Toast might seem basic, but it’s actually the perfect blank canvas for countless flavor combinations. I’ve experimented with dozens of toppings over the years, from the traditional to the trendy. Some have become my go-to breakfast staples while others left me wondering what all the fuss was about. Here’s my honest take on the toast toppings worth your time and the ones you can confidently pass on.
1. Avocado with Chili Flakes & Sea Salt
Velvety avocado creates the perfect foundation for a kick of heat from red chili flakes. The contrast between creamy fruit and crunchy salt crystals makes each bite interesting, while the spice wakes up your taste buds first thing in the morning.
I usually mash half an avocado with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice prevents browning and adds brightness that cuts through the richness. For extra protein, I’ll sometimes add a soft-boiled egg on top.
Toast your bread darker than usual for this topping. The slight bitterness of well-toasted bread complements the buttery avocado perfectly, creating that Instagram-worthy contrast between golden-brown base and vibrant green topping.
2. Ricotta + Honey + Crushed Pistachios
Silky ricotta cheese spread generously on toast creates a cloud-like base that’s both substantial and light. The honey drizzled on top seeps into the tiny air pockets of the cheese, creating pockets of sweetness that surprise your taste buds with each bite.
Crushed pistachios add a necessary textural contrast and their subtle earthiness balances the sweetness. This combination works equally well on hearty whole grain bread or lighter sourdough.
Sometimes I’ll add a sprinkle of flaky salt to enhance all the flavors. My grandmother used to make a version of this with walnuts instead of pistachios. The memory makes this toast feel like a hug in food form – comforting yet sophisticated enough to serve at a brunch with friends.
3. Peanut Butter + Banana + Cinnamon
Nothing beats this childhood classic that somehow gets better with age. The peanut butter melts slightly on warm toast, creating a gooey layer that holds thinly sliced banana rounds in place. A generous dusting of cinnamon brings warmth and complexity to an otherwise simple combination.
I prefer crunchy peanut butter for this toast – the tiny peanut pieces provide textural contrast against the soft banana. For special occasions, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup takes this combination to dessert-worthy heights without sacrificing its nutritional value.
This has been my pre-workout breakfast for years. The combination of healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates provides sustained energy without feeling heavy in your stomach. Plus, it takes less than two minutes to prepare when you’re rushing out the door.
4. Smashed Berries with Greek Yogurt
Fresh berries gently crushed with a fork release their vibrant juices, creating a naturally sweet spread that puts store-bought jam to shame. The tartness of raspberries and blackberries balances perfectly with milder strawberries when mixed together.
A layer of thick Greek yogurt adds protein and creates a tangy counterpoint to the fruit’s sweetness. The contrast between warm toast, cool yogurt, and room-temperature berries makes each bite interesting. During winter months, frozen berries work surprisingly well – just thaw and drain excess liquid first.
My favorite part about this combination is watching the berry juices slowly stain the yogurt, creating a beautiful marbled effect. It’s visually stunning without any artificial ingredients or added sugar, making it both a treat for your eyes and a nourishing start to your day.
5. Tomato, Basil & Olive Oil
Sun-ripened tomatoes bursting with umami flavor transform humble toast into a celebration of summer. I slice them thick enough to appreciate their juicy texture but thin enough that they don’t slide off the bread.
A drizzle of grassy extra virgin olive oil creates tiny pools that catch the tomato juices. Fresh basil leaves torn by hand (never cut with a knife!) release their aromatic oils, adding a peppery, slightly sweet note that complements the acidity of tomatoes. A pinch of flaky sea salt draws out moisture from the tomatoes, creating an instant sauce that soaks deliciously into the bread.
This combination reminds me of eating bruschetta at an Italian café. The simplicity highlights the quality of each ingredient – which is why I only make this during tomato season. Winter tomatoes just can’t compare, and this toast deserves the best.
6. Hummus + Cucumber + Everything Bagel Seasoning
Creamy hummus creates a protein-rich foundation that clings perfectly to toasted bread. I prefer using homemade hummus when possible – the extra garlic and lemon juice brighten the entire combination.
