What is smashed avo?
Smashed avo is a popular Australian cafe breakfast of mashed avocado on toast, often with feta, lemon, chilli, herbs or a poached egg. It became a symbol of modern Australian brunch culture.
Avocado on toast has long been eaten in Australia, but cafes in Sydney and Melbourne turned smashed avo into a fashionable dish in the 2000s and 2010s, served on sourdough with toppings such as dukkah and cherry tomatoes.
Australia grows avocados in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, so they are widely available, though prices vary with the season.
The smashed avo debate
In 2016, a newspaper columnist suggested that young Australians could not afford houses because they spent money on smashed avocado at cafes. The comment sparked a national debate and many jokes.
Smashed avo is now found on cafe menus around the world, often described as an Australian-style brunch, alongside other favourites such as banana bread and corn fritters.
It is easy to make at home by mashing ripe avocado with lemon juice, salt and pepper, then spreading it thickly on toasted sourdough. Adding a poached egg, feta or chilli flakes turns it into a filling meal.
Did You Know?
Some cafes serve smashed avo with beetroot hummus, pickled onions or bacon.