Pin This There's something almost magical about watching egg whites transform into clouds in a mixer—it happened by accident one Sunday when I was trying to use up eggs before a trip and didn't want regular scrambled eggs. I whipped those whites into peaks, spooned them onto a baking sheet, and suddenly I had this ridiculous, beautiful thing emerging from the oven. The yolk nestled into the center like it was always meant to be there. Now it's my go-to when I want breakfast to feel like something special without the stress.
I made this for my roommate on a lazy Saturday morning, and her face when she saw it coming out of the oven was worth every second of whisking. She kept saying it looked too fancy to eat, then devoured it in about three minutes. Now she texts me photo requests when she's having friends over, and I've become the person known for Cloud Toast in our friend group.
Ingredients
- Eggs (4 large, separated): Separation is everything here—even a tiny drop of yolk in the whites will sabotage your peaks, so take your time and use the egg shell trick to separate them cleanly.
- Sourdough bread (2 thick slices): The tang cuts through the richness of the egg and avocado beautifully, plus thick slices don't get soggy.
- Ripe avocado (1): Timing matters with avocados; you want it soft enough to slice and shape but firm enough to hold those beautiful rose folds.
- Honey (2 teaspoons): Drizzle it warm if you can—it pools into the crevices of the toast and adds this unexpected warmth.
- Microgreens (small handful): They're not just pretty; they add a peppery bite that balances all the richness.
- Flaky sea salt and black pepper: Don't skip the flaky salt—regular table salt will throw off the whole balance.
Instructions
- Heat your oven and prep:
- Get the oven to 220°C (425°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toast your sourdough slices lightly, either in a pan or in the oven for a few minutes—you want them golden and sturdy, not crispy.
- Separate with confidence:
- Crack each egg carefully over a bowl, letting the white slide into a large clean mixing bowl while catching the yolk in a small separate bowl. This separation is your foundation—any yolk in the whites ruins everything.
- Whisk into clouds:
- Using an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites on high speed until they form stiff peaks that stand up straight when you lift the beaters. This takes about 3-4 minutes depending on your mixer's power.
- Shape and bake the first round:
- Spoon the egg white mixture into two fluffy mounds on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Make a small well in the center of each mound—this is where your yolk will nestle.
- Bake the cloud base:
- Slide the baking sheet into the oven for exactly 3 minutes. The whites will start to firm up and turn pale, but they'll still be soft inside.
- Add the yolk and finish baking:
- Gently slide one yolk into the well of each cloud, being careful not to break it. Return to the oven for another 3-4 minutes until the whites are golden and the yolks look just-set but still have a tiny jiggle when you move the sheet.
- Prepare your avocado roses:
- While everything bakes, halve your avocado lengthwise, twist to separate, and scoop out the pit. Peel back the skin carefully, then thinly slice each half. Fan the slices slightly and gently roll them into a rose shape—don't stress if they're not perfect, even rough roses look stunning.
- Assemble and serve:
- Place each cloud egg onto a slice of toast while everything is still warm. Top with an avocado rose, a small drizzle of honey, and a generous handful of microgreens. Finish with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then serve immediately.
Pin This The first time someone asked me to make this for their brunch, I realized it had become more than breakfast—it was my thing, the dish people specifically requested. There's something about feeding people something that makes them pause and actually enjoy the moment.
Why This Works as a Showstopper
Cloud Toast walks that perfect line between looking like it took you forever and coming together in under half an hour. The egg whites create this dramatic visual moment—all pale and fluffy like something from a bakery—but the actual technique is surprisingly forgiving once you nail the egg separation. People always assume you did something incredibly complicated, which means you get to feel like a kitchen genius without the hours of prep or stress.
Making the Avocado Roses
The rose part intimidates people, but honestly, once you see how the slices curl when you roll them gently, you realize it's almost impossible to mess up. If your avocado is the right ripeness—soft but not butter-soft—the slices will cooperate beautifully. I learned the hard way that an underripe avocado will crack when you slice it, and an overripe one dissolves into mush, so hit that sweet spot.
Flavor Combinations That Work
The honey drizzle is crucial because it adds sweetness and warmth that balances the savory egg and creamy avocado. Some mornings I skip the honey and use hot honey instead for a sweet-spicy kick, or I'll finish the whole thing with a really good olive oil and nothing else. Microgreens taste peppery and add color, but in a pinch, fresh chives or even a tiny squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up. The microgreens are worth hunting down though—they make it look intentional and fancy.
- Chili flakes or dukkah add heat and earthiness if you want to push it savory.
- Try different breads—rye, whole grain, or even gluten-free—though sourdough's tang is hard to beat.
- A pinch of Maldon salt over the top makes the texture more interesting than regular salt ever could.
Pin This This is the kind of breakfast that reminds you why cooking for people matters. It's simple, it's stunning, and it tastes like someone actually cared about making your morning special.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do you achieve fluffy egg whites?
Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form, ensuring no yolk is mixed in for the best volume and texture.
- → Can I use different bread types?
Yes, sourdough adds great flavor, but gluten-free or whole-grain breads work well too, toasted to your preference.
- → What is the purpose of lemon juice with avocado?
Lemon juice helps prevent the avocado slices from browning and maintains their vibrant color.
- → How long should the egg clouds bake?
Bake the egg whites for 3 minutes, add the yolks, then bake an additional 3–4 minutes until whites are golden.
- → Can I add other toppings?
Absolutely! Consider chili flakes, dukkah, or a drizzle of olive oil for added flavor complexity.