Avocado Toast

The ultimate guide to making the BEST avocado toast, from simple to fancied up. 

When avocado toast first became a trendy thing, I just had to giggle. Those of us who grew up in California had been eating this delicious combo all our lives. As I kid, my favorite was toast with avocado, tomato and melted white cheddar cheese. 

Avocado toast is one of those simple pleasures that never gets old. I can tell you like it too, because my Avocado Bruschetta recipe is still so very popular here. I’m still enjoying it almost daily, 30 years later. And my kids request it for breakfast and snack more than just about anything else, other than maybe smoothies and Acai Bowls. I know using avocados can be tricky if you aren’t as familiar with them (ugh! Why do they go bad so quickly?!) so I wanted to put together an avocado toast tutorial and share some of my family’s favorite avocado toast variations. 

Choosing the Best Avocados for Avocado Toast

There are several varieties of avocado. The most common type you’ll find in the grocery store is Haas, probably grown in California or Mexico. Haas avocados are hearty, so they’re easy to ship, and available year round. Their skin turns black when they are ripe.  We have a couple of Haas avocado trees in our backyard, as you can see here, conveniently located next to the lime tree (hello Guacamole). The ones you see my daughter grabbing won’t be soft enough to eat for 5-7 days after picking. Occasionally you’ll find other seasonal varieties like Bacon, Reed, and Fuerte – and I definitely recommend trying them. 

Simple Avocado Toast Ingredients

There are just two essential ingredients for avocado toast and they’re pretty obvious: avocados and toast. Here’s what I always add for simple avocado toast for two: 

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 slices crusty sourdough bread (Ezekiel if I’m feeling extra healthy) 
• pinch of sea salt (it makes a big difference!) 
• little squeeze of lemon juice 

How do I Know if My Avocados are Ripe? 

A few tips and tricks for the best avocado toast worthy avocados: 

• Avocados should give just slightly when pressed, like a ripe pear. 
• The little stem stump at the top should come out easily. 
• You can speed up ripening by storing avocados in a brown paper bag for a day or two. 
• Once ripe, store your avocados in the refrigerator until ready to use. 
• There’s cool new plant-based science from Apeel Sciences that keeps avocados (and other fruit) perfectly fresh for days. Depending on your location, you may be able to find them at Costco and other stores. 

How to Make Avocado Toast

Step 1: Cut the Avocado in Half

After cutting the avocado in half and removing the pit, you can either slice the avocado or simply scoop it out and smash it on the toast. It’s a personal preference thing. While most people seem to like smashed avocado, I like slices that have a bit more bite and less mush. 

Step 2: Top Your Toast

Place or smash half the avocado on each piece of toast. 

Step 3: Salt & Lemon

Sprinkle a pinch of good quality sea salt (I like pink salt) over the avocado. Squeeze a little fresh lemon or  lime juice over the top. This is especially helpful if you’re not eating immediately as it will help slow browning. 

Step 4: Eat! 

Don’t delay – this is one snack that should be eaten right away. 

Best Avocado Toast Recipe Ideas 

Simple 

This is my kids’ favorite way to eat avocado toast. It’s just toasted sourdough, a few slices of avocado, and a pinch of salt. No lemon for them. 

Everything Bagel

This may just be the best use of Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. 

Tofu Scramble

For when you could use a protein boost. Egg on avocado toast is a classic. If you’d like to try a vegan version, whip up a batch of Tofu Scramble and put it on top. A great post-workout snack, especially when topped with micro greens and again, Everything But the Bagel seasoning. 

Spinach

An easy way to get in those greens and plant-based iron. Saute a few handfuls of baby spinach in a teensy bit of extra virgin olive oil and a little pinch of salt and pepper just until wilted. Then add on top of your avocado. I like a slice of tomato here too, for contrast of color, flavor, and texture. 

Sprouts or Pumpkin Seeds

Sprouts, broccoli sprouts shown here, and roasted pumpkin seeds are a fantastic way to add texture and nutrition. 

Tahini

This variety is a copycat of a beautiful one at my favorite local coffee shop, Handlebar. Crusty bread is topped with smashed avocado, and topped with microgreens, sliced radish, tomatoes, pomegranate arils, and a drizzle of tahini sauce. 

Italian Caprese 

Topped with slices of Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and a balsamic drizzle, this is my personal favorite topping idea. It’s a bit like our Authentic Tomato Bruschetta had a baby with avocado toast. 

Southwestern Style 

Topped with black beans, radish, tomatoes and a squeeze of lime juice, this version is a filling and flavorful twist on the classic. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is avocado toast healthy? Whether a food is healthy or not is a subjective thing and dependent on individual bodies. For me, yes it is a healthy breakfast or snack filled with whole food plant-based fats and fiber. It’s filling, delicious, and satisfying. Like anything else, it’s a good idea not to go overboard. And of course if you top your toast with a fried egg, bacon, and cheese it’s really couldn’t be considered health food. 

How many calories are in avocado toast? The answer will depend on the bread you choose, so check the nutrition label. A medium avocado has about 300 calories. 

Can I make avocado toast in advance? Avocados brown quickly, so it’s best to make your avocado toast just before eating. Adding an acid like lemon or lime juice or vinegar helps keep it fresh longer. My Avocado Bruschetta is mixed with white balsamic and stays fresh all day. 

More Avocado Recipes to Try 

• Stuffed Avocados 
• Southwestern Salad with Avocado Dressing 
• Avocado Salad 
• Mango Avocado Salsa

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Yield: 2 toasts

Avocado Toast

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

How to make the best avocado toast ever! From simple to loaded up with healthy toppings, try all of these delicious avocado toast recipes. All of these easy avocado toast recipes are vegan. To make gluten-free, simply use gluten free bread.

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Ingredients

Simple Avocado Toast

• 1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
• 2 slices favorite bread, toasted
• pinch sea salt
• 1/2 lemon (optional)

Southwestern

• 1/8 cup drained and rinsed black beans
• a few cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 radish, sliced
• juice of 1/2 lime
• microgreens
• fresh cilantro

Tahini

• a few cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 radish, sliced
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils
• 2 tablespoons prepared tahini sauce
• microgreens

Italian

• 1 Roma tomato, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced
• drizzle balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper, to taste

Tofu Scramble

• 1/2 batch tofu scramble
• 2 tablespoons micro greens
• salt and pepper, to taste

Everything Bagel

• 1/2 tablespoon Everything But the Bagel Seasoning

Spinach

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, sauteed until wilted
• salt and pepper, to taste

Pumpkin Seeds

• 2 tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds
• salt and pepper, to taste

Sprouts

• 1/4 cup washed and drained sprouts (I like broccoli sprouts)
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Carefully cut the avocado halves into 1/4" slices. Scoop out with a spoon and arrange on the toast, or smash with a fork. Sprinkle the avocado with a pinch of salt. Squeeze a little lemon juice over if not eating immediately.
2. Eat as-is, or add any of the topping ideas provided in the ingredients list.

Notes

Avocado turns brown quickly, so I don't recommend making it in advance.

Nutrition has been calculated for the Simple Avocado Toast.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1 toast
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 183Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 190mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 6gSugar: 2gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your favorite calculator.