The new avo toast

Smashed avocado recipe

Creamy smashed avocado on toast is one of life’s simple pleasures, versatile enough for a snack, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Avocado toast is also one of Instagram’s most photographed dishes – perhaps only rivalled by the buddha bowl in its popularity.

So how did smashed avocado toast gain its cult-like status? We can partly thank Australian chef Bill Granger for that. In 1993, he served smashed avo on toast at his eponymous Sydney restaurant Bill’s and included an avocado toast recipe in his debut cookbook. Much to his surprise, it became his signature dish and eventually grew into a global phenomenon, helped further when actor Gwyneth Paltrow included her “recipe” for the best avocado toast in her cookbook It’s All Good.

It’s not hard to see why this colourful dish is so popular; not only is it quick and tasty – especially if you experiment with different avocado toast toppings – but good for you, too.

How to make avocado toast

Given its popularity, there are a plethora of avocado toast recipes out there. But before you start thinking about what to put on avo toast there are some basic rules for making the best smashed avocado. Firstly, pick a ripe avocado that isn’t brown or stringy inside. Scoop the flesh into a bowl with a little salt and lemon juice and mash with a fork.

As for the best bread for avocado toast, a sturdy, flavourful variety is best, although the flavour shouldn’t overpower the avocados. Think multigrain, sourdough and French bread which will provide some crunch when toasted.

Avocado toast ideas

Once you’ve mastered how to make smashed avocado it’s time to experiment with your avocado toast topping. Why not add coriander or basil, cubed feta, cherry tomatoes or even a poached egg and crispy bacon? For fancy avocado toast, spread the toast with cream cheese and mashed avocado, then top with thinly sliced tomato, cucumber, smoked salmon, red onion and capers for a next-level treat.

Now get cooking

If you’re looking for more smashed avocado recipes, try smashed avo toast with poached eggs or an avocado and chickpea sandwich. Other avocado breakfast ideas include avocado pancakes, Mexican-style corn fritters with smashed avo cream and avocado pitas with spiced chickpeas. Or for another avocado breakfast idea, how about a choc-avocado smoothie bowl?