Avocado Toast (Plus Tips & Variations)
Avocado toast is a delicious and simple breakfast, snack or light meal! Learn how to make the BEST avocado toast with this recipe, plus fun variations.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 29, 2024
We’re going back to basics this summer, so let’s talk about avocado toast! Creamy avocado spread onto well-toasted bread is one of my favorite quick meals. Actually, it’s one of my favorite meals in general. It’s so delicious, I’d call it one of life’s simplest pleasures.
As usual, I have strong opinions on what makes the best avocado toast. So today, I thought I’d share my basic recipe, with my best tips and favorite variations.
If you are a stranger to avocado toast, you’ve been missing out and we must remedy this situation immediately.
If you’re well-familiar with the joy of avocado toast, I hope you find some helpful tips and some fun new ways to change up your toast. Onward!
How to Make the Best Avocado Toast
1) Pick great avocados
You want ripe but not over-ripe Hass avocados. Look for avocados that yield a bit to a gentle squeeze, but avoid using avocados that are mushy or stringy on the inside. If you run into any bruised or brown bits when you cut them open, scoop those out and discard before mashing the rest.
2) Buy good bread and toast it well
I think sturdy, thick-sliced, whole grain bread make the best avocado toast. Golden, well-toasted bread offers a sturdy base and a crisp, shattering contrast against the creamy avocado.
3) Mash your avocado separately
Mashed avocado is more creamy and luxurious than sliced avocado (think guacamole vs. plain avocado). But don’t mash it on the toast! You risk poking holes in your toast or smashing it. Cut your avocados in half, remove the pit, scoop the flesh into a bowl or onto the side of your plate, and mash it up with a fork.
Mashing a lot of avocados at once? Use a potato masher or pastry cutter instead of a measly little fork.
4) Don’t forget the salt
You’ll want to mix in at least a pinch of salt per avocado half. Bonus points? Finish your avocado toast with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
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 to your avocado toast. Make your own with my everything bagel blend recipe, or buy it at Trader Joe’s or Amazon (affiliate link). These seasonings tend to be salty, so be careful not to oversalt 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.
How do you like your avocado toast? Let me know in the comments, please! I really want to know. ♥
If you find yourself with extra avocados (lucky you), try my guacamole, avocado dip, avocado salad or any of these recipes.
Watch How to Make Avocado Toast
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is creamy, crisp and so satisfying. It’s a delicious and simple breakfast, snack or light meal! It’s best consumed immediately, since the avocado browns over time. Recipe as written yields 1 slice of basic avocado toast; multiply as necessary.
Ingredients
- 1 slice of bread (I like thick-sliced whole-grain bread best)
- ½ ripe avocado
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: Any of the extra toppings suggested in this post
Instructions
- Toast your slice of bread until golden and firm.
- Remove the pit from your avocado. Use a big spoon to scoop out the flesh. Put it in a bowl and mash it up with a fork until it’s as smooth as you like it. Mix in a pinch of salt (about ⅛ teaspoon) and add more to taste, if desired.
- Spread avocado on top of your toast. Enjoy as-is or top with any extras offered in this post (I highly recommend a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt, if you have it).
Notes
Make it gluten free: Use gluten-free bread. My assistant Megan recommends Canyon Bakehouse 7-Grain Bread, which she buys at Natural Grocers.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
I mixed with apple, cinnamon ginger and sweet pickles, yum.
That sounds like an interesting combination, Cathy!
Thank you… Made my 1st ever avacado toast! I topped it with onions chilie flakes salt and oregano seasoning… And it was gooood…!
Thank you Kate, for the BASIC avocado toast recipe…PLUS the added OPTIONS.
Although we’re already halfway through October, we’re still enJOYing good weather in SoCal, so I thought I’d try your tasty tips for a delicious Avocado Toast dinner for our Sunday Family Night, tomorrow!
