Pan con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Toast)
Pan con Tomate is a traditional Catalan dish made with fresh bread, tomato, garlic, salt, and olive oil. Easy to make, and ready in 15 minutes or less Spanish tomato toast is a vegan and dairy-free breakfast, starter, and tapa for any occasion.
It can be difficult to navigate a foreign country with dietary restrictions. This was hardly my experience in Spain; helpful icons detailing allergens were the rule rather than the exception on most restaurant menus, which made selecting dishes easier.
Another thing that made selecting dishes easier, tapas. And what are tapas if not glorified snacks?
I am a snacker. I have snacks with me at all times of day, just in case I get hungry. My affinity for snacking makes tapas my ideal dining concept. You order a small plate, snack on it, order another plate if you are hungry, continue snacking and so on.
So while I was snacking my way through Spain, I came across a dish which checked all my food boxes (dairy free, reasonably priced, delicious). Pan con Tomate.
What is Pan con Tomate?
Quite literally, pan con tomate translates to “bread with tomato”. This traditional Catalan dish features thick slices of bread topped with garlic, tomato, salt, and olive oil.
One of the things I noticed as we traveled through Spain was how each region varied in their preparation and presentation for tomato toast.
In Barcelona, they rubbed the garlic and tomato on the bread instead of shredding it into a paste. Restaurants in Madrid, served the tomato mixture on the side for you to assemble. Girona served their Pan Con Tomate with scallions on top, an excellent touch. But my favorite is spooned on top with sea salt.
Reasons we Love Spanish Tomato Toast
You already know my affinity for snacks and toast so it should come as no surprise that in the summer months I am smitten with this pan con tomate recipe.
- Juicy summer tomatoes. You simply cannot beat a well salted tomato in the summer fresh off the vine.
- Naturally dairy-free. No need to make swaps or omissions to the recipe.
- Pairs well with just about anything. From pasta, to eggs, to seafood and more you can dish this Spanish tomato toast out with it all.
How to Make Pan con Tomate
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Tomatoes– I like to use Roma tomatoes for this recipe but you could also use tomatoes on the vine.
- Garlic– Microplaned into a paste.
- Salt– Kosher salt works best in this recipe.
- Olive oil– For drizzling on the top and on the bread.
- Bread– A loaf of bread sliced into 1/2 inch thick pieces.
Directions for Spanish Tomato Toast
- Grate tomatoes: Over a medium sized mixing bowl, grate 2 tomatoes until you reach their skins.
- Add garlic + Salt: Microplane 1 clove of garlic and add into the tomato mixture with 1 teaspoon Kosher salt.
- Slice bread to ½-1 in thickness and spread onto a rimmed baking sheet.
- Broil on high for 3 minutes in the middle of the oven.
- Oil the bread: Remove from oven and drizzle olive oil on each piece of bread.
- Top with tomato: Spoon desired amount of tomato mixture on each piece of bread and return to oven for another 3 minutes.
- Garnish: Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt and additional olive oil. Serve immediately.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When you are ready to whip up a batch of this simple pan con tomate, here are some kitchen tools you might find helpful.
- Cheese Grater– Perfect for grating the tomatoes into a paste.
- Rimmed Baking Sheet– Keeps the bread secured on all sides coming in and out of the oven.
- Non-stick Mat– Perfect for protecting the baking sheet from any tomato splatter.
How to Serve Spanish Tomato Toast
As mentioned before, each region dished out pan con tomate differently. This is a simple breakfast or appetizer that can easily be prepared based on your preferences.
Some ways I enjoy my Spanish tomato toast include:
- Topped with a goopy egg for breakfast
- Sprinkled with fresh herbs like green onion, scallion, or basil
- Add a slice of prosciutto between the bread and the tomato topping
What Can You Serve with Pan con Tomate?
Just like a good slice of garlic bread will pair well with just about everything, this simple Spanish tomato toast also makes a great appetizer or side for a number of dishes such as:
- Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp
- Arrabbiata Meat Sauce with Pasta
- Italian Marinated Chicken Thighs
- Vegan Baked Feta Pasta
- Vegan One Pot Garlic Pasta
Toast Recipes to Make Next
If you also fall into the category of people who love to snack on toast, here are some filling and flavorful toast recipes to make next.
If you tried this pan con tomate recipe please let me know in the comments below!
You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!
Looking for more delicious dairy-free recipes and tips? Sign up for my newsletter below to get the most helpful recipes, tips, and products for your life after dairy.
Pan con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Toast)
A classic Catalonian tapa, Pan con Tomate is simply crusty bread spread with tomato and garlic.
Ingredients
- 2 Tomatoes On the vine, cut in half
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt Kosher
- Olive oil
- French Bread Or rustic bread
- Kosher or sea salt To sprinkle on top
Instructions
-
Over a medium sized mixing bowl, grate 2 tomatoes until you reach their skins.
-
Microplane 1 clove of garlic and add into the tomato mixture with 1 teaspoon Kosher salt.
-
Slice bread to ½-1 in thickness and spread onto a rimmed baking sheet.
-
Broil on high for 3 minutes in the middle of the oven.
-
Remove from oven and drizzle olive oil on each piece of bread.
-
Spoon desired amount of tomato mixture on each piece of bread and return to oven for another 3 minutes.
-
Remove from oven and sprinkle with salt and additional olive oil. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
You can make the tomato mixture in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Some of the links above contain Amazon affiliate links. These are products and brands I use in my kitchen daily. They pay me a small commission for the referral at no additional cost to you.