Toast is a breakfast staple, but the humble toaster often yields dry, unevenly cooked bread with a soggy centre and a parched crust. For a consistently crispy, golden, and richly flavoured slice, consider ditching the toaster and cooking your bread in a frying pan with olive oil. This method, championed by lifestyle writers Katherine McPhillips and Vita Molyneux, produces toast that looks and tastes like it belongs in a film breakfast scene.
Why Olive Oil Beats the Toaster
While toasters offer speed and convenience for a quick everyday breakfast, they rely on dry heat that rapidly browns the exterior. This can lead to an inconsistent texture—sometimes dry, chewy, or even charred. In contrast, cooking toast in a frying pan with a small amount of olive oil allows the bread to brown uniformly. The oil conducts heat evenly, creating a consistent golden crust and a subtly nutty, richer flavour.
According to McPhillips, this method is ideal when you want a more indulgent taste and the perfect crunch. It requires just a few additional minutes of effort, making it perfect for elevating a simple breakfast or even a speedy dinner with baked beans and cheese.
How to Make the Ultimate Olive Oil Toast
To prepare this superior toast, you will need two slices of bread, one tablespoon of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Place a frying pan over medium heat and let it warm up for about a minute. Pour the olive oil into the pan and swirl it to coat the surface evenly. Place the bread in the pan and cook for roughly two minutes, or until golden brown. For extra crunch, gently press the bread into the pan with a spatula as it cooks. Flip the bread and cook for another two minutes on the opposite side until beautifully golden. Transfer the toast to a plate—it will be crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and far more flavourful than toaster toast.
Elevate Your Toast Further
For even more flavour, rub the hot toast with a raw garlic clove to create quick garlic bread. McPhillips also recommends sprinkling grated cheese over the warm toast for a simple but delicious meal. For breakfast, this style of toast pairs perfectly with sliced tomatoes, a fried egg, or avocado, ensuring a truly delightful start to the day.
