This Caprese Garlic Bread takes everything you love about a Caprese salad and piles it onto warm, crispy ciabatta. Each slice is slathered with garlicky butter, then topped with fresh mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and plenty of basil. A drizzle of sweet, tangy balsamic glaze ties it all together for the perfect mix of crunchy, creamy, and bright.

A hand pours balsamic glaze over caprese garlic bread topped with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil.
Blue cursive text reads "Lucy's notes" on a transparent background.

I can eat this garlic bread as a meal in the summertime. Give me some prosciutto on the side and a couple pieces of this caprese garlic bread and I’m happy. Throw in an Aperol spritz and it’s like being in Italy. 👌🏻

Testing results for caprese garlic bread

  1. We tested this recipe with ciabatta bread because it’s made with olive oil and is a moist bread that’s perfect for toasting.
  2. Our tasters preferred fresh Buffalo mozzarella over the pearls or shredded mozzarella. It melts creamier and has a light, mild flavor.
  3. We opted for cherry tomatoes, but any tomato would work in this recipe.
Person with shoulder-length blond hair and blue glasses smiling indoors in front of a red brick wall.

I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!

Our garlic butter is perfect on this bread. Smear it on before toasting the bread. And we used our balsamic reduction for the glaze. You can use store-bought to make it easier, but it only takes about 20 minutes to make a balsamic glaze, and you can store it for weeks in the refrigerator.

Three slices of caprese garlic bread topped with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze on a white plate.

Ingredient notes

Here are a few things to know about the ingredients in this recipe.

➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.

Bread: We prefer ciabatta for this recipe.

Garlic butter: You can make this garlic butter recipe and keep some in the refrigerator and freezer. It is good on so many things.

Fresh mozzarella: The fresh creamy Buffalo mozzarella works well on this bread.

Balsamic glaze: We keep a jar of homemade balsamic reduction in the refrigerator year-round. If you don’t want to make your own, Nonna Pia’s is a great store-bought option.

Pin this now to save it for later

How to make Caprese garlic bread

  1. Cut bread into eight slices and spread each slice with garlic butter.
  2. Toast the bread 8-10 minutes, then top with cheese, tomatoes, and basil. Add salt and pepper.
  3. Garnish with torn basil leaves and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Two slices of caprese garlic bread topped with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze on a white plate, with a glass of red wine and basil leaves nearby.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!

Join Southern Food and Fun Community group
and Southern Potluck group!

And please follow us on social media:

Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!
No ratings yet

Caprese Garlic Bread Recipe

Crispy ciabatta topped with garlic butter, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze — this Caprese Garlic Bread is fresh and full of flavor.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 pieces
Save This Recipe
Toasted bread topped with ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze on a white plate.

Ingredients 

  • 1 ciabatta loaf
  • 4 tablespoons garlic butter, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 large handful fresh basil
  • ½ cup balsamic glaze
Save this recipe to your inbox!
Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut the 1 ciabatta loaf into 8 slices and spread the top of each slice with the 4 tablespoons garlic butter, at room temperature.
    Eight slices of bread topped with herb butter are arranged on parchment paper with a butter knife and a partially unwrapped stick of herb butter nearby.
  • Arrange the ciabatta slices on the baking sheet then bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until the bread is crisp and golden.
    A slice of toasted bread on a white plate, with bowls of cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves nearby on a dark surface.
  • Remove the bread from the oven. Tear the 8 ounces fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and place them on top of the bread.
    A slice of bread with white cheese on a white plate, next to bowls of cherry tomatoes and cheese, and fresh basil leaves on a dark surface.
  • Cut the 2 cups cherry tomatoes in half and arrange them in piles on top of the mozzarella.
    A slice of bread topped with ricotta, cherry tomato halves, and basil sits on a white plate beside bowls of tomatoes, ricotta, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
  • Add 1 large handful fresh basil to each slice, some salt and pepper and drizzle over 1/2 cup balsamic glaze. Enjoy!
    A hand pours balsamic glaze from a small glass pitcher onto a slice of caprese garlic bread topped with mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece, Calories: 303kcal, Carbohydrates: 48g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 466mg, Potassium: 155mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 377IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 163mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 303
Keyword: Caprese Garlic Bread, caprese garlic bread recipe
Leave a comment and ★★★★★ rating below!

Questions and tips

Storage

Caprese garlic bread is best served and eaten immediately. We don’t find that leftovers do well. But also, we don’t usually have leftovers of this bread because it’s so good!

Can I melt the mozzarella cheese?

If you prefer the cheese melted, just place it on the bread before toasting.

Can I use sliced regular tomatoes?

You can use any tomatoes in this recipe. We opted for cherry tomatoes because they’re pretty and bite-sized, but slices of larger tomatoes would work fine.

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

Read More About Me

Follow Lucy on social media:

Posted in:

, ,

You May Also Like:

Sign up with your email address to receive a 5-day series of Southern Cooking Secrets, followed by weekly emails with recipes and tips. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating