smoked salmon toast with avocado and pickled fennel

Smoked salmon toast is a fresh, flavorful and simple way to elevate your breakfast and take that worn out avocado toast to the next level. It’s going to have you stockpiling your fridge with smoked salmon and enjoying it every chance you can! 

We top the salmon avocado toast with quick pickled fennel to add a pop of flavor and much needed crunch. The sweet anise and punchy vinegar brine balance the rich smoked salmon for a truly delicious breakfast toast. And don’t forget to finish them with sliced radishes and fennel fronds for extra freshness and texture.

Use the best hot smoked salmon you can find– the flavor and oily texture of great fish will really shine here. I’ve found the most reliable source of really great smoked salmon is local fishmongers or butchers. They typically have the best fish to start with and smoke the salmon in house for great flavor, freshness and reliable quality. That is, unless you smoke your own!

what you need for this salmon avocado toast:

• Crusty bread
• Avocados
• Hot smoked salmon
• Fennel
• Radishes
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil

how to make salmon toast:

1. Quick pickle the fennel slices
2. Brush the bread with olive oil and bake until just browned, 5 minutes
3. Layer toast, avocado, smoked salmon, pickled fennel and radishes on each piece of toast
4. Garnish with fennel fronds and flaky salt
5. Enjoy!

tips for this smoked salmon toast recipe:

• Use a mandoline to slice the fennel. I prefer it to be thick enough to add a good crunch, but thinner than is usually doable by hand. Too thick and the fennel will need longer to pickle– and it may still be a little too tough. Pickled fennel will keep for 3- 4 days in the fridge without losing too much crunch.
• Don’t toss your fennel fronds! They emphasize the anise flavor and add a beautiful pop of green.
• Substitute cold smoked salmon if you prefer! The oily texture and rich flavor of both types of smoked salmon work so well in this toast recipe.
• Use any crusty artisan bread here. Look for a dark and crunchy crust, big holes in the crumb, and a nutty smell for the most flavorful loaf.

what to serve with smoked salmon avocado toast:

We love to enjoy this salmon toast as a special weekend breakfast. Round it out with a bowl of homemade granola clusters and fresh fruit. And to make it extra memorable, serve it with a Grand Marnier grapefruit mimosa! 

Smoked salmon toast is also a great brunch item. It’s simple to throw together, easy to scale, and people love it.

Go all out with sourdough french toast, yeasted waffles, chorizo hash, and of course, homemade bloody mary mix to make a brunch your friends and family will rave about. 

more toast recipes to try:

fava bean toast with ricotta and crispy prosciutto

prosciutto bruschetta with burrata and fresh chive dressing

greens and giant beans on toast

wild mushroom toast with brown butter, ricotta and parsley

smoked salmon crostini with creme fraiche

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