Start with the classic, then experiment with toppings. Plus, how to make avocado toast a meal.

Is it breakfast, lunch, a snack, or something in between -- and how do you make avocado toast, anyway? What once seemed like a social media moment has become a global movement that's here to stay. You'll find it on so many restaurant menus, but avocado toast is easy to make at home -- and then you can add whatever toppings you like. It's nutritious, satisfying, and consistently delicious. Ahead, learn from an expert how to make avocado toast, from choosing the right bread to prepping a ripe avocado and adding delicious toppings.

It's the base of your avocado toast and the first thing to consider. Look for something rather hearty, not the soft sandwich bread that you'd normally use for a standard piece of toast. In fact, the softest option you should go for when making avocado toast is something like an English muffin. What it lacks in firmness, it makes up for in cragginess.

Generally, look for bread that's sturdy and won't become too limp under the weight of the avocado, but avoid anything too hard such as a baguette or bagel. Our go-to bread pick for avocado toast is sourdough, but something like miche or a seedy whole-grain loaf is great, too.

This might seem obvious, but always toast your bread! The last thing you want is a soggy mess, and toasting the bread will help prevent that. You can toast the bread one of three ways:

In the toaster: Chances are you have your settings locked down, so this is an easy way to toast your bread.

In the oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay the slice of bread on a baking sheet, and bake at until golden and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes.

On the stovetop: Heat a thin slick of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, add the slce of bread, and cook, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Once your toast is ready, it's time to get the avocado ready.

Whether you slice the avocado or mash it is a matter of personal preference. If you don't have strong feelings about which way to go, there is a third approach -- a little of both. Leslie Garetto, a recipe developer, food stylist, and culinary producer, says she makes avocado toast using sliced and mashed fruit. The slices give a beautiful, even coverage, but without a bit of mashing, they can slip off the toast too easily. "No one wants to end up with a deconstructed avocado salad when they're aiming for a perfect avocado toast," says Garetto. Here's how to get this best of both worlds approach:

Slice the avocado into approximately ¼-inch thick slices, spread them out onto the toast, then use a fork to gently mash the slices just enough that they adhere to the bread.

Related: Here's the Right Way to Cut an Avocado

Seasoning avocado toast means more than just salt and pepper. Fatty avocado almost always needs a hint of something bright and acidic to bring out its flavor. Fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice is what we reach for. Another option is just about any type of vinegar -- we like sherry vinegar or a balsamic vinegar glaze.

You can go as simple or as fancy as you like here. Avocado toast can be a quick breakfast that you eat every day, but it can also be a party-ready affair for all kinds of gatherings.

Garetto is all about turning avocado toast into more than a snack -- it already has most of the building blocks for a well-balanced meal, with the heart-healthy fats from avocado and (ideally) a bread rich in complex carbohydrates. She recommends experimenting with flavors that you're already familiar with when building your avocado toast.

This is one of Garetto's regulars. She spreads a layer of hummus or tzatziki over the toast, then layers the avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumber, crushed kalamata olives, and some crumbled feta cheese. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of lemon juice.

Canned beans are an easy way to add more protein to avocado toast. Mash some black or pinto beans with a sprinkle of ground cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and salt, then warm them up in the microwave before spreading them under the avocado. Add toppings you might pair with tacos, like sliced chiles, cilantro leaves, and a drizzle of hot sauce (this adds a note of acidity).

Have some leftover grilled chicken or tofu from the night before? Don't let it go to waste. For a protein-packed option, add slices of grilled or rotisserie chicken or tofu on top of the avocado. "A sprinkle of cumin or paprika gives it a nice smoky flavor, and I add a handful of microgreens for a fresh, crunchy touch," says Garetto.

Avocado toast is a great way to use up leftover roasted, grilled, or sautéed vegetables. Or if you have some produce you need to use up simply saute or grill it to go on your toast. Pretty much anything is welcome on avocado toast. Try: