Key Takeaways:
- Doubles your protein intake compared to regular avocado toast
- Ready in just 5 minutes with simple ingredients
- Perfect for breakfast or quick lunch for 4 people
- Customizable with various toppings for different flavor profiles
Why This Recipe Will Change Your Breakfast Game
Tired of the same old avocado toast? We’ve discovered the secret to taking this breakfast classic to the next level. By swapping traditional spreads with creamy cottage cheese, you’ll get double the protein without sacrificing flavor.
This cottage cheese avocado toast recipe serves four people and takes just minutes to prepare. The combination of creamy cottage cheese and buttery avocado creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will keep you satisfied until lunch.
Nutrition Comparison
| Ingredient | Calories | Protein | Healthy Fats | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Avocado Toast | 220 | 4g | 15g | 5g |
| Cottage Cheese Avocado Toast | 290 | 14g | 17g | 6g |
What You’ll Need
Ingredients (Serves 4)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole grain bread | 4 slices | Sourdough works great too |
| Ripe avocados | 2 medium | Should yield to gentle pressure |
| Cottage cheese | 1 cup | Full-fat or low-fat both work |
| Lemon | 1 small | For juice and zest |
| Cherry tomatoes | 8-10 | Halved |
| Red pepper flakes | ¼ teaspoon | Adjust to taste |
| Everything bagel seasoning | 1 tablespoon | Optional but recommended |
| Fresh herbs (chives, cilantro, or basil) | 2 tablespoons | Chopped |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | Flaky sea salt works best |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon | Extra virgin preferred |
Kitchen Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Toaster | For toasting bread |
| Small bowl (2) | For mashing avocado and mixing cottage cheese |
| Fork | For mashing and mixing |
| Knife | For slicing avocado and tomatoes |
| Cutting board | For preparation |
| Measuring spoons | For seasonings |
| Measuring cups | For measuring cottage cheese |
| Citrus juicer (optional) | For extracting lemon juice |
| Spoon | For scooping avocado and spreading ingredients |
| Zester or fine grater | For lemon zest |
Possible Substitutions
- Bread: Gluten-free bread works for those with gluten sensitivities
- Cottage Cheese: Greek yogurt can substitute for a tangier flavor
- Avocado: Smashed peas can work in a pinch (though flavor will differ)
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: Mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and garlic powder
Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes (toasting)
Total Time: 7 minutes
1. Prepare Your Workspace
- Clear your counter space: Remove any clutter so you have plenty of room to work.
- Wash your hands: Use soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
- Gather all ingredients: Place everything you’ll need on the counter so it’s within reach.
- Wash produce: Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cool running water and pat dry with paper towels. Rinse herbs and pat dry.
- Arrange your tools: Set out your cutting board, knife, bowls, measuring spoons, and other tools.
- Plug in toaster: Make sure your toaster is ready to use.
2. Check Your Avocados
- Test for ripeness: Gently press each avocado with your thumb – it should yield slightly but not feel mushy.
- Too hard? If your avocados are too firm, they’re not ready to use. (For a quick ripen, place in a paper bag with a banana overnight).
- Too soft? If your avocados feel very soft or have dark sunken spots, they may be overripe. Cut away any brown parts.
3. Prepare The Avocado
- Cut the avocado: Place the avocado on your cutting board. Hold it securely with one hand. With your other hand, carefully cut around the middle of the avocado lengthwise until you feel the knife hit the pit.
- Twist to separate: Twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them.
- Remove the pit (Method 1 – Safer for beginners): Use a spoon to scoop around and under the pit to remove it.
- Remove the pit (Method 2): Very carefully tap the sharp edge of your knife into the pit, then twist gently to remove. (WARNING: Always keep your fingers away from the blade and never hold the avocado in your hand during this step).
- Scoop out the flesh: Use a spoon to scoop the green flesh from both avocado halves into your small bowl. Get as close to the skin as possible to get all the flesh.
- Add lemon juice: Cut your lemon in half. Squeeze 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice onto the avocado. (If using a citrus juicer, cut the lemon, place half in the juicer, and squeeze until you have about 1 teaspoon).
- Mash the avocado: Using your fork, press down and drag through the avocado repeatedly until it’s mostly smooth with some small chunks remaining. A few small lumps create nice texture.
- Season the avocado: Add ¼ teaspoon salt and a small pinch (about ⅛ teaspoon) of black pepper to the mashed avocado.
- Mix thoroughly: Stir everything together with your fork until salt and pepper are evenly distributed.
4. Prepare The Cottage Cheese Mixture
- Measure cottage cheese: Use a measuring cup to measure 1 cup of cottage cheese and transfer to your second small bowl.
- Zest the lemon: Hold your zester or fine grater over the bowl. Rub the yellow part of the lemon skin against the grater in short strokes. Be careful to only grate the yellow part (the white part underneath is bitter). You need about ½ teaspoon of zest.
- Season cottage cheese: Add a small pinch of salt (about ⅛ teaspoon) to the cottage cheese.
- Mix gently: Use a spoon to carefully fold the lemon zest and salt into the cottage cheese. Don’t overmix – just stir until combined.
- Check consistency: The cottage cheese should be spreadable but not runny. If it seems too wet, you can strain off some liquid by placing it in a fine mesh strainer and pressing gently with the back of a spoon.
5. Prepare The Tomatoes And Herbs
- Slice tomatoes: Place cherry tomatoes on the cutting board. Using your knife, carefully cut each tomato in half. Place in a small pile on your cutting board.
- Chop herbs: Gather your fresh herbs (chives, cilantro, or basil). Bundle them together, then use your knife to finely chop them. You need about 2 tablespoons of chopped herbs. Set aside in a small pile.
