White Bean Bruschetta Recipe (2024)

Home All Recipes Appetizer White Bean Bruschetta

By Jess Smith

3.8

Published Oct 05, 2012Updated Mar 01, 2023

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White Bean Bruschetta takes a simple can of white beans and elevates them with fresh aromatics like chopped basil, roasted garlic, and earthy olive oil. Spread the creamy topping on crisp rounds of bread and guests will devour these crunchy, creamy, bite-sized snacks.

Bruschetta – oh, how party guests love thee! I’ve been making these summery toasts for years and they disappear almost as fast as any dish I can set out. White bean bruschetta is a restaurant-worthy vegetarian appetizer that is deceptively easy to make. The time saving trick “secret” is a can of cannellini beans.

Just roast a few heads of garlic, place your ingredients in a food processor, and toast a few slices of fresh baguette. And, presto! Creamy, herby, delicious bruschetta.

And if you want to mix things up, use this recipe as your starting point. Play with different herb combinations, add some diced tomato, drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Set them out and watch them disappear.

What is bruschetta?

Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer with a base of crisp toasted bread that is drizzled with olive oil and topped with fresh ingredients. While fresh tomatoes and garlic are a classic topping for bruschetta, there are countless variations. From olive tapenade to creamy white beans and garlic to figs with fresh cheese, the versatility of bruschetta has made it a popular food for hundreds of years.

How to Make It

  1. Roast garlic. Wrap garlic in foil and roast until tender, 35 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees.
  2. Blend ingredients. Blend together white beans, roasted garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
  3. Toast bread. Slice baguette, drizzle with olive oil, and toast until golden and crisp.
  4. Assemble. Spread white bean mixture over bread.
  5. Top bruschetta with olive oil and fresh basil and serve!
White Bean Bruschetta Recipe (3)
White Bean Bruschetta Recipe (4)

Ingredients

  • Garlic and Olive Oil – Roasting the garlic transforms the flavor of this pungent aromatic to something mild, nutty, and almost sweet. The smooth, delicate flavors add so much complexity to this white bean bruschetta.
  • White Beans – Canned beans are a timesaver in this easy recipe. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans work great. Chickpeas will work as well.
  • Lemon Juice – Brightens and balances the creaminess of the white beans.
  • Kosher Salt – To bring the flavors together.
  • Baguette – A crusty baguette is perfect for holding all of the delicious bruschetta toppings. Thinly slice into ¾ inch pieces and broil in the oven until crisp.
  • Fresh Basil – Bruschetta isn’t bruschetta without fresh chopped herbs. Basil adds a pop of green color, and a slightly sweet aromatic flavor.
White Bean Bruschetta Recipe (5)

Make Ahead

If you’re preparing for a party and will be short on time, roast the garlic and make the white bean mixture ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, bring to room temperature and thin with some water if needed before spreading it on bread.

Variations

  • Go wild with herbs – White beans are so good at taking on herby flavors that you can use just about any combination to create tons of extra flavor. Some fresh rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, or marjoram would all work well with this Italian-inspired appetizer.
  • Add some spice – Red pepper flakes complement just about any type of bruschetta. Add a pinch of flakes when you blend your ingredients together if your guests love a little heat. Or, sprinkle the flakes on half the batch if you only have one or two guests that like some spice.
  • Top with cheese – Topping with slivers of Parmesan or rich buffalo mozzarella is an easy way to elevate this bruschetta.
  • Try different breads – Try artisanal bakery loaves like asiago batard, cranberry and walnut, ciabatta, or olive batard.

FAQs

Which types of wine go with bruschetta?

Pair bruschetta with white wines that are light, bright, and acidic. The dry, grassy and herbaceous notes in Sauvignon Blanc absolutely sing with the creamy white beans in this bruschetta. Citrus-y and mineral-y Vermentino is also a winning combination. It’s hard to say ‘no’ to a refreshing Albarino with bite-sized bruschetta.

How do you cook dried white beans?

Dried beans are a kitchen staple and so easy to buy in bulk and store for later use. If you want to cook dried white beans from scratch, soak the beans overnight in a large pot with enough water to cover the top of the beans by 2 to 3 inches. When the beans are done soaking, drain the water, and then simmer the beans in a large pot of water with aromatics like onions, carrots or herbs. Allow the beans to cook for 1 to 2 hours, or until the beans are fork tender.

When the beans are ready, drain the liquid and continue to the rest of your recipe.

White Bean Bruschetta Recipe (7)

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  • Pasta Salad Skewers
  • Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Sugar Chips

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White Bean Bruschetta Recipe (8)

3.80 from 5 votes

White Bean Bruschetta Recipe

White Bean Bruschetta takes a simple can of white beans and elevates them with fresh aromatics like chopped basil, roasted garlic, and earthy olive oil. Spread the creamy topping on crisp rounds of bread and guests will devour these crunchy, creamy, bite-sized snacks.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 35 minutes mins

Total: 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Equipment

  • Food Processor

  • Skillet or Half Sheet Pan

Ingredients

  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 15-ounce can white beans, drained and rinsed (I like navy beans, cannellini, or great northern)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil, plus more for topping
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 small baguette, 3/4-inch slices
  • 10 leaves fresh basil, thinly sliced or chopped (optional for topping)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

  • Slice the head of garlic in half lengthwise so that you slice through the center of all of the cloves. Place the halves cut-side up on a piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Seal the foil tightly around the garlic. Roast until the garlic is very soft and golden, 35 to 45 minutes.

