Some things are certain in life. For me, that certainty includes avocado toast on the regular.
Avocado toast, which we will call AT for short, is one of those things you can make a million ways. You just have to think outside the toast!
Whether you like a simple piece of toast with avocado, or a more elaborate one with poached egg and microgreens, there are endless ways to schmear, layer and sprinkle your way to a delicious AT.
And AT is more than just a healthy breakfast. You can enjoy it for lunch with a salad or soup, at snack time, and even as an appetizer or hors doeuvre on grilled baguette or focaccia.
Read on to see my guide to building an epic avocado toast, with recipe tips and more.
Avocado toast 101~ Start with good bread!
Depending on your taste and any dietary restrictions, you can use whole-grain sprouted bread, gluten-free bread, or even a sliced baguette or focaccia for an appetizer style avocado toast.
Toasting is the obvious way to go about it, but you can also grill the bread on an outdoor grill or indoor nonstick grill pan. Just brush bread with a little olive or avocado oil before grilling outdoors.
Here are some of my suggestions for various healthy breads that are allergy free and dietary restriction-friendly. Click on links to learn more.
- whole grain, no dietary restrictions: Food for Life Ezekiel Whole Grain and Seed sprouted bread (also happens to be vegan)
- whole grain, dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free: Canyon Bakehouse 7-Grain (for sweet recipes I love their cinnamon-raisin)
- whole grain or sourdough, gluten-free and vegan: Simple Kneads
- whole grain, soy-free and vegan: Food for Life Ezekiel 7 Sprouted Grains
- whole grain, soy-free, gluten-free and vegan: Food for Life Ezekiel Sprouted for Life or Free Bread Moxy
Toasted bread and 8-minute eggs
Next up ~ the avocado!
Once you toast or grill the bread, add your avocado. The exception ~ if you are adding a spread or butter put that directly on toast before the avo.
You definitely want a ripe but somewhat firm avocado, whether you chop or mash. I personally like a small, rough chop for more texture when making avo toast, but either way works great. This is where you add your salt & pepper, and whatever other seasoning you like. See ideas below.
I add chopped fresh herbs & lemon to my avocado
Season, season, season!
For the seasoning try any of the spices below. And you can layer the seasoning ~ add a little to the avocado, then once done layering up your AT add a little more on top. Same goes for fresh herbs.
Flake salt, dried minced onion & garlic
The toppings
After seasoning the avocado add your toppings. Below are various ideas for spread, seeds and herbs that would rock this avo toast boat.
Spreads:
For spreads any of these are delish. And if using a spread, add this after you toast the bread but before adding the avo.
- butter (can be plant-based or organic pasture dairy)
- cream cheese (can be plant-based or traditional dairy, and I love this vegan Kite Hill chive cream cheese)
- chickpea hummus
- black bean hummus
AT with vegan cream cheese, herbs, everything seasoning
Eggs, veg & more:
- eggs, soft- or hard-boiled, fried or poached
- smoked salmon or trout
- shiitake mushroom bacon
- chopped grape tomatoes
- sliced cucumber
- sliced radish
- capers
Cheese:
For you cheese lovers out there (holla!), any of these below would be smashing on your AT. All of the cheeses listed below have plant-based dairy alternatives, which I happen to not only prefer but LOVE!
TIP: add melty cheese to bread when you toast/grill, and add crumbling or grating cheeses near the end.
- feta
- parmesan
- cheddar
- cashew cheese (I love Treeline)
- smoked gouda
- mozzarella
- ricotta
Fresh or dried herbs kick up your AT flavor
Herbs or greens:
To brighten up your AT, and even add extra nutrients, any of these fresh herbs and greens are delightful. You can mash the herbs right into the avocado or simply sprinkle them on top. If using microgreens or arugula etc. add those last. And feel free to use more than one green thing!
- dill
- basil
- mint
- chives
- cilantro
- parsley
- thyme
- microgreens
- arugula
- baby kale
- baby cress
- edible flowers
Add nuts or seeds for that crunch
Avo toast with egg, sumac, dukkah & sunflower seeds
Seeds or nuts:
For a little crunch factor try any single one or combo of these seeds or nuts. And be sure to toast them first to bring out the flavor!
- sunflower
- hemp
- sesame
- flax
- pumpkin
- pine nuts
- almonds
- walnuts
- pistachios
- brazil nuts
Like this recipe? Check these out…
Egg & Avocado Toast
Everything Seasoning
| Servings |
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- 2-4 pieces bread of choice
- 1 avocado chopped, sliced or mashed
- herbs and seasonings of choice
- spread of choice optional
- toppings of choice optional
Ingredients
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- toast or grill bread
- add spread if using, such as cream cheese
- add avocado, salt & pepper and desired seasoning (such as my Put it on Everything Seasoning)
- add toppings if using, such as egg, crumbled cheese or shiitake bacon, etc.
- top with greens if using, such as fresh herbs, micro greens, etc.
- add nuts or seeds if using
- finish with another pinch of salt & pepper and/or a squeeze of fresh lemon or a drizzle of avocado or olive oil
*see blog post for recipe notes and variations
Original recipe created by Jerran Boyer
www.healthnutchefs.com