“7-Layer Dip” Mexican Avocado Toast
~ The beloved flavors of 7-Layer Dip … in a delicious Mexican Avocado Toast recipe! Piled high with big flavors and great nutrition, this turns typical breakfast avocado toasts into a perfect option for lunch, dinner, or even game day noshing! ~
This Recipe Is: • Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Vegetarian •
In our house, summer is actually one of busiest times of the whole year. It’s basically our goal to cram as many activities and as much fun into each summer day as we possibly can!
Last summer (when I first developed this Avocado Toast recipe) was my busiest summer ever – I visited China on a school trip, trained for soccer every day, joined my huge (and crazy) family on our BeaChappeLooza beach vacation, “tried” to learn to play golf, worked, visited colleges (since college is coming for me SOON!), and had lots of daily adventures – from bike rides and bonfires to fireworks and drive-in movies!
This recipe perfectly reflects my awesome summer days – it’s piled high with loads of fun and is representative of an adventurous spirit! That summer spirit is why I decided to share this 7-Layer Dip Avocado Toast now, to kick off the summer of 2019.
No matter what type of fun you’ve got planned, this is just the kind of recipe you need to fuel you up! Trust me – it’s so nourishing that it’ll keep you fully energized throughout any of your wild summer adventures!
Why Is This Avocado Toast Such Great Nourishment?
This recipe is loaded up with colorful veggies and is inherently super-hearty. It’s intended to keep you full for hours and hours.
The tomato, avocado, lettuce, jalapeño, olives, and beans provide your tummy with practically the entire ROY G BIV ?! (Well, ok … maybe not so much on the orange and blue and violet, but you get the idea … so much great veggie color!) Just take a look!
Plus, this recipe has that coveted trifecta of keep-you-full nutrients:
- Whole grains – Toasted, whole-grain bread is loaded with keep-you-full fiber.
- Protein – Thanks, refried beans and cream cheese!
- Healthy fats – Avocado is more than just a pretty face. It’s a tremendous source of healthy fats, too!
But What Is Avocado Toast? (The Basic Concept)
As we explained in our previous avocado toast recipes (for Breakfast Avocado Toast with Egg and Sausage and for Healthy Avocado Toast with Smoked Salmon), the basic concept behind avocado toast is pretty simple. At its core, avocado toast is when you put (no surprises here … ) avocado on toast!
Once you’ve got that basic idea, you’re free to run from there and add any topping your heart desires, from more Avocado all the way to Zucchini. Okay maybe not zucchini specifically (but see what I did there with the any topping from “A to Z” … creative genius).
Anyway, one of the many great things about avocado toast is how easy it is to customize. You’ve definitely got options!
Make It YOUR Way (Swaptions!)
If you’re hungrily eyeballing this Mexican Avocado Toast, but you don’t like one of the ingredients or don’t happen to have one on hand, then you should definitely panic and run around the house screaming. Just kidding, no need to panic! There are plenty of swaptions.
Let’s cover a few examples:
- No jalapeños? Try banana peppers. They’re a little less spicy and still super flavorful.
- No cotija cheese? Try using reduced-fat shredded cheddar or a Mexican blend.
- Want more antioxidants? Swap the lettuce out for spinach.
- Don’t like olives? You could definitely get away with leaving the olives out of this recipe. My dad absolutely despises olives and thought it still tasted fantastic without ’em!
- No large tomatoes? Diced cherry tomatoes would make a great substitute.
See … super easy to customize, based on what flavors you like and what ingredients you have on hand!
7 Layers of Mexican Avocado Toast Joy
So, let’s build one, layer by scrumptious layer. It’s easy to whip out just one of these, or make a little production line to pump out several at once.
Layer 1) A thin schmear of light cream cheese. Mmmmmm … so rich and creamy!
Layer 2) Refried beans – an absolute staple in classic 7-layer dips, so you know we just had to include it here, too. Plus, you gotta love that added protein!
Layer 3) Next … the mashed and seasoned avocado! Now we’re talkin’! That toast just became … Avocado Toast!
Layer 4) A generous sprinkling of vibrant, juicy, fresh tomatoes. So colorful!
