Avocado Toast Recipe

Prepare cucumbers

Thinly slice the cucumber into 1/8" (3 mm) rounds. If using a large English cucumber, you can halve lengthwise and thinly slice to make semi-circles.

Make marinade

In a medium bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, water, sugar, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, and sambal oelek until sugar and salt dissolve. Mince the garlic and stir into the liquid.

Marinate

Add the cucumber slices to the marinade and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes, tossing once. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Stir in chopped cilantro just before assembly, if using.

Poach or pan-fry (preferred: pan-fry over-easy)

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add butter. Crack eggs into a small bowl, then gently slide into the pan. Season with 1/8 tsp salt and a pinch of pepper. Cook until whites are set but yolks still runny, about 2–3 minutes. For over-easy, carefully flip and cook 10–20 seconds more. For poached eggs, bring a shallow pot of water to a gentle simmer with a splash of vinegar and poach 3–4 minutes.

Keep warm

Place cooked eggs on a plate and loosely tent with foil to keep warm while you finish the toast and assembly.

Toast bread

Toast the sourdough slices until golden and crisp at the edges (use a toaster or a skillet set to medium-high and toast 1–2 minutes per side).

Prepare avocado spread

Halve and pit the avocado. Scoop flesh into a bowl and mash lightly with a fork until mostly smooth but slightly chunky. Stir in lemon juice, olive oil, remaining 1/8 tsp salt, and a pinch of pepper to taste.

Assemble

Spread a generous layer of mashed avocado on each slice of toasted sourdough. Top each toast with a few spoonfuls of the spicy marinated cucumbers, letting some of the marinade drain off so the toast doesn't get soggy.

Top with eggs

Place one cooked egg on each slice of avocado-topped toast. Gently press down so the yolk starts to run over the avocado (if using runny yolks).

Finish and serve

Season each plated toast with flaky sea salt and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning if desired. Serve immediately so toast stays crisp and eggs are warm.