If you’re looking for something fresh, flavorful, and totally satisfying—without spending hours in the kitchen—this Avocado Caprese Toast is calling your name. It’s a vibrant twist on the classic Italian Caprese salad, layered onto crisp, golden toast and finished with all the flavors you love: creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella.
This is one of those recipes that feels fancy enough for a weekend brunch but is simple enough to throw together on a weekday morning. Whether you’re making it for yourself or serving a crowd, it’s bound to become a go-to in your kitchen.
And here’s the best part: it’s endlessly customizable, comes together in just a few minutes, and tastes like something you’d order at your favorite café. Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Benefits
This recipe is more than just pretty toast. It’s:
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Quick and Easy – You’ll go from ingredients to plate in under 15 minutes.
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Nutrient-Packed – Thanks to the healthy fats in avocado, protein from mozzarella, and all those fresh veggies, you’re getting a balanced bite every time.
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Flavorful and Fresh – The combo of basil, tomato, and creamy mozzarella is a classic for a reason. Add avocado and a drizzle of olive oil? Next-level.
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Perfect for Any Meal – Breakfast, brunch, lunch, even a light dinner. It fits anywhere.
Suitable For
This recipe fits right into all kinds of lifestyles:
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Great for vegetarians or anyone following a Mediterranean-style diet.
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Ideal for beginner cooks—it’s almost impossible to mess up.
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Perfect for entertaining—just slice into bite-sized portions and you’ve got a beautiful appetizer.
Ingredients for Avocado Caprese Toast
Core Ingredients
You don’t need anything complicated to make this toast sing. Just a few high-quality ingredients go a long way:
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1 ripe avocado – Creamy, rich, and full of heart-healthy fats.
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved – Look for ones that are firm and sweet.
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4 oz fresh mozzarella – Sliced or torn for texture.
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Fresh basil leaves – Don’t skip this; it brings everything together.
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2 slices good-quality bread – Sourdough, multigrain, or whatever you love toasted.
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1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil – For richness and a bit of shine.
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1 teaspoon balsamic glaze (optional) – Adds a touch of tangy sweetness.
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Salt & freshly cracked black pepper – For seasoning.
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Red pepper flakes (optional) – If you like a little kick.
Substitutions and Tips
You’ve got room to play here. Try:
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Mozzarella → Swap in burrata if you want something ultra-creamy, or use vegan mozzarella to make it dairy-free.
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Bread → Gluten-free or keto bread works just fine. Just make sure it toasts well.
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Basil → No basil? Try arugula or microgreens for a peppery twist.
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Balsamic glaze → Totally optional, but adds a sweet-savory edge. You could also just drizzle a little aged balsamic vinegar.
Pro Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your mashed avocado to keep it bright and prevent browning.
Best Avocado for Avocado Caprese Toast
The star of this show is the avocado, so picking a good one makes all the difference. You’re looking for a Hass avocado—the small, dark-skinned kind with a buttery texture and rich flavor.
How do you know it’s ripe? Give it a gentle squeeze near the top. If it yields slightly under pressure, it’s ready. Too firm? Let it ripen on the counter. Too soft? It might be better for guacamole.
Once you cut it, you’ll want to use it right away. If you need to prep ahead, mix it with a bit of lemon or lime juice and store it in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly on top to prevent browning.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Must-Have Tools
You don’t need a gourmet kitchen to make this toast. Just the basics:
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Sharp knife – For slicing the tomatoes, cheese, and avocado.
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Cutting board – A sturdy surface for prep.
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Toaster or skillet – For getting that perfect toast.
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Fork or small bowl – For mashing the avocado.
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Spoon or spatula – To spread everything evenly.
Nice-to-Have Tools
These aren’t required, but they’ll make the process a bit smoother:
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Garlic clove – Rub on the toast for an extra layer of flavor.
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Avocado slicer – If you want picture-perfect avocado slices.
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Offset spatula – For neatly spreading the avocado.
How to Make Avocado Caprese Toast
Now that we’ve covered the ingredients and tools, it’s time to build the toast of your dreams. Don’t worry—it’s simple, quick, and once you do it once, you’ll be making this on repeat. Let’s go step by step so nothing gets missed.
Step 1: Toast the Bread
First things first—let’s get that bread golden and crispy. Whether you’re using a toaster, broiler, or skillet, make sure your slices come out with a slight crunch on the outside while staying tender in the middle.
Tip: If you’re going the skillet route, try brushing each side lightly with olive oil before toasting for extra flavor and color.
Want to add a bit of depth? While the toast is still warm, rub a cut clove of garlic across the surface. It’s subtle, but it adds a little something special.
Step 2: Prepare the Avocado
Grab your ripe avocado, cut it in half, and scoop the flesh into a small bowl. Mash it up with a fork—chunky or smooth, it’s totally your call. Add a pinch of salt, a little pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten things up and keep it from browning too fast.
