This mouthwatering recipe is one that you’ll begin to crave after you try it! Sweet Chili Avocado Bagel Bruschetta combines tangy goat cheese, creamy avocado, red onion and sweet chili sauce on a toasted bagel (gluten-free or regular)!
For those who are frequent diners at Italian restaurants, ‘bruschetta’ will be all too familiar. Perhaps the most popular appetizer, along with Insalata Caprese, bruschetta traditionally is a slice of Italian bread toasted with a bit of olive oil and garlic and topped with chopped tomatoes and basil. The crisp exterior of the bread combined with the flavorful fresh tomatoes and basil is irresistible. It was a favorite of mine which went by the wayside when becoming gluten-free.
A number of years ago we began to frequent a little trattoria in our North Boulder neighborhood. It is a small venue with indoor and outdoor seating providing a charming, cozy ambiance. Visiting in the late afternoon, when the sun is beginning to sink in the sky became out habit. The restaurant is aglow and the outdoor dining is temperature-perfect having dodged the searing rays of summer sun but still warm often with balmy breezes.
Probably the highlight of the restaurant find were both that they serve delicious gluten-free options and that they have a wickedly well-priced Happy Hour that runs about three hours (I love the sangria!). On our first visit we ordered an assortment of happy hour options to share to get a sense of their food. I fell immediately, head over heels in love with a version of a bruschetta they customized on a gluten-free focaccia.
For me this is one of those dishes that calls to you as soon as you walk into the restaurant. My mouth begins to water and I never order anything else which goes against my normal MO at restaurants. I realized I might have an issue when we were entertaining a long time friend visiting from out of town whom we’d taken to the restaurant.
I began to order my beloved dish and the waitress was tentative, unsure, not fully conveying she knew that they offered this dish in a gluten-free form. The back of my neck became anxiously prickly with sweat. I began to over-explain the dish, speaking way too fast as I nervously fumbled through my iPhone camera roll knowing I’d posted a photo on Instagram of my coveted dish to show her, prove to her, indeed they did make it.
I looked up, desperately, meeting the gaze of my normally unflappable husband who was reflecting what I felt; that I might be acting insane.
Needless to say the server, who I believe was new and fortunately not easily frightened, consulted with the kitchen and all was delivered to the table. The degree of relief I felt hinted to me that perhaps I needed to break my addiction with another dish next time, that maybe my well-being, and that of my fellow diners might benefit from something that excited me a bit less.
It was a fleeting thought that has never surfaced again when looking at the menu and I continue to order this same dish every time we visit.
At the risk of riling up your salivary glands and anticipation, I’ve created a take on my favorite dish at home. Finding the bread key to a bruschetta I’ve made a bagel version which allows that perfect crust on the top and soft insides. The combination of the salty tang of goat cheese, the smooth ripe avocado, bite of paper-thin red onion and the finishing touch of sweet chili sauce are perfection.
This is a wonderful option as an appetizer or a main dish coupled with a salad of spring greens. It’s a satisfying meatless option that I’d venture might become a favorite on your table.
This Sweet Chili Avocado Bagel Bruschetta recipe is so simple to make and a wonderland of textures and flavors. Tangy, salty goat cheese, sweet chili sauce (which can be found in the Asian section of the grocery store), creamy avocado and ultra thin onion slices. All on a toasted bagel.
Interested in some new ideas like this one for using bagels? I love making mini personal bagel pizzas. They are the perfect portion size and easy to make. Making Homemade Everything Bagel Chips are great for dipping or to pair with a meat and cheese platter. I also love using them in Everything Bagel Sausage Dressing. They have a wonderful texture for stuffing and everything-style bagels have loads of onion and garlic flavor!
Sweet Chili Avocado Bagel Bruschetta
Ingredients
- 2 bagels (I used Udi's Plain Gluten-Free bagels)
- 1 tablespoons Unsalted Butter , melted
- 1 Avocado , ripe yet firm; halved, each half sliced vertically into 8 slices and removed from outer skin
- 1 small Red Onion , aproximately 3 inches diameter
- 2 ounces Goat Cheese , crumbled
- 2 tablespoons Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Heat the broiler in the oven.
- Slice the end off one side of the onion and slice one quarter of the onion into paper-thin slices. Remove the outer peel.