Layer 5) Some crunchy fresh lettuce for great texture!
Layer 6) Decisions … decisions! Here’s a customization layer where you can really do your own thing. Spice it up with super-flavorful pickled jalapeños. If you’re not a spice lover, you can skip these, or sub in other milder peppers, like banana peppers (as we mentioned above) or even red or green bell peppers. Toss on some black olives for a pop of color and Mexican flair. Again, though, if you’re not an olive fan, you can skip these and it’s still YUMMY – we promise!
Layer 7) A festive dotting of cotija cheese – not only really pretty, but a great final hit of flavor, too!
Now you’re super excited, I know. You can’t wait to go make one for yourself!
But before you hop on over to the kitchen, check out a few handy tips that are (ahem) scientifically proven to improve your 7-Layer Dip Avocado Toast experience.
Order Is Important
Through all my tests of this recipe (lucky me – I got to eat a lot of yummy avocado toast!), I found that the order of layering the ingredients makes a big difference in how easily the recipe comes together. Specifically, the order that you add the first three ingredients: the cream cheese, beans, and avocado.
It’s a lot easier to spread the cream cheese onto the toast first, then the refried beans, and then the avocado. It’s much more difficult to spread cream cheese on top of avocado or refried beans. If you mix up the order, you’ll probably end up with blended layers. Still delicious, but not as easy, or as pretty!
If you’re having difficulty spreading the first 3 layers, try using a butter knife to spread the cream cheese and using a spoon to scoop and slather the refried beans and avocado on top. This is the best way I found to keep the layers separate and defined from one another – an important visual characteristic in a 7-Layer Dip.
Have Everything Prepped (And Keep That Toast Warm!)
It’s important that you prep all your ingredients before you pop your toast into the toaster. Typically, when I cook, I like to just plunge in and prep as I go. (Yes, yes … I need to reread my mom’s post on Mise en Place … and if you’re like me, you should, too!) This is exactly the kind of recipe that turns out so much better if you prep ahead of time.
As tedious as it may feel to dice your tomatoes and mash your avocado beforehand, it actually only takes a couple minutes. And it’s better than letting your toast get cold and stale, sitting on the counter while waiting patiently for the rainbow of toppings soon coming its way.
Warm, just-crisp toast is the perfect counterpoint to the soft avocado, refried beans and cream cheese. Trust me … it’s absolutely worth it to prep everything ahead, before you toast the bread!
The Perfect Bread for Avocado Toast
I definitely recommend using whole grain bread, because it not only offers the highest levels of nutrition and the keep-you full benefits of complex carbs and fiber … it’s also the most texturally interesting choice.
The hearty grains, nuts and seeds in a rugged, whole grain loaf really add to the range of textures happening in this recipe!
And hey – this Mexican Avocado Toast recipe is stacked especially high with 7 layers of ingredients, and it’s important to choose a reasonably hefty slice of bread that will be able to support these unparalleled levels of deliciousness.
After taking health, taste, and functionality into account, we generally reach for one of the whole grain options from the Dave’s Killer Bread brand. They’re slightly larger than regular “sandwich” bread, easy to find at our local groceries, and taste great! In the photos for this recipe, we used Dave’s Good Seed (which looks like this). A hearty bread from your local bakery is a great option too!
No matter what bread you choose, though, it’s very important to toast your bread for the perfect amount of time. I recommend lightly toasted, so it’s warm and just a little crispy. You don’t want it to be hardened or dried out.
Pitting and Mashing Your Avocado
Never worked with an avocado before? No worries – it’s easy! To start, check out our post on How to Pit an Avocado.
In terms of the mashing, there’s really no wrong way to go about it. I often mash my avocado with a fork, but my mom loves to use a cute mashing gadget that she got for Christmas from my Grandma. A potato masher works, too. You pick!
For this recipe, I suggest that you mash the avocado until it’s pretty smooth but still has a few nice chunks of soft avocado for texture. If it’s too chunky, it may be difficult to spread over top of the cream cheese and refried beans.
