Looking for a quick and flavorful breakfast or brunch? Learn how to make avocado toast by choosing from six flavorful recipes to get you started. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can get creative using more of your favorite toppings.
Looking for more delicious breakfast ideas? Try making crepes or a baked French toast casserole.
Table of Contents
- Avocado selection
- Bread selection
- Toast the bread
- Slice or mash the avocado
- How to make avocado toast
- Simple Basic Avocado Toast
- Caprese Avocado Toast
- Salsa Avocado Toast
- Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
- Bacon and Eggs Avocado Toast
- Everything Avocado Toast
- Keeping avocados green
- Avocado Toast (6 Ways!) Recipe
- Frequently asked questions
Mastering this simple avocado toast recipe will make breakfast or brunch more exciting. Avocados are versatile fruits that can be sliced, mashed, or filled. Their creamy and buttery texture makes any meal better.
Learn the basics for preparing the base and nailing the perfect golden brown toast. Start with a basic combination, or get adventurous with six different recipe ideas I created. Whether you’re craving Italian flare or a classic bacon and egg combination, I’ve got you covered with plenty of options.
Avocado selection
Make sure to use ripe avocados. Most of these recipes use a mash, so if the fruit is a little softer, it will still be okay. A large, eight-ounce avocado is enough to make two generous servings, yielding about ½ cup of mashed fruit. Haas avocados are my top choice to pair with crusty slices of bread. Their texture is extremely soft and silky, and they mash easily. Their taste is slightly sweet, nutty, and creamy. Other types of avocados can provide that delicate richness, although the taste may vary slightly.
Bread selection
I recommend using more hearty varieties like sourdough bread (my top choice!), crusty artisan no-knead bread, white bread, wheat bread, sprouted whole grain bread, French or Italian loaves, or your favorite gluten-free bread. The slices should be at least ½-inch thick. This helps it stay soft in the center when toasted but sturdy enough to support the toppings. The worst thing is to have the bread get soggy and crumble apart when trying to eat it.
Toast the bread
A slotted toaster oven works best for making just a few slices of toast. When making a larger batch for a crowd, I find it easiest to place the bread slices on a baking sheet and broil them. The oven’s extremely hot heating element will turn the surface golden brown in a matter of minutes. Make sure not to step away for too long; this method is quick. Check every 30 seconds to prevent unwanted charring.
Slice or mash the avocado
I love the presentation of perfectly fanned avocado pieces. If you want more texture, this is the way to go. However, this method only works well when using minimal toppings. Otherwise, the fruit gets slippery, making it hard to eat.
Mashing avocados has several benefits. The texture becomes stickier, helping to lock larger ingredients on top. When mashed together, you can also add more flavor. I always season the base with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
How to make avocado toast
There are only two must-have components; toasted bread and sliced or mashed avocados. From here, you can keep it simple with seasonings or get more creative with various topping ideas. To get you inspired, keep reading for delicious avocado toast variations!
Simple Basic Avocado Toast
This is an easy, classic flavor combination of mashed avocado drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. Freshly chopped parsley is sprinkled on top. Add some red pepper flakes if you like a spicy kick. This is a great everyday option.
Caprese Avocado Toast
Take your tastebuds on a trip to Italy! Crushed avocado is topped with ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced fresh basil, and olive oil. For a sweet and tangy contrast, drizzle on balsamic vinegar reduction. If you want a more garlicky flavor on the toast like bruschetta, then lightly rub a cut garlic clove on the surface of the bread while it’s still warm.
Salsa Avocado Toast
Enjoy guacamole and fresh salsa all in one bite! This recipe is inspired by pico de gallo. Ripe chopped tomatoes, minced red onion, jalapeno, chopped cilantro, and lime juice are combined and scooped onto the mashed avocado spread. I like to add thin slices of radish for extra crunch.
Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
This is a spin on bagel and lox! The bread is slathered with tangy cream cheese and mashed avocado and then topped with all the traditional ingredients. Thinly sliced tomato, cucumber, red onion, smoked salmon, capers, and dill take this East Coast staple to the next level.
Bacon and Eggs Avocado Toast
A breakfast trifecta! A classic combination of crispy bacon and a sunny-side-up fried egg. A soft scrambled egg is also delicious. The mashed fruit is layered on the toast and then topped with smoky pork and irresistible runny yolk. A perfect option for those who want a protein boost. This is hands down, my husband Jason’s favorite avocado toast.
Everything Avocado Toast
You’ll love this combination if you’re a fan of everything bagel seasoning and cream cheese. The toast gets a generous coating of cream cheese, then topped with sliced avocado. I cut them into ¼-inch thick wedges. A homemade concoction of sesame and poppy seeds, flaky sea salt, and dried minced garlic and onion is sprinkled on top for the “everything” savory taste.
Recipe Science
Keeping avocados green
Once the avocado is cut, air from the environment will turn the exposed surface brown due to oxidation. Squeezing on lemon juice provides antioxidants from ascorbic acid that first reacts with oxygen to delay the browning reaction. Drizzling on olive oil also helps to provide a physical barrier as well.
Avocado Toast (6 Ways!)
Craving for a fancy breakfast or brunch? Make avocado toast and choose from six flavorful recipes that are easy to customize.