I’m looking forward to the smiles of enJOYment on my family’s face, as they taste the great options you’ve suggested!
Best wishes,
lovely ideas! Thanks!
I do slices of avocado on toast with cayenne pepper and fresh garlic. Yum yum
Thank you so much! I tried this recipe for the first time this morning! I will be trying your other suggestions too! So easy to make and delicious
You’re welcome, Tee!
I mix mashed avocado with fresh fire-roasted salsa from Whole Foods in the refrigerated section.
Great idea!
When dod putting avocado on bread become a recipe? Sort of like saying opening q bag of chips is cooking.
It’s about taking a simple concept and exploring the possibilities. That is what cooking is all about.
I love avocado toast! I top my with a slice of smoked salmon. Today going to use your tomatoes tip!!! Yummmmmm……
Do you mash it up and spread it on toast? Do you slice it and put pieces on toast? Do you mash it and thin it with liquid to make it more spreadable? How much avocado do you use? Now I know that half an avocado gets mashed first, followed by being spread on toast, and there is no need to dilute the mash to make it more spreadable.
Retro, no one likes sarcasm, and I bet you least of all when it’s directed at you. All it does is leave bad feelings about YOU. Kinda backfires doesn’t it…!
On 4). Per avocado HALF.
And keep it positive! Rather than “don’t forget the salt”
“REMEMBER the salt” is easier to hear and do. Thanks! Yummy.
Wow…some people! Who made you the ‘recipe-writing police’?
Really… I agree. People are totally ridiculous! How about thank you for taking the time to share this with everyone instead of criticism over the way things are stated. That person is probably the ONLY PERSON who thought it easier to read/hear and to do-remember rather than don’t forget… my Lord I can’t get over the nerve of some people
I like to mix my mashed avocado with diced red onions a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Spread on a lightly toasted piece of whole wheat buttered bread, yum!
I’m sure butter is unnecessary, but it sure does enhance this easy meal!
I won’t forget the salt, because that actually reads as a helpful checklist reminder of the recipe. You know recipes, those instructions people write for others to make meals.
Telling someone to remember the salt (especially if it hasn’t been listed as part of the instructions like good ol’ sad Kim wants to nix) just comes off with the implication that the salt will be overlooked because we’re we never instructed when to use it.
Gee whiz Kim, semantics. ♂️
Absolutely. We can’t have the salt feeling bad about itself.
I made avocado toast some times with cinnamon , pecan nuts and drizzle of honey
Thanks for sharing your variation, Ahlam!
Hey Kate,
Firstly, I think it’s the first time I post here even though your site is the first I go whenever I want to make something that I know would turn out delicious! I made many of your recipes and got so many compliments I am really thankful for that. Secondly, I went through the comments on different recipes here and honestly I was shocked of the ugly ones. It was really important for me to tell you that what you are doing is amazing. You are helping so many people out there sharing your knowledge creativity and talent with us – it is not taken for granted. Most of us in the community you have created appreciate it all. The recipes, the way that you write that shines your fun personality the esthetic site all is wonderful! Thank you♥️
Well said!
I like to add fresh shredded Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast! They add another level to the flavor!
This sounds like the best variation I’ve come across! I’m a huge fan of the yeast on my popcorn, imagining it on avocado is getting me excited to try it! I wouldn’t have thought of this…thank you!
I topped it with Bubbies sauerkraut and red pepper flakes, as I prefer a savory breakfast rather than sweet. The sauerkraut is loaded with probiotics
Thank you for sharing, Janice!
I topped it with Bubbies sauerkraut and red pepper flakes, as I prefer a savory breakfast rather than sweet. The sauerkraut is in a brine rather than vinegar, so is very smooth and mild and is loaded with probiotics
I am 53 and I am eating my first ever slice of avacado toast that my husband just convinced me to try. Omg, It is so heavenly. Dark rye, avacado, salt and a little bit of garlic pepper.
