Cherry Tomato Ricotta Toast is an easy appetizer recipe that is the perfect way to use fresh summer tomatoes. Whipped ricotta cheese and herby tomatoes come together for a delicious treat!
Every year, I plant a small garden for fresh vegetables and herbs. I always plant multiple tomato plants including cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and heirloom tomatoes. My house is full of tomatoes but I don't enjoy eating raw tomatoes! Baking the tomatoes with olive oil and herbs brings out their natural sweetness and is one of my favorite ways to enjoy these fresh tomatoes.
If you are busting at the seams this tomato season, here are a few other recipes highlighting the fresh fruit. This Vegetable Bruschetta uses fresh cherry tomatoes and squash baked together and then topped on a crunchy crostini. Or, try this One Pan Roasted Fish with Garlic Cherry Tomatoes. Fresh fish is baked with cherry tomatoes for the fresh and simple fish dinner.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy! This recipe looks like it would take a lot of time but it doesn't! Just bake, blend, and toast, and your simple toast will be ready.
- Full of Summer Flavor. The sweet tomatoes and fresh herbs bring out the best of summer flavor.
- Versatile! Serve this recipe as an appetizer, or a light lunch, or add protein to make this a meal.
Ingredients
Head to your local grocery store or, better yet, garden to snatch up these ingredients.
- The Cherry Tomatoes act as the base of this recipe and provide the sweet flavor.
- The tomatoes are cooked in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Basil, and Fresh Garlic. The tomatoes soften when cooking and richness and depth are added.
- Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese and Honey are whipped together to create a creamy base for the toast.
- Fresh Italian Bread is toasted to create a crunchy base.
Exact ingredient measurements can be found below in the recipe card.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use grape tomatoes, Campari Tomatoes, or Sungold Tomatoes in place of cherry tomatoes. Any small tomato will work in this recipe.
- Add your favorite herbs! Top toast with rosemary, oregano, or thyme.
- Use agave nectar in place of the honey.
- Dried Garlic Powder can be used in place of the minced garlic.
- Whip feta cheese in place of ricotta cheese for a saltier version.
- Top toast with pepperoni and shredded mozzarella cheese to make this a pizza toast!
- Substitute French Bread for a larger bread. You could also use sourdough bread or any thick slice of bread.
- For extra flavor, top the toast with fresh basil after baking.
Equipment
- A small food processor is used to whip the ricotta cheese and honey together.
- The tomatoes are cooked in a medium baking dish. I like to use a glass pie plate.
- Toast the bread in the toaster or directly in the oven.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Toss tomatoes with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Dried Basil, and Minced Garlic Cloves. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and begin to burst.
Step 2: While the tomatoes are baking, add the ricotta cheese, honey, and black pepper to a small food processor. Pulse the ingredients together until the mixture is light and smooth.
Step 3: Toast the bread until lightly golden brown.
Step 4: Remove the tomatoes from the oven when they begin to burst. Top the toast with ricotta and tomato mixture. Enjoy!
Top tip
Use high-quality olive oil. The olive oil really enhances the flavor of the tomatoes and gives them a savory flavor. Try this Graza Olive Oil! You will be dipping extra bread right into the leftover oil mixture.
Storage
Once cooled, store any of the leftover tomato mixture refrigerated in an airtight container. Store the whipped ricotta in the refrigerator. You can use these ingredients to make more toast by reheating the leftover tomatoes.
FAQ
A thick, sturdy bread is best for this recipe. I like to use sliced Italian bread or a crostini when I am serving this as an appetizer because this bread is smaller and almost bite-sized. If I am making this for a quick lunch, I like to use thick slices of French bread or sourdough.
Small, round tomatoes are best to make this toast. Cherry Tomatoes, Grape Tomatoes, and Sunburst Tomatoes are all great options. There are so many varieties of tomatoes. Choose a small and sweet tomato and, remember, fresher is better!
You can serve this toast hot out of the oven. However, if are serving this as a party appetizer, room temperature is still delicious. To keep the bread from becoming soggy, you could serve this toast as a 'build your own' and serve the ricotta and tomato mixture in individual small bowls.
If you want to take this appetizer to the next level, try one of these options:
- Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze
- Add a little spicy honey
- Add an extra pinch of salt
- Add some crushed red pepper flakes
Related
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with ricotta toast:
Cherry Tomato Ricotta Toast (Easy Appetizer Recipe)
Equipment
- Small Food Processor
- Medium Baking Dish
- Toaster
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon EVOO
- 2 teaspoon Dried Basil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¾ teaspoon Black Pepper (Divided)
- 2 Garlic Cloves - Minced
- 1 cup Ricotta
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 French Bread - Loaf
- Balsamic Glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss cherry tomatoes, dried basil, salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil in an oven-safe baking dish. Bake 20-25 minutes until tomatoes are soft and beginning to burst.
- While tomatoes are baking, make whipped ricotta. Add ricotta, honey, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to a food processor. Blend for 2 minutes until the ricotta is smooth.
- Slice French bread and lightly toast.
- Top toast with ricotta cheese and cherry tomatoes.
- If desired, add balsamic glaze on top.
