Easy Vegetarian Bruschetta Toppings
If you’re looking for light, small bites to serve at your next luncheon or shower, you’ll find these easy vegetarian bruschetta toppings a nice alternative to traditional bruschetta! Take these ideas and set up a Bruschetta Bar for your next party!

A classic bruschetta recipe consists of a sliced, lightly toasted french baguette, which has been rubbed with a fresh garlic clove, then drizzled with a high quality extra virgin olive oil, topped with fresh diced tomatoes, a little fresh basil and a pinch of salt.
Why these recipes work
- Variety – you can top the slices of bread with whatever plant-based ingredients you have on hand; there’s a million different ways to create vegetarian bruschetta with an assortment of toppings
- Great for any occasion – serve these as a light lunch or main course
- Easy recipe – the vegetarian cream cheese is lightly infused with garlic and herbs and pairs beautifully with whatever fresh flavors you choose to use
Ingredients
The base for all of the vegetarian bruschetta recipes is the same: a good quality extra virgin olive oil, fresh loaf of French bread, Rondele Garlic & Herb Spreadable Cheese, Kerrygold unsalted butter, salt, pepper and a little arugula. (If you don’t like arugula, you can substitute with Bibb lettuce or a little Spring mix. )

The specific toppings for each variation are listed below.
How to make it
- Preheat oven to 400°F and place a sheet of parchment paper on baking sheet
- Using a sharp, serrated knife, cut the baguette into evenly cut thin, diagnonal slices and place on baking sheet
- In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, salt and pepper
- Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the olive oil mixture over one side of the bread slices
- Bake on the middle rack for 5-7 minutes, just until the baguette slices are slightly toasted on top; remove from oven and set aside
- Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine the garlic/herb infused cream cheese and softened European style butter until fully incorporated
- Spread a light layer of the cheese mixture over the toasted bread
- Top each of the slices with the vegetarian ingredients and serve room temperature
Topping suggestions
- Vegetables – cucumbers, carrots, radishes, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions
- Fruit – avocado, mandarin oranges, diced pineapple, sliced apples
- Seasonings – salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt, lemon pepper spice blend, caraway, cardamom, Cajun seasonings, Italian seasonings
- Fresh herbs – a light sprinkle of fresh herbs help offer the best flavor – fresh basil leaves, fresh oregano, dill weed, fresh thyme,
- Vegetarian cheeses – here is a list of vegetarian cheeses that contain no animal rennet
- Acids– it’s always nice to finish off your vegetarian bruschetta with a little acid – lemon juice, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar
Variations of Vegetarian Bruschetta
The beauty of these easy recipes is that you can use your own imagination and create the perfect appetizer or small bite for your guests!
1. Traditional Bruschetta
Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub it over the toasted bread; in a small mixing bowl, combine diced or chopped vine tomatoes, a little olive oil, salt and pepper; garnish with fresh basil. Some folks drizzle a little balsamic glaze on it, too.

2. The Norway
This version features smoked salmon and makes a delicious appetizer! Slice or flake the smoked salmon and place it on the bread. Add sliced red onions, capers and fresh dill.

3. The New York
Another salmon bruschetta but this version features raw salmon with sweet pickled red onions and fresh dill.

4. The Greek
Kalamata olives, pitted olives and a sprinkle of crumbled vegetarian feta cheese.

5. Asian
Sweet carrots, fresh cucumber and toasted sesame seeds. Drizzle a little soy sauce over the top before serving.

6.The Wedge
This is a spin off on the classic wedge salad. Use crisp iceberg lettuce instead of a soft buttery lettuce. Top with sliced tomato (or chopped tomatoes) and little sprinkle of vegan crumbled blue cheese and a few roasted sunflower seeds.

7. The Michigan
Michigan is the highest US state for cucumber production…who knew? Anyway, this is a refreshingly simple combination of vegetarian bruschetta – thinly sliced cucumbers, and spiral cut carrots.

8. The Californian
Another light vegetarian bruschetta combination consisting of wholesome ingredients – sliced avocado, cucumber, spiral cut radish; finish it off with fresh dill weed and a slight drizzle of red wine vinegar and serve.

Recipe tips
- The kind of bread you choose isn’t critical – just make sure it’s fresh
- Slice the crusty bread into thick slices, thin slices or in half
- Don’t overload the bread with toppings
Serving suggestions
You can make these in advance or, if you’re hosting a dinner party or buffet, set up a Bruschetta Bar! Simply season and toast bread, then offer all the wholesome ingredients and fresh herbs in small bowls on the side. This allows your guests to create their own classic bruschetta recipe!

The beauty of these bruschetta options is that they are ideal if you’re on a plant-based diet; they are well-balanced with just enough seasonings, and make a perfect appetizer!

Vegetarian Bruschetta and Toppings
Ingredients
- 1 fresh French bread loaf
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 ounces Rondele Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Kerrygold butter (unsalted), room temp
- ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil (for cheese mixture)
- fresh arugula or spring mix
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉; place parchment sheet on baking dish; set asideTake butter out of refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature2 tablespoons Kerrygold butter (unsalted), room temp
- Using a serrated knife, slice bread into ¼" inch slices on the diagonal1 fresh French bread loaf
- In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, salt and pepper¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Using a pastry brush, brush oil mixture over on side of each bread slice; place oiled side up on baking dish; bake on middle oven rack for 5-7 minutes, or until the bread slices are slightly crisp on top; remove from oven and set aside
- In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine the garlic infused cream cheese, the room temperature butter and a little olive oil; combine well; spread a thin layer of this mixture on the oiled side of each bread slice8 ounces Rondele Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese, 2 tablespoons Kerrygold butter (unsalted), room temp, ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil (for cheese mixture)
- Place a small amount of arugula or Spring mix on each slicefresh arugula or spring mix
- Top with your selection of toppings and finish with a light splach of acid (see topping ideas in the post here: https://smartypantskitchen.com/vegetarian-bruschetta-toppings/
- Plate and serve at room temperature
Notes
- Slice bread; lightly oil and bake
- Smear cream cheese mixture on oiled side of toast
- Add arugula
- Add avocado, cucumbers, etc
- Sprinkle with vegetarian cheese
- Finish with an acid, sesame seeds or finely chopped nuts