To elevate your breakfast toast from something basic to elegant, try this avocado toast with a balsamic glaze. A silky sweet balsamic glaze is drizzled over layers of avocado and crusty white bread, then topped with shaved carrots for a dish that looks and tastes refined.
Fancy enough to serve to guests at a brunch party, it’s very simple to make and easy to whip together during a busy work week. You’ll even make enough balsamic glaze to be enjoyed later in the day over grilled vegetables or even ice cream.
I love the different kinds of flavors and textures that every ingredient of this avocado toast with balsamic glaze has. The interplay of sweet and salty, creamy and tangy, and smooth and crunchy make this adaptable recipe light, but also able to stand up against other bold flavors. Have it with a delicious espresso, or a fresh glass of orange juice for a bright start to your morning.
When you make the balsamic reduction, be careful and watch your pan. You want the balsamic vinegar to reduce, but with all its sugars, it can easily burn if you leave it unattended for too long.
I like my balsamic glaze to be pourable but not gloopy. This means stopping the cooking process while the hot balsamic vinegar hasn’t quite reached the thickness I want. The balsamic glaze will continue to thicken as it cools, so I recommend stopping cooking when the glaze has nearly gotten to the consistency you want but isn’t quite there yet.
What You Need To Make Avocado Toast With Balsamic Glaze
To make this avocado toast recipe, you need just a few ingredients: avocados, balsamic vinegar, salt, bread, pepper, toast, and carrots.
Make sure your avocados are properly softened before you use them. If they are too hard, they will be crunchy and impossible to mash. If they haven’t ripened, try putting them in a paper bag for a few days. That can help accelerate the softening process.
I like to use a white crusty loaf for this toast. However, use whatever kind of bread you have on hand — just make sure that it’s sturdy.
Ingredients:
- Avocado
- Carrots
- Bread
- Ground pepper
- Salt
- Balsamic vinegar
Equipment:
To make this avocado toast with a balsamic glaze, you will need a cutting board, a knife, a saucepan, a whisk, a vegetable peeler, a bowl, and a fork.
How To Make Avocado Toast With a Balsamic Glaze
Make the balsamic glaze: Place the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and bring it to a soft boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 9-10 minutes or until the vinegar has thickened. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Make the avocado: Half the avocado and remove the pit. Scoop out the flesh and place it in a bowl. Add the salt and pepper and mash the avocado.
Prepare the carrots: Wash the carrots well. Remove the outer peel with a peeler. Then, using long, even strokes, peel thin ribbons of carrot.
Make the toast: Slice bread and toast to medium toastiness. If you are using a broiler, use the lowest heat setting and carefully watch it to ensure that the toast doesn’t burn. It should only need 1-2 minutes per side.
Assemble the toast: Place a piece of bread on a plate. Spread the avocado. Add shaved carrots on top of the avocado. Then drizzle the balsamic glaze on top.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use baby carrots?
Most baby carrots are regular carrots that have been cut down to a smaller size, rather than true baby carrots. Either way, baby carrots are not the best substitution for regular carrots because you won’t be able to create long decorative strips. However, if that is all you have, you can use strips of baby carrots instead.
What else can I use as a garnish?
A few sprouts would be a pretty and delicious garnish. You want something light in flavor, interesting in texture, and with just a hint of sweetness.
Avocado Toast With Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 avocados
- 4 slices of bread
- 1-2 carrots
- 1 cup of balsamic vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place 1 cup of balsamic vinegar in a saucepan and bring to a boil
- Reduce the heat and allow to cook for 9-10 minutes or until the balsamic vinegar has thickened. Set aside to cool.
- Wash and dry two carrots.
- Using a peeler, remove the outer skin.
- Then, using the peeler, create long strips of carrots.
- Put the flesh of two avocados in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper. Mash until the avocado is smooth.
- Using a toaster oven or broiler, toast 4 pieces of toast to a light level of toastiness.
- Place the toast on a plate and spread roughly ¼ of the avocado on top of each slice.
- Arrange a few ribbons of carrot on top.
- Add a drizzle glaze of balsamic reduction.
- Season with more salt and pepper, to taste.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few other recipes you might enjoy!
- Shrimp Avocado Toast
- Avocado Toast with Honey
- Hashbrown Avocado Toast
- Pumpkin Toast
- Cottage Cheese Toast
- Chili Cheese Toast
- Blueberry Toast
Arielle is a food and drink photographer based in Washington, D.C. She was previously a social science researcher before she fell in love with photography.