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 tried avocado toast today following this recipe (I used everything bagel seasoning) and oh my!! It’s so yummy, I’m so glad I decided to try it. Definitely going to be a new go to breakfast or light snack.
My favourite avocado on toast is:-
A thick slice of wholemeal sourdough toast
Spread with mighty mite and mashed avocado
Crushed garlic spread next and covered with chopped walnuts
and then if you feel like it sprinkled with yeast flakes
Delicious!
Thanks for your recipe! I love the simplicity of the basic recipe, and really love all the suggestions to kick it up a notch. I ordered avocado toast at a local restaurant this morning…they served mashed avocado on a sturdy sesame wheat bread with garlic and lemon dressing, topped with freshly made pico de gallo (with fresh cilantro) and goat cheese. Oh my word! Delicious!
Sounds delicious! thank you for sharing, Susan.
I used multi grain bread with Trader Joe’s hot and spicy pepper jelly spread at bottom , a thin layer of tomatoes, red onions sliced then mashed avacado mixed with everything bagel seasoning. Delicious !
Thank you for sharing! Sounds like an interesting take. I appreciate your review, Mary!
I loved mine drizzled with toasted sesame oil but after reading this will definitely broaden my horizons, including adding sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
That sounds like a delicious combination, Claire! Thank you for your review.
At 79 my first and I loved it. I put the everything bagel topping. Thank you from a former Missourian!
You’re welcome!
Yes good call on smashing the abos first! We added garlic salt and fresh ground peppers with a sprinkle of shredded Mozzarella. Yum!
That’s great to hear, Media! I appreciate your review.
Yumm, need to try that balsamic one! I use avocado mashed, garlic clove grated, tsp. olive oil,1/8 tsp red pepper flakes,tsp lime juice, sprinkle of black pepper, 5 snipped kalamata olives, 5 snipped sundried tomatoes. sprinkle of pine nuts. Pile it on my 647 bread toast, love it!
Tried another way…mashed avocado, 1/4″ diced jalapino, 2 cloves garlic minced, 5 cherry tomatoes sliced, 1 T EVOO, 3 olives sliced, 2 1/2 T Feta, black pepper, 1/8 C sunflower seeds, 1/4 C red pepper chopped, 1/2 tsp lime juice, mix all together over toasted seeded rye bread
I’m going to print off all these tasty idea recipes down and start making them! Lots of great tastes, It’s all about flavor to me, can’t go brand! Thanks everyone!
this dish is stereotypically known as a basic white girl recipe, so strange how so many people commented that this was their first time trying it – where have you been??
although, this has been one of my favorite go-to for a healthy breakfast since high school to college!
I like my avocado toast with a hard boiled egg, sliced, salt & pepper and drizzled with an espresso balsamic vinegar. Yum!
Wow it is delicious thanks a lot for your help
Planning to make your Avocado toast for my visiting healthy eating son and his vegetarian girlfriend! Going to add the egg, over medium, tomato, fresh basil and quick picked red onion! Thanks for the recipe and tips!
Sounds delicious! I hope it’s a hit.
I used a whole avocado and added curry powder, fresh Italian Basil I’m growing, a clove of fresh garlic, and flaky sea salt. To plate the avocado spread, I used in this order Rye Pumpernickel bread, avocado spread, added diced heirloom tomato Cherokee Black, drizzled EVOO, spritzed with fresh squeezed lemon juice, and topped with an over easy fried egg. Yummy in my Tummy!
First time making avocado toast and I loved it . I used your recipe and sliced tomatoes on top it was delightful . Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome, Loretta! I’m happy you enjoy it.
I love my avocado toast. I have it every morning. I toast a slice of Dave’s 21 grain bread and spread with my guacamole made with avocado, minced jalapeño peppers,cilantro, lemon juice, salt. I add a slice of tomato, fried egg white sprinkled with bacon bits and Everything Bagel Seasoning. Delicious!!!
Loved the tomato,basil, balsamic topping. Those small additions really made my avocado toast extra special.
I’m excited you enjoyed the inspiration, Ebony! I appreciate your review.
