The Best Vegan Avocado Toast Ideas

Make the ULTIMATE vegan avocado toast PLUS all the best toppings and garnish ideas & top tips for the best results. A delicious, healthy breakfast, brunch, or lunch!

What To Put on Avocado Toast for the Ultimate Treat

Learn how to make avocado toast with a simple base avocado mash and top tips for the best results. Then, take the toast to the next level with the absolute best avocado toast toppings – including popular and unique options – for a versatile meal you’ll never tire of. It’s the last avocado toast recipe you’ll ever need!

Love all things avocado? You might also like smooth avocado spread, creamy avocado sauce, or Mexican avocado crema.

The Basic Ingredients

The Best Bread for Avocado Toast

• Hearty bread (like sourdough, whole grain, or other crusty bread)
• Bagels
• Hash browns
• Rice cakes
• Crackers

Use regular or gluten-free versions. You can also experiment with more unique options, like pizza or vegetables – like raw/grilled zucchini, tomato, or sweet potato.

The Mashed Avocado

• Avocado: Use ripe avocado, which isn’t overly firm or stringy inside. To check an avocado is ripe, give it a gentle squeeze. It should have some give, but not be mushy. You can also check under the stem. If it’s green or only lightly brown, it’s likely okay inside. If it’s brown, it’s likely overripe. If it won’t easily lift, it’s likely not ripe. However, you can still cut it open to check inside.
• Seasonings: Elevate the smashed avocado with a few simple pantry staples.
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika (sweet or smoked paprika)
  • Sea salt and black pepper
• Extra-virgin Olive oil: (Optional) Or avocado oil – just a little makes fluffier, silky, velvety avocado mash we can’t get enough of. It’s HIGHLY recommended for the BEST avocado toast recipe.
• Lemon: (Optional) A splash of lemon juice (or lime juice) brightens the flavor and helps the avocado stop browning too quickly.

How to add flavor? There are several simple ways to boost the flavor of basic mashed avocado. I.e., with fresh herbs (like cilantro, chives, & scallions), garlic powder or minced garlic, za’atar, hot sauce/red pepper flakes for heat, etc.

The BEST Avocado Toast Toppings

Whether you want a simple and healthy avocado toast or fancy avocado toast, here are the top toppings to pair with this creamy mash.

Fruit and Vegetables

• Pickled vegetables: Particularly pickled pink onions, carrots, beets, or radishes.
• Kimchi: The tangy, spicy flavor pairs well with creamy smashed avocado toast.
• Pomegranate: These juicy seeds add a wonderfully sweet, tart flavor.
• Fruit: Enjoy the contrast of sweet and savory with strawberries, peaches, or mango. Other berries, banana, or apple and pear slices would also work.
• Tomato: Make delicious tomato avocado toast either with sliced or diced (or halved cherry tomatoes) fresh tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes.
• Cucumber: Sliced for fresh flavor and crisp texture.
• Corn: Particularly when lightly charred for added flavor.
• Caramelized onion: For a tender, sweet and savory flavor.
• Mushrooms: Sauteed or roasted for heaps of umami flavor.
• Roasted vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, potato, etc.
• Micro-greens: To sprinkle over the top for a dose of nutrients.

Plant-Based Protein

• Vegan bacon: Store-bought or homemade.
• Tofu/tempeh: Cubed and pan-fried until crispy, scrambled, OR marinated.
• Crispy chickpeas: For flavor and crunch.
• Beans: Chickpeas, black beans, or butter beans would pair with corn, vegan feta, and hot sauce/sriracha for a Tex-Mex-inspired healthy avocado toast idea.

Other Spreads (for beneath the avocado mash)

• Vegan cream cheese: Plain or flavored for a creamy, ‘cheesy’ flavor.
• Vegan ricotta: Same as the above.
• Pesto: Use red or green pesto.
• Hummus: Pair your favorite plain or flavored (like beet hummus or red pepper hummus) with sliced avocado instead of mashed.
• Fig Jam: Or other fruit conserves you may wish to experiment with.

Garnishes

• Everything bagel seasoning: Either in or over the toast for crunch and flavor.
• Japanese furikake: Or similar seasoning – check ingredients to ensure it’s vegan.
• Nuts/seeds: We particularly like pistachios, but walnuts, sunflower seeds, pepitas, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, etc., will add crunch, heart-healthy fats, and protein.
• Sweet chili sauce: Drizzle over for sweet heat and a tasty, simple avocado toast.
• Hot sauce: Like sriracha, for some heat.
• Maple syrup: For wonderful, sweet depth. Pairs with fruits, veg, and chili flakes.
• Balsamic glaze: (also known as balsamic reduction) for sweet, tart, tangy flavor.
• Tahini: Drizzles over the top for a rich, creamy, nutty flavor.
• Flaky sea salt: A little sprinkled over the top really brings out the flavors.
• Vegan feta cheese: For little bursts of creamy, salty, tangy flavor.
• Fresh salsa: Like blended salsa, Pico de Gallo, cucumber salsa, or chili corn salsa.

How to Make Avocado Toast

• First, toast your bread of choice. Meanwhile, cut open the avocado and scoop out the flesh, transferring it to a medium bowl.

• Add the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the avocado. Then, mash it with a fork to your desired texture.

For the smoothest avocado puree, use a small blender or immersion blender.

• Drizzle in the olive oil and mix until creamy and fluffy.

• Divide the mashed avocado topping evenly among the toasted bread, then top with your favorite toppings and garnishes, and enjoy!

Flavor Variations

Read the above and are still at a loss for delicious avocado on toast ideas? Here are some of our favorites that you might enjoy.

1. Vegan cheese avocado toast (vegan feta, fresh herbs, + pomegranate seeds or other seeds)
2. Tomato avocado toast (sliced tomato + balsamic reduction)
3. Mexican corn avocado toast (corn, vegan feta, pickled red onion, Tajin, cilantro, jalapeno slices)
4. Pesto avocado toast (pesto, tomato or radish, micro greens, optional tofu)
5. Chickpea avocado toast (roasted chickpeas, cilantro, tahini, red onion)
6. Mushroom avocado toast (Sauteed garlic mushrooms and sesame seeds)
7. Berry avocado toast (single or mixed berries, fresh mint, + balsamic)
8. Apple or pear avocado toast (apple/pear slices, vegan feta, walnuts, maple syrup)
9. Avocado breakfast toast (vegan bacon, scrambled tofu, herbs, tomato, pepper)
10. Hummus and avocado toast (hummus, sliced avo, tomato, vegan feta, sesame seeds, + optional micro herbs)

FAQs

Top Tips For The Best Avocado Toast

• Use ripe avocado: It should be soft but not mushy, without a lot of browning of the flesh.
• Toast the bread well: This sturdy base with a crispy texture makes for the most wonderful contrast to the soft, creamy mashed avocado.
• Adjust the texture: Mash the avocado with a fork to your desired texture. If you prefer it super smooth, optionally use a blender.
• Experiment with toppings: There are heaps to choose from based on your flavor and nutritional preferences, so have fun.
• Enjoy it immediately: Once opened, avocado oxidizes and browns – so eat it immediately.

More Vegan Avocado Recipes

• Healthy stuffed avocados
• Avocado pesto pasta
• Texas Caviar
• Tofu spring rolls with mango and avocado
• Tanzanian quinoa salad with grapefruit and avocado
• Creamy tomatillo avocado salsa Verde

Photos by Alfonso Revilla