Homemade Melba toast is made with just one ingredient - sliced bread! Light, crispy and wonderfully thin, it's the perfect addition to a Christmas Day starter, especially served with pâté, smoked salmon or cheese and chutney.
This is one of those simple things that makes a Christmas starter look a little bit special, without adding lots of extra work. I love that it can be made ahead too, which is always useful when there is so much else to prepare on Christmas Day.
We are also big fans of these on a picky plate, as it makes a nice change from crackers.
Recipe update: This recipe was originally published on 3 December 2022 and was fully retested in November 2026 to check the cooking time and ingredient quantities. The original recipe still worked well, but I've expanded the instructions, tips and FAQs.
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Why You'll Love It
- Just one ingredient - All you need is sliced bread. No oil or butter required.
- Perfect for Christmas - Serve with pâté, smoked salmon, cheese or your favourite festive chutney.
- Make ahead - Prepare a batch before Christmas Day and keep it ready in an airtight container.
- Budget friendly - A brilliant way to use up leftover bread instead of buying crackers.
What is Melba Toast?
Melba toast is thinly sliced bread that has been toasted twice until golden and crispy.
The difference between Melba toast and ordinary toast is that the bread is split horizontally after the first toasting, making it much thinner. The second toasting dries it out and gives it that lovely crisp texture, a bit like a light cracker.
It's traditionally served with pâté, soups and cheese, but it also makes a delicious base for Christmas canapés.
Recipe Overview
- Method: Lightly toast the bread, split each slice horizontally while warm, then toast the thin triangles again until crispy.
- Makes: 16 small triangles from 2 slices of bread (8 per serving).
- Equipment: A toaster, serrated knife, baking tray and grill.
- Make ahead: Prepare 1-2 days before Christmas and store in an airtight container once completely cool.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Bread - This is the only ingredient you need. We use thick sliced white bread, although medium sliced sandwich bread works well too. You want bread that is thick enough to split horizontally after toasting. Brown or wholemeal bread can also be used, but I wouldn't recommend seeded bread, as the seeds make it more difficult to cut without breaking.
Sourdough is another good option, especially if it's thickly sliced, as this makes it easier to split horizontally. Its slightly tangy flavour also works really well with cheese, chutney and pâté.
Slightly stale bread is also a good option, so this is a great way to use up bread that is past its freshest.
How to Make Melba Toast
- Remove the crusts from each slice of bread using a sharp knife.
- Lightly toast the bread on both sides until pale golden, usually around 3-4 minutes in a toaster. Don't let it get too dark, as it will be toasted again.
- While the toast is still warm, carefully slice horizontally through the middle of each slice using a serrated knife. You should have four much thinner pieces from your original two slices of bread.
- Cut each thin piece diagonally into triangles. Two slices of bread should give you sixteen Melba toast triangles.
- Place the triangles on a baking tray with the freshly cut sides facing upwards. Toast under a preheated medium grill for around 1-2 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Watch closely, as they can burn in seconds. Allow to cool before serving.
What To Serve with Melba Toast
Melba toast is one of my favourite things to add to a Christmas Day starter. It looks so much more impressive than ordinary toast, but takes very little effort.
Christmas Day Starters
For a traditional Christmas starter, serve the Melba toast alongside our salmon pate. It's lovely with the creamy salmon, lemon and dill.
It also goes perfectly with the best prawn cocktail. A few crispy triangles on the side make it feel like a proper restaurant-style starter.
For something vegetarian, top the toast with Stilton or Brie and a little Christmas chutney. The sweet and spicy chutney works really well with the cheese.
You could also serve it alongside our air fryer camembert for dipping into the melted cheese. Just be gentle, as Melba toast is quite delicate.
Cheeseboards and Party Platters
These crispy little toasts are a great alternative to crackers on a vegetarian charcuterie board, grazing platter or antipasto platter.
They're also delicious topped with butter bean hummus, or simply cheese and chutney. The kids love any leftover pieces with a little jam or nut butter too.
