Screw Sandwiches—Toast Is Where It's At

Local cafés and food bloggers are catching onto a gourmet toast trend that makes bread and butter look like movies before color TV was invented.

While the classics will always remain, there is a new way to make toast that is appealing in flavor, color, and texture—by topping it with a variety of complimenting spreads, fruits, and veggies. Toast has never looked nor tasted so good, and can now be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in-between.

1. Poached Egg & Avocado Toast

Avocado toast is responsible for starting the gourmet toast craze. There are endless combinations of ingredients that can be used as toppings, but sometimes less says more.

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Pinch of Yum features a simple recipe for multigrain toast with mashed avocado topped with a creamy, perfectly drippy poached egg.

Screw Sandwiches—Toast Is Where It's At — *Image by Lindsay/Pinch of Yum*

2. Smoked Salmon Toast

Smoky salmon, hard-boiled eggs, capers, and dill set over a luscious layer of cream cheese on caraway-spiced bread create an intense and satisfying depth of flavor that can be achieved in just 5 minutes. The recipe for this hearty toast combo can be found on the Jelly Toast Blog.

3. Bacon-Wrapped Avocado Toast

Bacon lovers unite! A Tasty Love Story has combined two star ingredients: bacon and avocado, and placed them on toast with rich cream cheese, coarse ground mustard, and a drizzle of sweet honey.

4. Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Toast

Bright, golden beets add a sweet flavor and tender textural component to a piece of toast. Jelly Toast Blog pairs beets with a tangy layer of goat cheese and tops it all off with a few sprigs of vibrant, peppery arugula.

5. Hummus Naan Toast - Three Ways

When we think about toast, we don't often think about using naan, but these recipes will definitely make us rethink our definition of "toast." Little Broken invented three Mediterranean-style naan toast combos that will leave you feeling healthy and refreshed.

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6. Avocado & Chorizo Toasts with Balsamic Glaze

The Noshery has redefined sweet and savory by combining spicy Spanish chorizo with a sweet, tangy balsamic glaze over slices of toasted baguette.

7. Garlic Mushroom Toast

Toast can be enjoyed far past the breakfast hours.The Cozy Apron provides a deep, earthy recipe for a savory, white wine sautéed mushroom toast that is guaranteed to make you feel comfortable and warm after long, cold day.

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8. Heirloom Tomato Toast

Springtime is just around the corner, and so is heirloom tomato season.Camille Styles will make you look forward to warmer weather with her bright and beautiful heirloom tomato, garlic, olive oil, and hemp seed toast.

9. Honey-Lemon Ricotta Toast with Figs & Pistachios

Whether you are a fig-lover or new to the fig game in general, it's time to try them on toast. Ambitious Kitchen has a toast recipe that features an easy and delightfully healthy way to enjoy figs.

10. Spicy Honey Crostini with Pear & Walnuts

Crostini is a fancy word for mini toasts that are typically served as an appetizer, but can also be enjoyed as a full meal. Gather and Dine's recipe for pear crostini with ricotta and goat cheese is crisp and refreshing.

11. Banana Toast - Six Ways

Healthfully Ever After created six delicious recipes for banana toast that will satisfy either a savory or sweet craving—and with less fat and lower calories than avocado toast, too.

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12. Strawberry Ricotta Toast

Toast can also be enjoyed as a post-meal dessert. Alaska From Scratch has a splendid sweet recipe that pairs summer strawberries with light and fluffy lemon ricotta, topped with local honey and crunchy, salted pistachios.

It's time to head to the bakery (or bake your own foolproof perfect loaf) because a thick slice of freshly-baked bread is the key to layering up an easy-to-prepare, eye-popping meal that will please your tastebuds and spark your creativity in the kitchen.