I like to mix my mashed avocado with diced red onions a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Spread on a lightly toasted piece of whole wheat buttered bread, yum!
I mashed avocado and added roasted garlic aioli to it.I spread that on top of Dave’s Good Seed organic bread. I then topped it off with scrambled eggs infused with sauteed green onions, spinach and goat cheese. Incredible culinary experience-no matter what time of the day!!
Thanks for sharing, Laurie!
I just used what I had. Hummus, mashed advocado, slice tomato and a soft boiled egg sliced and a splash of baslamic and pepper. So good!
Love the Dave’s for my avocado toast, especially the thin sliced Dave’s . Also love to mix fresh salsa in.
I didn’t even think of the everything bagel seasoning. Worked lovely! Thanks for the other ideas. I see a lot of avocado toast in my future!
You’re welcome, Joellen!
I love your recipes.
I made it semi-homemade with frozen and Garlic and/or Cheese thick breads toasted/mashed an avocado/a bit of salt/touch of Pico de Gallo w/cilantro. So yummy
Thank you for sharing, Maria!
Love avocado toast and great suggestions will try. Everything but the bagel is my favorite cuz simple – I do use a 7 sprouted whole grain rye bread versus wheat. We buy it from a local bakery that has grown and now sells retail outside our state, Angelic Bakehouse. Check them out. I also sometimes sprinkle fresh scallions on top or stir in the fresh minced garlic paste in a tube-simple. My other favorite toast indulgence is toasted rye with butter-again simple-but love rye.
Thank you for sharing, Kim!
I like to top it with pickled onion, arugula, and feta cheese.
That sounds delicious! I think I need that combination.
My favorite is made by a local bakery / cafe near my home. They top it with chopped hard boiled eggs, finely minced red onion, micro greens & touch of lemon ( I assume in the avocado ). Also, finely chopped tomatoes.
A couple slices of bacon makes a heavenly addition.
Amazing with some fetta, chilli flakes, dukkah and a poached egg. Love all your ideas.
I rarely watch cooking videos b/c they are ridiculously lengthy …. THANK YOU for a cooking video that cuts to the chase and shows me what I need to know! I will be tuning in for more!
You’re welcome, Beth! I’m happy you found it useful.
Just had some with:
-Freshly Sliced Avocado
-Toasted Sourdough Bread
-Salt/Pepper
-A Pinch of Garlic Salt
-Cilantro/Tomato Mix
-A Splash of Greek Dressing
A taste of Heaven on bread.
I can’t wait to try your fantastic looking recipes. I just purchased your cookbook I am wondering what is the difference using avocado or ready made guacamole?
Thank you lisa
Hi Lisa! Guacamole has added flavoring or spice, typically.
Lisa, unless you’ve found some secret “ready made guacamole”, either make your own or just mash up avocados and add some of the things from Kate’s ideas. I know sometimes fresh avocados are hard to find but store-bought guac is usually not great. I make a sort of guac for avocado toast; just mash the avocado, add a little lime, seasoned salt and bit of garlic powder and hot sauce (optional). Makes for a creamy fresh topping for your fresh hot toast.
I love avocado in any form. Only minor nit I have with your recipe: I would make it clear that you should mash the avocado with whatever additives you wish before you toast the bread. This is best when the toast is hot out of the machine when you spread the avocado mash onto it. (I like to butter the hot toast before slathering on the avocado. I also add a little hot sauce-prefer Pico Pica-and a squeeze of lime to the avocado!)
I love your suggestions for avocado toast! I have made some and can’t wait to try them all. YUM! I also tried it with sliced strawberries, fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. YUMMY and addictive!
i don’t like avacoto
I’m TRYING to like avocado, lol I keep saying it’s an acquired taste that I haven’t acquired yet. But I’m trying this recipe, hopefully it’ll do the trick!
I hope this one wins you over, Katie!
