Avocado toast was all the rage just a few years ago, but I have good news…this easy 5-10 minute meal never goes out of style. It only requires a few simple ingredients, but you can always spice things up with extra toppings to make it a super filling meal. Today, I’m sharing my favorite basic avocado toast recipe along with helpful tips and 3 easy recipe variations. It’s quick and easy which makes it perfect to whip up for breakfast, lunch or a midday snack. And for those of you who are avocado toast experts, like my colleague Jess, then I’m sure you have a few favorite combinations as well. Wanna share? Let’s meet in the comments!😉
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Ingredients For Avocado Toast
You only need a few simple ingredients to make a classic avocado toast. Here’s what I used:
- Avocado: Avocado is one of the main ingredients, so you’ll want to choose it wisely. Look for avocados that have a slight give when squeezed, but are not mushy.
- Bread: You’ll want to choose a good quality, sturdy bread. I like using sourdough or whole grain bread. For this recipe I purchased a loaf of bakery sourdough bread so I could get those nice, thick slices. But you can also use pre-sliced sourdough bread from the bread aisle if you want to save a little extra money.
- Garlic: Rubbing a little bit of fresh garlic over toasted bread while it’s still warm adds incredible flavor.
- Lemon: A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a pop of brightness and keeps the avocado from browning.
- Salt & Pepper: Don’t skip the salt! Just a pinch of salt and pepper enhances the flavor of the creamy avocado. Salt and fat is a magical combination!
- Red pepper flakes (optional): This is optional but it adds a kick and a little bit of extra heat to the avocado toast.
Tips For Making The Best Avocado Toast
- Choose your bread wisely: Use a good quality, sturdy bread for the base of your avocado toast like sourdough, multigrain or whole grain bread. Toasted, sturdy bread holds the mashed avocado and any extra toppings a lot better than soft white sandwich bread.
- Picking the perfect avocado: When picking your avocado, look for blackish, dark-green skin, which indicates the avocado has ripened. Also give the avocado a gentle press with your finger, the flesh should give slightly under pressure. If it’s mushy, its time has passed.
- Don’t skip the extras! Yes, rubbing your toast with a fresh garlic clove may seem like an unnecessary step, but it adds SO much flavor and compliments this simple meal perfectly. Also the small squeeze of lemon juice gives just the right about of brightness and the pinch of salt makes all the flavors pop!
Topping Ideas
There are lots of fun ways to enjoy your avocado toast! In addition to the recipe variations listed in the step-by-step photos below, here are a few more ingredients and topping ideas for you to try:
- A sprinkle of Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Chopped or crumbled bacon
- Sliced radishes
- Pickled jalapeños
- Pickled red onions
- Sriracha
- Fresh herbs (dill, chives, parsley, scallions)
Avocado Toast
Servings 2 slicesIngredients
- 2 slices sturdy bread* ($1.00)
- 1 clove of garlic, peeled ($0.08)
- 1 medium avocado ($1.33)
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice ($0.14)
- 1/8 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.02)
- pinch of red pepper flakes ($0.02)
Instructions
- Cut 2 slices of sturdy bread. Toast the bread in a toaster or in a skillet on the stovetop until golden brown.
- Rub the peeled garlic clove over the top of the warm toasted bread, making sure to fully cover the entire surface area.
- Next, halve the avocado and remove the pit. Scoop out the avocado flesh from both halves and place it in a bowl. Add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about 1 tsp), salt and pepper to the bowl and mash the avocado with a fork. I recommend leaving it just a little chunky.
- Divide the avocado mixture and spread it on top of each slice of toast. Top with a pinch of red pepper flakes and a pinch of sea salt (optional).
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Notes
Nutrition
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How to Make Avocado Toast – Step by Step Photos
Cut 2 slices of sturdy bread. Toast the bread in a toaster or on the stovetop until golden brown.
Rub 1 peeled garlic clove over the top of the warm toasted bread, making sure to fully cover the entire surface area.
Next, halve 1 avocado and remove the pit. Scoop out the avocado flesh from both halves and place it in a medium bowl. Add a small squeeze of lemon juice (about 1 tsp), 1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper to the bowl and mash the avocado with a fork. I recommend leaving it just a little chunky, but you can certainly mash until it’s completely smooth. It’s up to you!
Divide the avocado mixture and spread on top of each slice of toast. Top with a pinch of red pepper flakes and a pinch of sea salt (optional). Enjoy as is or try out one of the recipe variations listed below.😉
Recipe Variation 1: If you love juicy, ripe tomatoes then this variation is just for you! Top your avocado toast with two slices of tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and freshly cracked black pepper. This combo is perfect for the summer when tomatoes are in their peak season. So delicious!
Recipe Variation 2: My absolute favorite way to enjoy avocado toast is by adding some scrambled eggs, a fried egg, or hard boiled egg on top. You can even take it a step further and add a little chili crisp on top too!
Recipe Variation 3: And for all of my cottage cheese lovers out there, try topping your thick crusty bread with a spoonful or two of small curd cottage cheese, 1/2 avocado sliced, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Enjoy!
Great, easy to follow recipe!
I add hummus under the avocado for a vegan version.
Hi sometimes it depends on how I feel at the moment I top my sourdough bread with a little cream cheese egg and then avocado
Love me some avocado toast!!!
I top mine with a drizzle of olive oil, red pepper flakes, sliced cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Good stuff!
I love cottage cheese, excited to try this variation – can’t believe it’s never occurred to me!
Avocado toast with pickled onions is my favorite iteration!
Will have to try the garlic rub trick! My favourite version starts with multigrain or double flax bread, avocado mashed with some kosher salt and lime juice, topped with Everything Bagel seasoning, a sunny-side up egg, and then hot sauce or chili crisp depending on my mood.
I buy avocados wholesale at the restaurant supply store (15 for about $8) so I eat a LOT of avocado toast. Lately I’ve been mashing with a dash of soy sauce and topped off with furikake seasoning.
My favorite topping is can of Heinz beans, which I add hotsauce, chille powder, and smoked paprika. Delicious!
I love avocado toast. My favorite variation uses the garlic rubbed toast, adds chili lime seasoning to the avocado, then tops in all with warm seasoned black beans, chopped tomatoes and crumbled mexican cheese. It’s from Diana Henry – who would think a British author would have such a good mexican flavored sandwich. This is really hearty.
LOVE avocado toast, and absolutely agree with every one of Marsha’s recommendations. My favorite way to eat it is to use either rustic white or whole grain bread, sliced and slightly mashed avocado, sliced ripe tomatoes and a good sprinkle of “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning or the deliciously mild chili lime Taijin. It’s in my breakfast rotation at least once or twice a week. I haven’t tried the balsamic glaze, but plan to do so VERY soon!