Homemade Bruschetta is one of the easiest and healthiest make ahead Christmas appetizers that you'll find! This delicious bruschetta Christmas appetizer can be ready in 15 minutes and made up to 3 days ahead of time. Make it festive and colorful by serving on cucumber slices and arranging on a pretty holiday themed board. This is a simple, clean appetizer that's fantastic served with Christmas party finger foods like cheese, fruit, and crackers.
With the amount of Christmas baking and cooking that occurs in many American households leading up to Christmas, there is relief found in Christmas recipes that are not only simple and quick to make, but that can be made ahead of the big day.
And healthy make-ahead Christmas appetizers? Even better. Especially with the amount of sweet treats that we consume in the month of December. The holiday season wouldn't be the same without endless cookies, candies, brownies, cakes, and pies!
So adding healthy and festive Christmas appetizers to the holiday menu is one of my priorities every year.
We all know that this year Christmas may look different. Maybe we are spending it with just immediate family. Maybe we are inviting a few friends or other relatives to dinner. No matter what you choose to do, a homemade bruschetta is a one of those Christmas party finger foods or appetizer table arrangements that is always a hit. No matter how big or small the guest list is.
What I love about homemade bruschetta is that the longer it sits, the longer the flavors of balsamic, olive oil and garlic "marry". This Christmas appetizer actually tastes better when it's allowed to marinate for a day or two. It's one of the easiest and most perfect make ahead Christmas appetizers!
A classic bruschetta is one of my favorite party foods anytime of the year. It's cool and refreshing for spring and summer parties outside by the pool. For fall and winter gatherings, it's a recipe that is enjoyed by most and can be served multiple ways.
One of the most common ways to serve bruschetta is on crusty toasted bread slices. But for this Christmas appetizer, we are serving it on cucumber slices for 2 reasons. One, to keep it lower in carbs and calories. And two, to add in lots of green with the red tomatoes to keep the entire appetizer as festive as possible.
Ingredients
This make ahead Christmas appetizer uses:
- tomatoes
- red onions
- garlic cloves
- fresh
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
You'll also need salt, pepper and cucumber slices.
If you're not concerned about carbs and calories, use sliced french bread instead of the cucumbers. You can also use this homemade garlic bread.
You'll need a medium to large size plate or board to serve it. I opt for circular wooden boards when making this for Christmas to keep it looking as polished as possible. Rectangle or square boards are great too, but you'll have to play around with arrangement of the cucumbers.
Step-By-Step Directions
To make this Christmas appetizer, first prepare the homemade bruschetta. Chop the tomatoes and red onions into small pieces and mince the garlic. Mix the tomatoes, onions, and garlic with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and torn fresh basil.
Either set the bruschetta aside while preparing the cucumber slices or store it in the fridge until Christmas.
Next, slice the cucumbers. The best way to slice the cucumbers when topping with homemade bruschetta is to keep the skins on. Cut them on the thick side, about ½ inch thick. This will keep them sturdy enough to hold the bruschetta with the cucumbers falling apart.
Christmas party finger foods are always best when a fork, spoon, or napkin isn't needed to serve or clean up any messes!
Next, place a bowl on one side of a circular wooden board. Lay cucumber slices around the bowl, on top of each other like dominos as in the picture above. Fill the rest of the board with cucumbers. Fill the bowl with the bruschetta and dress with additional fresh basil leaves.
And there you have it! One of the easiest and brightest make ahead Christmas appetizers!
Serving
Serve as a Christmas party finger foods by topping the flat cucumber slices with a few scoops of bruschetta. As those are eaten, replace with additional cucumber slices and bruschetta for your guests. Or let them help themselves just as they would with crackers and cheese.
If you made this homemade bruschetta as a make ahead Christmas appetizer, store the bruschetta separately from the sliced cucumbers. The bruschetta can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The cucumber slices can be cut and stored in the fridge as well for up to 3 days. Alternatively, slice them when you're ready to serve it.
Homemade Bruschetta Christmas Appetizer
Homemade Bruschetta is one of the easiest and healthiest make ahead Christmas appetizers that you'll find! This delicious bruschetta Christmas appetizer can be ready in 15 minutes and made up to 3 days ahead of time. Make it festive and colorful by serving on cucumber slices instead of toast and arranging into a pretty holiday themed board.
- circular charcuterie board
- 3 large tomatoes
- 2 small red onions
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 large cucumbers
Dice the tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Add balsamic vinegar, oil and torn basil leaves. Mix well, taste, and season with salt and pepper as desired.
Slice the cucumbers about ½ inch thick.
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