Fresh Garden Panzanella with Creamy Avocado

Name: Fresh Garden Panzanella with Creamy Avocado
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 loaf crusty sourdough or ciabatta bread, cut into 1 inch cubes; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped; 1 cucumber, sliced into half moons; 1 red onion, thinly sliced; 1 ripe avocado, diced; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; Salt and black pepper to taste

A refreshing Tuscan bread salad that combines crunchy garlic bread with ripe vegetables and creamy avocado.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Italian· July 20, 2026

Fresh Garden Panzanella with Creamy Avocado

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

12 minutes

Total

27 minutes

Serves

There is something so special about a good Panzanella during the warmer months. It is the perfect way to use up crusty bread while celebrating the bounty of a fresh garden, and it never fails to satisfy a crowd.

My favorite thing about this dish is how the bread soaks up the vinaigrette while still keeping a bit of that wonderful crunch. Adding creamy avocado gives it a modern twist that makes it feel extra luxurious on a sunny afternoon.

🧺 Ingredients

1 loaf crusty sourdough or ciabatta bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, sliced into half moons
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 ripe avocado, diced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2
Toss the bread cubes with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the minced garlic on a baking sheet.
3
Bake the bread for about 10 to 12 minutes until it is golden and crisp, then let it cool slightly.
4
In a large serving bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
5
Add the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and toasted bread to the bowl with the dressing.
6
Toss everything gently to coat the bread.
7
Fold in the diced avocado and fresh basil right before serving to keep the avocado from getting mushy.

💡 Tips

This salad is best enjoyed within an hour of mixing so the bread stays perfectly textured. If you need to make it ahead, keep the dressing and avocado separate until the last minute.

#Salad #Vegetarian #Summer #Fresh #Healthy

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