DASH-Friendly Avocado Toast Hearts (The Zesty 15-Minute Breakfast!)

Forget everything you know about bland breakfasts; these avocado toast hearts deliver a shatteringly crisp crunch followed by a wave of creamy, zesty brightness. It’s the ultimate savory bite that feels fancy but comes together in minutes without any heaviness.

Why This Recipe is a Total Win

• Explosive Flavor without the Salt Shaker: By leaning on fresh lemon zest, punchy garlic, and a hint of smoked paprika, this spread proves that a low sodium avocado toast can still taste incredibly bold and indulgent.
• The Perfect Texture Collision: The contrast between the warm, golden-brown toast and the cool, velvety avocado mousse creates a satisfying mouthfeel that makes every bite interesting.
• Instant Joy Factor: Using a simple cookie cutter transforms a standard staple into a cute, heart shaped avocado toast recipe that brightens up even the gloomiest Tuesday morning.

Building the Ultimate Brunch Spread

I love creating a full “cafe experience” at home on the weekends. Since we are keeping things light and fresh with these hearts, they pair beautifully with other vibrant dishes.

If you want a refreshing drink to sip while you munch, my Golden Glow Smoothie is a fantastic match. The tropical flavors complement the zesty avocado perfectly.

Hungry for a bigger protein punch? These toasts make an excellent side dish for the Farmer’s Market Omelet. It’s a great way to round out the meal if you have family members with bigger appetites!

How to Make These Zesty Bites

First, we focus on the star of the show: the Radiant Avocado Cream. Toss your ripe avocados, lemon zest, garlic, and spices into a food processor. Pulse it just enough to break it down into a luscious, spreadable texture while keeping a few small chunks for character.

Next, toast your whole grain bread until it’s golden and firm. This step is crucial so the bread holds its shape. Place the slices on a board and press your heart-shaped cutter firmly through the center of each slice.

Finally, spoon that vibrant green goodness onto your toast hearts. I like to swirl it slightly with the back of a spoon for that chef-y look. Serve them immediately while the toast is still crisp!

Mollie’s Kitchen Hacks & Tips

• Zero Waste Win: Don’t throw away the crusts! I save the leftover bread scraps in a freezer bag. They make amazing, seasoned breadcrumbs for topping casseroles later in the week.
• Make-Ahead Magic: You can prep the avocado spread up to 4 hours in advance. Just press plastic wrap directly against the surface to keep that zesty avocado toast looking bright green.
• Customize Your Crunch: If you don’t have a heart cutter, simply cutting the toast into triangles or soldiers works just as well. The flavor is still undeniable!

Common Questions

Can I use a different bread?
Absolutely! While I use thin-slice whole wheat to keep it light, sourdough or a gluten-free loaf works beautifully. Just ensure it toasts up nice and firm to support the topping.

Is this spread spicy?
It has a tiny kick from the black pepper and paprika, but it’s very mild. If you love heat, feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes on top!

Avocado Toast Hearts: A Zesty Glow-Up Delight

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Take your avocado toast to the next level with these adorable heart-shaped bites! This fresh twist on the classic packs all the creamy, smoky flavor you crave, while keeping things light on sodium for a feel-good vibe. Perfect for a fun breakfast, stylish appetizer, or anytime snack that’s as cute as it is crave-worthy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 15 Toasts 1x

Ingredients

For the Radiant Avocado Cream:

• Avocados: 2 medium ripe (approx. 300g total flesh, pitted, cored, and diced)
• Lemon: 1 ½ large (providing zest from all and approximately 4-5 Tablespoons of fresh juice)
• Garlic: 1 large clove (or 2 small cloves, finely minced)
• Water: 3-5 Tablespoons (as needed for desired consistency)
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: 3 Tablespoons
• Dijon Mustard: 1 ½ teaspoons (select a lower sodium option if possible)
• Worcestershire Sauce: ¾ teaspoon
• Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Blend (salt-free: ¾ teaspoon)
• Smoked Paprika: ¼ teaspoon
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon (or to taste)

For the Wholesome Toasted Hearts:

• Thin-Slice Whole Grain Wheat Bread: 15 slices
• Cookie Cutter: heart-shaped or your preferred design (approx. 2.5-3 inch)

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Instructions

Prepare the Radiant Avocado Cream:

1. Combine Ingredients: In the bowl of your food processor or blender, add the diced avocado, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Blend, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
2. Process Spread: Add 3 Tablespoons of water. Secure the lid and pulse for approximately 15-20 seconds. Aim for a texture where the avocado is mostly broken down into small, soft pieces, yet still retains some chunkiness for a pleasant mouthfeel. Avoid over-processing into a completely smooth paste. If the spread is too thick for your liking, add another 1-2 Tablespoons of water, one at a time, pulsing briefly to incorporate, until your desired consistency is achieved.
3. Transfer: Using a rubber spatula, carefully transfer the avocado cream to a serving bowl. For the best vibrant green color, use immediately.
4. Culinary Tip for Advance Preparation: If you need to make the spread ahead of time, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 hours. To help prevent browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the spread, or place one of the avocado pits into the spread. Remove the pit before serving.

Create the Wholesome Toasted Hearts:

1. Toast Bread: Gently toast the whole grain bread slices to your desired level of crispness, either in a toaster or under an oven broiler on low. Watch carefully to ensure they are lightly golden but not overly browned.
2. Shape Toasts: Once toasted, lay each slice flat on a cutting board. Firmly press your chosen cookie cutter through the center of each slice to create the shaped toasts. If needed, a small, sharp paring knife can be used to neaten the edges for a clean outline.
3. Resourceful Tip: Don’t discard the bread crusts and leftover pieces! Store them in a sealed bag or container. They can be used to make excellent homemade breadcrumbs for other recipes, such as coatings for chicken or fish, or toppings for casseroles.
4. Assemble and Serve: Assemble Toasts: Spoon a portion of the Radiant Avocado Cream onto each Wholesome Toasted Heart, spreading it gently.
5. Serve: Arrange the finished Glow-Up Avocado Toast Hearts on a platter or individual plates. Serve without delay to best appreciate the vibrant color, fresh flavors, and crisp texture.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (per toast): Calories: 81 kcal | Total Fat: 4.0 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g) | Cholesterol: <1 mg | Sodium: 102 mg | Potassium: 157 mg | Total Carbs: 10.8 g (Fiber: 2.8 g, Sugars: 2.0 g) | Protein: 3.7 g

These values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.

Nutrition

• Calories: 81

Final Word: I hope these little hearts bring a smile to your face! It is such a simple way to add a little love to your morning routine. Give them a try and let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I’m just a mom sharing what works for my family, not a nutritionist. Always listen to your own body (and your doctor) when trying new dietary changes!