  • When the garlic is done roasting, unwrap it and wait until it is cool enough to handle. Gently squeeze each of the garlic cloves out of its peel. You may not need all of the roasted garlic for this recipe, so any you don't use can be saved and added to another recipe (it's great on pizza!).

  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine the roasted garlic cloves (start with half of the cloves and add more if you'd like, after tasting the spread), white beans, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a small amount of water if needed to loosen the spread.

  • Spread the baguette slices out on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil. Toast under the oven's broiler just until golden. Spread the top of each piece of toast with a generous spoonful of white bean spread. Top with basil and drizzle with olive oil. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 3toasts | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $3.00

Calories: 77

Keyword: easy appetizer, easy snack, party and entertaining, vegetarian

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Categorized as:
All Recipes, Appetizer

About Jess Smith

Jess is the recipe creator and photographer at InquiringChef.com. She spent nearly a decade as the Chief Recipe Developer for the award-winning meal planning app Cook Smarts. Her colorful, healthyish recipes have been featured in popular online publications including Parade, Hallmark, and HuffPost.

Read More About Me

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FAQs

Are cannellini beans the same as white beans? ›

Cannellini Beans: The Biggest White Bean of the Bunch

Cannellini Beans are also referred to as White Kidney Beans, a clue to their shape. Cannellini Beans are mild in flavor, with a light, nutty taste.

What is white bean and prosciutto bruschetta made of? ›

Combine 2 finely chopped garlic cloves, 2/3 cup diced prosciutto, a pinch of red pepper flakes and one 15-ounce can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed) in a food processor. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil and puree until smooth, adding a splash of water to loosen; season with salt.

Are small white beans the same as navy beans? ›

If a recipe calls for small white beans, it probably refers to Navy beans. This small, white bean is known by many names, including white pea, small white, Boston, Yankee, or fa*gioli. They're called Navy beans, not for their color but their presence as a staple product used by the US Navy.

Are butter beans and white beans the same? ›

Compared to cannellini beans, standard butter beans are quite large; the latter measures up to an inch and a half while cannellini beans typically grow no longer than ½ an inch. Moreover, in Italy and some parts of the United States, cannellini beans are also referred to as white kidney beans.

Which white beans are better cannellini or Great Northern? ›

"The difference between the two rests primarily with the heartiness of the cannellini over the northern," explains Vince Hayward, the president of Camellia Brand beans. "Because of the thicker skin, and slightly bolder bean taste, the cannellini lends itself better towards soups and stews," Hayward adds.

How to make bruschetta Martha Stewart? ›

Combine tomatoes, oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Toast cut side of baguette halves on grill or under broiler 1 to 2 minutes. While still hot, lightly rub cut surface with garlic. Spoon tomato mixture over bread with a slotted spoon, then add onion.

What type of tomato is most commonly used for bruschetta? ›

Something sweet and juicy, like heirloom tomatoes, tomatoes, vine tomatoes or Roma tomatoes. If making bruschetta when tomatoes are not in season, I recommend using grape or cherry tomatoes instead. Garlic – We will use just a clove to rub on the bread! Oil – The best extra-virgin olive oil you can afford!

What is the healthiest white bean? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What are the best canned white beans? ›

The best white bean is the cannellini bean—it's just so incredibly versatile thanks to its sturdy skin, cream texture, and neutral but slightly sweet flavor. And O Organics (an Albertsons brand) makes the best canned cannellini beans. They are meaty. They taste perfectly bean-y.

What pairs with white beans? ›

Because of their delicacy and subtlety, white beans are an excellent pairing with lighter meats like pork, chicken and even fish.

Are white beans cannellini or butter beans? ›

White beans are a family of beans, including Cannellini, navy, Great Northern, and butter beans. Although each variety is wonderfully versatile, they do have unique qualities. Cannellini beans are large and firm, so they hold up well in low and slow recipes like stews.

What are canned white beans called? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest white bean, with thin skin and a smooth, silky interior. They're often used when you want the bean to retain their traditional kidney shape, like in salads or other recipes where beans are kept whole.

Can I use white beans instead of cannellini beans? ›

If you don't have cannellini beans, substitute other dried white beans, like Great Northern or navy beans. If you don't have chard, use kale or spinach.

Are cannellini beans just white kidney beans? ›

Several types exist, though the most common are cannellini beans, which are also called white kidney beans. Tender, with an earthy, nutty flavor, they make a great addition to soups, stews, chilis, and other dishes. This article reviews the nutrient profile, benefits, and uses of white beans.

What bean is closest to cannellini? ›

The most common substitutes for Cannellini Beans are red kidney beans, great northern beans, butter beans, and black beans.

References

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