The Easiest Sardine Toast
This sardine toast is the perfect wholesome way to enjoy sardines! This version is gluten-free, dairy-free, and so simple to make.
Sardines have been the latest cute little fashion trend in summer 2025! From sardine cups to sardine shirts, to colorful sardine-themed serving platters, it’s definitely on trend. We may all be wearing sardines, but are we eating them? Well, you should be 😉 Sardines may not be as approachable as something like avocado tuna salad, but they can be!
Sardines are so nutrient-packed, but can be intimidating. In my opinion, there are way too few good recipes to enjoy sardines! This recipe for sardine toast demystifies sardines, making them more approachable.
Table of contents
What are the benefits of eating sardines?
- They’re packed with omega-3s! Most Americans aren’t getting enough heart-healthy omega-3s, but sardines are an excellent source of them! (source)
- It’s a cheap protein. The popularity of tinned fish are often said to be a recession indicator, and that’s because it’s a cheap and easy way to get protein. One tin of sardines can get you around 18 G of protein, which is amazing bang for your buck.
What do sardines taste like?
Sardines have a mild flavor and are only slightly fishy. Canned sardines can take on the flavor of what they’re packed in, so I find it best to reach for tinned sardines that are packed with olive oil. I’m a big fan of these Fish Wife Sardines with olive oil and lemon.
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Sardines. I use these, and highly recommend something bone-in and skin-on sardines for the most nutrients. However, you can also use boneless and skinless if you’re new to sardines.
- Gluten-free bread. The bread srsly sourdough loaf, is my favorite for toast! You can use my partner code UNBOUNDWELLNESS for a discount!
- Avocado, cucumber, radish, and microgreens. I like to also use this avocado mash!
- Pickled onions. Every toast needs an acid.
- Flaky salt.
How to make Sardine Toast
Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this recipe. Find full instructions in the recipe card.
Step one. Lightly toast the bread and mash the avocado until smooth, adding a small squeeze of lemon juice and salt and pepper.
Step two. Layer the toast, starting with the cucumber and radish slices.
Step three. Add 2-3 whole sardines per slice of toast, then finishing with pickled onion, micro greens, a squeeze of lemon and flakey salt and pepper.
Step four Enjoy!
Michelle’s Tips & Tricks
- Season to taste. Depending on the brand of sardines you use, they may be more or less salty, so season to your personal preference!
- Enjoy the recipe fresh. The base of this recipe is still an avocado toast, so it can get soggy if you let it sit for too long.
Other Gluten-Free Fish Recipes…
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The Easiest Sardine Toast
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Ingredients
- 2 slices gluten free sourdough
- ½ avocado, mashed
- ½ lemon
- Salt & pepper
- 2 mini cucumbers, sliced thin
- 2 radishes, sliced thin
- 1 tin sardines
- Pickled onions
- Micro greens
- 1 tsp flaky salt
Instructions
- Lightly toast the bread and set aside.
- Mash the avocado until smooth, adding a small squeeze of lemon juice and salt and pepper. Spread the avocado mash over the bread.
- Layer the toast, starting with the cucumber and radish slices, then 2-3 whole sardines per slice of toast, then finishing with pickled onion, micro greens, a squeeze of lemon and flakey salt and pepper.
- Enjoy the toast fresh!