Pro Tip: If you’re prepping for more than two people, double up and mash the avocados in a larger bowl. It holds up well for a bit if covered tightly.
Step 3: Assemble the Toast
Now comes the fun part—layering everything together.
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Start by spreading the mashed avocado onto your toasted bread.
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Lay down slices (or torn pieces) of fresh mozzarella. Don’t worry about being perfect—it’s rustic and beautiful as is.
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Nestle in those juicy cherry tomato halves. You want a little in every bite.
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Top with a few fresh basil leaves. They’re more than a garnish—they bring all the flavors to life.
Step 4: Finish and Garnish
This is where it all comes together.
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Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil right over the top.
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If you like a touch of sweetness and tang, add a light zigzag of balsamic glaze.
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Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a little kick.
Tip: Don’t overload the toast—balance is key. You want creamy, crunchy, juicy, and herby in every bite.
Tips for Success
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Use ripe, but not mushy, avocado. If it’s too soft, the flavor may be off and the texture too runny.
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Fresh ingredients make all the difference. This toast is simple, so each component matters.
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Serve it right after assembling. Toast tends to soften under moist toppings, and you want that satisfying crunch.
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Customize it. Add a poached egg, a layer of pesto, or even swap the bread for a sweet potato slice if you’re experimenting with alternatives.
How to Store Avocado Caprese Toast
This toast is best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to prep ahead or save leftovers, here’s how to do it right.
At Room Temperature
Once assembled, this toast should be eaten within 30 minutes. After that, the bread can get soggy and the avocado starts to brown.
Pro Tip: If you’re serving at a gathering, assemble just before placing them out.
In the Refrigerator
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You can prep the components ahead of time and store them separately.
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Mash the avocado with lemon juice and place it in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface.
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Keep sliced tomatoes and cheese in separate containers.
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When ready, just toast your bread and assemble.
Freezing Tips
Freezing assembled toast isn’t recommended—it’s all about texture and freshness, and those don’t survive the freezer well.
However, you can freeze mashed avocado. Place it in a freezer-safe container, press plastic wrap on top, and seal. Thaw in the fridge and give it a quick stir before using.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make Avocado Caprese Toast ahead of time?
You can prep all the parts ahead—mash the avocado (with lemon), slice the cheese, halve the tomatoes—but don’t toast the bread or assemble until just before eating. It only takes a couple of minutes, and the result is so much better fresh.
What’s the best bread to use?
Sourdough is a classic because it holds up well under toppings, but multigrain or seeded breads also work beautifully. Just make sure the slice is sturdy enough to carry all that deliciousness.
Is this recipe vegan?
As written, it’s vegetarian. But it’s easy to make vegan—just use a plant-based mozzarella alternative, and check your balsamic glaze to ensure it’s free of honey or animal products.
How do I keep the avocado from browning?
Lemon or lime juice is your best friend here. Mix it into your mash, then store in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed against the surface. That minimizes air contact and keeps it bright green longer.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this Avocado Caprese Toast, you might love these refreshing and easy dishes from RecipeSeasys:
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Avocado Mozzarella and Tomato Grilled Cheese – A warm, cheesy twist on your favorite Caprese combo.
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Avocado Corn Pasta Salad – Light, zesty, and perfect for summer gatherings.
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Avocado Mango Salad with Arugula – A sweet and savory salad bursting with tropical flavor.
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Creamy Avocado Egg Salad – Perfect for sandwiches or toast, this one’s rich and satisfying.
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Cucumber Tomato Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing – Light, crunchy, and a perfect side for brunch or lunch.
Conclusion
Avocado Caprese Toast proves that simple ingredients can make something truly special. It’s cozy, fresh, and totally satisfying—whether you’re whipping it up for a quick breakfast or plating it for guests.
Give it a try, tweak it to make it your own, and don’t forget to share the love. Recipes like this are meant to be enjoyed together.
Print
Avocado Caprese Toast Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant twist on classic Caprese salad, this toast layers creamy mashed avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil onto crispy sourdough bread. Finished with olive oil and optional balsamic glaze for a refreshing, satisfying bite.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 slices good-quality bread (sourdough or multigrain)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp balsamic glaze (optional)
- Salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Toast bread until golden and crisp.
- Mash avocado with salt, pepper, and optional lemon juice.
- Spread mashed avocado on toast slices.
- Top with mozzarella slices and cherry tomatoes.
- Scatter basil leaves on top.
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze (if using).
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Rub garlic on warm toast for extra flavor.
- Use lemon juice to prevent avocado browning.
- Try burrata for a creamier version.
- Make it vegan with plant-based mozzarella.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
- Method: No-Cook, Toasting
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 toast
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: avocado toast, caprese toast, vegetarian brunch, healthy toast, tomato mozzarella avocado