This Appetizer with Pesto, Burrata, and Roasted Tomatoes is gorgeous, versatile, and delicious! This recipe features fresh roasted cherry tomatoes, delicate burrata cheese, and warm, crispy baguette crostini topped with a pop of green from fresh basil pesto.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Laurie raved: “One of the best tasting things I’ve ever made – insanely good!”
Much like your favorite traditional bruschetta recipe, this is a perfect recipe for entertaining or as a fancy plated meal starter. My friend Patty turned me on to this amazing recipe originally from the Magnolia Table Vol. II cookbook, with a few tweaks of course!
For a complete buffet chock full of appetizers, try adding some Homemade Mediterranean Dip or a fresh batch of Blender Salsa and Tortilla Chips.
Then get out the air fryer for some fast recipes like my Air Fryer Pretzel Bites with Easy Beer Cheese to dip them in! I am sensing a football watch party with these yummy appetizers!
So, what is burrata anyway?
Burrata is a cow’s milk cheese that comes in a water-packed container. The cheese ball is a fresh mozzarella cheese outside with sweet cream center giving it a rich, buttery flavor. And the texture of this cheese is creamy inside and has a delicate cheese coating outside. – YUM!
What is Burrata Salad?
You might even call this a burrata salad! What is a burrata salad you ask!? Creamy burrata loaded with roasted tomatoes, pesto and fresh basil — this would be delicious served with a handful of arugula and served individually!
Simple Ingredients for Pesto Appetizer
Crostini
- Baguette | I like to use Italian or French bread slices- but you can use any fresh crusty bread sliced into thick pieces. The longer you bake it, the crunchier the middle will be, so bake to your crunchy preference.
- Olive Oil | For a more pungent taste, I use EVOO, but if you want that mild olive oil presence, you can use regular olive oil.
- Kosher Salt | The larger salt is easy to pick up and sprinkle over your bread. And it looks nice too! You can use flaky sea salt if you want a stronger salt taste and don’t forget a little fresh ground black pepper.
- Cherry Tomatoes | Fresh tomatoes are best here, roasting them will make them sweet, juicy tomatoes.
Burrata Pesto Appetizer Ingredients
- Burrata Cheese | This type of cheese comes water-packed. Once removed from the water-filled container, I recommend gently patting it dry to remove excess moisture, so the pesto doesn’t slip right off.
- Pesto Sauce | You can choose store-bought pesto or follow my recipe for Easy Homemade Basil Pesto Sauce.
- Fresh Basil | Chiffonade the basil leaves and sprinkle on top for a pop of color and taste.
- Pine Nuts | Toasted pine nuts sprinkled on top to give an extra crunch. Try roasted pumpkin seeds too!
- Balsamic Vinegar | A flavorful drizzle of balsamic reduction is optional. Still, it really pulls all the flavors together and adds a sweet tang.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Italian Burrata Pesto Crostini
Step 1 | Prepare the Crostini
As the oven is preheating, slice the baguette into thick slices (about ¼-½ inch), so they hold up to all the delicious toppings. Then lay them on a foil-lined baking sheet; that way, clean-up is so much quicker!
Brush one side of each slice with olive oil. For easy application, pour your olive oil into a small dish, dip it in a pastry brush and then brush the oil onto one side of your baguette.
Now, lay them on the large baking sheet and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
Bake the sliced and seasoned bread pieces until golden brown, rotating the pan once halfway through to ensure even crisping.
When they are perfectly crispy and golden, remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack.
Store the cooled crostini in a zippered bag or an airtight container for up to 3 days.
How to Roast Cherry Tomatoes
Step 2 | Prepare the Tomatoes
Now it is time to make the roasted tomatoes. Turn the oven heat up to 450 degrees. While that temp is climbing, you’ll wash and dry your tomatoes. Before slicing and placing them on your baking sheet in a single layer, the juices stay with the tomato halves, and they don’t slip away!
Oh, and there is no need to grease your pan– though you may add a layer of foil or parchment paper for an easy clean-up.
