My Perfect Avocado Toast… Bagel
Let’s talk about the perfect avocado toast. Like, what if it’s actually a bagel?
Okay, stay with me. I know This could be seen as blasphemy. I mean, is avocado toast not at the very core of millennial culture, nay- identity?? Alright enough with the dramatics.
I’m a big fan of avocado toast. I eat it on average three times a week, if not more. I’ve tried it many ways over the years of my plant-based lifestyle- but I’ve finally found just the right combination of ingredients that makes for a GRADE A avocado toast- even if it’s on a bagel.
It all starts with the right vessel for the avocado. I typically go for the Good Seed or the 21 Whole Grains & Seeds versions of Dave’s Killer Bread. Side note: if you don’t know the wild story behind this bread, pls check it out in illustrated form here. This time, though, I opted for their Epic Everything bagels to switch things up.
While that’s toasting (I like mine nice and near-crunchy, which is like a 5 in our toaster), I mash up the avocado- which is typically 1/2 to 3/4 of a medium avo- with a combination of Slap Ya Mama seasoning, extra garlic, extra black pepper, cumin, paprika, and onion powder.
It’s funny, because Slap Ya Mama is literally just a simple combo of spices: salt, black & red pepper, and garlic, but it’s a GAMECHANGER. They probably throw a lil magic in there too, I’m convinced. I typically get this at World Market, but it’s widely available- even on Amazon!
When the bagel is nice and toasty, I layer it up first with Just For All’s (formerly known as Hampton Creek) Just Mayo at the very least, and then with Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto from Trader Joe’s. I know, I know, not everyone likes the mayo taste. But it’s AMAZING under the avocado, trust me. I once gave this toast combo to my mayo-hating bf (without knowing that he hated it and without him knowing it was on there) and he loooved it.
This pesto is delicious. I’m so grateful to Trader Joe’s for their only ever-expanding selection of vegan options! I’ve made pizza with this pesto too, but that’s for a later post (;
So after the mayo and the pesto, I load up the avocado on each bagel half. Then, I top with a generous dusting of nutritional yeast, which is not optional. Recently I purchased Roasted Garlic Parm from Kelly’s Croutons, and I’d add that here too if not for the sweet addition to this particular avocado toast bagel. I finish off my perfect bagel with sliced organic strawberries, because I’m a huge fan of sweet + savory.
And there you have it, my current favorite avocado ‘toast.’
If you try it, let me know how you like it or what customizations you prefer!
Avocado Toasted Bagel
Dave’s Killer Bread Epic Everything Bagel, toasted
1/2-1 whole medium avocado, mashed
Just Mayo
Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto
Slap Ya Mama Seasoning
Garlic
Black pepper
Onion powder
Paprika
Cumin
+other spices as desired
Nutritional yeast
Organic strawberries or other fruit of choice
Toast that bagel, spread on the mayo then the pesto, get your avo mashed up with alllll the spices, slap it on the bagel halves, top with nutritional yeast and strawberries, and put it in your face. Yum!