Avocado Toast with Egg

There's something almost meditative about the moment when a perfectly ripe avocado yields to your fork, releasing that buttery green against warm toast. I stumbled onto this combination during a lazy Sunday morning when my kitchen seemed to have nothing but these exact ingredients, and I was too tired to plan anything elaborate. What started as making do with what was on hand became the breakfast I'd find myself craving on mornings when I needed something that felt both nourishing and simple.

I made this for my neighbor one morning when she'd stayed over after we'd talked until midnight about life changes. She took one bite and got quiet in that way people do when food lands just right, and then she asked me to write down what I'd done. Now whenever I see avocado at the market, I think of her saying it tasted like care.

Ingredients

• Whole-grain or sourdough bread (2 slices): The bread matters more than you'd think—a good loaf with actual structure will hold the avocado without getting soggy.
• Ripe avocado (1): This is non-negotiable; a hard avocado won't mash properly and will taste slightly bitter.
• Lemon juice (1 teaspoon): This brightens the avocado and prevents browning, so don't skip it even though the amount seems small.
• Sea salt (1/4 teaspoon): Use good salt if you have it; it makes a noticeable difference in how the flavors bloom.
• Freshly ground black pepper (1/8 teaspoon): Fresh pepper has a bite that pre-ground stuff just doesn't deliver.
• Red chili flakes (1/8 teaspoon, optional): A subtle heat that sneaks up on you and makes everything taste more alive.
• Large eggs (2, optional): If you're using them, the yolk should be runny enough to become a sauce for the toast.
• Fresh chives or cilantro, chopped (1 tablespoon): This is the whisper at the end that makes people ask what you added.
• Extra-virgin olive oil (1 teaspoon, optional): A good oil matters here since you're tasting it directly.

Instructions

Toast the bread until it's golden and snappy:

This takes about 3 minutes depending on your toaster. You want it crisp enough to hold up to the avocado but not so dark that it tastes bitter.

Scoop and mash the avocado:

While the bread toasts, cut your avocado in half, twist gently to separate the halves, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Using a fork, mash it until you have mostly smooth texture with a few small chunks still visible.

Season the avocado mixture:

Add the lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes if you're using them. Stir gently so the flavors have time to get to know each other.

Cook the eggs if you're adding them:

Heat a tablespoon of oil or butter in a pan over medium heat and cook your eggs however you prefer. Fried or poached works beautifully here because the runny yolk becomes part of the whole experience.

Spread the avocado onto the warm toast:

Use the back of a fork to distribute it evenly, leaving a tiny border so the bread still shows through.

Top and finish:

If you've made eggs, lay one on top of each slice. Drizzle with a small amount of good olive oil and scatter the fresh herbs over everything. Serve right away while the toast is still warm.

Save to Pinterest

I watched my daughter eat this for the first time and realize that good food doesn't have to be complicated to matter. There's something powerful about showing someone that breakfast doesn't have to come from a box or chain, that sometimes the best meals are the ones you make in ten minutes with genuine ingredients.

Choosing Your Avocado

The avocado is the star of this show, so it deserves a moment of attention. A ripe one should yield slightly when you press it gently in your palm, with no hard spots or dark bruises. If you're at the market and everything looks too firm, ask yourself if you can wait a day or two, because rushing a hard avocado into this dish is a disappointment you'll taste with every bite. I've learned to buy avocados two or three days before I plan to use them, letting them ripen on my kitchen counter where I can watch them transform.

Why This Works as a Meal

There's a reason this combination keeps appearing on menus and in home kitchens across the world. The creamy richness of avocado pairs perfectly with the slight bitterness of toasted whole grain, and if you add an egg, you've got fat, protein, and carbs all speaking to each other in a way that actually keeps you satisfied. The bright notes of lemon and the small heat from chili don't compete; they simply make everything taste more intentional. I've served this to people rushing to work and to people with nowhere to be, and it works equally well for both because it tastes like you paid attention, even if you didn't.

Ways to Make It Your Own

Once you've made this basic version a few times, you'll start seeing it as a canvas for small variations depending on what you have and what you're craving. I keep a mental list of additions that work, though I try not to overcomplicate it. The best version is always the one that fits your mood and your morning.

• A thin slice of good feta cheese adds a tangy contrast that makes the avocado taste even creamier somehow.
• Paper-thin slices of radish bring a peppery crunch that's surprising and welcome.
• Smoked salmon transforms this into something that feels almost fancy, which matters on mornings when you need to feel capable.

Save to Pinterest

This is the kind of recipe that teaches you something important about cooking early on: sometimes the best meals are the ones made without fuss, with ingredients you actually care about. I hope you find yourself making this regularly, and that it becomes one of those dishes that feels like home.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of bread works best?

Whole-grain or sourdough bread offers the best texture and flavor, providing a crisp base that holds the avocado well.

→ How do you keep the avocado from browning?

Adding lemon juice to the mashed avocado helps slow oxidation and maintains its vibrant color.

→ Can I make it vegan?

Yes, simply omit the egg or replace it with sliced tomatoes or radishes for added freshness.

→ What spices enhance the flavor?

Sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a dash of red chili flakes add balanced seasoning and a subtle heat.

→ What cooking method suits the eggs best?

Poached or fried eggs work well, adding richness without overpowering the creamy avocado.