?

Since avocado bruschetta works great as an appetizer, you can pair it with other Italian-inspired dishes for a complete meal. A light pasta dish like lemon spaghetti or a simple caprese chicken would follow nicely after these tasty bites. For a casual gathering, I like to serve it alongside other finger foods like marinated olives, a cheese board, or prosciutto-wrapped melon. If you’re hosting a dinner party, try starting with the bruschetta and following up with a fresh arugula salad and your favorite grilled protein – the combination makes for an easy but impressive menu that your guests will love.

Storage Instructions

Prep Ahead: You can toast the baguette slices up to 24 hours in advance – just keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. The tomato mixture can be made up to 4 hours ahead and kept in the fridge, but hold off on adding the avocado until right before serving to keep it fresh and green.

Keep Fresh: Once assembled, avocado bruschetta is best enjoyed right away. If you have leftover tomato mixture without avocado, it’ll keep in the fridge for about 2 days in a sealed container. The toasted bread can stay crispy at room temperature in an airtight container for a day.

Save: To prevent any leftover avocado mixture from browning, press plastic wrap directly onto its surface and add an extra squeeze of lemon juice. It’ll stay good in the fridge for about 12 hours, though the texture might not be quite as nice as when fresh.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	3-4 minutes
Total Time	13-19 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 10-15 g
• Fat: 50-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 70-80 g

Ingredients

For the bread:

• 1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 baguette

For the tomato topping:

• 1 1/2 cloves garlic (finely minced for even flavor distribution)
• 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
• 20 oz cherry tomatoes (halved for best presentation)

For the avocado spread:

• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup fresh basil (finely minced for aroma)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground preferred for more flavor)
• 1 1/2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 avocados (ripe for creamy texture)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

For garnish:

• flaky salt (I use Maldon brand)

Step 1: Prepare the Bread for Broiling

Turn the oven on to the broil setting.

Brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder for added flavor.

Arrange the slices on a rimmed baking sheet, making sure the oiled sides are facing up.

Broil the bread in the oven until golden brown, which should take about 3-4 minutes.

Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

Step 2: Make the Tomato Topping

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil with diced tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and half of the minced garlic.

Stir to mix the ingredients well, then set the mixture aside to let the flavors meld together while you prepare the other components.

Step 3: Prepare the Avocado Spread

In a medium bowl, mash the avocado until smooth.

Stir in the lemon juice, the remaining minced garlic, half of the chopped basil, salt, and pepper.

Mix thoroughly to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the avocado mash.

Step 4: Assemble the Avocado Toast

Spread each broiled baguette slice with 1-2 tablespoons of the avocado mixture, ensuring an even layer.

Next, evenly divide the prepared tomato mixture among the avocado-topped bread slices, allowing the flavors to combine beautifully.

Step 5: Add Final Touches and Serve

Before serving, sprinkle the remaining basil over the assembled avocado toasts for a fresh herbal note.

If you like, add a touch of flaky salt for an extra flavor boost.

Serve your elegant and delicious avocado toasts immediately.