4 Ways to Take Your Avocado Toast up a Notch

I know what you’re thinking; not another post on avocado toast! But friends, let me tell you, avocado toast is my jam and it’s here to stay in our household. It’s my go-to breakfast or snack when I need something that is really going to take the hunger pains away and keep me full until my next meal. Sometimes, a slice of toasted bread and mashed avocado doesn’t do it for me and I want to spice it up a little bit. I have put together four delicious and easy-to-make avocado toast variations that will take this incredibly satisfying and simple treat to the next level. But first, let’s discuss why avocados are a well-loved super fruit!

The Top 5 Health Benefits of Avocado

Did you know that one serving of avocado has more potassium than a banana? Other health benefits of avocados include (in a given avocado half):

• Keeps your heart healthy. Avocados are full of monounsaturated fat, which helps lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease.
• Can help you lose weight and improve digestion. One half provides 7 grams of fiber – 25% of the daily-recommended amount.
• Keeps your peepers healthy. Avocados contain lutein and zeaxanthin – two phytochemicals essential to eye health.
• Maintains bone strength. Avocados contain a significant amount (25% of the daily-recommended amount per half) of Vitamin K, a mineral that is often overlooked when talking about bone health.
• Fights Cancer. Dietary folate has been known to decrease one’s risk of many types of cancers. One half of an avocado gives you 20% of your daily folate needs.

Nutrition fact: The recommended serving size is smaller than you might think – only 1/5 of a medium avocado. So don’t be mashing up the whole avocado to serve on toast and calling it a day! That’s way too much (good) fat for your body to digest at one time.

Still figuring out the best way to get the avocado from in the skin to your piece of toast? Check out this guide on how to prepare an avocado in 4 easy steps. *Note to self: take their advice and always cut the avocado with a towel underneath. I’ve been way too close to slicing through my hand one too many times! I would add a fifth step to this guide which would be to mash the avocado with a fork while still in the skin, then scoop it out. Hey, it’s less dishes to clean!

4 New Ways to Prepare Avocado Toast

So now that I’ve convinced you that you should be eating avocados every day, let’s talk avocado toast. Avocado + toast (whole wheat or sprouted!) = avocado toast. Got it? With the basics covered, let’s talk how to kick it up a notch.

Tomato + Basil Avocado Toast. Prepare avocado toast as you normally would and top with grape tomatoes that have been sliced in half (about 6) and sprinkle with chopped basil. Finish it off with a dash of salt and pepper. It’s like a caprese salad without the mozzarella!

Truffle-Infused Avocado Toast. First, get yourself some truffle-infused olive oil from Trader Joe’s (you’ll thank me later) or some truffle salt. Prepare avocado toast and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, or just sprinkle with truffle salt. Simple, but totally decadent.

Strawberry + Mint Avocado Toast. Thinly slice about 4 strawberries and chop a small handful of mint. To assemble: prepare traditional avocado toast, then layer with sliced strawberries and sprinkle with chopped mint. Have some mint leftover? Add it to your water for a refreshing (calorie-free) drink!

Avocado Toast with Lemon Basil Pesto and Chopped Almonds. The base of this recipe is traditional avocado toast, but the star ingredient is this Lemon Basil Pesto adapted from HappyHealthyLife.com.

Lemon Basil Pesto:

¼ c. almonds
½ lemon, squeezed
1/3 c. basil leaves, loosely packed
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon hot water
dash of salt and pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

To assemble: Drizzle or dollop the lemon basil pesto on your avocado toast. Sprinkle with chopped almonds. Devour.

What are your favorite ways to incorporate avocados into your diet? Share with me in the comment section below!