How to Make
the Best
Avocado Toast
avocado toast
is the coolest thing since sliced bread. Dreamy clouds of mashed avocado on crunchy, warm bread take mealtimes to new heights. And you can feel good about eating avocado toast because it’s made with heart-healthy, nutrient-dense avocados!
Yet many people only order avocado toast over brunch at restaurants and eateries, intimidated by the prospect of making it in their own kitchen. Don’t worry, we’ve got you. In under five minutes, you can learn how to make avocado toast at home.
Avocado Toast
First, to make simple avocado toast, you need a ripe avocado that will mash easily. Ripe avocados are typically a darker green or purple than unripe avocados. They also have a little give when squeezed.
How do you know an avocado’s ripe? Squeeze it. Ripe avocados have some give. If still firm, leave it in a paper bag with a banana for 24 hours to encourage ripening.
Next, you need to cut the avocado with a sharp knife, which is safer than a dull knife since it’s less likely to slip.
Carefully cut the avocado in half around the pit, lengthwise. Twist the two halves apart. Now the fun part: gently whack the knife into the pit and turn to release it from the flesh.
Once you’ve removed the pit, it’s smashing time. Scoop out the flesh from the skin with a spoon. Smash the avocado onto your toast with the back of a fork. If you prefer slices of avocado fanned out on your toast, you can slice into the flesh of the avocado with the skin still on and then spoon out the slices with a spoon.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste.
Good Avocado Toast: Bread Choice Matters
requires two things: ripe avocados and good bread, of which there are hundreds, if not thousands, of varieties. How do you know which one is the best bread for avocado toast?
That depends on your taste preferences and nutritional goals. Sweeter avocado toast recipes, such as this Avocado French Toast, call for sweeter, thicker breads such as brioche or challah. Meanwhile, chewy, yeasty breads like sourdough are great for salty and cheesy recipes, such as Burrata Avocado Toast or avocado toast with Colby jack.
Sometimes, for dietary reasons or simply for fun, it’s nice to swap toast for another flat food. For example, to keep your meal minimally processed, try avocado toast on baked sweet potato slices. Need to woo a special someone? Serve them Toasted Cornbread with Avocado in bed.
Don’t toss out unused avocado! This video shows you how to keep leftover avocado fresh. Rubbing the avocado with olive oil and covering it with plastic wrap keeps air from reaching the surface, which causes oxidation and turns the avocado brown. Store in the fridge for tomorrow’s toast! You’re welcome, future you.
If you’re trying to get fit, avocado toast can help with weight loss as part of a healthy eating pattern. Avocados contain fiber, which helps you feel full longer after eating. They also have vitamins and minerals good for post-workout recovery. Choose bread with whole grains and seeds, which contain more protein and nutrients than refined white bread.
- 6g of naturally good fats help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins
- Sugar-free
- Sodium-free
- Fiber helps you feel full longer and aids digestion (11% DV)
- Vitamins K, B5, C, E, potassium, folate, niacin, magnesium, and copper
Guac!
Last, but certainly not least, remember guacamole toast is an option. Go with a classic guacamole recipe using avocados, lemon, cilantro, tomato, and onion. Or throw in leftovers from last night’s dinner, such as veggies, herbs, and fruits, to add more fiber and vitamins to the mix.
Creamy, mildly nutty avocado goes well with just about every food on Earth, and the right bread and toppings can simply sing. Unsure where to start? Try some of our favorite avocado toast recipes, or use this avocado toast toppings cheat sheet from health food blogger Monique Volz.