Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4
- Skip the basic avocado toast and wow your guests with this creamy, decadent burrata toast instead
- Perfect balance of tangy, salty, and sweet flavors on crusty artisan bread
- Customize with seasonal toppings like summer berries or roasted winter vegetables
- Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal cooking skills required
The Breakfast Upgrade You’ve Been Waiting For
Tired of the same old breakfast? Burrata toast is about to rock your morning routine.
This simple yet impressive dish takes toast to a whole new level. The combination of creamy burrata cheese, crunchy bread, and bright toppings creates a breakfast worth getting out of bed for.
Best of all? You can make this restaurant-quality dish at home in just 20 minutes with basic kitchen skills.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 320 | 16% |
| Fat | 18g | 23% |
| Carbs | 28g | 10% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fiber | 2g | 7% |
| Sodium | 580mg | 25% |
What You’ll Need
Ingredients (Serves 4)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Artisan bread (sourdough/ciabatta) | 4 thick slices (about 1″ each) | Day-old bread works best |
| Burrata cheese | 8 oz (2 balls) | Room temperature |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 2 tablespoons + extra for drizzling | High-quality preferred |
| Cherry tomatoes | 1 cup | Halved |
| Fresh basil leaves | ¼ cup | Torn or whole leaves |
| Balsamic glaze | 2 tablespoons | Store-bought or homemade |
| Flaky sea salt | ½ teaspoon | Such as Maldon |
| Freshly ground black pepper | ¼ teaspoon | To taste |
| Red pepper flakes (optional) | ¼ teaspoon | For heat |
| Honey (optional) | 1 tablespoon | For a sweet finish |
Kitchen Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Large skillet or griddle | Toasting bread |
| Sharp knife | Slicing bread and tomatoes |
| Cutting board | Prep surface |
| Small bowl | Mixing toppings |
| Measuring spoons | Portioning ingredients |
| Pastry brush (optional) | Applying olive oil to bread |
Substitutions
Can’t find burrata? Here are some options:
- Fresh mozzarella (though less creamy)
- Ricotta cheese (with a drizzle of cream)
- Stracciatella cheese (just the creamy center of burrata)
- For dairy-free: Cashew cream cheese with a splash of plant milk
Step-by-Step Instructions for Beginners
Preparation Phase (10 minutes)
- Take burrata out of refrigerator:
- Remove burrata from the refrigerator 30 minutes before starting
- This is important! Cold cheese doesn’t spread well and has less flavor
- Leave it in its container until ready to use
- Prepare your work area:
- Clear counter space for cutting and assembly
- Get out all tools: cutting board, knife, skillet, plates, measuring spoons
- Have clean kitchen towels or paper towels nearby
- Measure and prepare all ingredients:
- Place 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small dish with pastry brush
- Pour additional olive oil (about 1 tablespoon) into another dish for drizzling
- Place balsamic glaze in a squeeze bottle or small dish with spoon for drizzling
- If using honey, have it ready with a separate spoon
- Wash and prepare produce:
- Rinse cherry tomatoes under cold water
- Pat them completely dry with paper towels (wet tomatoes will make toast soggy)
- Place tomatoes on cutting board and cut each one in half with the sharp knife
- Collect all halved tomatoes in a small bowl
- Rinse basil leaves gently under cold water
- Pat basil completely dry with paper towels
- Either leave small leaves whole or tear larger leaves into smaller pieces by hand (don’t cut with knife as it can cause browning)
- Set prepared basil aside on a dry paper towel
- Prepare bread:
- If using a whole loaf, place on cutting board
- Hold loaf firmly and use serrated knife to cut 4 slices, each about 1-inch thick
- If bread is pre-sliced, simply count out 4 slices
- Check that all slices are roughly the same size for even toasting
Toasting Phase (5 minutes)
- Heat your pan:
- Place skillet or griddle on stove
- Turn heat to medium (usually about halfway on the dial)
- Allow pan to heat for 2-3 minutes
- To test if pan is ready, sprinkle a few drops of water onto surface – they should sizzle and evaporate quickly
- If water bounces and disappears immediately, pan is too hot; reduce heat slightly
- If water sits without sizzling, continue heating
- Prepare bread for toasting:
- While pan heats, lay bread slices on cutting board
- Using pastry brush, brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil
- Make sure to cover entire surface with a thin, even layer
- If you don’t have a pastry brush, you can drizzle oil and spread with the back of a spoon
- Optional for extra flavor: Cut a garlic clove in half and rub cut side over oiled bread
- Toast the first side:
- Once pan is hot, carefully place bread slices oil-side down in pan
- Don’t overcrowd – if necessary, work in batches of 2 slices
- While first side is toasting, brush top sides with olive oil
- Toast for approximately 2-3 minutes
- Using tongs or spatula, peek underneath occasionally to check color
- Look for golden brown color – not too light (will be soggy) or too dark (will taste burnt)
- Flip and toast second side:
- Using tongs or spatula, carefully flip each bread slice
- If bread sticks to pan, gently slide spatula underneath to release
- Toast second side for 1-2 minutes until golden brown
- If bread is browning too quickly, reduce heat
- If bread isn’t browning enough, increase heat slightly
- Remove toast and cool slightly:
- Once both sides are golden brown, transfer toast to serving plates
- Allow to cool for 1 minute before topping
- Toast should be warm but not too hot to handle
- Make sure plates are large enough for finished toasts with some extra room
