Pin it My kitchen felt cramped that March morning, but somehow making breakfast felt urgent in a way it hadn't in weeks. I'd picked up an avocado at the farmers market the day before, and watching it ripen on my counter felt like it was waiting for something special. When I realized I could cut it into shamrocks, the whole day shifted—suddenly breakfast wasn't just fuel, it was a small celebration I could hold in my hands. The everything bagel seasoning I'd been hoarding made it feel gourmet, and honestly, it was the kind of simple joy that reminds you why you love cooking.
I made this for my sister on a random Saturday, and she photographed it before eating, which she never does. She said it looked too pretty to destroy, but then she took a bite and just went quiet for a moment—not in a pretentious way, just that satisfied silence where food has genuinely pleased you. She asked me to make it again the next weekend, and that's when I knew it wasn't the shamrock shape that mattered. It was the care baked into something so simple.
Ingredients
- Whole grain or sourdough bread, 2 slices: The structure matters here—flimsy bread gets soggy and falls apart, so choose something with actual backbone that can hold the weight of the toppings without becoming a mess.
- Ripe avocado, 1: The ripeness is everything; it should yield slightly to pressure but not be mushy or brown inside, and the lemon juice keeps it from oxidizing into that sad grayish tone.
- Lemon juice, 1 teaspoon: This isn't just for flavor—it's an anti-browning shield that keeps your shamrocks looking fresh and vibrant.
- Salt, a pinch: Just enough to wake up the avocado's natural flavor without making it taste salty.
- Everything bagel seasoning, 2 teaspoons: This is the seasoning that turns something pleasant into something you'll think about later; don't skimp on the generosity here.
- Fresh chives or microgreens, optional: If you have them, they add a visual brightness and a peppery bite that rounds out the richness beautifully.
Instructions
- Get your bread golden:
- Pop the slices in your toaster and watch for that moment when they shift from pale to deeply golden—you want enough crispness that they don't immediately surrender to the avocado's moisture, but not so dark they're bitter. The smell that fills your kitchen is your signal to pay attention.
- Prep the avocado while bread toasts:
- Halve your avocado lengthwise around the pit, twist gently to separate the halves, and use a spoon to scoop out the pit; then carefully peel away the skin. This is honestly the meditative part of the whole recipe.
- Cut shamrock shapes with intention:
- Slice the avocado halves into thin, even pieces, then use a sharp knife or shamrock-shaped cutter to create those four-leaf shapes—if you're using a cutter, press straight down without twisting so you get clean edges. It's okay if some pieces don't cut perfectly; they still taste the same.
- Toss gently with lemon and salt:
- In a small bowl, combine your shamrock pieces with the lemon juice and a tiny pinch of salt, turning them gently so they're coated evenly. This takes maybe thirty seconds and prevents the browning that would happen if you let them sit naked.
- Assemble on warm toast:
- Arrange the shamrocks directly onto your warm toasted bread, spacing them so they cover most of the surface but still let the toast peek through. The warmth of the toast against the cool avocado is actually a beautiful contrast.
- Season generously and finish:
- Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning across both slices, really covering them so you get hits of that savory blend in every bite. Top with chives or microgreens if you have them, and serve immediately so the bread stays crispy.
Pin it There's a specific moment when someone takes a bite of food you've made and you see genuine surprise cross their face—surprise that something so simple tastes so intentional. That's what this toast does. It's become my quiet rebellion against the idea that special breakfast has to be complicated or time-consuming.
The Shamrock-Cutting Technique
The first time I tried cutting shamrocks freehand, I made what can only be described as avocado blobs. A shamrock-shaped cookie cutter changed everything—it pressed clean edges and made the whole thing feel less like I was trying and more like I was just executing a simple idea. If you don't have a cutter, a small sharp knife works fine too; just think of it as cutting a four-leaf clover shape, where each lobe is roughly the same size and they all meet in a gentle point at the center. The precision matters less than the intention.
Why Everything Bagel Seasoning Is Your Secret Weapon
That seasoning blend—with its mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt—transforms avocado toast from something you eat because it's healthy into something you eat because you genuinely crave it. The nuttiness of the sesame, the earthiness of the poppy, the sharp hits of garlic and onion—they all play together in a way that feels far more complex than its simple ingredient list suggests. It's the difference between adequate breakfast and breakfast that makes you pause.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is honestly a template waiting for your kitchen's personality. Some mornings call for a thin schmear of cream cheese underneath the avocado, giving it a richer base that feels almost decadent. Other times, a squeeze of hot sauce or a crack of fresh black pepper is exactly what you need. The shamrock shape is festive for St. Patrick's Day, but it's equally charming any time you want breakfast to feel like a small act of joy rather than just another task to check off.
- Gluten-free bread swaps in seamlessly if that matters for your kitchen.
- A sprinkle of pomegranate seeds or thinly sliced radishes adds color and crunch if you're in the mood.
- Serve it immediately so the toast stays crispy and the avocado stays bright green.
Pin it This is the kind of breakfast that proves you don't need hours in the kitchen to make something that feels intentional and nourishing. It's become my answer to mornings that need a little more beauty.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent avocado from browning?
Toss the avocado slices gently with lemon juice and a pinch of salt to slow oxidation and maintain their vibrant color.
- → Can I use gluten-free bread for this dish?
Yes, gluten-free bread can be substituted without altering the overall taste and texture significantly.
- → What is the best way to cut shamrock shapes from avocado?
Use a small shamrock-shaped cookie cutter or carefully cut shapes with a sharp knife for uniform festive pieces.
- → What does everything bagel seasoning consist of?
It usually contains a mix of sesame seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, poppy seeds, and salt, adding a crunchy, savory flavor.
- → Can I prepare this toast ahead of time?
It's best served immediately to enjoy the crisp bread and fresh avocado texture; preparing too early may lead to sogginess and browning.
