The Chef-Approved Bread You Should Be Using For Avocado Toast

Avocado toast can be as delightfully simple or spiffy and creative as you prefer. One inarguable rule, though, is that you must have a good base. Putting all your attention on the toppings and forgetting about the bread is a surefire way to end up with a disappointing meal. Chef Diana Manalang of Little Chef Little Cafe pays respect to the toast in this brunch classic by using multigrain sourdough bread. "When toasted, it gets nutty and crunchy, with a slight chew, which makes it perfect for avocado toast," she says of her favorite choice.

Manalang's recommendation is definitely one to try out if you want restaurant-worthy toast — just make sure you use real sourdough. Unlike fake store-bought sourdough bread, the real stuff is made using a fermented starter mixture of flour, water, and wild yeast, creating a uniquely tangy flavor and chewy yet airy consistency. The different flours and toasty grains in a multigrain loaf add more intrigue, both texturally and flavor-wise.

Not a fan of sourdough? Manalang says you can use any bread you love for avocado toast, so long as you keep sturdiness in mind. "I would just avoid using bread that's too thin or too soft, since the avocado is somewhat of a wet topping, and nobody wants soggy, floppy toast," she warns.

You can take your avocado toast to the next level by using toppings with a great balance of flavors. You definitely need some acid, which is another reason why a sourdough loaf is a good choice. It provides a delectable tanginess that cuts through the rich fat of the avocado. Diana Manalang chooses to puree the flesh of the fruit, which makes the mixture extra creamy and gives you an even amount of avocado in every bite.

Because of avocado's rich yet mild flavor, experts often advise to season it liberally. Salt is a given, but Manalang enjoys avocado toast with an everything bagel blend and red pepper flakes. The sesame seeds in the seasoning blend offer a nice crispy crunch. For a similar concept but a different flavor profile, try using savory nori furikake with more mild Aleppo pepper flakes.

Manalang finishes her avocado toast with a drizzle of mango habanero sauce, which lends some heat, acid, and pleasant sweetness. You can use any fruity hot sauce in its place, or stir some chili crisp into the avocado to make a game-changing guacamole spread. For the spice-averse, Manalang recommends sea salt and honey instead, or a mixture of fried garlic and shallots. Sun-dried tomatoes or even a simple squeeze of lemon or lime juice can awaken the most simple avocado toast, too.