Avocado Toast - Two Ways - Generations Cook

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Elevate your breakfast game with this irresistible avocado toast recipe showcasing two delectable variations – one with red pesto and one with garlic confit. These easy and nutritious avocado toast variations are a perfect way to start your day with a burst of flavor and wholesome goodness.

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I have a confession to make…I’m a millennial. And yes, I love avocado toast. But honestly, so does everyone I know who has actually bothered to try it. Well, everyone that likes avocados.

For this recipe, think of the ingredients as more of a suggestion or a jumping-off point. A good avo toast is whatever combo you personally like. Try these two, try mixing them together, and add something maybe I didn’t think of like a cheese or a spicy sauce. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

I will say the two must-haves of this recipe are good quality bread (we love sourdough in this household but a ciabatta, focaccia, or even halved baguette might be what’s best for you) and nice ripe avocados.

Nothing is more upsetting than getting all excited to make some avo toast and realizing your avocado is hard as a rock. Then you wait a day or two and it’s completely mush. I try to buy avocados only about a day or two before I use them, and I always gently squeeze each one to make sure it has just a bit of give before I buy them.

You can buy balsamic glaze, but making it from scratch is so worth it. The premade glaze usually has added sugar and, in my opinion, is way too sweet and loses that tang and natural sweetness of the balsamic vinegar. To save some time (and mess) making the garlic confit, buy pre-peeled garlic gloves!

Also, I find these toasts leveled up by adding some greens (arugula is my favorite, nice peppery flavor) or other veggies on top like tomatoes, usually whatever extra veg I have in the fridge. One last tip, it’s usually gonna be a messy eat unless you go full knife and fork with it. Either way, Enjoy!

two slices of sourdough bread topped with mashed avocado and sun-dried tomato pesto

Recipe Ingredients:

Sliced Sourdough Bread. Sourdough bread’s tangy flavor and chewy texture pair wonderfully with the smoothness of avocado, creating a delicious combination of tastes and mouthfeel

For the sun-dried tomato pesto toast:

Sun-dried tomato pesto. Adds a rich, tangy, and savory flavor to the avocado toast, enhancing the overall taste.

Balsamic vinegar. Provides a sweet and slightly acidic note, adding depth and balance to the flavors.

Avocado. Serves as the creamy and nutritious base of the avocado toast, adding a smooth and velvety texture while providing healthy fats.

For garlic confit toast:

Garlic cloves. After being cooked in olive oil, the garlic cloves become soft, buttery, and mellow in flavor, offering a subtle and aromatic taste to the toast.

Olive oil. Helps infuse the garlic with flavor and adds richness to the toast.

Fresh thyme or rosemary. Offers herbal notes and a pleasant fragrance to enhance the overall taste profile.

Flaky salt. Provides a finishing touch, adding a burst of flavor and enhancing the other ingredients.

How to Make Avocado Toast Two Ways

olive oil and garlic cloves as well as fresh thyme in a small casserole dish

To make garlic confit: Preheat oven to 250℉. Place garlic cloves in a shallow oven-proof dish, cover with enough olive oil to just cover the cloves and nestle in the herbs. Place, uncovered, into the oven and bake for 1 1/2-2 hours. They will be done when they have deepened in color and are easily smashed with a fork. The confit can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

a brush being dipped into a small casserole dish filled with olvie oil with confit garlic cloves and thyme twigs.

To make balsamic glaze: Place vinegar into a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering until it has reduced to about half its volume and coats the back of a spoon. WARNING: this will make your whole house smell like vinegar for several hours, but so worth it!

two slices of sourdough bread on a kitchen counter - one slice being brushed with garlic infused olive oil.

Toast the bread: Brush each side of thick-cut bread slices with the oil from the garlic confit. Bring a nonstick pan to medium heat and place slices on the hot pan. Press down gently with a spatula to get an even toast; flip when golden brown and repeat on the other side.

step by step gallery of how to make avocado toast with balsamic drizzle.

Assembling the garlic confit toast: Spread a few of the soft garlic cloves from your garlic confit over a slice of the toasted bread – keep in mind that roasted garlic is mild so you may need more garlic to get that good flavor. Mash the avocado with a fork and spread over the garlic. Sprinkle with a bit of flaky salt.
Assembling the red pesto toast: Mash the avocado with a fork. Spread a thick layer of red pesto on a slice of the toasted bread, then drizzle liberally with the balsamic glaze.
Feel free to mix and match ingredients for these avocado toasts!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bread is best bread for avocado toast?

When selecting bread for avocado toast, it’s important to consider the texture. Sourdough bread is a popular choice due to its tangy taste and chewy texture that complements the creamy avocado. Whole grain or whole wheat breads offer a nutty flavor and added fiber for a heartier option. Multigrain or seeded breads add texture and crunch to contrast the smoothness of the avocado. For gluten-free alternatives, you can always look for bread made from ingredients like rice or almond flour.

What else can I put on avocado toast?

There are many fun variations on avocado toast.
Tomato and Basil: Top avocado toast with slices of juicy tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Everything Bagel Seasoning: Spread avocado on toast and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning for a flavorful and crunchy twist.
Smoked Salmon and Dill: Layer avocado slices on toast, top with smoked salmon, a sprinkle of fresh dill, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

How to prevent soggy avocado toast?

Toast the bread properly: Toast your bread until it is crispy and golden.
Add toppings like pesto and avocado just before serving: If you plan to include more toppings like tomatoes, cheese, or herbs, it’s always best add them to the avocado toast right before serving. This prevents the ingredients from releasing excess moisture and keeps the toast crisp. Season your avocado toast with salt, pepper, and any desired spices or herbs just before serving. This prevents the salt from drawing out moisture from the avocado, which can contribute to sogginess.

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