This is a very easy and tasty recipe for when you honest to goodness don’t feel like slaving over a hot stove. Also perfect as a late night snack or quick one-person meal, this avocado ricotta toast is a interesting twist on the typical avocado toast craze.
Whipping the avocado and ricotta cheese together sounds fancy, but it’s super simple with the help of a hand mixer or food processor.
This recipe is also great for those following a Mediterranean diet or DASH diet. Give this one a try and don’t forget to leave me a comment and recipe rating below to let me know what you think!
Check out all my other heart-healthy recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is one of those I’m-tired-and-don’t-feel-like-cooking recipes.
It’s still got everything you want in a heart-healthy meal, like protein from the ricotta, fiber from the avocado and tomatoes, and heart-healthy fats from the avocado.
Not to mention that avocados promote heart health by supporting healthy cholesterol levels as well as weight management and overall healthy aging.
This avocado spread recipe is also versatile. It’s got multiple uses, including:
- as a spread on sandwiches, bagels, a la classic avocado toast-style
- served with tortilla chips or crackers
- as a veggie dip
- mixed into scramble eggs
- used to make deviled eggs
It really is satisfying and satiating as well. Again, this is from the fiber and healthy fat content. Are you hungry yet?
Ingredients
Here are all the basic ingredients you’ll need to recreate this avocado ricotta toast in your own kitchen. Gather them up and let’s get cookin’.
Balsamic Vinegar– All you need to make the balsamic glaze is plain balsamic vinegar. It will naturally get sweeter in taste as it reduces. Some recipes have added sugars like honey or brown sugar, but with the little bit needed here, it’s not worth the extra calories.
Low Sodium Bread– I use a low sodium sprouted bread that I bought from Aldi’s, however I’ve also used Low Sodium Ezekial Bread. Using low sodium bread does not at all take away any of the flavor since you’re adding so many flavorful ingredients in this avocado tomato toast recipe.
Ricotta Cheese– Part-skim ricotta cheese is what I found at my grocery store. It is lower in saturated fat then full-fat ricotta and works great. Psst, you can also substitute cottage cheese.
Avocado– Creamy, dreamy, and delicious. A great way to use up ripe avocados if you have any on hand.
Tomatoes– Fresh cherry tomatoes are my absolute FAVORITE thing and what I look forward to the most during the summer months. Feel free to use any variety big or small.
Black Pepper– And of course a little black pepper to taste.
How To Make Avocado Ricotta Toast
And now for the the simple steps for making this whipped avocado ricotta toast.
Step 1: Make the Balsamic Glaze
Start by making your balsamic glaze. In a small saucepan, add the balsamic vinegar over medium-high heat.
This part is easy because you just let it do its thing until it reduces by half. It will become thicker and sweeter as it reduces. You should end up with 2-3 tablespoons of a shiny, balsamic glaze once its done. Set this aside until assembly time.
Step 2: Whip the Ricotta and Avocado
While the glaze is reducing, I usually start whipping the avocado and ricotta in a small bowl with my hand mixer. This should take about 2-3 minutes. The mixture of these two ingredients will no change drastically, however it will become a light green, smoother consistency. Set this aside when done as well.
Step 3: Put It All Together
Now it’s assembly time. Toast your bread so it is ready to go. Then spread a thick layer of the avocado-ricotta mixture on both slices of toast.
Next, add the slices of tomato, sprinkling of black pepper, and top it with a drizzle of the balsamic glaze. Now sit down and enjoy your tomato avocado toast!
Avocado Toast Calories
It’s true that avocados are very nutrient and calorie-dense.
A typical serving size is one-third of an avocado. This provides 80 calories.
This recipe, which makes 2 open-face avocado ricotta toast sandwiches with balsamic glaze, provides a total of 522 calories. When you think about it, this a probably less calories than you’d eat when dining out at a restaurant. AND it likely has much less sodium and saturated fat compared to other meals you may have chosen at the aforementioned restaurant.
I will also argue that these calories come from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that help you absorb fat-soluble vitamins from foods without raising LDL-cholesterol. Yay for avocado toast!
Variations and Substitutions
Bread Options: Vary it up by trying this avocado ricotta mixture on a whole grain bagel, English muffin, or toasted sourdough bread.
Add More Protein: This recipe already has more protein than a typical avocado toast recipe since here we add ricotta cheese. However, if you want more protein, add a poached egg or (if vegan) some tofu scramble.
No Balsamic, No Problem: If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, that’s okay. Try sprinkling some fresh parsley, basil, oregano, or other herbs on top.
Un-whipped Variation: And finally, if you don’t feel like taking the time to whip the ricotta and avocado together, that’s completely understandable. Simple spread the ricotta cheese onto your toast, then add mashed or sliced avocado, and so on.
Tomayto, Tomahto: Try a variety of different tomatoes. In this version I was taking full advantage of the fresh summer tomatoes from my local farmer’s market 😍, but you can also use heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes, Roma, Campari, or any other variety.
FAQ
Absolutely! Avocados provide mono- and polyunsaturated fats, fiber, and vital nutrients including vitamins C, E, B6, K, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and folate. And if pairing this with a whole grain bread, you’ll get more fiber to protect against heart disease and keep you full until your next meal.
If you’d like to make this recipe a full meal, try adding some fresh fruit, a scrambled egg, and some coffee, tea, or juice.
This specific recipe is not vegan since it uses ricotta cheese. However, if you can find a vegan ricotta cheese substitute, this recipe will 100% be vegan. Most traditional avocado toast recipes are usually vegan and do not use any animal ingredients.
Other Recipes With Avocado
- Avocado Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Strawberry Matcha Smoothie (Easy Vegan Recipe)
- Best Kale Salad Ever!
- Or visit the Hass Avocado Board webpage for more fun ways to use avocados!
Whipped Avocado Ricotta Toast
Equipment
- 1 hand mixer or food processor
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Glaze
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
For the Ricotta Avocado Toast
- 2 slices low sodium bread
- ½ avocado
- ½ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Balsamic Glaze
- Start by making the balsamic glaze. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add the balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil until reduced by half (about 5 minutes). Set aside for now.
Make the Avocado Ricotta Spread
- In a small mixing bowl, add the avocado and ricotta cheese. Beat with a hand mixer and whip until smooth or add to a food processor until smooth in consistency.
Assemble the Avocado Ricotta Toast
- Toast your low sodium bread.
- Place your toast on a plate and spread the avocado ricotta mixture onto the toast.
- Add halved tomatoes and black pepper (to taste).
- Drizzle with the balsamic glaze and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- This avocado ricotta toast would be amazing with a few basil leaves on top!
- You can also drizzle it with a little olive oil or lemon juice.
- If you want to skip the step of whipping the avocado and ricotta together, that’s totally fine. When I don’t feel like dirtying my hand mixer, I sometimes spread the ricotta cheese first, then add slices of avocado. Both ways are terrific!
Share with me: Did you try this avocado spread recipe whipped or un-whipped? Leave me comment now!
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Kiran Campbell is a registered dietitian and entrepreneur with 13 years of experience. She has a degree in psychology as well as dietetics. She is also a proud member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ and its Cardiovascular Health and Well-being Dietetics Practice Group among others. Kiran proudly presents and promotes the most up-to-date, science-based nutrition information on all things heart-related. She aims to serve not only individuals with heart disease, but also those wanting to protect against it. Learn more about Kiran by visiting her About Page.