- Combine the sweet chili sauce and olive oil. Stir to fully combine.
- Halve the bagels and lightly toast on a low setting in the toaster. Place the toasted halved on a baking sheet cut side facing up. Brush the cut side with the melted butter.
- Place under the broiler for 15-30 seconds watching the entire time. The tops should lightly brown but can burn quickly to as soon as they begin to turn golden, remove from the oven.
- Place one fourth of the goat cheese on each bagel half, followed by 4 avocado slices, one fourth of the onions slices and finally drizzle each equally with the sweet chili sauce. Serve warm.
Nutrition
This delicious recipe was originally published in February 2014 and has been updated in 2017.
Amy Desrosiers says
I love avocado so much! It really does complement foods like chili perfectly.
Olivia Douglass says
You’re speaking my language here– avocado and bagels! I’m going to have to make these. Yum!
Jeanine says
Wow this takes bagels to a whole other level. I am missing out with my plain ol bagel with just butter. This looks incredible.
Tara says
I saw this and started drooling, I swear. My family will love me for making this.
Jeni Hawkins says
This looks so good! I need to give them a try soon.
Kelly says
This looks fantastic! I bet the avocado pairs perfectly with the chili.
Liz Mays says
Wow, these just sound so good. The bagels were definitely a good choice. I could eat so many of these!
Shauna says
Oh my goodness, I can almost taste how fabulous this is. It looks amazing. I am a big bagel-lover and would love to make these. Thanks for sharing
mitch says
I love, love, love sweet chili sauce! I am so glad it is now mass marketed! And I am sure it is delicious with avocado!
Bridgette says
Looks delish! And easy, too! Definitely adding this to my meal plan.
Jen Rattie says
That’s a power breakfast if I ever saw one. Avocado is my jam, so I am very excited to try making this. Om nom nom.
Toni Dash says
It’s funny, I never thought about eating it for breakfast! It’s really a lunch/dinner type thing but you are right, it would be great for breakfast too!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That look so good! This is exactly the type of thing I love to have for breakfast. All that protein and healthy fat is a great start.
Toni Dash says
You are the second person who mentioned eating this for breakfast! It’s really a lunch or dinner dish but I suppose you could eat it for breakfast too.
Jeanette says
Oh my gosh is that what delicious! I could eat the right off the screen! I will definitely be trying this out in the next week.
Amanda Love says
It does look like perfection. It sometimes happen to me as well, whenever I can’t remember a dish that I’m seriously craving for! This is perfect for the Spring or Summer weather! I would love to make it!
marla says
I love your creative twist on bruschetta!
Colleen says
Riled up indeed! I want to eat this every day for the rest of my life. It’s amazing how the right ingredients, plus the “visual excitement,” inspire one. Thank you for sharing this recipe so that those of us who can’t get to the Boulder trattoria can still enjoy the essence.
Toni Dash says
Since you were ‘said friend’ who was there during my forthy anxiety attack I’m sure this is all the more personal for you too!
Rajlakshmi says
That Looks absolutely yummy. Thanks for the recipe.
Viviane Bauquet Farre - Food and Style says
Wow, Toni — my mouth was watering just reading your description! A great find, and a great recreation. Thanks for sharing!
Ginny McMeans says
What a wonderful combination. I can just taste these. Thanks!
Susan says
Essentially everything I love in a sandwich and on a bagel to boot!
cheri says
I love avocados on toast so this is right up my alley. Looks delicious!
Amy Stafford says
I love bagels, they are my Saturday indulgence with avocado and sweet chili sauce OH-MY!
Julia says
It has been aaaaaaaaages since I’ve had a bagel! After seeing your photos, I’m craving a nice toasty one right now. I absolutely love goat cheese and avocado and am always a fan of a little chili kick, so this is calling my name!
Toni Dash says
As you gathered from the post, I’m mad for this. The flavors are perfect together to me. It’s so filling too. Having it on a gluten-free bagel really is great as well! Wish you were closer; I’d invite you over for lunch!
Marnely Rodriguez-Murray says
This looks like the perfect lunch – YUM!
Toni Dash says
Marnely I have to agree. The flavors and textures are perfection!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Oh how I would like that to be my breakfast this morning
Toni Dash says
I agree Paula! I’d eat this for any meal.