Tuscan-Style Panzanella Salad

Name: Tuscan-Style Panzanella Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups ciabatta bread, cubed; 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 avocado, sliced; arugula or spinach; 3 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar; 3 Tablespoon honey; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Updated: Nov 27th, 2020

Jump to Recipe

This Tuscan-style panzanella salad is made with crispy pan-fried bread, bursting cherry tomatoes, and a sweet balsamic dressing. Simple ingredients made into the most delicious salad that is a staple for any summer barbecue or picnic!

If you are a salad lover and have never tried an Italian panzanella salad, I’m here to convince you it’s time to try this deeelicious and unique bowl of greens! It will make even the pickiest eater a salad lover.

It’s fresh, loaded with summer veggies, and topped with crispy pan-fried bread and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. How could you not love a salad with bread in it?! It’s also super easy to prepare and filled with flavor.

My husband is crazy about this salad and is one of his most frequent requests as of late! Serve up this side summer salad for picnics or barbecues – it will be a sure crowd-pleaser no matter the occasion.

What is Panzanella Salad?

Panzanella is very popular is certain parts of Italy and was originally created to use up stale or leftover breads. The bread is then sautéed in olive oil so that the texture is crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside.

This salad usually consists of crispy bread, tomatoes, basil, and an olive oil dressing. It can be made in many different variations and is a staple recipe for summertime cooking!

How to Make It

Pan-fry the bread – in a little bit of olive oil stir cubed bread pieces for 2-4 minutes until crispy.

Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together in a liquid measuring cup.

Then arrange salad your panfried bread over top of greens, vegetables, with dressing drizzled over top. Yum!

Extra Tips And Substitutes

Extra ingredients to add to your panzanella salad: For veggies you can use your favorite greens, cucumbers, peppers, and red onions. I also love adding mozzarella cheese to this salad as well.
Leafy Greens: You can use any type of greens for the base of your salad. I recommend arugula, spinach, chopped kale, and mixed greens.
Types of bread you can use: You can use any type of french bread or rolls for the bread in this salad. I prefer ciabatta for its taste and texture. When fried it isn’t tough, but it perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Oils to use: I always use a quality olive oil or avocado oil in recipes like this. You can also use butter or vegan butter for cooking the bread.

More Delicious Salads To Enjoy

If you tried this Tuscan-Style Panzanella Salad recipe or any other recipe, don't forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, and FACEBOOK for more crave-worthy content.