Pin PrintSaveReview
4.80 from 69 votes
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Servings 2 servings
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Ingredients
Simple Avocado Toast
- 2 slices bread, sourdough, wheat, Italian or French loaf, ½"thick pieces
- 1 large avocado
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, optional
Caprese Avocado Toast
- 2 slices bread, sourdough, wheat, Italian or French loaf, ½" thick pieces
- 1 large avocado
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese balls, Ciliegine, halved
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar reduction, optional
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced basil leaves, about 3 large leaves
Salsa Avocado Toast
- 2 slices bread, sourdough, wheat, Italian or French loaf, ½" thick pieces
- 1 large avocado
- 1 ¼ teaspoon lime juice, divided
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup diced tomatoes, ¼" dice
- 1 tablespoon red onion, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno
- 2 tablespoons sliced radish, ⅛" thick
Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
- 2 slices bread, sourdough, wheat, Italian or French loaf, ½" thick pieces
- 1 large avocado
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup sliced tomatoes, ⅛" thick (8 slices)
- ¼ cup sliced cucumber, ⅛" thick (8 slices)
- 2 ounces smoked salmon, or lox
- 2 tablespoons red onion, sliced, ⅛" thick
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 2 teaspoons dill leaves
Bacon and Eggs Avocado Toast
- 2 slices bread, sourdough, wheat, Italian or French loaf, ½" thick pieces
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 large avocado
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, optional
Everything Avocado Toast
- 2 slices bread, sourdough, wheat, Italian or french loaf, ½" thick pieces
- 1 large avocado
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon white sesame seeds
- ¼ teaspoon black sesame seeds
- ¼ teaspoon poppy seeds
- ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt, or kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon dried minced onion
Instructions
Toast the bread (for all recipes)
In a toaster, heat the bread slices until golden brown. Alternatively, place the sliced bread on a baking sheet. Set the oven rack 6 inches from the top broiling element. Broil the bread until golden brown, about 1 to 3 minutes per side. Keep a close eye on the color change.
Simple Avocado Toast
Scoop out both sides of the avocado flesh into a small bowl. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Lightly mash with a fork, leaving some chunks. Divide the mixture onto the toasted bread. Drizzle olive oil on top, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with parsley.
Caprese Avocado Toast
Scoop out both sides of the avocado flesh into a small bowl. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Lightly mash with a fork, leaving some chunks. Spread the mixture onto the toasted bread slices.
Add the tomatoes and cheese. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar reduction on top, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with basil.
Salsa Avocado Toast
Scoop out both sides of the avocado flesh into a small bowl. Add ¼ teaspoon lime juice, salt, and pepper. Lightly mash with a fork, leaving some chunks. Spread the mixture onto the toasted bread slices.
In a small bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeno, and 1 teaspoon lime juice. Add the radish slices and salsa to the toast. Season with salt and pepper.
Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
Scoop out both sides of the avocado flesh into a small bowl. Add ¼ teaspoon lime juice, salt, and pepper. Lightly mash with a fork, leaving some chunks. Spread the cream cheese over the toasted bread slices. Evenly spread the avocado mixture onto the toast.
Layer slices of tomato and cucumber on top. Add pieces of smoked salmon, red onions, capers, and dill leaves. Season with black pepper.
Bacon and Egg avocado toast
Cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel.
Scoop out both sides of the avocado flesh into a small bowl. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper on top of the avocados. Lightly mash with a fork, leaving some chunks. Evenly divide the mixture onto the toast. Place 2 strips of bacon on each piece of toast.
Heat olive oil in the nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, crack the egg in the pan and cook until the white is set, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to the toast and repeat with the other egg. Season with black pepper.
Everything Avocado Toast
Cut the avocado down the center and remove the pit. Scoop out both sides of the flesh and slice into ¼-inch thick slices. Spread the cream cheese over the toasted bread slices. Layer the slices of avocado overlapping on top.
In a small bowl, mix together the white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, salt, garlic, and onion. Sprinkle ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the seasoning mix on top of the sliced avocado.
Notes
- Serving Size: 1 toast
- Nutritional Facts: Based on 1 serving of the simple avocado toast.
Nutrition Facts
Serves: 2 servings
Calories 255kcal (13%)Carbohydrates 23g (8%)Protein 5g (10%)Fat 18g (28%)Saturated Fat 3g (15%)Sodium 443mg (18%)Potassium 538mg (15%)Fiber 8g (32%)Sugar 2g (2%)Vitamin A 147IU (3%)Vitamin C 10mg (12%)Calcium 51mg (5%)Iron 2mg (11%)
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Frequently asked questions
Is avocado toast healthy?
Avocados have plenty of health benefits to match their luxurious taste, notably their healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fat content and antioxidants like beta carotene. When paired with toast offers a balanced meal. Add extra protein with egg or meat, or top with additional vegetables for more fiber.
What’s the best kind of bread to use for avocado toast?
Any sliced bread that is at least ½ inch thick. This creates a sturdy base for the toppings. Sourdough, wheat, crusty artisan bread, or gluten-free bread are good options.
How do you know when an avocado is ripe?
When held in the palm of your hand and gently pressed with your fingertips, they should have a slight give. If you remove the stem, it should be green underneath. Firmer avocados are ideal for slicing.
How do I ripen an avocado?
To quickly ripen an avocado, place it in a brown paper bag with a banana, close the top, and check daily until it feels softer.
