These white bean bruschetta bites are a favorite summer appetizer or snack! They pair earthy white beans with garlic, sweet tomatoes, fresh herbs and lemon juice. Served over toasted bread for a delicious crunchy and creamy combo, these are sure to be a hit at any gathering!
This white bean bruschetta recipe brings such an interesting spin on the classic tomato basil bruschetta bites.
In this case, the bruschetta mix includes canned white beans, cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh herbs, lemon juice and red pepper flakes to add a little punch. Then scoop over grilled bread and serve on a board or platter for everyone to dig in.
This Italian bruschetta recipe is ultra easy to whip up together and the lemon + garlic work together to make each bite so flavorful.
We love making bruschetta with white beans for the added fiber and creamy texture, but also for the bonus fiber and the fact that it is more substantial and naturally vegan.
It makes for the perfect summer Italian appetizer to enjoy on the terrasse under the sun with a simple coconut water lemonade and a creamy kale salad!
Let me know if you give it a try! ❤️
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Very easy and quick to prepare
- Perfect earthy antipasti recipe to feed a crowd
- Versatile and easy to customize
- Healthy: low-in-fat and packed with fiber
- Naturally vegan and dairy-free
🗒 Ingredient notes (+substitutions)
- Bread: you can use a few different types of bread to make bruschetta, as long as it is sturdy enough to hold onto the topping ingredients. I love French baguette as it makes for the perfect small or bite-size bruschetta, but other great ideas include, ciabatta bread, sourdough bread or country loaf (especially for larger toast).
- White beans: I used cannellini beans for their ultra-creamy texture and nutty flavor. Other beans you can use include Navy beans and Great Northern beans. Butter beans are bigger and would work too, but try using a larger piece of bread to serve the bruschetta.
- Tomatoes: contrary to the more popular bruschetta topping, the flavor isn't focused on the tomatoes, but I like adding a few sweet cherry tomatoes for added flavor and texture.
- Fresh herbs: fresh parsley is great in this Italian-style crostini recipe, but feel free to add fresh basil, mint or even rosemary or oregano for an authentic Italian version.
- Red pepper flakes: add a pinch to the mix for a mild spicy flavor, or omit completely if you have little ones to share the bruschetta bites with.
⭐️ Detailed list of ingredients down below in the recipe card!
📝 Variations
- Texture: adjust the texture of the bruschetta topping to your preference. I like to roughly mash some of the beans while keeping most of them intact, that way there is plenty of coarse texture and a nice creamy result. You can mash the beans almost completely if you prefer a spread-like result!
- Balsamic vinegar: feel free to add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the bean mix, or similarly to this bruschetta pesto flatbread recipe, you can drizzle some balsamic glaze over the bruschetta bites when serving.
- Pesto: lemon cannellini bean bruschetta pairs very well with basil pesto. You can spread some of it over the grilled bread before adding the white bean mix. This vegan cashew pesto would be lovely here!
🍴How to make them
⭐️ All details down below in the recipe card!
Prepare the lemon white bean mixture
Rinse and drain well the can of cannellini beans.
In a medium bowl, add the drained beans and roughly mash some of them (about half mashed and half still intact). Then, add the chopped cherry tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, fresh parsley and salt. Stir to combine and taste to adjust flavor to your preference.
Set aside until ready to use. If preparing ahead of time, cover well and keep in the fridge.
Prepare the bread
When ready to serve, warm up a large pan (you can use a nonstick pan or a cast-iron pan) and slice your bread. Brush some olive oil over the bread (or add the oil to your pan), then toast your bread on one side.
Once crispy and golden brown, then transfer to your serving board.
Rub a clove of garlic over the toast to add flavor.
Assemble and serve
Scoop the white bean topping mixture over the garlicky bread, garnish with more fresh parsley and red pepper flakes (if using) and serve!
💡Helpful tips
- To save time in the kitchen, use canned white beans!
- Toasting the bread before rubbing the garlic will help "grate" it more efficiently by creating a more rough surface.
- For a crunchier result, then make sure to spread a little high-quality olive oil over the slices of bread before toasting.
- Try not to slice your bread too thin or it might not be able to hold onto the filling. A thin bread also will turn soggy quicker and might let some of the filling go through some holes. I recommend about ¾-1 inch of thickness. You can also slice it slightly diagonally to allow for a larger garnishing surface.
- This makes enough for 4 people (8 smaller slices of baguette or 4 larger toast). This recipe easily doubles for larger gatherings!
- Make-ahead: you can make the white bean filling up to 24 hours ahead of time. This can be handy if you are hosting, plus the beans will have some extra time to marinate and soak up all the flavor! Simply toast the bread and garnish right before serving your appetizers.
🍽Serving suggestions
You can drizzle some high-quality extra virgin olive oil over the crostini bites when serving. Or, for a lower-in-fat result with a nice added punch of flavor, drizzle some balsamic vinegar instead. Garnish with more red pepper flakes for an added kick!
Bruschetta bites are an amazing part of an appetizer board as well. You can pair them with some classic tomato basil bruschetta bites, marinated olives, kidney bean hummus, tapenade dip, candied pecans and vegan cashew cheese ball.
Or, feel free to make a bruschetta salad by garnishing some leafy greens with the bean mixture, then drizzle a simple balsamic vinegar dressing over. You can also use the bean topping in sandwiches and wraps!
🌱More white bean recipes
- Moroccan white bean stew
- Lemony white bean soup with kale
- White bean broccoli burgers
- White bean garlic mash
- Tuscan white bean salad
- Braised white beans
- White bean chili
- White bean curry
- Butter bean stew
I hope you enjoy this white bean bruschetta recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!
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📖 Recipe
Lemony White Bean Bruschetta Bites
Ingredients
- 8 slices French baguette - or 4 slices of larger bread, such as ciabatta bread
- 15 oz cannellini beans (or navy beans) - rinsed and drained
- 1 clove of garlic - crushed or grated, plus a second clove of garlic to rub on the bread, if desired
- ½ lemon - juiced
- 2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley - finely chopped, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes (or about 6-7) - chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- red pepper flakes - optional for serving
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the white beans very well. Then, add the beans to a medium bowl and mash about half of them using a fork. Add the tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, garlic and salt, then stir to combine. Taste and adjust the flavor to your preference (add some red pepper flakes if desired). Set aside.
- Slice the bread. Warm up a large pan (I used a cast-iron pan) over medium-high heat and toast the bread (feel free to drizzle olive oil over the bread first). Toast on one side until crunchy and golden brown, then transfer the toast over your serving platter (toasted side facing up).
- Optional: rub a clove of garlic over the toasted bread for extra flavor.
- Scoop the white bean mixture over the grilled bread and garnish with more fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired. Enjoy right away.
Video
Notes
- For a crunchier result, then make sure to spread a little high-quality olive oil over the slices of bread before toasting.
- Try not to slice your bread too thin or it might not be able to hold onto the filling. A thin bread also will turn soggy quicker and might let some of the filling go through some holes. I recommend about ¾-1 inch of thickness. You can also slice it slightly diagonally to allow for a larger garnishing surface.
- This makes enough for 4 people (8 smaller slices of baguettes or 4 larger toast). This recipe easily doubles for larger gatherings!
- Make-ahead: you can make the white bean filling up to 24 hours ahead of time. This can be handy if you are hosting, plus the beans will have some extra time to marinate and soak up all the flavor!
- Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.
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