I am a self-proclaimed toast enthusiast. As a child, my first taste of independence was mastering jam on toast. Then, when I was 11, my cousin introduced me to cheesy beans on toast and I never looked back. Heinz Spaghetti on toast. Spaghetti Hoops on toast. Alphabetti Spaghetti on toast. All tantalising combinations which, as they say, are unspaghettible. Then, I grew up. Eggs entered the picture, and ever since then I have spent copious mornings perfecting the runny fried egg on toast or the slightly soggy scrambled egg on toast. Thus, I am no stranger to a perfect slice of toast; fresh out the toaster, crisp around the edges and soft in the middle. Culinarily speaking, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, worse than a cold piece of toast. In contrast, you can’t beat a perfect slice of toast with a complementing and flavourful toast topping.

“Culinarily speaking, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, worse than a cold piece of toast”

I’ve spent some time pondering. While I may not top tripos this year, my toast toppings suggestions are first class. I present to you 10 toast toppers to inspire you this term. Enjoy!

Crowd pleasers

Some well detailed research (an instagram poll, no less) informs me that these are the five most popular toast toppers:

Beans: Specifically Heinz Beanz though. Some things just never change. An insurmountable combo.

Jam: Toast points if it’s raspberry jam with bits in it. Add some almond butter for an elevated PB&J.

Cheese: but it’s got to be EXTRA mature cheddar

Avocado and eggs: there are so many variations of this but the general consensus is that this is a deadly duo. Add some spice like hot pepper sauce or chilli flakes and let the flavours explode on your tongue. So cliche. So Coachella 2016.

Marmite: I don’t get on with this one but you either love it or hate it, I guess.

Spreading the options

Red Bean Paste: Ogura Toast is a sweet jam made from adzuki beans with a knob of salty butter. It’s an acquired taste and is not my favourite toast topper but the sweet ‘n’ salty tensions of the butter and the anko has me reminiscing fondly on my recent trip to Japan.

“An ode to my Jamaican heritage, mackerel and hot pepper sauce is a worldie”

Peas: Freshers, this one’s for you. I have officially been influenced by Honor Wolstencroft a.k.a ‘Peas on Toast Girl’. After seeing her breakfast special divide TikTok, I felt I had to try. As she suggests, I added “lashings of butter, mint and salt and black pepper” and got stuck in. Considering a 1kg bag of frozen peas is no more than £2, this is the ideal budget-friendly toast topper.

Truffle Butter: Inspired by a steam bread and truffle butter sandwich I tried in Japan, this is definitely on the more expensive side of the toast toppers. It is best on a thick slice of white bread, toasted on setting number 1. Normally, I like a crunch to my toast, but an easy way to switch up the mundanity (of toast) is to experiment with the texture of the bread.

Fig and Goats Cheese: Fig season is in full swing and I’m making the most of it! Paired with a soft and spreadable goats cheese, it has a dessert-like energy and sweet taste. Plus, it looks so cute on an Instagram dump!

Mackerel and Hot Pepper Sauce: An ode to my Jamaican heritage, this one is a worldie. It’s a great source of protein and Omega-3s which we all need for brain power. It’s super quick and easy to rustle up for lunch when you’re short of time and money, and at only 95p for a tin of mackerel, you just can’t go wrong.

I dedicate this toast topping article to my nan and dad who never said no to a tea and toast combo.