This Toast Bar is a great option to serve at your next brunch to give your guests the gift of option. Using the technique of a taco bar, this toast bar makes for a yummy brunch with various flavor combinations.
One of the biggest food crazes in the last couple years has, undoubtedly, been combining different ingredients and consuming them atop a big, crunchy, soft piece of toast.
The “avo toast” trend isn’t going away any time soon, so why not take advantage of it? I recently had an epic avocado toast experience at Chalait in NYC… exhibit A:
So, when my girls and I decided to collaborate on a brunch menu, of course I went straight for the toast! The combinations are seriously endless. I narrowed it down to six, and even that was hard.
I’m more of a “breakfasty” brunch person. That means that I always go for breakfast foods when I eat brunch. So basically breakfast. Is anyone else with me on this? No? K.
Well, I tried real hard here to make sure this brunch was brunchy. And I think I did a good job, what with the tomatoes, the goat cheese, the avocado. Go me, right?
For the bread I used a combination of multi-grain and Italian artisan breads. I find that these are much better than pre-sliced, processed breads you find in the bread aisle. Do me a favor, go straight to your grocery store bakery and purchase some of their house-made artisan bread. The difference is insane. SO MUCH BETTER.
The crust is so much crunchier, the bread is so much softer. All around a big W.
So let’s dive into each combination I chose:
Mascarpone + berries + fresh mint
Almond butter + banana
avocado + salt + pepper + lime juice
peanut butter + strawberry
goat cheese + avocado + salt + pepper
cottage cheese + grape tomato + salt + pepper
The gang’s all here!
To set up the ‘toast bar’, simply lay out all of the ingredients on a table like a buffet. Be sure to cut the bread for your guests. You can either toast the bread prior to serving, or offer more of a made-to-order option and toast it as your guests leisure. This type of bread is more likely to stay crunchy after being toasted, however, so no worries if you toast it and leave it there!
A few other topping options:
- chopped dates
- hemp seeds
- pumpkin seeds
- chopped nuts
- granola
- honey
- Greek yogurt
- chia seeds
- poached or hard-boiled eggs
Remember when me and my five foodie friends got together and gave you 6 holiday cookie recipes? And then we brought it back and gave you 6 Valentine’s Day desserts? Well, we’re back. And like the title says, I’ve got five more mouthwatering brunch menu items for ya. You’re about to have an epic buffet, friends.
Strawberry Poppyseed Muffins by The Almond Eater
Strawberry Poppyseed Muffins are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast! Made with fresh strawberries and drizzled with honey, they’re sure to be a hit at any brunch.
Stovetop Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Pepper Cashew Dressing by Fit Mitten Kitchen
These Stovetop Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Pepper Cashew Dressing are an easy, flavorful side dish to add to your brunch menu. The homemade, vegan-friendly dressing takes these brussels sprouts to a whole new level!
Cherry Ginger Vanilla Smoothie Bowl by In It for the Long Run
This cherry ginger vanilla smoothie bowl is beautifully balanced with sweet juicy cherries and spicy ginger. But we all know the best part of a smoothie bowl are the toppings.
PB&J-Stuffed French Toast Skewers by rachLmansfield
The best of both worlds with peanut butter and french toast combined into one delicious dairy-free dish.
No-Bake Mini Fruit Tarts by The Balanced Berry
These mini fruit tarts are the perfect brunch treat. They’re incredibly easy to make, lightly sweet and are vegan-friendly!
Pin it for later!
WOW. Brunch goals. The toast bar is such a cute idea!
Emily @ My Healthyish Life recently posted…Let’s Catch Up
I miss our post-run breakfast!! Next time we’ll have some toast
Toast perfection!!! Gorgeous photos Christina!
