5 Amazing Avocado Toast Recipes
So, let’s talk about the avocado toast craze…it combines any kind of bread with the smooth and creamy texture of avocado. I could happily eat bread with avocado on it every day of the week, but for those with a more refined palate, there are tons of other fresh and healthy additions to the basic avocado toast.
Two main things to keep in mind while creating your own avocado toast is to pick a bread that you prefer (my favorites include wheat, challah, rye, and Ezekiel bread). Just about any bread works, even a bagel or English muffin…just make sure to avoid white bread because it isn’t giving you the nutrients that busy moms need.
For the avocado aspect, many of my recipes call for “avocado spread.” What is this, exactly? Smashed avocado seasoned with salt and pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice to keep it from turning brown. But if you don’t have any citrus in the house, add a splash of olive oil and your spread is ready to go.
You will also notice that many of my recipes call for tomatoes…and there is a reason for this other than that I simply love tomatoes. When you combine avocado and tomato, there are health benefits. The healthy fat in avocados is believed to help your body better absorb the antioxidant lycopene which is present in tomatoes. So if you are a tomato lover, be sure to always add them to your favorite style of avocado toast.
Now, onto the recipes. These recipes are inspired by what a busy family like mine has in the fridge. Sometimes I have all of the ingredients…sometimes I don’t. The key is that I start out with my basic bread and avocado and go from there. For lunch, I prefer to make two slices of bread so that it is more filling, but if you are looking for a lighter option, just go with one slice of bread and fruit or a small snack on the side.
CAPRESE TOAST
Diced avocado, tomato, fresh mozzarella (I prefer the balls you can find in the cheese section of your local grocery store), and drizzled balsamic dressing.
BLT TOAST
Avocado spread, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon.
GREEK SALAD
Diced avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, finely diced red onion all tossed in Greek dressing.
SWEET TOAST (Not to be confused with sweet breads…yikes!)
Avocado spread, spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, drizzled vinaigrette.
PROTEIN TOAST
Avocado spread, finely sliced cucumbers, turkey lunch meat, dried cranberries.
I have used these avocado toast recipes on busy weekdays, on weekends when my husband and I want a snack, and when hosting a play date…and so can you! The key is to find what you like and use what you have in the fridge and pantry. Oh, and if you want the best deal on avocados, check out Costco.
Amanda Simkin, a lifelong Chicagoan, created her blog (queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com) to share how she celebrates motherhood in Chicago. She offers “insider’s guides” for both well-known and off-the-beaten-path family-friendly gems. Her fans include Red Tricycle Chicago and Chicago Parent Magazine. You can also follow Amanda on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram,