Season and Coat the Tomatoes
Pour olive oil on top of the cherry tomatoes, turning them with your hands, or use a spoon to coat them thoroughly. And it is time for the oven.
Roast the Tomatoes in the Oven
Pop the pan of tomatoes into the hot oven and bake as directed.
Set aside your baking sheet to cool while you prep the pesto burrata appetizer.
Fresh Tips
- If you like a more caramelized taste, you can allow the roasting tomatoes to bake longer, looking for darkness around the edges.
- Suppose you want to make this appetizer ahead of time. In that case, the cooked tomatoes may be cooled completely and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
Step 3 | Assemble the Pesto Bruschetta Appetizers
First, remove the burrata ball from the water-filled container. Then pat the burrata cheese dry with paper towels. Arrange the cheese on a large, beautiful serving platter or a favorite rimmed bowl.
Slice the creamy burrata with a sharp knife to ensure you get through the various textures. Or you can use a spoon to cut each burrata into quarters, pulling them apart slightly.
Sprinkle on the roasted tomatoes, and finish it off with a drizzle of homemade pesto or jarred pesto and olive oil.
If desired, garnish the dish with freshly cut basil and toasted pine nuts and even if desired, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or glaze.
Finally, sprinkle the servings with flaky sea salt and pepper to taste.
Take your Burrata crostini with pesto recipe to the next level! Sprinkle some shaved parmesan cheese. Then add a little balsamic glaze swirl for a stunning presentation. Brilliant!
Variations & Substitutions
- Gluten-free Options | Instead of French bread, use a gluten-free bread, or use sliced carrot chips, cucumber slices, or GF crackers. Or just give them a spoon! Wink-Wink!
- Pesto | Feel free to add a layer of smashed garlic cloves right after you apply your olive oil, and then add the fresh pesto for an even bolder flavor. Instead of pesto, try using a tomato bruschetta.
- Dairy-Free Burrata Appetizer | If you can’t have dairy in this original recipe, there is a solution for you. Just substitute for dairy-free, vegan mozzarella shreds or goat cheese- depending on your allergy or preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use sliced mozzarella, cream cheese, or feta cheese if you are not a fan of the sweet cream added to the burrata or cannot find burrata in your store.
While mozzarella is more elastic and stringy and a little more delicate in flavor, burrata is creamier and has much more flavor and is a super soft cheese great for topping pastas, using in appetizers and more.
Burrata cheese is a soft, creamy cheese with an amazing buttery flavor. It has a stringy mozzarella texture exterior or skin and is filled with creamy interior.
You sure can. You can opt for grape tomatoes, plum, and if desired, forget about the roasting and use sun-dried tomatoes.
Storage Tips
To store this appetizer and retain its fresh flavors, or if you are making it ahead of time, you can place the individual components in an airtight container for up to two days! Or prep it all and place in fridge covered with plastic wrap for up to one hour before serving. Bring to room temp about 15 minutes before serving.
Keep the crostini at room temperature and refrigerate the remainder of the ingredients.
Make Ahead Tip
Make the roasted tomatoes ahead if warm tomatoes are not preferred. Toast the bread slices and store until ready to use. And make the pesto ahead or use a jar of your favorite, and so on!
Even More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Share
- Goat Cheese Log with Hot Honey, Fig & Pistachios
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
- Air Fryer Fried Pickles
- Jalapeno Poppers
- Charcuterie Cups so fun, creative and customizable.
- Pesto Pinwheels
I hope you loved this pesto appetizer recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
Crostini
- 1 16 ounce baguette sliced into ¼-½ inch slices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or flaky sea salt
- black pepper optional
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes washed, halved (may use grape tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Burrata Pesto Appetizer
- 8 ounce burrata cheese 2-4 burrata balls in water
- 3-4 tablespoons pesto try homemade pesto!
- 3-4 leaves fresh basil chiffonade
- 1-2 tablespoons pine nuts toasted
- balsamic glaze drizzle if desired
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for drizzling if desired
Instructions
Make Crostini
- Preheat oven to 425F degrees and slice baguette to ¼-½ inch thick slices.
