Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is one of life’s simplest pleasures. It is easy to make, nutritious, and delicious. Even better, there are endless ways to put your spin on what would be the perfect meal.
Chop, mash, or stuff them. You can’t go wrong with fresh avocado. Their creamy, buttery texture makes them a decadent treat any time of day, and thanks to those beneficial fats and antioxidants, they’re good for you, too. Maybe that’s why eating avocado toast is a timeless trend that never goes out of style.
The most basic avocado toast recipe is addictive, but if you’re feeling more adventurous, we’ve got you covered. Here are six ideas to take your avocado toast game up a notch.
How to Make Avocado Toast
In its most basic form, avocado toast recipes have only two main ingredients – bread and a nice golden brown, ripe, creamy avocado. Plus, the sky’s the limit for avocado toast toppings. You can keep it simple with just a few basic spices, or you can go all out with desserts like black truffle shavings or cold lobster.
Once you try these avocado toast recipes, you’ll be sure to think of your creative ways to top this delicious meal. Next time you host brunch, prepare tons of toppings and let your guests make their own!
A large avocado yields about half a cup of fruit, enough for two generous servings.
Basic avocado toast
Classic avocado toast is made with avocado, a little salt and pepper, and olive oil. You can add some chopped parsley or chili flakes for an on-the-go snack.
Caprese Avocado Toast
Why not give your avocado toast an Italian spin? In this version, mashed avocado is topped with sweet cherry tomatoes, generous chunks of fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil. Add olive oil and a tangy balsamic vinegar reduction to bring all the flavors together. To make it extra special, rub the hot toast with a clove of garlic before adding the avocado.
Salsa Avocado Toast
Avocado and salsa are a match made in heaven! Sprinkle pre-made pico de gallo over your smashed avocados, or make your own. Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeños with some diced pumpkin and lime juice. Pour this mixture over your avocado toast. Thin slices of jicama or radish add an extra crunch to each bite.
Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
It’s like bagels and lox, only better. Spread your toast with tangy cream cheese, then pile on the avocado and toppings. Thin slices of cucumber, red onion, tomato, and smoked salmon are traditional favorites. Add some capers and a sprinkling of dill for that New York deli flavor.
Bacon and egg avocado toast
Picture it: toasted bread, silky, smoked avocado, thick slices of bacon, and a golden fried egg. It’s a protein-packed way to start your day off right, but it’s light enough to make a satisfying dinner.
All avocado toast
Love all the bagels with cream cheese? Wait until you get a taste of all the avocado toast! The toasted bread gets a thick slathering of cream cheese and then a layer of sliced avocado. Add some sesame seeds, poppy seeds, minced onion and garlic, and some sea salt flakes. Sprinkle on avocado for that crunchy, delicious, “everything” flavor.
Avocado selection
Hass Avocado is a great option for avocado toast. They are widely available and have a high oil content, which gives them a rich, nutty flavor. When ripe, they are mashed well and have a smooth and rich texture. Reed avocados are highly prized for their rich flavor, but they are increasingly difficult to find. Any avocado will do, but there may be slight differences in taste and texture.
Test for maturity
The key to good avocado toast is using avocados that are at the right stage of ripeness. Avocados are hard when unripe and very soft when overripe. You want one that gives a little when pressed gently with your fingers. You can also check for ripeness by removing the stem. If it’s brown on the bottom, it’s past its prime. If it is difficult to remove, the fruit is not yet ripe.
If you like your avocado mashed, choose one that’s a little on the softer side. If you like them sliced, you want a slightly firmer fruit.
Place ripe avocados in a paper bag on the counter to ripen. Check them daily so you can make toast when they’re just right.
Selection of bread
Avocado toast goes well with hearty, thick-sliced bread like sourdough bread, whole wheat bread, farmhouse bread, multi-grain bread, or French bread. Slicing the bread thick enough to support your toppings will allow you to keep a soft, chewy center even after toasting.
Bake the bread
When you’re making one or two slices, a toaster oven or slot toaster with a larger opening works best. If you have a crowd to feed, toasting your bread in the oven will work faster. But don’t give up. The broiler will toast your bread very quickly, so be sure to check it every 30 seconds.
Chunk or mash
Fanned-out avocado slices make a beautiful presentation and add a nice texture to your toast. However, the slices can be slippery, so if you add other toppings they may slide off quickly.
Mashing your avocado will help your topping stay firm, and it also allows you to mix in some extra flavor. All you need is salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to bring out the natural umami flavor of the avocado.
Avocados are kept green
Thanks to a process called oxidation, avocados turn brown as soon as they are opened and exposed to air. Acids like lemon or lime juice slow down that process, so tossing your avocado with citrus will help it stay green longer. Toss your slices or chunks with olive oil to prevent air from reaching the surface of the avocado. This creates a thin barrier between the fruit and the air.