What is the Difference Between Bruschetta and Crostini?

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Prosciutto, Asian Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini / Sarah Crowder / Katie Workman / themom100.com

I adore bruschetta and crostini, and think there is no better go-to appetizer for entertaining. Both are pieces of toast with toppings. The rest is often a little loose, in terms of what you may see on a restaurant menu and how the kitchen defines it. But let’s get into the details.

Prosciutto, Asian Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini on a glass plate.

What is Bruschetta?

Bruschetta pronounced [brusˈketta], which translates to “a little burnt thing” in Italian (don’t go away, it’s not burnt, it’s just a cute translation), is a crusty slab of grilled or toasted country bread, usually rubbed with garlic, brushed with olive oil, and sprinkled with salt and maybe pepper. They are often heaped with a savory topping.

It comes from the word ”bruscare” which means to roast over coals. It’s usually served as a snack or an appetizer, often warm. Even though many of us think of the tomato-basil topping as the very definition of bruschetta, the word actually refers to the toasted bread itself, and the toppings can be quite varied. Or the bread can be served naked, with no toppings at all.

Woman spooning tomatoes onto bruschetta.

What Are Crostini?

Crostini means “little toasts” in Italian. Crostini are also slices of bread that have been toasted or grilled until crisp. Unlike bruschetta, though, crostini are usually not rubbed with garlic as a general rule, though they are usually brushed or drizzle with olive oil and salted.

They are usually smaller, thinner and crisper than bruschetta. The toppings may be less copious (or there may be no topping at all). These are often eaten as hors d’oeuvres, and may be served with soups of other dishes as a sort of crouton or garnish. 

But you say potato, I say potato; you say crostini, I say bruschetta. And in the end it’s hard to think of a nicer way to end the day, or start a meal than with a good crispy/chewy slice of bread topped with any number of good things. Think Sundried Tomato Pesto, Green Olive Tapenade, or Nut-Free Basil Pesto.


11 Bruschetta and Crostini Recipes

Bruschetta Recipes:

Salmon and White Bean Bruschetta on a white plate.
5 from 1 vote

Salmon and White Bean Bruschetta

A riff on a classic Italian bruschetta topping, tuna with white beans.
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Mushroom Bruschetta with Herbed Mayonnaise
5 from 1 vote

Mushroom Bruschetta with Herbed Mayonnaise

A pile of sautéed mushrooms atop some herby mayo on a tender-crunchy piece of olive oil slicked bread.
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Swiss Chard, Leek and Feta Bruschetta
5 from 2 votes

Swiss Chard, Leek and Feta Bruschetta

This gorgeous colorful medley of vegetables is delicious atop a olive oil slicked piece of toast. Crumbled cheese on top is another pop of texture and flavor.
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Woman scooping tomato mixture onto a small slice of bread.
5 from 4 votes

Tomato Bruschetta

This is the first thing I think of when I bring home a bunch of gorgeously ripe late summer tomatoes. Use only perfectly ripe tomatoes.
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Crostini Recipes:

Plate of Avocado And Cannellini Bean Crostini With Gremolata next to a plate of kebabs.
5 from 1 vote

Avocado And Cannellini Bean Crostini With Gremolata

A ripe avocado and a can of beans turn into an elegant little appetizer.
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Prosciutto, Asian Pear and Blue Cheese on a wooden tray with thyme-infused honey.
5 from 1 vote

Prosciutto, Asian Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini

It’s always so nice when something this delicious and pretty is so easy to pull together.
View Recipe

Roasted Pepper Crostini with Basil Oil / Sarah Crowder / Katie Workman / themom100.com
5 from 1 vote

Roasted Pepper Crostini with Basil Oil

The perfect partnership between roasted peppers and basil will never go out of fashion.
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Creamy Mushrooms with Marsala Crostini / Mia / Katie Workman / themom100.com
5 from 1 vote

Creamy Mushrooms with Marsala Crostini

A touch of cream and marsala make these mushrooms lush and dreamy.
View Recipe

Lamb Crostini with Spiced Crème Fraiche and Herbs / Sarah Crowder / Katie Workman / themom100.com
5 from 1 vote

Lamb Crostini with Spiced Crème Fraiche and Herbs

Perfect little bites of lamb fabulousness.
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Ricotta Berry Breakfast Crostini
5 from 1 vote

Ricotta Berry Breakfast Crostini

Since toast for breakfast isn’t exactly a new idea, what have we been waiting for?
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Radicchio and Endive Crostini with Aged Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze / Mia / Katie Workman / themom100.com
5 from 1 vote

Radicchio and Endive Crostini with Aged Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze

Slightly bitter lettuces turn into a sweet topping with a bit of balsamic glaze.
View Recipe

About Katie Workman

Katie Workman is a cook, a writer, a mother of two, an activist in hunger issues, and an enthusiastic advocate for family meals, which is the inspiration behind her two beloved cookbooks, Dinner Solved! and The Mom 100 Cookbook.

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