Avocado Toast (Plus Tips & Variations)

This summer, let’s get back to the fundamentals, so let’s speak about avocado toast! One of my favorite quick dinners is bread with a creamy avocado spread on it. It’s actually one of my all-time favorite dinners. One of life’s basic joys, it’s so sweet.

I have strong feelings about what makes the finest avocado toast, as always. So I decided to offer my basic recipe today along with my top suggestions and preferred modifications.

If you’ve never had avocado toast, you’ve been missing out, and we need to change that right away.

If you enjoy avocado toast frequently, I hope you will find some useful advice and some interesting new methods to spice up your toast. Onward!

The Best Avocado Toast Recipe

1) Select superior avocados

You want Hass avocados that are ripe but not overripe. Use avocados that give slightly under gentle pressure rather than those that are stringy or mushy inside. When you cut them open, scrape out any damaged or brown portions and throw them away before crushing the remainder.

2) Get quality bread and toast it properly.

I believe that whole grain bread with firm, thick slices makes the best avocado toast. Against the creamy avocado, the golden, well-toasted bread provides a solid foundation and a crisp, jarring contrast.

3) Separately mash your avocado.

Compared to sliced avocado, mashed avocado is creamier and more opulent (think guacamole vs. plain avocado). However, avoid spreading it on toast! You run the danger of crushing or poking holes in your toast. Cut your avocados in half, scrape out the pit, and then mash the flesh with a fork in a bowl or on the side of your plate.

Several avocados being mashed at once? Instead of a tiny fork, use a potato masher or pastry cutter.

4) Remember to add salt.

Per avocado half, you should add at least a pinch of salt. Extra points? Add some flaky sea salt to the bread with avocado as the last touch.

 

Avocado Toast Bonus Tips

Here are a few easy ways to take your avocado toast up a notch. Pick one or a few!

• Add garlic: Lightly rub a peeled raw garlic clove over the top of your toast before adding the avocado, or mix a tiny pinch of garlic powder into the avocado.
• Add fresh leafy herbs or your favorite herbed sauce: Chopped fresh basil, cilantro, dill or parsley are all good with avocado. So is a drizzle of pesto, zhoug sauce (spicy cilantro sauce), or chimichurri.
• Put an egg on it: I love to top my avocado toast with a fried egg for extra protein (example here). You can do a poached egg or scrambled egg if you prefer.
• More extras: Quick-pickled onions or radishes or jalapeños, your favorite hot sauce, or a sprinkle of sliced cherry tomatoes.

 

Avocado Toast Variations

Here are my official favorite avocado toast variations, shown from top to bottom.

Everything Bagel Avocado Toast

Add a generous sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on top of your avocado toast. Make your own with my everything bagel blend recipe, or buy it at Trader Joe’s or Williams-Sonoma (affiliate link). These seasonings tend to be salty, so be careful not to over-salt your avocado.

Loaded Avocado Toast

Mix chopped fresh radish, green onion, jalapeño (seeds and ribs removed) and toasted sunflower seeds. Sprinkle generously on your toast.

Tomato-Basil Avocado Toast with Balsamic Drizzle

If you have great tomatoes on hand, this is delicious. Top your avocado toast with sliced tomato, add a light drizzle of high-quality thick balsamic vinegar or designated balsamic glaze, and some torn fresh basil leaves.

Cafe Gitane-Style Avocado Toast

This NYC café supposedly started the avocado toast trend. Spread a thick layer of mashed avocado over your toast, spread it so it’s smooth and mounded, then drizzle with 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and a generous sprinkle of red pepper flakes and flaky salt.

 

Also read: Simple Breakfast Tostadas