Looking for a simple, delicious appetizer and/or dip? This Italian Bruschetta Dip is about as easy as it gets and is filled with creamy and fresh flavors! Made with a goat cheese and cream cheese base and topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic, it’s served with dippers of your choice, for the ultimate crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
This summery dip has three fun parts to it: a creamy base, a bruschetta topping, and the dippers you serve with it!
Creamy Base
The base is a simple mixture of goat cheese, (half a block of) cream cheese, and olive oil. If you don’t love goat cheese, you’re welcome to make it with only cream cheese, and if you’re not a cream cheese fan, a base of only goat cheese is also welcome. However, I think that the two whipped together make the perfect creamy and savory dip mixture.
Bruschetta Topping
The bruschetta topping is made with tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. The garlic can be powder if desired, but I’d definitely recommend the basil be fresh. It will not quite have the same summer-fresh taste without it. Look for ripe tomatoes, especially in season to make this topping perfection!
*Doesn’t this recipe need salt? You are welcome to add a hint of salt to the topping if desired. However, I’d recommend trying it first. The topping alone could use it, but once paired with the base, it’s no longer needed. The saltiness of the goat cheese reduces the need for extra salt.
Served With
Serve with whatever dippers you’d like! I’m gluten free, so I usually slice up and toast some gluten free baguettes to make gluten free crostinis. You’re also welcome to use pita chips, or crackers, kettle or corn chips, crisp vegetables, and more!
Variations
Gluten Free – This dip is naturally gluten free. Just make sure to use gluten free dippers!
Vegan and/or Dairy Free – To make this dip dairy free/vegan, use 1½ tubs/blocks of vegan cream cheese for the base (it will essentially make a whipped cream cheese base instead) in place of the regular cream cheese and goat cheese. If you go this route, you may want to add a tiny bit of salt to taste as well.
Making Your Bruschetta Dip
Step 1 – To make the base, pulse goat cheese, cream cheese, and olive oil in a food processor just until combined and smooth (see above photographs to see about how the texture should look. Once done, use a spatula to help spread the dip on a large plate or small serving platter. Store in fridge until later.
Step 2 – Make the topping. Tomatoes should be diced and lightly squeezed to remove excess seeds, then mixed with other ingredients, and refrigerated for an hour, then drained.
Step 3 – Assemble and serve with various dippers per recipe below!
*For leftovers: Cover the dip in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Dip also makes a great bagel or toasted bread topper!
Fun & Easy Dips
Want your party to be easy and budget-friendly? Try one of these other super-simple (and as always gluten free) dips & appetizers made with summery fresh ingredients: Healthy Gluten Free Taco/7 Layer Dip, Easy Pizza Dip, and Healthy Fruit Salsa with Gluten Free Cinnamon Chips.
Here’s to entertaining where you can kick back and relax and regaining our sparkle together,
✧❈✯✦Jenn✦✯❈✧
Bruschetta Dip
Ingredients
Base
- 8 ounces goat cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Topping
- 4-5 vine ripe tomatoes diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 garlic cloves minced or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.75 ounce package or ¼ cup basil sliced into small strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
To Serve With
- Optional: balsamic glaze
- Various dippers such as gluten free crostinis, pita chips, or crackers, kettle or corn chips, crisp vegetables, and more!
Instructions
(Base)
- Pulse goat cheese, cream cheese, and olive oil in food processor just until combined and smooth. Spread on a large plate or small serving platter. Store in fridge until later.
(Topping)
- Dice the tomatoes. Very gently squeeze out the seeds and juice.
- Add diced tomatoes to a bowl and mix with 2 garlic cloves minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder).
- Add basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar and stir gently. Place in the refrigerator for an hour to allow flavor to meld (if you are in a rush serving immediately is fine too, it will just have slightly less flavor).
(Serving)
- Remove tomato mixture from fridge and strain out the juices. Add atop the goat cheese mixture.
- Optional: drizzle with balsamic glaze
- Serve alongside various dippers such as gluten free crostinis, pita chips, or crackers, kettle or corn chips, crisp vegetables, and more!
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