Served on whole-wheat bread, this creamy ricotta-avocado toast with poached egg and African harissa will be a hit at your next Sunday brunch. The 10-minute prep time and a sprinkle of crisp green onions make it an absolutely divine option when you don’t want to spend all morning in the kitchen but still crave a comforting, hearty bite.
Nothing is better than toast on a lazy Sunday morning, and this avocado toast with poached egg is sheer perfection. It’s just like my Avocado Toast with Soft Boiled Egg but with a creamier, runny yolk. I also added sweet-and-spicy harissa as well as ricotta for more flavor. Served on toasty, nutty whole wheat bread, it’s hearty meal to start the day off on the right foot. Whether you’re making it just for you or the whole family, you’ll get hooked on its combination of creamy and crunchy goodness. If you prefer sweeter breakfast options, my Ricotta Cheese Toast is the way to go.
My Favorite Way to Make Avocado Toast
This 10-minute avocado toast with poached egg is great for busy mornings and Sunday brunch.
- Simple but fancy. Poached eggs elevate any recipe, even if it’s just toast!
- Great for gatherings. Set out the ingredients and let everyone assemble their own toast with more of their favorite toppings.
- Versatile. Use different types of bread, add shredded chicken, or sprinkle in crumbled bacon depending on what you’re craving.
- Fusion of flavors. Milky Italian ricotta and spicy African harissa bring a European-African combination of flavors to the table.
What You’ll Need
Aside from spicy harissa, you probably already have everything you need to get started. You can find exact ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Whole wheat bread – Make sure it’s toasted. You can leave the crust or remove it.
- White vinegar – Feel free to swap it for white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice.
- Eggs – The yolks can’t break for this recipe so crack the eggs gently.
- Ricotta cheese – Full-fat ricotta is creamier, but you can also use low-fat ricotta or cottage cheese.
- Avocado – It must be fully ripened. Don’t mash it until right before assembling the toast to prevent the avocado from browning.
- Harissa – This is a spiced North African chili paste/condiment you can find in the international section at most grocery stores. Taste it before adding it in because some brands are spicier than others.
- Green onions – Chopped chives work too.
What Is a Poached Egg?
Poached eggs are eggs that have been gently cracked into a pot of boiling water. They’re cooked very briefly, allowing the egg white to set/firm up slightly but without over-cooking the yolk. Once you slice into them, the yolk is nice and runny. They’re mostly used for Eggs Benedict and other breakfast foods. However, they can also be found in ramen and some burgers. Poaching them isn’t necessarily hard, but you do need the right method. I have a guide on How to Poach an Egg if you’d like to check it out.
Variations and Topping Ideas
This savory breakfast toast is super versatile when it comes to flavor profiles and extra toppings. I love giving it an Italian-inspired twist, but these are just some of the possibilities:
- Make it Mediterranean. Swap the harissa for Roasted Red Pepper Pesto or Basil Pesto Sauce. Sprinkle each toast with 1-2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese and 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary or thyme for Mediterranean flair.
- Load it with protein. Turn this recipe into a heartier meal by shredding leftover Oven Roasted Turkey Breast or Grilled Whole Chicken and adding it in.
- Add cold cuts. Place 2-3 slices prosciutto, salami, or mortadella on each slice of toast for more savoriness.
- Go Tex-Mex. Skip the harissa and spread the toast with refried beans instead. Top with crumbled bacon, 1-2 tablespoons queso fresco, and Roasted Tomato Salsa.
- Italian twist. Leave the harissa out. Add 2-3 slices of mortadella, fresh mozzarella, 1/2 tablespoon chopped pistachios, plus a drizzle of olive oil to turn this into an Italian-inspired breakfast.
- More toppings. I like adding 1/2 tablespoon sliced olives, chopped parsley, and halved cherry tomatoes to my toast when I’ve got the ingredients in the fridge.
Tips for Success
Not a whole lot can go wrong when you’re making toast for breakfast, just make sure the yolks in the eggs don’t break. Here are my top tips to avoid that and make life easier:
- Use guacamole. Using leftover Spicy Roasted Tomato Guacamole and Creamy Bacon Guacamole are great for reducing food waste and adding more flavor.
