21 Toast Recipes That Make the Most of a Slice of Bread

Toast and jam are a classic combination, but there are so many other ways to dress up a slice of bread. Of course the hearty avocado finds a perfect home atop a slice of toast, but what about butternut squash, cauliflower or sweet potatoes? A humble slice of bread is the perfect vessel to hold all sorts of flavor combinations, and it’s easy to grab for a morning meal or a simple lunch.

Whether you opt for white bread, rye bread, a bagel or some ultra-rich challah, there are a ton of toast recipes to choose from, and we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites. Read on for the sweet, savory, cheesy and meaty toasts you can enjoy all day long.

Who said toast was just for breakfast? This simple recipe takes a cool and refreshing salad and serves it up in an approachable, easy-to-grab way. There’s no need for utensils in this caprese toast recipe that’s piled high with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, pesto and balsamic glaze.

Whipping ricotta creates a silky smooth, airy texture that’s perfect for piping on crusty bread. We layer in our favorite jam to create a gorgeous marbling effect, then dust it with lemon zest for brightness. It's the ultimate tangy-sweet breakfast or midday snack.

This fun spin on the traditional sandwich is a great way to enjoy a BLT without the mess of eating a whole sandwich. Avocado and fried eggs make a great complement to the open-faced sandwich that’s perfect for breakfast or lunch.

One of the best parts of chicken pot pie is using the crusty bits to soak up all the extra gravy. That’s why we love this recipe that ensures each person has plenty of bread to soak up the sauce. This easy chicken pot pie toast is ready in just 45 minutes, and it’s a great way to serve up single helpings of the mouthwatering casserole.

These decorative toasts have all the flavors of Nordic cuisine and no foraging is required! Delicate shrimp get double-hacked: first, they are quickly cooked in a covered pot off the stovetop and then sliced en masse using a trick involving two plastic lids. A protein-packed snack or part of lunch.

Fifteen minutes are all you need to craft these crunchy, silky toasts that are packed with umami flavor. We’re using a mix of mushrooms here (like oyster, shiitake and cremini) but you can use whatever kind you like best. Fresh marjoram adds earthy, herbal flavor to the otherwise rich and cheesy toast.

Ricotta is super spreadable, so it’s a fantastic topping for crispy, crunchy toast. The salty, savory spread is perfectly paired with sweet and juicy grapes in this easy recipe that’s perfect as an appetizer, snack or brunch option.

This recipe was inspired by the popular Middle Eastern dish shakshuka — an aromatic tomato and pepper sauce that's topped with eggs for a satisfying meal any time of the day. Here, a similar sauce is simmered with sweet honey until jammy and then chilled for a different kind of spread on your morning toast. Each serving is topped off with a fried egg and sliced avocado for a quick and filling breakfast that aligns with the Mediterranean diet.

Smoky and salty, this easy toast recipe is perfect for a brunch party or holiday breakfast. To start, mash the avocado with some salt and lemon juice, then spread on toasted pumpernickel bread. Top with thin slices of smoked salmon and garnish with a few sprigs of fresh dill.

Homemade pesto is the star of this flavorful recipe. To start, we slice a baguette on the diagonal, then bake until golden. Next, spoon on some savory store bought ricotta, then top with pesto and sprinkle with crushed red pepper. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and squeeze of lemon juice.

Kaya jam refers to a custard-like spread made from coconut, pandan, eggs and sugar. In Singapore this velvety, coconutty curd is slathered on crisp toast and topped with a generous slab of cold butter to make a popular breakfast or afternoon snack. You can complete the combo with a cup of coffee and a soft-boiled egg drizzled with dark soy sauce to enjoy it like a local.

Rich, cheesy and perfectly savory, you’ll never guess that this decadent toast recipe is made with cauliflower. Roasted florets get mixed with mascarpone and gruyere cheeses, as well as julienned prosciutto. Garnish with sea salt, chives and parmesan cheese for a showstopping snack or appetizer.

Nothing beats perfectly ripened summer tomatoes, and what better way to celebrate this in-season produce than with a toast where the tomato is the star of the plate? Serve it alongside your favorite tinned fish and sliced cheese for a complete meal.

Avocado is an easy way to dress up your morning piece of toast, and this simple recipe takes just five minutes to prepare. A hard-boiled egg helps bulk it up with extra protein, helping you fuel up for the day ahead and feel fuller longer. A bit of lemon juice prevents the avocado from turning brown, and cracked black pepper gives a hint of heat.

Cool, refreshing ricotta makes an ideal base for savory squash in this recipe. Coriander seeds add deep, earthy flavor, while honey highlights the natural sweetness of the butternut. This is a fun and inventive way to switch up your typical toast recipe.

When you think of snacks, you might not think of toast. But in Hong Kong, you can find condensed milk toast with peanut butter on any cha chaan tang (café) menu — and it's served all day. Warm sweet and savory fried bread with an oozy and creamy filling is a delicious way to satisfy any craving, day or night.

Ricotta toast is crispy, creamy and savory, so this sweet and tangy topping perfectly balances it out. Peaches, raspberry and lemon combine to make a fruity jam that’s a winning complement to the cool and creamy ricotta. For the toast, be sure to use day-old brioche to ensure it’s extra firm and crispy.

In this quick and easy recipe, we’ve traded the bread for sweet potato. Each slice of roasted potato gets topped with ricotta, berries, honey and almonds. Enjoy it as a low carb breakfast, snack or lunch.

You only need five basic ingredients to make a decadent pumpkin cheesecake-inspired topping for toast. You can make eight slices in just five minutes, too — making this simple-yet-impressive toast a great choice for brunch or weekend get-togethers.

French toast is a beloved breakfast treat that’s totally adaptable, and there are a ton of different ways to make it. In this version, we skip the stovetop messiness and whip up the whole dish in the oven, casserole style. Challah bread makes for extra rich and decadent toast that easily soaks up the flavors of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg.