Smashed Peas on Toast with Mint and Aleppo Pepper

Move over avocado, smashed peas make the best healthy, bright green topping for your toast! This easy recipe is perfect for your morning breakfast and easy appetizers alike.

Did you know you can make a vibrant green, absolutely delicious spreadable sauce by simply smashing peas (fresh or frozen and thawed) with feta and olive oil? Like Ricotta Toast and Bruschetta, smashed peas are handy for so many occasions. They make for a delicious healthy breakfast but are equally useful as a no-fuss dinner party appetizer everyone will love.  

While everyone sings the virtues of smashed avocado on toast, for me it is all about smashed peas. I love the earthy sweetness of peas mixed with the bold flavors of lemon, garlic, and mint, with a creaminess from the feta and a little heat from Aleppo pepper.

Plus, the humble pea is high in fiber, densely packed full of nutrients and vitamins, and even protein (see the USDA for their full nutritional breakdown). And with frozen peas available all year round, this recipe can be made during any season.

Table of Contents

1. Smashed Pea Toast Ingredients
2. How to Make Smashed Peas on Toast
3. Ways to Mix it Up
4. What to Serve with Smashed Peas on Toast 
5. Make Ahead and Storing
6. More Toast Recipes
7. Smashed Peas on Toast with Mint and Aleppo Pepper Recipe

Smashed Pea Toast Ingredients

The vibrancy of the green pea mixture makes a pleasingly beautiful appetizer for a dinner party. You’ll need: 

• Ciabatta or baguette: Go for a good quality loaf. You can use whole grain or sourdough should you prefer.
• Peas: You can use fresh or thawed frozen peas, and either garden peas or petit pois.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Use a good quality EVOO for the best flavor. I prefer a smooth and buttery EVOO for this recipe, such as Nocellara Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
• Garlic makes the smashed pea mixture aromatic and a little spicy.
• Lemon zest and juice adds a fresh citrus flavor profile to complement the earthy, buttery and sweet flavor of the peas.
• Feta: Use a good quality feta that has been refrigerated in brine. Avoid crumbled feta, which tends to be dry and too salty.
• Fresh mint is a dear friend of the pea, enhancing its refreshing springtime flavor. 
• Aleppo Pepper adds a bright and peppery finish similar to red pepper flakes but more mildly spicy and complex.
  • READ MORE: What Is Aleppo Pepper And How To Use It
  • STOCK UP: Find Aleppo pepper at our spice shop.
• Salt and pepper seasons the dish, drawing out the other flavors.

How to Make Smashed Peas on Toast

Smashed peas are a beautiful sweet, savory, and sunny way to celebrate the Mediterranean flavors of summer. Here’s how to make this easy recipe:

• Cook the peas: Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to boil. Add 2 cups fresh or frozen peas and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain the peas in a colander and rinse with cold water to prevent further cooking.
• Prepare the smashed pea mixture: In a food processor, add the peas, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and the zest and juice of one lemon. Crumble in 2 ounces of feta. Finely chop 1 small bunch of fresh mint. Set aside a sprinkle of mint leaves for garnish, then add the remaining chopped mint to the food processor. Pulse until you form a coarse purée. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice to taste. Remove the blade and cover until you’re ready to spread over the ciabatta toasts (up to overnight).
• Prepare the toasts: Slice about 10 ounces of ciabatta or baguette lengthwise and then into slices. I make about 20 1-inch slices for appetizers or can make thicker slabs for breakfast. Brush with olive oil and place in a griddle pan over medium-high heat. Toast until crisped and browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Place toasts on your serving plate.
• Assemble and serve the smashed pea toasts: Top each toast with the smashed pea mixture. Garnish each one with more crumbled feta, the reserved mint, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper. Serve.

Ways to Mix it Up

Just like avocados or Hummus, peas are a great canvas for adding the flavors of your choosing. Some ideas: 

• Give an Italian feel: Swap the feta with ricotta or goat cheese and the mint with basil.
• Add more protein: Top the smashed pea mixture with a poached egg (see our Open-Faced Sandwich with Prosciutto and Basil recipe for our method). 
• Make gluten-free: Use gluten-free toast, or serve the smashed pea mixture as a dip alongside Crudités. 

What to Serve with Smashed Peas on Toast 

Smashed pea toasts make for delicious casual finger food for a cocktail hour. Build out a colorful spread with Stuffed Mushrooms, Arancini (Italian Fried Risotto), and Easy Stuffed Dates alongside. For drinks, keep it easy with pitcher cocktails like White Sangria.

Make Ahead and Storing

You can make the smashed pea mixture up to a day before serving and by keeping it refrigerated in an airtight container. Toast the bread shortly before serving in order to keep it fresh and warm.

More Toast Recipes

Breakfast

Ricotta Toast with 6 Easy Ways to Top It

Fish and Seafood

Sardine Toast with Pickled Sumac Onions and Chermoula

Vegetarian

Smashed Chickpea Toast

Mediterranean Diet Recipes

Mediterranean-Style Breakfast Toast

Browse all Mediterranean Recipes

Visit Our Shop