Spanish-Inspired Avocado Toast
Jamón serrano, Manchego, fried egg and smoky pimentón on buttered toast. Bright lemon zest. Ready in minutes.
This recipe draws heavy influence from the Spanish pantry—calling for serrano cured ham, machego cheese, and Pimenton de la Vera Picante.
Yield: 1 serving
- Toast bread in butter, shingle a hasselback-style avocado, then season with salt and pepper.
- Top with thin jamón serrano, shaved Manchego, and a fried or poached egg for richness.
- Finish with smoked Spanish paprika and fresh lemon zest and serve immediately for best texture.
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Preparation Instructions:
Toast bread in butter.
Half the avocado, peel off the skin, and lie it flat-side-down on a cutting board. Slice it similar to a hassleback potato, but let the knife go all the way through. (This lets you shingle the avocado with ease and make it look pretty.)
Shingle the avocado onto the toasted bread, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Top with thin slices of Jamón serrano, shaved Manchego cheese, and a fried egg. Finish with salt to taste.
Garnish the dish with ample smoked Spanish paprika and fresh lemon zest to taste.
Serve and eat immediately.
thespicehouse.com
More About This Recipe
This avocado toast will be a favorite around the breakfast table. With serrano cured ham, manchengo cheese, and an ripe avocado, you'll have a breakfast of champions. See more breakfast recipes here and if you're looking for more avocado toast recipes, see this black & red avocado toast, and this spicy poached egg avocado toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pimentón de la vera picante and can I substitute it?
Pimentón de la vera picante is Spanish smoked paprika with a spicy kick. If you do not have it, use smoked paprika plus a pinch of cayenne or hot paprika. Regular smoked paprika works fine for smoky flavor without the heat.
How do I slice the avocado like a hasselback safely?
Halve and pit the avocado, peel off the skin, then lay the flat side down on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife and make thin, even cuts all the way through the fruit so the slices stay connected. Keep your fingers clear of the blade and go slowly to keep slices neat for shingling.
Can I substitute jamón serrano with prosciutto or bacon?
Yes. Prosciutto is the closest swap in texture and saltiness but is milder. Bacon will add crunch and smoky flavor but changes the profile. Adjust amount and pat bacon on paper towel to remove excess grease.
What is the best way to cook the egg for this toast?
A fried egg with a runny yolk works best. Cook in butter over medium-low until whites set, about 2 to 3 minutes for sunny side. For over-easy, flip and cook an extra 20 to 45 seconds. Poached eggs are also excellent if you prefer no frying.
How can I stop the avocado from browning before serving?
Brush or squeeze a little lemon juice over the cut avocado and keep it covered. Assemble just before serving whenever possible. Leftover sliced avocado with lemon will keep for a few hours in the fridge if wrapped tightly.
Can I make a vegetarian or vegan version of this toast?
For a vegetarian version, omit jamón and keep the Manchego and egg. For vegan, use plant butter, a vegan Manchego-style cheese or nutritional yeast, replace the ham with roasted mushrooms, smoked tofu, or marinated peppers, and swap the egg for tofu scramble or skip it.
How should I store or reheat leftovers?
Keep components separate. Store avocado covered with plastic wrap and a squeeze of lemon for up to one day. Toast will get soggy, so re-toast before serving. Reheat eggs gently in a pan or microwave for short bursts, but freshly cooked is best.
What is pimentón de la vera picante and can I substitute it?
Pimentón de la vera picante is Spanish smoked paprika with a spicy kick. If you do not have it, use smoked paprika plus a pinch of cayenne or hot paprika. Regular smoked paprika works fine for smoky flavor without the heat.
How do I slice the avocado like a hasselback safely?
Halve and pit the avocado, peel off the skin, then lay the flat side down on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife and make thin, even cuts all the way through the fruit so the slices stay connected. Keep your fingers clear of the blade and go slowly to keep slices neat for shingling.
Can I substitute jamón serrano with prosciutto or bacon?
Yes. Prosciutto is the closest swap in texture and saltiness but is milder. Bacon will add crunch and smoky flavor but changes the profile. Adjust amount and pat bacon on paper towel to remove excess grease.
What is the best way to cook the egg for this toast?
A fried egg with a runny yolk works best. Cook in butter over medium-low until whites set, about 2 to 3 minutes for sunny side. For over-easy, flip and cook an extra 20 to 45 seconds. Poached eggs are also excellent if you prefer no frying.
How can I stop the avocado from browning before serving?
Brush or squeeze a little lemon juice over the cut avocado and keep it covered. Assemble just before serving whenever possible. Leftover sliced avocado with lemon will keep for a few hours in the fridge if wrapped tightly.
Can I make a vegetarian or vegan version of this toast?
For a vegetarian version, omit jamón and keep the Manchego and egg. For vegan, use plant butter, a vegan Manchego-style cheese or nutritional yeast, replace the ham with roasted mushrooms, smoked tofu, or marinated peppers, and swap the egg for tofu scramble or skip it.
How should I store or reheat leftovers?
Keep components separate. Store avocado covered with plastic wrap and a squeeze of lemon for up to one day. Toast will get soggy, so re-toast before serving. Reheat eggs gently in a pan or microwave for short bursts, but freshly cooked is best.
Hi, lovely recipe, can‘t wait to try it! As a retired newspaper editor, I also can‘t let glaring grammatical problems go by. To wit:
Half the avocado, peel off the skin, and lie it flat-side-down on a cutting board. Slice it similar to a hassleback potato, but let the knife go all the way through.
Should read: HALVE the avocado… LAY it flat-side-down… HASSELBACK potato….
And I suggest that since not everyone knows what a Hasselback technique is, the chef might add a clarifying word or two, such as, Cut straight down as if thinly slicing a loaf of bread. Thank you for your wonderful products and the yummy recipes they evoke.