6. Toast The Bread
- Place bread in toaster: Put all 4 slices of whole grain bread in the toaster. If your toaster only fits 2 slices, you’ll need to toast in batches.
- Set toaster setting: Choose a medium-high setting for nicely browned toast.
- Toast the bread: Start the toaster and wait until the bread pops up, about 2-3 minutes depending on your toaster.
- Check toast: The bread should be golden brown and crisp. If it’s too light, toast it a bit longer.
- Cool slightly: Remove toast and place on a clean cutting board or plates. Let cool for about 30 seconds so it’s not too hot to handle.
7. Assemble The Toast (One Slice At A Time)
- Spread cottage cheese: Using the back of a spoon, spread approximately ¼ cup of the cottage cheese mixture evenly across the entire surface of one slice of toast. Start from the center and work your way out to the edges.
- Add avocado layer: Spoon about 2 tablespoons (approximately ¼ of your total mashed avocado) onto the toast, on top of the cottage cheese. Gently spread it evenly across the surface.
- Add tomatoes: Place 2-3 tomato halves evenly spaced on top of the avocado layer.
- Sprinkle seasonings: Hold your hand about 6 inches above the toast and sprinkle a small pinch of red pepper flakes evenly across the surface. Then sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of everything bagel seasoning.
- Add herbs: Sprinkle about ½ tablespoon of your chopped fresh herbs over the top.
- Drizzle with olive oil: Hold the olive oil bottle about 6 inches above the toast and quickly move it back and forth while squeezing gently to create a thin drizzle (about ¼ teaspoon per toast).
- Final touch: If desired, add one last tiny pinch of flaky salt on top.
- Repeat for remaining slices: Follow steps 1-7 for the remaining three slices of toast.
8. Serve Immediately
- Transfer to plates: Carefully transfer each completed toast to individual serving plates.
- Optional garnish: Add a small herb sprig on the side for presentation if desired.
- Serve right away: For best taste and texture, serve immediately while the toast is still crisp and the toppings are fresh.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Brown Avocado
Problem: Avocado turns brown quickly Solution: Add extra lemon juice to the mashed avocado and prepare just before serving. If you notice browning, simply scrape off the top layer – the avocado underneath should still be green.
Soggy Toast
Problem: Toast becomes soggy under toppings Solution: Make sure bread is well-toasted and let it cool slightly before adding toppings. Also, don’t prepare the toast too far in advance – aim to eat within 5 minutes of assembly.
Bland Flavor
Problem: Flavor lacks punch Solution: Add more lemon zest, a pinch of extra salt, or red pepper flakes. Taste your avocado mixture before adding to toast and adjust seasonings if needed.
Runny Cottage Cheese
Problem: Cottage cheese is too wet Solution: Place cottage cheese in a fine mesh strainer and gently press with the back of a spoon to remove excess liquid before using.
Avocado Too Hard
Problem: Avocado is difficult to mash Solution: If your avocado isn’t ripe enough, you can microwave it for 30 seconds to soften slightly, or add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to help it mash more smoothly.
Variations To Try
1. Mediterranean Style
- Add diced cucumber (¼ cup, seeds removed)
- Sprinkle with crumbled feta (2 tablespoons)
- Top with chopped kalamata olives (1 tablespoon)
- Finish with dried oregano (¼ teaspoon)
2. Mexican Inspired
- Add finely diced jalapeño (1 tablespoon, seeds removed for less heat)
- Sprinkle with taco seasoning (½ teaspoon)
- Top with corn kernels (2 tablespoons)
- Finish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime
3. Sweet & Savory
- Drizzle with honey (1 teaspoon)
- Add thinly sliced strawberries (3-4 slices)
- Sprinkle with cracked black pepper (small pinch)
- Finish with fresh mint (1 teaspoon, finely chopped)
4. High-Protein Version
- Add a soft-boiled egg (1 per toast)
- Sprinkle with hemp seeds (1 teaspoon)
- Top with smoked salmon (1 ounce)
- Finish with microgreens (small handful)
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Toast: Best eaten immediately after preparation
- Components: Store cottage cheese and mashed avocado separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator
- Avocado Storage: Keep avocado mix fresh by placing plastic wrap directly on the surface (touching the avocado) and adding extra lemon juice
- Make-Ahead Option: Prepare components up to 1 day ahead but assemble just before eating
- Not Recommended: Freezing assembled toast or components is not recommended
Safety Notes & Tips
- Knife Safety: Always cut away from your body. Keep fingers curled under and away from the blade when cutting.
- Avocado Caution: Never hold an avocado in your hand while removing the pit with a knife.
- Food Safety: Wash hands before and after handling food, especially after touching raw ingredients.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover components within 2 hours to prevent spoilage.
- Allergies: This recipe contains dairy (cottage cheese) and gluten (if using regular bread).
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, can be made gluten-free with appropriate bread choice.
Pro Tips
- Perfect Avocados: Choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure. The stem end should come off easily and show green underneath (not brown).
- Temperature Tip: Let cottage cheese come to room temperature for 10 minutes before spreading for best texture and flavor.
- Texture Balance: Keep some avocado chunks for interesting texture – don’t mash completely smooth.
- Seasoning Secret: Season each component separately for the best flavor development.
- Serving Suggestion: Cut assembled toast into triangles for easier eating and prettier presentation.
- Lemon Trick: Roll your lemon firmly on the counter before cutting to release more juice.
- Herb Storage: Keep leftover fresh herbs wrapped in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator to use later in the week.
