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Avocado toast with poached eggs on sourdough, topped with chilli flakes

Smashed Avocado Toast with Poached Eggs

The brunch dish that became a cultural icon — and for good reason. Creamy smashed avocado on golden sourdough toast, topped with perfectly poached eggs, chilli flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil. Simple, beautiful, and genuinely satisfying.

By Appetising AI-enriched
Prep 5 min
Cook 10 min
Total 15 min
Serves
2 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cuisine
british

Ingredients

Serves 2 servings

Tick off ingredients as you go

Method

  1. Toast the sourdough until deeply golden. While it toasts, halve and pit the avocados. Scoop the flesh into a bowl and add a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Use a fork to smash to your preferred consistency — some like it chunky, others prefer it smooth.

  2. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a gentle simmer (not boiling — look for small bubbles). Add the white wine vinegar.

    Tip: The vinegar helps the egg whites coagulate quickly for a neat poached egg

  3. Crack each egg into a small ramekin or cup. Create a gentle whirlpool in the water with a spoon, then carefully slide an egg into the centre. Repeat with the second egg. Cook for 3 minutes for a runny yolk, 4 minutes for a semi-set yolk.

  4. While the eggs poach, spread the smashed avocado generously over the toasted sourdough.

  5. Remove the poached eggs with a slotted spoon and briefly rest on kitchen paper to drain. Place on top of the avocado toast.

  6. Finish with chilli flakes, a drizzle of good olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately.

Tips & Tricks

  • The freshest eggs make the best poached eggs — check the date and use within a week of laying if possible

  • Don't over-mash the avocado — texture is everything

  • Add a little garlic (rubbed directly on the toast) for an extra flavour layer

  • A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning is an excellent finishing touch

Substitutions

Instead of Sourdough → use Rye bread or whole grain toast

Both work brilliantly for a nuttier flavour

Instead of Poached eggs → use Fried or scrambled eggs

If you find poaching tricky, a runny fried egg is equally delicious

Instead of Lemon juice → use Lime juice

Gives a slightly different but equally good citrus note

Storage & Reheating

Storage

Best eaten immediately. Avocado browns quickly once exposed to air.

Reheating

Not suitable for reheating — this is a make-and-eat dish.

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Toaster
  • Small ramekins or cups
  • Slotted spoon

Nutrition

Per 2 slices with 2 eggs (approx. 380g)

520kcal

Calories

22g

Protein

38g

Carbs

32g

Fat

10g

Fibre

* Nutritional information is approximate and provided as a guide only. Values may vary depending on exact ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

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