Have bread, will feast. That’s what we here at Cosmo always say. Haters may tout toast as merely a breakfast food, but we know better. (And we know you shouldn’t stop at unsalted butter.) Toast can be a full-blown meal no matter the time of day—you just need the right combination of toppings—and we’re more than ready to prove that to you here.
Below, you’ll find four fancified toast recipes worthy of both your Insta feed and your empty stomach. There’s one for each of the main meals (you know, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert…always dessert), although you could make any of them at any time of day because who needs more rules? Get a pen and paper (or just your Notes app because let’s be real, it’s 2022) to make your next grocery list, and prepare to whip up the best thing since sliced bread.
BREAKFAST
Parmesan-Crusted Egg-in-a-Hole
Pan-sizzled in a hefty sprinkle of shredded Parm, this dish comes together with butter, an egg, and chives (just to zhuzh things up a bit). Cook it by cutting a hole in a slice of bread and placing said slice over melted cheese in a nonstick skillet. Once things start getting crispy, flip the entire concoction, add an egg on top, and you’re in business.
LUNCH
Burrata and Balsamic
Let’s face it: Every meal is made better with a blob of burrata cheese. Spread some on a slice of sourdough, then top it off with a generous helping of blistered cherry tomatoes (char ’em for 5 minutes in a pan with some EVOO) and a drizzle of bottled balsamic glaze. Once it’s plated, pretend that you’ve been transported to the Italian countryside, if only for your lunch break.
Psst: Can’t find burrata at your local store? Thoughts and prayers. But you can always use a ball of fresh mozzarella or a scoop of ricotta instead.
DINNER
Prosciutto, Brie, and Apple
Sure, you could pay someone else to make this for you at a fahncy French bakery. But $15 toast? In this economy? Hard pass. Make it at home by slicing up some Brie and apples (swap in fresh blueberries, peaches, or figs if that’s more your vibe) and layering on some paper-thin prosciutto (you can buy it presliced at most grocery stores) and a drizzle of honey.
DESSERT
Chocolate, Banana, and Bacon
Slathered with Nutella and topped with bits of bacon, bananas, and maple syrup, this right here is what sweet dreams are made of. A twist on Elvis’s favorite sandwich (peanut butter, bacon, and banana) but with a sugar rush of chocolate, it’s sure to please any sweet tooth. It’s also okay if you’re drooling directly onto your keyboard right now.
Photographs by Cody Guilfoyle.
Hannah Chubb is the associate lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