I tried the tomato + balsamic vinegar combo on top of avocado toast. I thought it was good, but missing something. The next day I sprinkled garlic powder on the avocado, then topped with tomato and balsamic vinegar and it was fantastic! Also, definitely try mashed avocado one day and sliced avocado another day – sliced avocado wins hands down to me! :)
I use frozen avocado that is thawed and mashed with a smidge of salt and top it with Everything-Bagel seasoning (Trader Joe’s is available on Amazon). In the summer I will add a slice of tomato too.
Thank you for sharing, Macey! I appreciate you sharing.
I’ve been making mine on toasted bagels in various flavors for years.. top 3 favorite flavors are onion, garlic and hatch chili bagels… of course toasted -and adding lime and cracked pepper is like heaven in my tummy
Wife tops hers with sliced banana.
I need lots of protein, so here are my layers for an open face breakfast. Toasted bakery bread/ guacamole/ pico de gallo/ baby spring lettuce mix/ bacon/ fried egg/ S&P/ Yummy!
How do you normally eat avocado toast? I ordered it in a restaurant and the avocado was sliced with long pieces of bacon hanging over and a fried egg on top. It didn’t really lend itself to using my fingers but the toast was kind of hard to cut. I also found it kind of bland and figured it would be better to eat guacamole toast! Yours sounds almost like that.
I use Ezekiel 4:9 bread. It’s super healthy, easily digested, contains ALL of the proteins that humans require, and it’s delicious. You find it in the grocer’s freezer section, because there are no preservatives. Bon Appetit.
I made Avocado toast for the first time. I mashed the Avocado with garlic, dill, cilantro, parsley, salt and pepper. I also folded in some fresh salsa that I pick up in the produce section and added a couple teaspoons of olive oil to one Avocado. This is soooo good I definitely will be making this more often. Thank you for your excellent idea’s.
You’re welcome, JJ! I’m glad you felt inspired. I appreciate your review.
When I made this with my mom, it tasted so good! Thank you for making my breakfast today brighter!
I add softened cream cheese abd a dash of onion powder.
I add a couple spoonsful softened cream cheese and a dash of onion powder to mashed avocado.
Got a craving and saw your recipe. Then saw comments. Sitting here trying to figure out which topping combo I want now. Trying to figure out if we can put onion,salsa egg,garlic,lemon,cream cheese,sour cream,tomatoes,olive oil,balsamic vinaigrette,salt,pepper,basil all at one time because it all sounds good lol
I’m glad you found these combinations helpful, Elizabeth! I appreciate your review.
Push the avocado seed out from behind. Loved this tasty treat with everything bagel seasoning from Aldi’s.
I love Mashed avocado on toasted blueberry English muffins. Sounds weird? Tastes cgreat! Blueberries add just a little sweetness to the salted avocado and crunchy English muffin.
I love avocado toast but I drizzle honey on mine with a sprinkle of cinnamon topped with chopped walnuts or pecans. You can add dried cranberries too. Delicious!
Anyone have a thick balsalmic they recommend?
Hi Karrie! I love the Napa Valley 25 stars.
I used Nonna Pia’s Balsamic glaze; it was delicious!
I usually have my Avocado Toast as follows. Once the avocado is mashed, I add a little finely cut dry chilli or chilli flakes, finely cut onion, tiny bit of olive oil, crushed garlic and pinch of salt and pepper. It is one of my favorite snacks and isn’t high in calories. I came to this page to look for more inspiration to add new toppings and I’m definitely inspired :)
My husband eats avocado toast most days for breakfast, but needed to change up the flavors, so I came here to get some ideas. He’s on the Whole Food Plant Based diet (mostly), so he eats his on toasted Dave’s Killer Bread (the powerseed variation in the red bag) with avocado, lots of pink Himalayan salt, fresh ground black pepper, and lots of hemp seeds (high in protein). I’m excited to try a bunch of these other flavors and variations everyone has posted. Thank you!
Tajin. Especially the habańero Tajin. A good bread, a little butter, avocado mash, with a generous sprinkling of Tajin. Yum!!
I’ve known about avocado toast for around 15 years, right around the time I stopped eating anything with gluten or yeast. About 2 months ago, I learned I am NOT allergic to gluten or yeast! I’ve been having a ball, reacquainting myself to things I always loved. Today, I had part of a perfectly ripe & rich-tasting avo, and a few pieces of a nice NY rye with caraway seeds. I toasted a slice- it was kismet – it came out absolutely perfectly! I spread the avo on it, and OMG… just as it was, no added anything, it was perfection! I think I will become addicted to it!
