Shamrock Avocado Toast

Last March, I was standing in my kitchen on a random Tuesday morning when my daughter asked why breakfast had to be boring. She was holding a shamrock cookie cutter, and something just clicked—why not make toast feel like a tiny celebration? That's how this came together: a moment of playful creativity that turned a weekday breakfast into something that actually made us smile before our coffee even cooled down.

I made this for a St. Patrick's Day brunch where nobody expected anything special, and watching people's faces light up when they realized the shamrocks were actually avocado—not some fake decoration—was worth every careful slice. It became the thing people asked about for weeks afterward.

Ingredients

• Whole grain or sourdough bread (2 slices): The sturdier the bread, the better it holds up to the avocado without getting soggy; sourdough gives this a subtle tanginess that plays beautifully with the everything seasoning.
• Ripe avocado (1): This is the whole show, so pick one that yields gently to thumb pressure but isn't mushy—you need enough structure to cut clean shapes.
• Lemon juice (1 teaspoon): Not just for flavor; this is your insurance against that disappointing brown oxidation that happens when avocado sits exposed to air.
• Salt (pinch): A small gesture that wakes up the subtle buttery flavor of the avocado.
• Everything bagel seasoning (2 teaspoons): Buy a good quality blend or make your own with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, and dried onion for that complex, almost savory-sweet depth.
• Fresh chives or microgreens (optional): These add a peppery freshness and a visual flourish that feels intentional without requiring extra effort.

Instructions

Toast your bread until it's golden and crisp:

You want enough color to give it structure and a slight crunch, but not so dark that it tastes burnt. Listen for that satisfying pop from the toaster.

Halve and pit your avocado while the bread toasts:

Work the knife around the pit gently, twist the halves apart, then tap the pit with your knife blade and twist—it'll come right out. Careful with your hands; avocados are slippery little guys.

Peel and slice your avocado into thin, even pieces:

Use the skin as a guide and peel from the narrow end first, then slice lengthwise so you have pieces with enough substance to hold a shape.

Cut shamrock shapes with precision and intention:

If you have a shamrock cutter, press it gently through the avocado slices; if you're using a knife, it takes a few tries to get the three rounded lobes right, but the imperfect ones are somehow more charming. Work quickly so your shapes don't brown.

Toss the shamrocks with lemon juice and salt:

This gentle coating keeps them bright green and adds a subtle brightness that ties everything together.

Arrange on warm toast in a way that feels deliberate:

Overlap them slightly or stand them up—there's no wrong way, just whatever looks good to you in that moment.

Sprinkle generously with everything seasoning:

Don't hold back; this is where all the savory magic lives, and the warm toast helps the flavors bloom.

Finish with chives or microgreens and serve immediately:

The moment it hits the plate is the moment to eat it, when the toast is still warm and the avocado is at its best.

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There's something quietly special about taking five minutes to make breakfast feel like you're worth the effort. That's what this toast became for me—not fancy, not complicated, but intentional in a way that shifted my whole morning.

The Art of Avocado Shaping

The first time I tried to cut shamrocks freehand, I made something that looked more like a blob with three bumps, but it still tasted perfect. The beauty of working with avocado is that imperfection doesn't matter; a slightly wonky shamrock still reads as a shamrock, and honestly, the handmade quality makes it feel more personal. A shamrock cookie cutter eliminates the guesswork, but even then, you're working with a soft ingredient that's somewhat forgiving if you move confidently.

Bread Selection Matters More Than You'd Think

Cheap white bread will absorb the avocado and turn into mush within two minutes, but a good hearty sourdough or whole grain slice stays crisp underneath and actually supports the toppings. The structural integrity of the toast is what separates this from just spreading avocado on cardboard. When you bite down, you want that contrast between the crispy bread and the soft avocado, and choosing the right bread makes that possible without any extra work.

Why Everything Seasoning Is the Secret

Avocado on its own can feel a little one-note, but the moment you hit it with everything seasoning, it becomes something with depth and character. The poppy seeds add a tiny crunch, the sesame brings an almost nutty warmth, and the dried garlic and onion give it a savory complexity that makes people lean in and wonder what you did differently. It's the kind of finishing touch that looks simple but actually changes everything about how the dish tastes.

• Make your own everything blend if you can't find a good store-bought version—it's literally just equal parts sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, and dried garlic mixed together.
• Store whatever you don't use in a small jar with a tight lid, and it'll be ready whenever you want to sprinkle it on eggs, roasted vegetables, or cream cheese.
• A light hand with the seasoning is easy to fix, but overseasoning is hard to undo, so start with less than you think you need.

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This recipe is proof that sometimes the smallest gestures—a shamrock shape, a generous sprinkle of seasoning, five minutes of intention—are what turn ordinary mornings into moments worth remembering. Make it for someone you love, or make it for yourself and know that you deserve breakfast that feels special.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I keep avocado slices from browning?

Toss the avocado pieces gently with a bit of lemon juice and a pinch of salt to preserve their color and freshness.

→ What can I use if I don’t have a shamrock-shaped cutter?

Use a small sharp knife or any round cutter to shape the avocado slices into shamrock-like forms manually.

→ Can I substitute the bread used?

Yes, whole grain, sourdough, or gluten-free bread can be toasted to your preference for this dish.

→ What is everything bagel seasoning?

A blend typically made from sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, onion, and salt that adds a savory crunch to dishes.

→ Is there a way to add creaminess to the toast?

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the toast before adding the avocado slices for extra richness.