• Top-down view of perfectly crispy Texas toast on a blue plate, set against a dark, black wooden background.
    Sides

    Perfectly Crispy Texas Toast

    In Texas, everything is bigger, and the toast is no exception. Thick-cut slices, golden and crisp, with a buttery, garlicky punch. This is Texas toast, pure carb heaven. Simple, yet immensely satisfying. Each bite delivers a crackly crust and a soft, tender center. It’s a celebration of flavor and texture, perfect for any meal.

    Imagine sinking your teeth into a piece of Texas toast, fresh off the pan. The garlic butter seeps into the bread, creating a savory symphony. It’s the kind of toast that makes you appreciate the small things in life, like the perfect crunch or the way butter melts just right.

    Making Texas toast at home is a breeze. No need for store-bought, frozen boxes. With a few basic ingredients and a hot pan, you can whip up this classic treat in minutes. It’s the ideal companion for barbecue, soups, or even as a stand-alone snack. Simple, straightforward, and utterly delicious.


    Ingredients

    • 1 tbsp butter, melted
    • 1 tbsp oil
    • 1 clove garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
    • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
    • 4 slices of thick cut bread
    Ingredients for making Texas toast, including thick-cut bread slices, butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper, laid out on a dark, black wooden background.

    How to make Perfectly Crispy Texas Toast

    1. Make garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
    2. Brush the butter. Brush both sides of each slice of bread with the garlic butter mixture.
    3. Grill. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Grill the bread until toasty and golden, flipping once. Repeat as needed and enjoy hot!
    Close-up shot of golden, crispy Texas toast frying in a pan, set against a dark, black wooden background.

    Helpful Hints

    • Mix it up: Add fresh herbs, onion powder, or crushed red chili flakes to the garlic butter for a twist.
    • Cheesy delight: Sprinkle shredded cheese on the toast in the pan for a crunchy, cheesy layer.
    • Perfect Pairing: Serve with chili, soups, stews, or as a breakfast side.

  • A yellow plate of ricotta toast topped with honey and thyme on a dark wooden surface.
    Appetizers and Snacks

    Classic Ricotta Toast Recipe

    Ricotta toast is here to stay. It’s creamy, full of protein, and the best base for customizing. Ricotta toast is the perfect way to start your day, as a light lunch, or snack.


    What is Ricotta Toast?

    It’s as simple as the name: it’s ricotta on toast. I’m not too sure where it came from, it’s just about as simple as butter on toast, but so much more luxurious and better. If it’s your first time having ricotta toast, I recommend a really good slice of bread, toasted until it’s golden with a couple of deeply caramelized spots, topped off with creamy whipped ricotta, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, flaky sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper.


    Best Bread for Ricotta Toast

    I love all bread but for ricotta toast I recommend a hearty loaf like sourdough. You want something with structure and crunch. There are so many amazing sourdough bakeries out there right now and if you have the time and inclination, you can even make your own – it’s magic! Good sourdough isn’t sour, it’s perfectly balanced, complex, and the best base for topping. If you don’t have access to really good sourdough and don’t want to make your own, try whipped ricotta toast on slices of a crusty country loaf, a hearty whole wheat bread, or even bagels. Whipped ricotta also tastes amazing on pancakes or waffles.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup ricotta (full fat preferred)
    • 4 slices sourdough bread
    • Toppings optional as desired (see post)

    What is Ricotta?

    Ricotta is a cheese, originally made in Italy but now available worldwide. It’s a soft, creamy cheese with small curds that are mild and slightly sweet. It’s fluffy, fresh, and creamy. You’ll find it in tubs in the refrigerated section and it tastes amazing with pasta, as a base for dips, on pizza, and in desserts.


    How to Make Whipped Ricotta

    To make whipped ricotta, start with whole milk ricotta and add it to a food processor. Blend until the ricotta is creamy, fluffy, and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. You can season it with salt and pepper right away but I like to leave it plain so I have the option of using it as a base for both sweet and savory toasts. Whipped ricotta will keep in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 3 days.


    Ricotta Toast Variations

    1. Classic Ricotta Toast
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic (if desired) and finish with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
    2. Honey and Thyme Ricotta Toast
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then drizzle with a generous amount of honey and finish with fresh thyme. Pro tip: a sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes this over the top!
    3. Avocado Ricotta Toast
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, top with slices of avocado, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, flaky salt, pepper, and herbs, if desired.
    4. Crispy Pesto Egg
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough. Heat up 2 tablespoons of pesto in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add a cracked egg to the pesto and cook the egg to your desired doneness. Scoop the fried egg and pesto over the ricotta toast.
    5. Tomatoes and Basil
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then top with sliced or quartered tomatoes, basil, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (and balsamic if desired), flaky salt and black pepper.
    6. Jam and Whipped Ricotta
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then top with your favorite jam.
    7. Prosciutto and Peaches
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then arrange thin slices of prosciutto and juicy peaches on top. Finish with extra virgin olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper.
    8. Cacio e Pepe and Ricotta
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then top with a generous amount of freshly grated parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.
    9. Carbonara Ricotta
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then top with crispy pancetta (or bacon), a poached egg, and a generous amount of freshly grated parmesan.
    10. Berries and Ricotta
      • Spread a generous amount of whipped ricotta on toasted sourdough, then top with fresh berries, a drizzle of honey, and some fresh mint or thyme.

    What to Serve with Ricotta Toast

    • The best bacon ever, twisted bacon
    • Crispy fried eggs for an extra boost of protein
    • Super addictive hot Chinese chili oil
    • Garlicky pan seared mushrooms

    Helpful Hints:

    • Use high-quality sourdough bread for the best results.
    • Whip the ricotta until it’s very smooth for a luxurious texture.
    • Experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination.
    • Toast the bread until golden with some caramelized spots for extra flavor.
    • Store any leftover whipped ricotta in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • A slice of California roll avocado toast with avocado, crab, cucumber, seaweed, and sesame seeds on a [blue/orange/green/yellow/red] plate on a dark, black wooden texture surface.
    Appetizers and Snacks

    Easy California Roll Avocado Toast

    If you’re an avocado toast lover, this California Roll Avocado Toast Recipe is for you. Combining the creamy goodness of avocado with the fresh flavors of a California roll, this toast is a must-try.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 slice of good quality sourdough bread
    • Kewpie mayo
    • 1/2 avocado, sliced
    • 1/4 cup fresh crab
    • Cucumber slices
    • Seaweed strips
    • Toasted sesame seeds
    • Salt and freshly ground pepper
    • Salmon roe or tobiko (optional)

    How to Make It:

    1. Toast your bread according to your preference.
    2. Smooth on a generous amount of kewpie mayo.
    3. Top with sliced avocado, crab, cucumber, seaweed, sesame seeds, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
    4. Add optional fish eggs if using.
    5. Enjoy your gourmet avocado toast!

    Additional Tips:

    • Choosing the Bread: For the best avocado toast, choose a high-quality sourdough or a whole grain bread. The crunch and flavor of the bread will complement the toppings perfectly.
    • Avocado Ripeness: Make sure your avocado is perfectly ripe. It should give slightly when you press it but not feel mushy.
    • Kewpie Mayo: This Japanese mayonnaise adds a unique umami flavor that regular mayo doesn’t. It’s sweeter and more savory, making it a perfect addition to this dish.
    • Seaweed and Sesame Seeds: These add a touch of umami and crunch, elevating your avocado toast to a whole new level.