Assembly Phase (5 minutes)
- Open and prepare burrata:
- Place burrata balls on a clean plate
- Carefully cut open each ball of burrata using a sharp knife
- You’ll notice two parts: a firm outer shell and a creamy center
- Keep both parts together on the plate – you’ll use it all
- Place burrata on toast:
- Using a spoon or your fingers, scoop half of one burrata ball onto each slice of toast
- Aim for the center of the toast, allowing some room around edges
- Gently spread the cheese slightly, but don’t worry about covering the entire surface
- The creamy inside will naturally spread a bit
- One 4-ounce ball should be enough for two slices of toast
- Add tomatoes:
- Carefully place 6-8 tomato halves on each toast, distributing them evenly
- If tomatoes are very juicy, you can press them gently between paper towels first
- Arrange them so they’re not all clumped together
- Add basil:
- Scatter torn or whole basil leaves over each toast
- Use about 4-5 small leaves or 2-3 torn larger leaves per toast
- Place basil on top of and between tomatoes for best visual effect
- Season each toast:
- Hold salt about 8 inches above toast and sprinkle lightly, using a pinch for each toast
- Grind fresh black pepper over each toast (about 2-3 twists of grinder per toast)
- If using red pepper flakes, sprinkle just a tiny amount (less than you think you need – you can always add more)
- Add final touches:
- Drizzle about ½ teaspoon additional olive oil over each toast in a zigzag pattern
- Using balsamic glaze in squeeze bottle or spoon, drizzle in another zigzag pattern crossing the olive oil
- If using honey, drizzle very lightly (about ¼ teaspoon per toast)
- For best presentation, try to keep drizzles on the toppings and not running off the sides
- Final check and serve:
- Look at each toast to ensure toppings are evenly distributed
- Make any final adjustments to presentation
- Add another basil leaf or two for garnish if desired
- Serve immediately while toast is still slightly warm and cheese is at room temperature
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Soggy Toast
Solution: Make sure your bread is well-toasted and sturdy. If using very juicy tomatoes, let them drain on a paper towel first. Also, don’t add too much olive oil to your bread before toasting.
Problem: Burrata Too Cold
Solution: Always allow burrata to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Cold cheese won’t spread properly and lacks flavor. If you forgot, you can speed up the process by placing the sealed container in warm (not hot) water for 5 minutes.
Problem: Burrata Too Firm
Solution: Some burrata is firmer than others. If yours doesn’t have a very creamy center, use a fork to gently break it up before placing on toast. You can also add a small splash of heavy cream to make it creamier.
Problem: Bland Flavor
Solution: Don’t skimp on seasoning! Use good quality salt and freshly ground pepper. If it still tastes bland, try adding a tiny squeeze of lemon juice or some lemon zest to brighten the flavors.
Problem: Messy Eating
Solution: Cut assembled toasts into smaller, bite-sized pieces before serving, or provide small plates and forks. You can also make the toasts smaller from the start by cutting bread into 2-inch squares.
Variations & Substitutions
Seasonal Adaptations
Summer Burrata Toast:
- Add fresh peaches or strawberries (thinly sliced)
- Use lemon zest instead of balsamic
- Top with mint leaves and honey
Fall Burrata Toast:
- Add roasted butternut squash cubes (1/2-inch cubes, roasted at 400°F for 20 minutes)
- Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds
- Drizzle with sage-infused olive oil
Winter Burrata Toast:
- Top with roasted beets and orange segments
- Add a sprinkle of chopped pistachios
- Finish with rosemary-infused honey
Spring Burrata Toast:
- Add fresh peas or asparagus tips (blanched for 1 minute in boiling water)
- Include lemon zest and mint
- Top with pea shoots or microgreens
Dietary Adaptations
Gluten-Free Option:
- Use certified gluten-free bread
- Check that your balsamic glaze is gluten-free
Lower-Calorie Option:
- Use half the amount of burrata
- Add more vegetables
- Use thin bread slices
Storage & Reheating
Burrata toast is best enjoyed immediately after assembly. The contrast between the warm toast and cool, creamy cheese is part of what makes it special.
If you must prepare components ahead:
- Toast the bread up to 1 hour ahead, store uncovered at room temperature
- Prep toppings up to 4 hours ahead, refrigerate in separate containers
- Keep burrata refrigerated until 30 minutes before serving
To refresh day-old toast:
- Briefly reheat in a 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes
- Allow to cool slightly before topping with fresh burrata
Safety Notes & Tips
- Food safety: Burrata is a fresh cheese and should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- For beginners: The most common mistake is over-toasting the bread. Watch it carefully!
- Serving tip: Provide napkins – this delicious toast can get messy!
- Make-ahead components: The balsamic glaze can be made days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Guest tip: Set up a burrata toast bar with various toppings for a fun brunch option.
Chef’s Notes
Burrata toast makes a stunning appetizer for dinner parties or a luxurious breakfast for special occasions. The key to this recipe is using high-quality ingredients—especially the cheese and bread.
Don’t rush the assembly. Take time to arrange your toppings beautifully for that Instagram-worthy presentation.
Remember that this recipe is a template. Once you master the basic version, feel free to experiment with seasonal ingredients and your favorite flavor combinations.
Now go enjoy your burrata toast—you deserve this upgrade to your morning routine!
