The Ultimate Avocado Toast

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/7/23
Tested by
Megan O. Steintrager
Megan O. Steintrager, portrait
Tested by Megan O. Steintrager
Megan O. Steintrager is a an editor and author who's worked in the food media for more than 20 years.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Total: 4 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 2 toasts

Avocado toast may get some eye rolls for being such a super trendy food, but this healthy breakfast item is here to stay. It's not hard to see why: crispy whole grain bread and mashed avocado pair incredibly well, creating the perfect crunchy, creamy bite. The possibilities for toppings are also endless!

This recipe was inspired by the original avocado toast from New York City's Cafe Gitane, which is "New York's first" avocado toast, according to the restaurant's website. In addition to this essential version of avocado toast, we've included several variations to help take your toast to the next level (and inspire you to come up with your own flavorful version).

The Best Bread for Avocado Toast

A hearty multigrain bread works best for avocado toast because it holds up underneath the thick avocado mash and has tons of great flavor to add to the mix. But if you don't have any multigrain, feel free to use whatever loaf you have on hand.

5 Secrets for the Best Avocado Toast

  • Use ripe avocados: Before you cut into your avocado for this recipe, be sure it's nice and ripe so it's easy to mash. It should be dark green or almost black, have bumpy skin, and yield slightly if you give it a gentle squeeze.
  • Don't skip the lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is an essential ingredient in avocado toast—not just to keep the avocado from browning prematurely, but also because the citrus boosts the overall deliciousness, adding tartness to the rich avocado.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil: Olive oil not only contributes to the luxuriousness of avocado toast, it also adds a bit of fruity, peppery flavor and a pleasant hint of sharpness to the mix.
  • Choose flaky salt: While you can use any type of salt for this recipe, a flaky sea salt such as Maldon really shines on avocado toast, and the large flakes make for an inviting presentation, too.
  • Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes: While not essential, a few red pepper flakes add to the visual appeal of avocado toast and add a pleasant bite of heat.
avocado toasts on a plate

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

What's the Difference Between Avocado Toast and Guacamole Toast?

Avocado toast consists of not much more than mashed avocado spread on toast. Meanwhile, guacamole toast is just what it sounds like—toast spread with guacamole, which is made from mashed avocado with add-ins such as onion, cilantro, and chiles.

What to Serve with Avocado Toast

Poached eggs, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, and hard-boiled eggs all pair wonderfully with avocado toast, whether you serve them on the side on pop them on top. If you are serving avocado toast for lunch or dinner, you can round out the meal with a side salad or a bowl of soup. Or pick from one of the many avocado toast toppers below the recipe.

"I didn't think I needed a recipe for avocado toast until I tried this one and discovered I was missing a key ingredient for the most delicious avocado toast: freshly squeezed lemon juice. This avocado toast is great for breakfast, lunch, or even a light dinner—especially if you put an egg on it." — Megan O. Steintrager

Avocado Toast Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 thick slices multigrain toast

  • 1 avocado

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, flaky if possible

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients for avocado toast

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. Toast the bread slices to your desired level of crunchiness. 

    toasted sourdough bread

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Cut, pit, and remove the avocado from its peel.

    avocado peeled and seeded on cutting board resting in a bowl

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. Mash avocado with a fork in a small bowl until it reaches your desired texture. Mix in the lemon juice as you mash. A fork works best but you can also use a mortar and pestle if you wish. 

    avocado mashed in bowl with a fork

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. Divide the avocado mixture between the two slices of toast. Drizzle olive oil over the top of each slice. Add a sprinkle of the red pepper flakes and salt to each piece and serve immediately.

    avocado mash spread onto toast with garnish of salt and red pepper flakes

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

8 Great Avocado Toast Variations

  • Avocado Toast with Feta: Lemon juice, crumbled feta, and sliced cherry tomatoes combine to make a salty, tangy garnish that pops with a hint of sweetness. 
  • Queso Fresco Avocado Toast: Mexican queso fresco is another irresistible crumbly and salty cheese that pairs perfectly with mashed avocado. Add a sprinkle of chili powder and a dash of lime juice to give your toast even more flavor.
  • Avocado Toast with Poached Egg: Everything's better when you put an egg on it, including avocado toast! A squeeze of hot sauce and sea salt make this everything you want out of breakfast.
  • Creamy Sriracha, Radish, and Scallion Avocado Toast: For extra crunch and a spicy kick, add sliced scallions, radishes, and a drizzle of Sriracha mayo.
  • Everything Bagel Avocado Toast: Sprinkle a little everything bagel seasoning on top before serving. Or spread your mashed avocado on a toasted everything bagel.
  • Tomato Basil Balsamic Avocado Toast: Transport yourself to the Italian coast with some beautiful sliced red tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and roughly torn basil leaves.
  • Garlicky Avocado Toast: Rub your multigrain toast with a cut garlic clove before topping with the mashed avocado. 
  • Avocado Toast with Seeds: Sprinkle your avocado toast with pepitas or other seeds or nuts.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
419 Calories
33g Fat
30g Carbs
8g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 419
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 420mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 15g 55%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 21mg 103%
Calcium 57mg 4%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 1064mg 23%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)