I love avocado toast and don’t care what anyone says about it being trendy. It’s just amazingly delicious. When I first tried it on my own without a recipe, I buttered the toast fresh out of the toaster and went with plain, lightly chopped / muddled avocado and a sprinkle of Himalayan sea salt. I can’t get over how wonderful the butter flavor coming from the toast make the experience. Mmmmmm!
Add some garlic powder, sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon to avocado mash, top with some thinly sliced Kirby cucumbers, chopped scallions, sea salt, black fresh cracked pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil…on seeded whole grain with sunflower seeds or a chewy tuscan bread…watch it disappear.
I loved your avocado toast basic recipe-
I did throw on an egg (over med)as you suggested and it is now my new fav! Thank you!!
Sandy
Cafe Gitane-Style Avocado Toast was amazing. I haven’t tried the others yet but the tomato basil will be next! Thank you for sharing!
Like the idea of a slice of fresh tomato on the avocado toast. I like a half avocodo mashed up, then a thin layer of softened creme cheese (can add dill) , followed by thin slices of cucumber topped with dill.
Do you put butter on the toast before the avacado???
Nope! Just the avocado :)
I like putting some pesto on my toast, add the avocado and then sprinkle some pepper and red pepper flakes on top. Occasionally I’ll sauté some leaks and add that to my avocado mixture. Enjoy!
I love red pepper flakes! Thank you for sharing, Nicole.
I’ve been making avacado toast for years. I didn’t know it was a ‘thing’ I just loved it. Before I spread the avacado I put a thin (or not so thin) layer of cream cheese and then add avacado. You can get a tub of cream cheese spread with onion or garlic flavor which make it great IMO. Then you can add a slice of tomato or a lettuce leaf or whatever you happen to have in your fridge. I’m wishing I had an avacado right now.
I have avocado toast every week day morning for breakfast, it’s easy to eat on the way to work. I found a sprout mixture at the local grocer that is baby dark greens…it is so yummy with a sprinkle of granulated garlic & gently pressed on top of the avocado. It’s a hearty breakfast, most days I can just have a salad for lunch & be satisfied until dinner.
Sounds delicious, Sallie! Thanks for your comment.
Don’t forget the pepper!! black or white. I find that it adds just that little extra zing. I also finely chop a grenn chillie and mix for a hangover..
My mother’s Avocado Toast:
I use seedless rye bread. As soon as the toast pops out of the taaster I rub it with half of a clove of garlic. I mix the mashed avocado with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Spread the avocado on the toast and sprinkle with Everything Bagel topping and a drizz;e of olive oil. Sometimes I also top with roasted tomatoes. Yummy!
I keep hearing about Avocado Toast and never realized it is simply avocado on toast. Go figure. Now I will have an alternative to my favorite egg salad spread on toast. Thanks.
A person’s success does not depend on his wisdom, but perseverance
I honestly LOVE avocado toast! I’ve never been much of a breakfast person. However, since I’ve started eating avocado toast, I look forward to breakfast! I love mine on toasted sourdough bread. I add salt, pepper, and some red pepper flakes. Also, you can forget a good cup of coffee to go along with it!
One variation that is so simple, maybe no one mentioned this because everyone knows it already, but … avocado toast melt, of course. Melt your favorite sliced cheese on the toast first, add the avocado (paste, basically), add a second slice of the same cheese (I doubt cheese combinations would be nice in this situation.) and broil until melted. This can get to be too greasy quickly, so … ‘Sweat’ the cheese slices first: Place your cheese slices on parchment paper, microwave at a low setting (2 out of 10, for example) for ten seconds at a time. The cheese will expel its’ oil content, but the softened cheese will not stick to the parchment paper. You can also lightly press the softened cheese with a stiff (cheap) paper napkin, like commercial paper napkins from a take-out place–not paper towels and not softer/quasi fabric paper napkins. The napkins must basically be pulp paper.
