Avocado Toast

There was a tiny cafe in Melbourne where I first understood that avocado toast could be an actual revelation, not just brunch Instagram fodder. The bread was charred in all the right places and the avocado had this impossibly bright, almost electric freshness that made me pause mid-bite. I spent weeks trying to recreate that specific balance of creaminess and acid at home, burning through half a loaf of sourdough every Sunday morning. Eventually I realized the secret wasn't some fancy technique—it was simply not overthinking it while paying attention to every single ingredient.

My roommate used to stumble into the kitchen on Saturday mornings, hair everywhere, asking if I was making 'the green stuff' again. I'd be there with my fork and lemon juice, working out the previous night's stress into the avocado bowl. Those impromptu breakfasts became our unofficial weekly check-in, the kind where conversations drift from nonsense to something real without either of really noticing until the coffee's cold and we've solved nothing and everything at once.

Ingredients

• Whole-grain or sourdough bread: The structure matters here—sourdough holds up beautifully under all that creamy avocado without turning into a sad situation
• Ripe avocado: Give it a gentle press near the stem; if there's slight give but no mush, you've found the one that will mash into perfect velvet
• Lemon juice: This isn't just about brightness—it keeps the avocado from turning an unappetizing brown if you're taking your time
• Sea salt: Larger flakes dissolve slowly into the avocado, creating these tiny bursts of salinity that make each bite interesting
• Black pepper: Freshly cracked makes a genuine difference you can actually taste
• Red chili flakes: Even if you're sensitive to heat, a tiny pinch wakes everything up without overwhelming the creaminess
• Eggs: Completely optional but they turn this from a snack into a legitimate meal that keeps you full for hours
• Fresh chives or cilantro: The oniony brightness of chives cuts through the richness, while cilantro adds this lovely citrusy floral note
• Extra-virgin olive oil: A drizzle at the end adds this luxurious finish that makes everything taste restaurant-quality

Instructions

Get your bread golden and waiting:

Toast until it's pale gold with deeper brown spots—you want structure that will support everything without hurting the roof of your mouth

Prep the avocado while you wait:

Halve it, remove the pit with a careful knife thwack, and scoop all that green goodness into your mixing bowl

Build your flavor base:

Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes, then mash with your fork until mostly smooth—those little chunks of avocado are what make each spoonful feel generous

Cook your eggs if you're going that route:

Fried until the edges lace up, or poached for that perfect runny yolk situation that puddles into everything

Assemble with intention:

Spread the avocado mixture thick and proud, top with your egg if you made one, then finish with herbs and that final olive oil drizzle

Eat immediately:

This is not a meal that improves with time—those contrast textures are at their peak right now

Save

My friend Sarah texted me at midnight once, devastated after a terrible date, asking for the avocado toast recipe. I told her it wasn't really a recipe, more of a feeling, but she showed up at my door anyway with a bag of avocados. We sat on the kitchen floor eating burnt-toast versions of this at 2am, laughing about things that weren't actually funny, and somehow that imperfect meal fixed what hurt more than anything else could have.

Bread Choices That Actually Work

Sourdough is the classic choice for a reason—its tangy flavor plays beautifully with the rich avocado and its sturdy texture won't surrender halfway through eating. Whole-grain bread adds nutty depth and extra fiber, while seeded varieties bring this satisfying crunch in every bite. If you're gluten-free, a dense nut and seed bread can actually work surprisingly well here, giving you that essential contrast between creamy and toothsome.

Making It Yours

Once you've got the basic formula down, the variations become endless and exciting. Smashed chickpeas mixed into the avocado add protein and a different kind of creaminess that's genuinely satisfying. A soft boiled egg instead of fried changes the whole texture profile into something almost luxurious. Sliced radishes bring this sharp peppery crunch that cuts through everything beautifully.

Serving It Like You Mean It

This transforms from breakfast to dinner with just a few thoughtful adjustments and proper presentation. A simple green salad on the side makes it feel complete and intentional. Extra chili flakes on the table let everyone adjust their own heat level. A properly poached egg makes it feel like something you'd order at a cafe but better because you made it exactly how you want it.

• Have everything prepped before you start toasting—that bread waits for no one
• Season your avocado mixture more boldly than you think is necessary
• Eat standing up at the counter if nobody's watching—it somehow tastes better that way

Save

The beauty of this recipe is how it scales from quick weekday breakfast to lazy weekend brunch without losing any of its magic. Sometimes the simplest things are exactly what we need.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I know when the avocado is ripe?

Gently squeeze the avocado—it should yield slightly to pressure without feeling mushy. The skin should be dark green to nearly black. A ripe avocado will have a creamy texture perfect for spreading.

→ What type of bread works best?

Sourdough and whole-grain breads provide excellent texture and flavor support. Their hearty structure holds up well to the creamy topping without becoming soggy. Choose slices thick enough to stay crisp when loaded with toppings.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

The avocado mixture can be prepared up to 2 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent browning. Toast the bread and assemble just before serving for optimal texture.

→ What's the best way to cook the egg?

Poached eggs create a luxurious sauce when broken, while fried eggs with crispy edges add satisfying contrast. Both methods complement the creamy avocado perfectly. Cook the egg until the white is set but the yolk remains runny.

→ How can I add more protein?

Beyond eggs, try topping with smoked salmon, crumbled feta, or hemp seeds. Leftover grilled chicken or chickpeas also work well. These additions transform this into a more substantial meal while maintaining the delicious balance of flavors.

→ Is this suitable for meal prep?

Store the seasoned avocado mixture separately from toasted components. Keep everything refrigerated in airtight containers and assemble fresh when ready to eat. This prevents sogginess and maintains the ideal texture contrast.