Healthy Avocado Toast + 3 Variations (Vegan)

Also known as “smashed avocado”, “mashed avocado” or “avocado spread”, Avocado Toast is typically served as an open sandwich like bruschetta. Eaten for breakfast, brunch or lunch, it’s prepared with toast, perfectly ripe avocado, a sprinkle of salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Similar to simple French or Italian recipes, the secret to making the best Avocado Toast is found in the quality of the ingredients. Delicious crusty bread from the bakery, ripe avocados and seasonal fresh ingredients will make these toasts shine!

The best bread for Avocado Toast will vary depending on the flavours you are craving. If you want a meal that in light and to compliment the flavours of the avocado, an organic sourdough or white bread is better.

Although you can select any bread variety for this recipe, the best bread for Avocado Toast is one that is around 2-3cm (1 inch) in thickness. I suggest purchasing (or baking) an entire loaf and manually cutting your slices.

Another tip, which may seem obvious at first, is to toast your bread well. This will offer a crunchy texture that pairs wonderfully with creamy avocado. It also creates a strong foundation to hold all the delicious toppings without the toast collapsing!

Although any variety of bread can be used, a healthy bread for avocado toast include a rye or seeded variety such as a sprouted Ezekiel Bread.

When is avocado good? The best way to identify a perfectly ripe and creamy avocado is by looking at its appearance, its firmness and with the help of a sneaky little trick I learned from Northwest Edible Life.

The fool-proof way to pick the best avocado is first to observe the outside to identify any obvious signs of bruising. Sight is not always the most reliable source to identify a perfect avocado. When holding the avocado in the palm of your hand, after a gentle squeeze it should feel firm. The ultimate test however, is to peer under the stem of the avocado. If it’s consistently green it is likely to be beautiful and creamy on the inside.

Although it can seem daunting, it’s really easy to mash an avocado.
First, half the avocado and carefully remove the pit. Cut the avocado into cubes. Using a soup spoon, scoop the avocado into a small bowl with a squeeze of lemon juice. Using a fork, roughly mash the avocado until it is your preferred consistency. Voila!

Although avocado has a lovely unctuous texture, it is subtle in flavour. Because of the delicate taste, avocado can easily become lost when served with more pungent flavours like garlic. The surest way to make avocado taste better and bring the flavours forward is with a small pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper.

Another delicious alternative, you can season avocado toast with a pinch of cayenne pepper, lemon and lime to cut through the avocado’s creaminess, paprika or balsamic vinegar.

The best recipes are your own! Get creative and play with the Avocado Toast toppings to create some simple Avocado Toast recipe variations.

Ideas for Avocado Toast Variations are:
– Avocado Toast with Poached Egg and Almond Dukkah
– Avocado Toast with Poached Egg
– Avocado Toast with Honey
– Avocado Toast with Feta
– Avocado Toast with Tomato
– Avocado Toast with Chilli Flakes