- Hold the eggs. Don’t poach the eggs until right before serving to prevent the yolks from thickening and setting once they get cold.
- Swap the bread. Prepare this recipe using sourdough, focaccia, ciabatta, baguette, white bread, or your favorite loaf.
- Use a slotted spoon. To prevent the eggs from breaking when removing them from the pot, use a slotted spoon or a stainless steel strainer to pick them up.
- Make a toast bar. Place all of the ingredients in separate serving plates and allow your guests to assemble their own toast.
More Avocado Recipes to Try
Avocado Toast with Poached Egg
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Poached
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy avocado toast with poached egg recipe has spicy harissa, creamy ricotta, and crunchy green onions for the perfect brunch bite.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of whole wheat, toasted
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 4 eggs
- 6 tablespoons ricotta cheese
- 3 avocado, mashed
- 4 tablespoons harissa
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Fill a large skillet about 1 1/2″ full of water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add bread to toaster and toast until slightly browned. Remove and let sit.
- Add a splash of white vinegar to the boiling water (about 1 teaspoon). Immediately add in 4 eggs spacing them out. Cover. Turn burners off.
- Leave eggs covered with the heat off for 4-5 minutes.
- In the meantime, add 1 1/2 tablespoons of ricotta to each piece of toast, as well as 1/4 cup of mashed avocado, and 1 tablespoon of harissa.
- Once eggs poached. Gently remove from water (be sure to drain any liquid from pan) and place on top of assembled toast.
- Garnish with green onions.
- Serve!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 avocado toast with egg
- Calories: 269
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 342 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 193 mg
26 comments on “Avocado Toast With Poached Egg”
1 serving calls for 3 avocados..is that right?
Oh no, this recipe makes 4 servings. You mash up all the avocados and spread it amongst the 4 slices of bread. 🙂
I don’t think that there is anything that I don’t love about this breakfast recipe! But that runny yolk… now that is that makes this breakfast perfection. 😉
haha.. right! Runny yokes put anything over the top. 🙂
i just cannot seem to get the poached egg right!
oh…. what is happening? Are they hard or too runny, not sticking together?
Avocado and egg on toast is one of my go-to breakfasts! I LOVE LOVE the idea of putting ricotta on it! You’re so smart. 😉
Mine too! Best combo ever! 🙂 You’ll love the ricotta and harissa on this!
Not having power is the worst! Sorry it has been a rough couple of days girlfriend!
THIS toast…OMG I am wishing it was breakfast time already!
It is, my hair just looks like a big rats nest! 🙂 hehe
Glad you liked the recipe girl! 🙂
I love the addition of harissa here! I have an avocado and some ricotta in the fridge. I’m definitely going to try this!
Hurray! You’re going to love it lucy!
I can commiserate with loss of power – it happens frequently here. And breakfast for dinner is my favorite even we have lights and a/c 🙂 Love the colors in this too.
So annoying right! 🙁
Thanks so much Laura!
Oh my goodness I can’t even imagine no power for 2 weeks, but that is very cool that you got to know your neighbors! Loving this simple easy breakfast recipe that looks filling enough to keep you going till lunch 🙂 And now I want to try ricotta and avocado together on toast!!
It was not fun and fun at the same time. 🙂
You’ll love this breakfast denise, full of different flavors!
The poached egg – swoon!! Gorgeous toast!
Thanks so much Anna! I can’t resist and runny egg! YUM!
Firstly, your photos lately WOW! So beautiful! This looks like my dream breakfast, so much flavor!
thanks girl, you are too sweet! I am actually just about to get a different camera and squealing with excitement! 🙂
and on the food front.. um.. yes a dream breakfast for sure! I could have this everyday for the rest of my life and be happy!
This looks AMAZING, especially since I haven’t had breakfast yet :). I can’t wait to try it, I need to get my hands on some harissa first.
Ohh.. then you need to try it for sure! Harissa is the bomb, you will start putting it on everything!
I am SP thankful I have ricotta at home right now – because this IS going to be my breakfast today
haha.. right! Enjoy my friend!
Nice shot! I just wanted to point out that these photos are so good. I will be making this for sure, I’m always looking for good breakfast ideas.
Thank you so much Candance, you are so sweet! 🙂 You will absolutely love this recipe, can’t wait to hear what you think!