- Brush one side of each slice with olive oil and lay on foil lined pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes — rotating pan half way through. Let cool on pan 30 minutes before serving, store cooled crostini in airtight container up to three days.
Roast Cherry Tomatoes
- Increase heat to 450 degrees. In a bowl, toss halved cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Lay in a single layer on prepared sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes, until browned and soft.
- Set aside to cool while you prep the pesto burrata appetizer. (Or may be cooled completely, stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.)
Assemble Pesto Burrata Appetizer
- Remove burrata ball from water and pat dry with paper towels, lay out on larger platter or rimmed bowl.
- Slice or use spoon to cut each burrata into quarters or eighths, pulling apart slightly.Sprinkle on tomatoes, drizzle pesto and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add basil and pine nuts, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and pepper. If desired, add a little swirl of balsamic glaze.
- Serve immediately with crostini or for your gluten-free friends, use gluten-free crackers, carrot chips or just give them a spoon! Wink-Wink!
Notes
Nutrition
Laurie Fisher
One of the best tasting things I’ve ever made – insanely good!
Thank you soo much Laurie!! I agree!
Kathi
I made this twice last weekend with a lot of family and friend get togethers. Everyone loved it The first time the tomatoes were still warm, I made my only pesto with lots of garlic and I toasted the pine nuts but forgot the basil slivers.
The second time i roasted tomatoes ahead of time, forgot to roast pine nuts but put on and remembered the basil slivers. It was a hit both ways! will definitely make again.
So glad you loved it both ways!!
Chenee
OOH this looks so delicious! I plan on trying it this weekend.
You’ll love it!
Justine
Wow, was this ever fantastic. Not only does it look gorgeous, it has such gorgeous flavor! The burrata is so creamy and the pesto is so fresh – it’s absolutely delicious.
So glad you loved it!
Nathan
This looks like an excellent appetizer, such a classic blend of flavors. Can’t wait to try it, I love anything that involves a nice crostini!
Me too!! Thanks, Nathan!
MJ
This was perfect for our summer party! So scrumptious and easy. Thanks!
Thank you!!
Sara Welch
This was such a quick and easy recipe that truly delivers on flavor! So delicious; I can’t wait to serve this again at our next party, indeed!
Fabulous Sara, so glad you liked it, thank you for your kind comment!
Jess
This is the perfect appetizer! We love it.
I couldn’t agree more!
kushigalu
Love pesto, and this pesto appetizer looks fantastic., Thanks for sharing
You are welcome!
Cara
A show-stopper of an appetizer – my friends absolutely loved it. Saving it to make again next time I’m entertaining!
A great recipe for entertaining!
Michelle
Such a flavorful combo! The roasted tomatoes take it over the top.
They truly do!
Tara
Oooh, you had me at burrata. It is a favorite cheese of mine. This looks absolutely amazing with such wonderful flavors.
Mine too!
Anjali
This is such a fresh and easy appetizer! We served it alongside our pasta dinner last night and it was delicious!
Perfect with pasta!
Aimee Mars
This is incredible! Over the weekend I had burrata for the first time and found myself craving it. So glad I found this recipe – delicious!
YAY!
Diana Reis
I love a new way to use a classic combination. This is perfect for holiday appetizers.
It really is Diana, thank you!
Mirlene
This is one easy appetizer recipe thats really delicious! Love the burrata cheese mixed with the pesto sauce and the crunch of the pine nuts!
Thank you!
Michaela Kenkel
I made this last night for a get-together with some friends. Everyone wanted the recipe!! It is just delicious!
It is one of those kinds of recipes!
Erin
I made this for gameday grazing last weekend, and it was gone before halftime! We loved it and will for sure make it again.
Perfect for grazing. So glad you loved it.
Lynn
This is one of my favorite appetizers! It’s so easy to make and it always hits the spot. Yum!
Love hearing that! Thanks!
Mindy
I had a lot of leftover Costco pesto so I used that. My new favorite appetizer. I even made it for lunch again yesterday! I could seriously eat this everyday.
So perfect! So flavorful!