The mild chickpea flavor pairs beautifully with the refreshing crunch of thinly sliced cucumber. Everything bagel seasoning adds a symphony of textures and flavors: poppy seeds pop between your teeth, dried garlic and onion provide savory depth, and sesame seeds contribute a nutty finish. Persian cucumbers work best here because their smaller size means fewer seeds and more crunch. For busy mornings, this combination offers impressive staying power.
The protein and fiber keep hunger at bay until lunch, while the cucumber adds hydration to start your day right. Sometimes I’ll add paper-thin radish slices for extra peppery crunch and a beautiful pink accent.
7. Plain Butter
Butter on toast represents the original comfort food – simple, reliable, and undeniably satisfying when you’re in a rush. The problem isn’t that it tastes bad; it’s that it feels like a missed opportunity when so many more exciting options exist.
Good-quality butter (especially European-style with higher fat content) does elevate the experience. The way it melts into the hot crevices of freshly toasted bread can be momentarily mesmerizing. But after a few bites, the one-note flavor leaves me wanting more complexity.
Perhaps butter toast suffers from being the baseline against which all other toast toppings are measured. It’s like ordering vanilla ice cream at a specialty shop – perfectly fine but safe to a fault. I’ll reach for plain buttered toast when I’m sick or need simple comfort, but otherwise, my taste buds crave something more adventurous.
8. Nutella
Chocolate-hazelnut spread melting into warm toast creates an undeniably delicious aroma that transports me back to childhood indulgences. The problem isn’t the flavor – it’s that Nutella masquerades as breakfast when it’s essentially dessert on bread.
The first bite delivers that nostalgic chocolate hit, but the sweetness quickly becomes overwhelming. The sugar content dominates any subtle hazelnut notes that might provide complexity. By the third bite, my teeth start to hurt and the heavy richness sits in my stomach like a chocolate brick.
I’ve found that a thin layer of Nutella with sliced strawberries or bananas creates better balance, but even then, it’s an occasional treat rather than regular breakfast material. For a more sophisticated alternative, I prefer dark chocolate shavings with sea salt on ricotta toast – all the pleasure with more nuanced flavor.
9. Avocado with Only Lemon Juice
Avocado toast in its most minimalist form leaves me wondering why people bother posting it on social media. The creamy green fruit needs more than just acidic brightness to truly shine – it begs for additional layers of flavor and texture.
Without salt, the avocado’s subtle flavor falls flat, tasting oddly bland despite its rich mouthfeel. The lemon juice prevents browning and adds necessary acidity, but alone it’s not enough to elevate this combination beyond boring health food territory. Even a simple sprinkle of salt transforms the experience entirely.
My avocado always gets at least three additions: something crunchy (seeds, nuts, or crispy chickpeas), something spicy (red pepper flakes or hot sauce), and something salty (flaky sea salt or crumbled feta). These simple additions transform a one-dimensional health trend into a crave-worthy meal with multiple flavor dimensions.
10. Coconut Oil
Wellness influencers championed coconut oil on toast as a healthy alternative to butter, but the reality rarely matches the hype. The oil creates an oddly slick mouthfeel that coats your tongue rather than melting harmoniously with the bread.
The flavor can be pleasant if you enjoy coconut, but its tropical notes often clash with the hearty character of whole grain toast. Unlike butter, which adds richness without overwhelming, coconut oil announces its presence with every bite. The worst part is how quickly it solidifies as your toast cools, creating an unappetizing waxy layer. For those seeking plant-based alternatives to butter, mashed avocado or quality olive oil deliver more satisfying results.
If you’re determined to use coconut oil, adding cinnamon and a tiny drizzle of honey helps balance its distinctive profile – but I’d still reach for nearly any other toast topping first.
11. Plain Cream Cheese
Plain cream cheese on toast commits the cardinal sin of being forgettable. The cool, tangy spread certainly adds creaminess, but without companions, it feels like an unfinished thought on your plate – the culinary equivalent of trailing off mid-sentence.
The texture can be pleasing – especially when spread on still-warm toast that slightly melts the edges. However, the one-dimensional flavor profile quickly becomes monotonous. Even the most luxurious, full-fat cream cheese needs partners to truly shine. Fortunately, cream cheese makes an excellent foundation for countless additions.
A drizzle of hot honey, a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, or thin cucumber slices transform this boring spread into something special. Plain cream cheese isn’t bad – it’s just a missed opportunity when toast deserves so much more creativity.
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