You and avocado toast have a thing going on and with good reasons: It tastes good, it’s filling and it looks great on Instagram. While we’d never tell you to say goodbye to avocado forever, we’d like to suggest that it might be time to, you know, branch out and check out some other toppings. You can call it going on a (very delicious) break.
1. Ricotta, Raspberry and Cashew Toasts
Serves 2
Milky ricotta, bright raspberries, rich cashew nuts and honey make for a decadent, sweet breakfast. Better yet? This recipe is pretty simple.What you’ll need:
2 slices toast
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
2 small handfuls of raspberries (about 3 ounces)
1/4 cup cashew halves
2 teaspoons honey
Spread each toast slice with 1/4 cup ricotta and top with a handful of raspberries. Sprinkle with cashews, drizzle with honey and serve.
2. Almond Butter, Grape and Granola Toasts
Serves 2
Classic breakfast flavors and textures star in this must-try toast. Mix it up by substituting blueberries or diced mango for the grapes.What you’ll need:
2 slices toast
1/4 cup almond butter
1/2 cup assorted grapes, halved
2 tablespoons granola
Spread each toast slice with 2 tablespoons almond butter and scatter with grapes. Sprinkle with granola and serve.
3. Crème Fraîche, Charred Sugar Snaps and Radish Toasts
Serves 2
Looking for a substitute for cream cheese or ricotta? Try crème fraîche: This tangy, thick and creamy topping is a great way to mix up your toast’s base.What you’ll need:
1/2 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
2 slices toast
1/4 cup crème fraîche
2 radishes, very thinly sliced
Zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
Flaky sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Heat a small, heavy skillet over high heat. When very hot, add sugar snaps and cook, tossing, until the skins just begin to char and blister, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.Spread each toast slice with crème fraîche. Top with peas, radishes and lemon zest. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and serve.
4. Ricotta, Pear and Thyme Toasts
Serves 2
These toasts are delicious and sweet, but you can take them in a more savory direction by sprinkling each with a few pinches coarse sea salt and a little freshly ground black pepper.What you’ll need:
2 slices toast
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 pear, cored and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or hazelnuts
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons honey
Spread each toast slice with 1/4 cup ricotta and layer with pear slices. Sprinkle with nuts and thyme, drizzle each with a teaspoon of honey and serve.
5. Halloumi Toasts with Hummus and Balsamic
Serves 2
Firm, springy halloumi cheese is a great base: Its unique texture point means it browns quite nicely when grilled or pan-seared. Here it’s paired with a super savory combo of hummus and balsamic vinegar.What you’ll need:
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 (1-ounce) slices Will Studd Halloumi Cheese
2 slices toast
3 tablespoons hummus
Balsamic vinegar (preferably aged)
Microgreens or sprouts
Heat 1 teaspoon of the extra-virgin olive oil in a small, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add cheese slices and cook, turning once, until browned and soft, about 5 minutes. Spread toasts with hummus, top with cheese, drizzle with balsamic and remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Sprinkle with microgreens and serve.
More DIY Toast Tips
You have our recipes — now perfect your technique with these helpful toast-making pointers.
Start with great bread. Don’t be afraid to buy that big, beautiful loaf calling your name from the bakery display. Slice and freeze what you don’t eat after a day or two, and you’ll have it for breakfast all week. Bread toasts really well when it’s frozen, so there’s no need to thaw it. Bonus: We don’t allow bleached and bromated flour in our bread.
Think about a mix of textures. A creamy base is not only classic, but it’s also effective at holding the rest of your ingredients in place. Include something with crunch, like nuts, seeds or crisp veggies. And finally, add something a little bit extra, like an egg with a velvety yolk or sweet fruit like berries.
Garnish however you’d like. A sprinkle of herbs, coarse sea salt, citrus zest or a spice blend like Za’atar or peri-peri or a drizzle of fruity extra-virgin olive oil or honey can take toast to the next level. Want to go for a little bit of luxury? Try truffle oil or truffle honey, aged balsamic vinegar or microgreens.
Not every toast needs planning. An impromptu, improvised toast recipe quickly put together from whatever you’re craving, or whatever’s in season, can work pretty well, too. In fact, it might become your favorite.