I admit, I did not have the time to read all the comments, so maybe the melt idea in there somewhere. I prefer for this Havarti or Baby Swiss. Add minced garlic to the avocado when mashing to give it a little kick.
Variation 2 is a little weirder, but yummy. In a mortar and pestle, add one of two drops of EVOO, to four or five caraway seeds. Mash. Add to the avocado along with minced garlic. Caraway is a very pungent flavor, so add it a bit at a time to taste. It is delicious, but can overwhelm the palette.
This caraway ‘pesto’ is also great added before steaming raw vegetables. Toss with water and a bit of EVOO in a steamer bag and microwave. Who needs desert?
Best wishes,
Thomas
Thank you for these ideas! I’ve been adding lime juice, salt, and cracked pepper to mine and sometimes add grape tomato slices on top. I heat the spread slightly in the microwave before spreading on my toast.
I’m going to try adding some fresh basil and balsamic vinegar drizzle! (maybe reduce the balsamic vinegar first…)
Thank you, Dianne! I’m glad avocado toast is helping you get through. Reducing the balsamic is worth it! Have a great weekend!
Thanks for sharing these variations! I often make the tomato balsamic version, but I haven’t tried adding the torn basil. I will next time.
I went bar hopping at the Wharf in D.C. and had avocado toast with tomato, kalamata olives, and shallot. It was delicious, so I make it at home alternating shallot and red onion.
Totally agree with avocado toast needing a bit of salt with it!
My go to is sourdough bread with butter, chilli oil and smashed avocados (avocado, squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper). Then occasionally, as a treat, I’ll add a sprinkle of quality goats cheese or feta.
Love your topping ideas! I wanted to share that I started adding a dash of apple cider vinegar or organic white rice wine vinegar to the avocado mash along with salt, pepper, and dash of onion powder and/or garlic salt if desired and it is sooo good! A little smoked paprika or cayenne on top is a nice touch too.
Oh my goodness, this is so delicious! A little salt and garlic powder and yum
This is very helpful, I love you and your avocado toast. One thing though, eggs aren’t healthy :( despite the high protein, they have a high saturated fat content. That leads to increased LDL and increases the risk of cardiac issues. They also arent made for humans to take :) go vegan for the animals !!!
This information is outdated. 70% of people can safely eat up to 3 eggs per day without them increasing their LDL cholesterol. They have lots of other health benefits too.
Love the recipe, Kate! It’s next-level with the Everything but the Bagel seasoning.
I love mixing equal parts mashed avocado with fresh salsa. Then top that on toasted whole grain bread. Delicious!
Two of my favorites are:
1. sliced or chopped cucumber, quark (European style fresh cheese) and micro greens
2. Fresh tomatoes from the garden if in season, otherwise a heirloom variety from the store chopped and seasoned with salt, pepper and a drizzle of HOT honey with a few toasted pine nuts. The hot honey is a game changer.
50 years ago…..my mom made avocado and tomato sandwiches. She toasted bread, put mayo on the toast. Cut slices of avocado to cover the bread and then added tomatoes on top of the avocados…I was a kid so i dont know if she added salt, pepper or anything seasoning but i know WE LOVED THEM. The avocados were definitely not mashed!
We eat low carb. So, we toast low carb bread. For the avocado, we add coarse kosher salt, lime juice, cilantro and fresh coarse Ground pepper. We usually top with a fried egg with crisp bacon on the side. Sounds like breakfast, but it’s wonderful, any time of day or night.
Gonna try your Balsamic and tomato version. Sounds delish!
That sounds delicious, Dana! Thank you for sharing.
Our special acre-and-a-half of paradise in Upcountry Maui has about two dozen avocado trees of three (or four) different varieties (none are Haas) giving us plenty of tasty avocados to experiment with and to give away. I’ve tried most of your suggestions (except for the cilantro variant) plus a few more. I especially like adding a fried or poached egg and also enjoy with grilled onion or a bit of feta or Boursin. Extra good!