I also recommend adding about 1/16 of a teaspoon of salt and pepper to the avocado mash for every half of an avocado you use. A little seasoning really helps to bring out the flavor of the avocado, but don’t use too much because it will quickly overpower the delicious avocado flavor.
How to Serve This Avocado Toast Recipe
I know people usually think of avocado toast as a breakfast food, but this Mexican version really pushes the boundaries … possibly to places no avocado toast has gone before!
I mean, toast can show up in all kinds of delicious places, besides the breakfast table! (Our Creamed Tuna on Toast is another case in point.)
Really, you can make this at any time of day, and for practically any occasion. (Forks optional … but with this much yumminess piled on top, it’s kind of recommended. 😉 )
• Like most other avocado toast, this version is a great hearty, trendy brunch option. (Perfect for a lazy weekend!)
• It’s a terrific lunchtime option, too – a hearty open-face sandwich with Mexican flair!
• Or, it could be a fun dinner idea – maybe a unique change of pace for Meatless Monday or Taco Tuesday (or … any other adorably named night of the week)! I mean, 7-Layer Dip for dinner?!? Yes, please!
• I’m even imagining cutting it up into little “7-Layer Dip Squares” and serving it as a delicious snack or appetizer! Everybody’s favorite brunch item just turned into a perfect game day nosh!
No doubt, I could seriously eat this avocado toast in any situation, anywhere between fueling up for a summer adventure or as a sitting-on-the-couch-watching-football snack. Trust me – you’ll be craving it all day long!
What Are YOU Fueling Up for Today?
Whether you’re enjoying a crazy summer adventure or a relaxing Sunday watching football, this 7-Layer Dip Avocado Toast recipe is sure to hit the spot! It’s super customizable, so you can make it exactly how your heart desires!
Let us know where you’re eating this avocado toast and what awesome adventures it fuels you up to tackle! Pop on down to the comments section below, or share with us on social media. I can’t wait to hear your stories!
"7-Layer Dip" Mexican Avocado Toast
Avocado Toast isn't just for breakfast anymore! This version has all the delicious flavors of Mexican 7-Layer Dip … perfect for lunch, dinner, or even game day!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Vegetarian •
Ingredients
- 1/2 avocado (roughly mashed)
- 1/16 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/16 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large slice whole grain bread (see note)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 1/2 tablespoons refried beans
- 3 slices tomato (diced to equal about 1/3 cup, or left in slices)
- 1/4 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 tablespoons sliced, pickled (jarred) jalapeños
- 2 teaspoons sliced black olives
- 1-2 teaspoons grated cotija cheese
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mash avocado with a fork. We like it to still be just slightly chunky and not completely smooth, but you can adjust the consistency to your liking. Stir in black pepper and salt. Set aside briefly, until you're ready to assemble your avocado toast.
- Cut up and measure your ingredients as much as possible before toasting your bread, so the toast is still warm when you serve it.
- Lightly toast bread.
- Spread warm toast with cream cheese, then refried beans, then mashed avocado mixture. Top avocado mixture with tomatoes, then lettuce, then pickled jalapeños and black olives. Sprinkle cotija cheese on top and serve immediately.
Notes
Bread: We like to use a larger slice of bread instead of a smaller, square sandwich bread. We always use a whole grain or whole wheat bread because it's more nutritious, and we prefer one that has some bits of grains or seeds to add texture. Among the store-bought brands, our current favorite is Dave's Killer Bread, which is organic (we used Dave's Good Seed variety in the photos in this post). Read ingredient lists carefully to make sure whole wheat or grains is the first ingredient, and that the bread doesn't contain any high-fructose corn syrup (as many processed brands do). A fresh bakery loaf would also be delicious.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 avocado toastAmount Per Serving: Calories: 297Total Fat: 20g
Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
Loved this recipe!
going to make tomorrow sounds and looks so delicious.
What a fun twist on avocado toast! Very unique idea :). Thanks so much for sharing!
So glad you like this idea, Daniela! Hope you love the recipe as much as I do! 😉 ~Ty
This is going to happen soon, it is all of those gorgeous flavors I love!
Hi Stacey! It’s definitely already happening here at our house! 😉 Hope you love it, too!
~Ty