Marina @ A Dancer’s Live-It recently posted…Mythbuster Monday: Spring Edition
Aw thank you Marina <3
love this toast bar idea! So many awesome options to please anyone!
rachel at athletic avocado recently posted…5 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars {Vegan, GF + DF}
Thanks Rachel!! <3
Can we all just get together and have a toast bar asap??? But seriously, these toasts look incredible and I just love the idea of a toast bar <3
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…15 minute Runner’s Legs Workout
Can you imagine a BGB toast bar? There would be nothing left LOL
I am going to do this for a brunch coming up, now I have the perfect recipes to reference!
Aw man can I come!?! I hope you enjoy!! <3
a toast bar would be great for a baby or bridal shower too! I’m glad you included cottage cheese. It’s one of my favorite toast toppings!
Totally. After I mentioned my idea for this Rachel told me she actually had a toast bar at her bridal shower haha!
I want to come to your house for brunch! Seriously toast is one of my favorite parts of breakfast and I love all the different spins you took with it!
Amanda Elizabeth – Meet at the Barre recently posted…Local Living – Fun Things to do in St. Petersburg, FL
Haha yes come over! Toastess with the mostest (had to)
Can’t wait to try some of these at our next brunch get together. I’m also more of a “breakfasty” brunch person. I can’t skip it : )
Sam @ Barrister’s Beet recently posted…3 Reasons You Should Exercise in the Morning
RIGHT? I knew I wasn’t crazy! haha I just cannot skip out on breakfast (imo, the best meal of the day!)
Totally into alllll of these, but if I had to pick I would go for the strawberry one! Loving this brunch theme!
Beverley @ Born to Sweat recently posted…Why I Stopped Eating Meat (And Why You Should Too)
Blogger brunch soon? I’ll bring the strawberries
Love the idea of a (GF in my case) toast bar, it’s so customizable. For a recent dinner party I made lots of different mini quiches and frittatas so there were also options for everyone, but build-your-own is fun to try!
Oh yumm I love quiche/frittatas!! Right it’s just so fun to do your own thing at dinner/brunch parties !
Goat cheese+avocado needs to happen in my life ASAP. Obviously obsessed with the concept of a toast bar and my friend was actually telling me there’s a restaurant in columbus that’s basically a toast bar and now I feel like I need to go.
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Strawberry Poppy Seed Muffins
It’s such a big craze now! There is a restaurant in Mesa, AZ that has something similar but it’s more so bruschetta, which is what inspired my post about 4 ways to eat bruschetta
This is such a fun idea! I have become somewhat of a toast fiend here in the last few weeks – must give this a try!
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] recently posted…Banana Bread Carrot Cake Muffins + an Announcement
I am most definitely a toast fiend and I think food blogging has something to do with it haha I have been totally influenced by the avo toasts around me!
That goat cheese avocado is calling my name!!
The med students are known for hosting epic potlucks…I’ve GOT to suggest this idea for the next one!!
How fun!! Yes it’s totally easy! And yeah thats one of my fave combos. Anything with goat cheese!
Ugh, I just love toast so much and all of these versions look so good. I’m thinking the mascarpone and berries version is especially speaking to my soul. I definitely need to get my hands on some artisan bread!
Les @ The Balanced Berry recently posted…No-Bake Fruit Tarts + 5 Recipes for the Perfect Brunch
That was definitely one of my favorites – it’s amazing what a little fresh mint will do!
Ahhh all looks so good!! Love the look of the mascarpone, berries & mint toast!! Awesome photos, drool worthy!
Georgie @ Healthy Pears recently posted…Healthy Chocolate No Bake Brownies
Totally with you on breakfast based brunch! I can’t help but for for a good omelet or crab benedict. I just love me some eggs 😀
I’m obsessed with all of these toast options. I’ll take one of each please!
Making a toast bar is a GENIUS idea!! I’m kind of in love with the toast trend so I think having something like this for brunch is the best thing since sliced bread. <see what I did there? 😉
Also, artisan bread FTW!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
WOAH the toast idea is so clever and cute! Def loving all these. Drooling from Delray hahahah
Such a great idea! I am def going to have to try the tomato and goat cheese combo! It all looks delicious!