I never understood the hype until I decided I was going to try it for lunch today. Made mine with garlic salt, pepper, and sliced baby tomatoes. Love it, and can’t wait to try it refrigerated with my bagel chips!!
I’ve been making avocado toast for decades. Oh, the flavors! For mine, I toast a sprinkle of cheese– cheddar tastes best- and some tomatoes, then load the avocado on top. The flavor mix is incredible. Occasionally I do garlic and basil. Yum!
Thank you for sharing, K!
Avocado toast is a must-have meal in my home. It truly exemplifies the idea that the kitchen is the hearth of the home. I love to live, laugh, and love my way into devouring this avocado toast in my home-hearth. My children state, mouths agape as I unhinge my jaw to swallow an entire bread loaf sized portion of avocado toast in one, mouth soddening gulp. Thanks for this recipe, it shall sustain this family for generations.
Made for breakfast. I used rustic whole grain wheat toast. Added salt to the mashed avocado. Topped with sliced campari tomatoes, finely chopped onion, everything but the bagel seasoning, roasted sunflower seeds, a Sprinkle of fresh parsley and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. OMG, the best! Will definitely make this again. Maybe for lunch! Hah!
Whichever way…it is most delicious! Mine is just plain whole wheat + squeezed ripe avocado; when in need of FAT, AVo is 100% veggie fat healthy and tasty; for >50years I have cooked w/o salt as in NaCl, and its absence has sharpened and honed my taste buds! My own conclusion for no one has ever written about this! No research! Ever asked yourself WHY ad Salt? My taste buds are most sharp today!
I had only ever eaten avocado toast once in a restaurant, but today I had a very rope avocado I needed to use, so I decided to try it myself. I looked up recipes and found yours. Thank you for the tips about mashing and salt and extra crispy toast. Mine was delicious! I put stone ground mustard on crisp oat nut bread, the mashed avocado and a fried egg on top. Yum!
You’re welcome, Jennifer! I appreciate your review.
Hi, Kate.
Will try this one next week as I try to lose weight. :D
Is that balsamic vinegar on top of the tomatoes? (last pic).
Thank you!
Yes! I hope you love it.
Favorite avocado toast variation:
Whole grain toasted sourdough with butter or olive oil
Avocado mashed with goat cheese (any savory flavor)
Chili crisp
Poached egg
Salt and pepper to taste
Thank you for sharing! Sounds delicious, Karen.
Well, I finally got around to trying out the Avocado Toast that has got so many people abuzz. I went with fried egg on one, and panseared tomato slices on the other.
one tip for the avocado, I think that is worth it’s time, is to score the flesh of the avocado before scooping it, making a dice just to the skin. that way when you scoop it’s all diced up, and makes mashing much easier.
the tomatos are really fast to cook, just a lil olive oil in a pan, on very high, add the sliced tomatoes, I think wedges work better, it breaks up the skin, and makes nice lil bites. I just seared them till they were dark, on one side, about 2 minutes. seasoned with a little salt and pepper. I did set mine on a plate, since the toast wasn’t done, I think this allowed the tomatoes to drain just a little. might be good to avoid too much juice.
I love my avocado mashed together with grated cheese and boiled egg and eat that on toast. Delicious
I use 12 grain bread for the toast. In a bowl I add the whole avocado mash it up. Then mix in the juice of 1 lime, 2 tablespoons minced onion, and 2 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning. Spread on toast. I usually have some kind of fruit to round out breakfast.
Vegemite on the toast first, then avo (smashed, sliced, or however), then grated cheddar cheese on top. Under the grill until the cheese is adequately melted. YUM – Aussie staple!
I make my avocado toast every morning before I start my day. I use a pinch of salt. Pepper, garlic and Onion powder and sometimes some red pepper flakes! And 1/2 squeezed lime juice and mash away. I don’t like mine super creamy, I prefer mine a little chunky. For my bead I toast this diabetic flourless bread I finding in the freezer section of the store and I top it with a sunny side up egg, Swiss cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chive if I have any on hand! Delish
Thank you for the suggestions! I like a squeeze or 2 of lime, salt and a generous shake of truffle powder mixed together and slathered on buttered sourdough toast. So yummy!
I’m excited you love it, Gigi! Thank you for your review.