These golden-brown Tomato Basil Mozzarella Toasts are the perfect 10-minute solution for busy weeknights or elegant appetizers. With just a handful of fresh ingredients, you’ll create irresistible bites that combine melted mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic basil.
Ready in minutes but bursting with classic Italian flavors, these toasts deliver the perfect balance of crunch and creaminess while keeping things light at just 140 calories per serving.
Fresh Ingredients
- Crusty French Baguette: Choose a fresh, crispy baguette for the perfect base
- Fresh Mozzarella: 8 ounces, preferably water-packed for best melting results
- Roma Tomatoes: 4 medium ones, picked when ripe for optimal flavor
- Fresh Basil Leaves: 4 leaves, choose bright green ones for best aroma
Simple Steps to Perfection
- Prep Work: Set your oven to high broil and get your baking tray ready
- Bread Preparation: Split your baguette lengthwise to create two long, even pieces
- Cheese Layer: Slice mozzarella thinly and arrange evenly on both bread halves
- First Broil: Place in oven for 3-4 minutes until cheese gets bubbly and melty
- Tomato Addition: Layer your thin tomato slices over the melted cheese
- Final Touch: Return to oven for 1-2 minutes to warm the tomatoes
- Finishing: Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil, add a light dash of salt and pepper if desired
- Serve: Slice into portions and enjoy while warm and toasty
Broiling Tips
When broiling these lovely toasts, keep a close eye on them! The high heat can turn your mozzarella from perfectly melted to too brown in seconds. Place your oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler for best results.
A little browning on the cheese adds amazing flavor, but you’ll want to watch for those gentle bubbles forming – that’s your signal that it’s ready!
Quick Variations
Love this basic recipe but want to mix it up? Try adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze after broiling for extra tang. You can also swap the mozzarella for burrata if you’re feeling fancy, or try provolone for a sharper taste. Red, yellow, or heirloom tomatoes all work beautifully here – pick what looks fresh at your store!
Serving Ideas
These toasts make a wonderful appetizer when cut into smaller pieces – perfect for parties! Serve them right away while the cheese is still warm and gooey.
They’re amazing alongside a fresh green salad for lunch, or pair them with your favorite soup for a cozy dinner. Want to make them extra special? Add a light drizzle of good olive oil just before serving.
Storage Tips
These toasts taste best fresh from the oven while the cheese is melty and the bread is crisp. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to a day. To reheat, pop them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to restore that delicious crunch.
Pro tip: if you’re planning ahead, you can slice your bread and cheese earlier in the day – just keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to broil!
Tomato Basil Mozzarella Toasts
Equipment
- Baking tray
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 Crusty French Baguette
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- 4 Roma tomatoes thinly sliced
- 4 fresh basil leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- Heat oven High broil.
- Slice the baguette in half, lengthwise, so that you’re left with two long halves of bread.
- Slice the mozzarella ball into very thin slices. Sliced the tomatoes into thin slices.
- Layer mozzarella slices along the bread, cut size up.
- Place on a baking tray and broil for 3-4 minutes or until mozzarella has begun to melt and bubble slightly.
- Remove from oven and lay tomato slices on top. Return to oven for 1-2 more minutes.
- Remove from oven. Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil.
- Slice into pieces. Garnish very lightly with salt and pepper, if desired. Enjoy!
