Honey on Toast: 15 Combinations Worth Trying
Honey on toast might be the simplest comfort food there is: warm, crunchy bread, melting butter and a slow drizzle of golden honey. But toast is also a blank canvas, and honey pairs with far more than butter. Cheeses, nut butters, fruit, herbs, spices and even savory toppings all come alive with a little honey. This article shares fifteen honey on toast combinations, the best breads, technique tips and which honey suits each topping. For a creamy spread idea, see honey and ricotta.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The classic: butter and honey
Toast bread until deep golden. Spread butter while the toast is hot so it melts into the surface, then drizzle honey in a thin zigzag. A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt makes the sweetness pop. This is the version many of us remember from childhood, and it still might be the best.
Choosing bread
Different breads give different results:
| Bread | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Sourdough | Tangy and sturdy; holds heavy toppings |
| Whole wheat | Nutty flavor and more fiber |
| Brioche or challah | Rich and soft; dessert-like |
| Rye | Earthy; great with dark honey |
| English muffins | Nooks catch honey and butter |
Combinations 1 to 4: Nut and seed butters
Peanut butter, banana slices and honey is a filling classic. Almond butter, honey and cinnamon is a little more elegant. Tahini, honey and toasted sesame seeds is a Middle Eastern favorite; our article on tahini and honey explains more. Sunflower seed butter with honey is a nut-free option for school mornings.
Combinations 5 to 8: Cheese
Ricotta with honey, lemon zest and black pepper is light and bright. Goat cheese with honey and fresh thyme is tangy and floral. Sharp cheddar with honey and apple slices is perfect for autumn. Feta crumbled over toast with honey and chili flakes is salty, sweet and spicy all at once.
Combinations 9 to 11: Fruit
Sliced strawberries with honey and a few torn basil leaves. Roasted figs with honey and walnuts. Thin pear slices with honey and a little blue cheese. Our article on honey and figs has more fig ideas.
- Strawberry, basil and honey
- Fig, walnut and honey
- Pear, blue cheese and honey
Combinations 12 and 13: Savory
Avocado toast with honey, lime and chili flakes balances creamy, sweet and spicy. Crispy bacon on toast with a drizzle of honey and black pepper is a weekend indulgence. A fried egg on toast with a few drops of honey mixed into hot sauce is another favorite.
Combinations 14 and 15: Spiced and sweet
Honey cinnamon toast: butter, honey and a dusting of cinnamon, broiled for a minute until bubbly. Honey and dark chocolate: a few squares of chocolate melted on hot toast, finished with honey and sea salt. Both are cozy afternoon snacks.
Creamed honey for toast
Creamed or set honey, also called whipped honey, has a smooth, spreadable texture that stays put on toast instead of dripping. Some honeys, like sunflower, crystallize quickly into a creamy set naturally. Our creamed honey guide explains how it is made.
Technique tips
Spread fats like butter or nut butter first so honey does not soak straight into the bread and make it soggy. Drizzle honey from a spoon held high for an even, thin line. If honey is thick, warm the jar in hot water for a few minutes. Use a honey dipper for a cleaner drizzle.
Toast for a crowd
For brunch, set up a toast bar: a stack of toasted bread, butter, two or three honeys, nut butters, cheeses, fruit and herbs. Let guests build their own. It is easy, colorful and works for many diets.
Calories and portion
A slice of toast with a teaspoon of butter and a teaspoon of honey has roughly 140 to 160 calories, depending on the bread. Adding protein like nut butter, ricotta or egg makes it more filling. A teaspoon of honey has about 21 calories, per USDA FoodData Central.
Which honey for toast
Raw Sunflower Honey, harvested in New York State, sets into a creamy spread perfect for toast. Raw Wildflower Honey is a lovely all-rounder. Raw Buckwheat Honey shines on rye and with cheddar. Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, is beautiful with ricotta and fruit.
Kids and honey toast
Honey toast is a great snack for children over 12 months. Never give honey to babies under 12 months, as the CDC advises.
The takeaway on honey on toast
Honey on toast can be classic butter and honey or an endless range of combinations with cheese, nut butter, fruit and savory toppings. Choose sturdy bread, spread fats first, and pick a honey that matches your topping.
Honey on toast around the world
Honey on toast takes many forms across cultures. In Britain, hot buttered toast with honey is a teatime classic. In Turkey and the Levant, bread with butter or kaymak and honeycomb is a breakfast favorite. In Greece, bread with tahini and honey is a Lenten staple, and in Spain, toast with olive oil and a drizzle of honey shows up at cafes. In Australia, honey toast is often paired with ricotta and banana.
Honey on toast for dessert
Japanese honey toast, sometimes called a brick toast, is a thick slice of bread hollowed, buttered, toasted until crisp and filled with cubes of toast, honey, ice cream and fruit. A simpler version at home is a thick slice of brioche, toasted in butter, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of honey.
Build your toast bar
Try a few honeys side by side with the Pure Raw Honey Sampler, or grab Raw Sunflower Honey for spreading. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Honey: nutrient profile · USDA FoodData Central
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- How much sugar is too much? · American Heart Association
Frequently asked questions
- Should I put butter or honey on toast first?
- Butter first, so honey does not soak straight into the bread.
- What goes well with honey on toast?
- Peanut butter, ricotta, goat cheese, fruit, avocado or cinnamon.
- What bread is best for honey toast?
- Sourdough or whole grain for sturdiness; brioche for a richer toast.
- How do I stop honey dripping off toast?
- Use creamed honey, or a set honey like sunflower.
- Is honey on toast healthy?
- It can be part of a balanced breakfast, especially with protein.
- Which honey is best for toast?
- Sunflower for spreading, wildflower for drizzling.
- Can babies have honey toast?
- No. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