With Soup
Melba toast is also lovely alongside soup instead of regular bread. Try it with our slow cooker vegetable soup, kale soup or tomato basil soup.
Storage and Make Ahead
Store: Allow the Melba toast to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep for up to a week, although it's best eaten within the first couple of days for maximum crispness.
Make ahead: I recommend making it 1-2 days before Christmas. Keep it in a dry, airtight container until you're ready to serve, and add any toppings just before eating so the toast doesn't become soggy.
Keep it crispy: Make sure the toast is completely cool before storing, otherwise condensation can make it soften. Use a rigid container to stop the delicate triangles breaking.
Freeze: I wouldn't recommend freezing Melba toast. It's so quick to make fresh, and freezing can damage the delicate pieces.
If it has lost a little crispness, you can put it back in a low oven for a few minutes, checking regularly, then allow it to cool again before serving.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Use a serrated knife - This makes it much easier to slice horizontally through the toast without squashing or breaking it.
- Slice while warm - The bread is easier to split after the first toasting, while it's still slightly warm.
- Don't over-toast it the first time - You want pale golden toast, as it will brown more during the second toasting.
- Watch it closely - Melba toast is so thin that it can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly. Keep checking throughout the second toasting.
- Make festive shapes - You can use star or Christmas tree cookie cutters for a festive twist. Cut the shapes from the bread before it becomes too crispy.
- Keep the crusts - Don't throw them away! Dry them out and turn them into homemade breadcrumbs.
- Add toppings at the last minute - Especially if you're using pâté, dips or chutney, as these can soften the toast.
Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Toast breaks when splitting | Bread is too thin, too crispy or has cooled too much. | Use medium or thick sliced bread and a serrated knife. Split carefully while still warm. |
| Toast burns during grilling | The bread was too dark after the first toasting, or the grill is too hot. | Toast lightly the first time, use a medium grill and watch constantly during the second toasting. |
| Toast is soft or chewy | The second toasting hasn't dried the bread out enough. | Spread the triangles in a single layer and toast a little longer until crisp. |
| Toast softens after storage | It was packed before cooling completely, causing condensation. | Cool fully before storing in an airtight container. Crisp it up in a low oven if needed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make Melba toast in the air fryer. After lightly toasting and splitting the bread, place the thin triangles in a single layer, cut-side up, and cook at 190°C/375°F, or until golden and crisp. The pieces are very light, so make sure they can't blow up towards the heating element. Use an air fryer-safe rack to secure them if your model allows it. They should only need a short final toasting, so check very frequently. Cooking times vary between air fryers.
No, but removing the crusts gives Melba toast its traditional neat appearance. It's especially worth doing if you're serving it with a Christmas starter or using it for canapés.
More Christmas Starters
If you've tried this Melba Toast recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy and use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Easy Homemade Melba Toast
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 slices of White bread - about 35g/1.25oz each
Instructions
- Remove the crusts from each slice of bread using a sharp knife.
- Lightly toast the bread on both sides until pale golden, usually around 3-4 minutes in a toaster. Don't let it get too dark, as it will be toasted again.
- While the toast is still warm, carefully slice horizontally through the middle of each slice using a serrated knife. You should have four much thinner pieces from your original two slices of bread.
- Cut each thin piece diagonally into four triangles. Two slices of bread should give you sixteen Melba toast triangles.
- Place the triangles on a baking tray with the freshly cut sides facing upwards. Toast under a preheated medium grill for around 1-2 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Watch closely, as they can burn in seconds. Allow to cool before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Use a serrated knife to make splitting the toast easier.
- Cut the bread while it is still warm from the first toasting.
- Watch carefully during the second toasting to prevent burning.
- Cut festive shapes before the bread becomes too crispy.
- Save leftover crusts for breadcrumbs.
- Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Nutritional Information
Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
All timings are a guide and may vary depending on the ingredients, equipment and, where relevant, the appliance used. Changing the serving size may also affect the time needed.
Toni says
This is such an amazing appetizer! I really loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
Gina Abernathy says
Served veggie soup tonight and this toast was just what I needed to complete the meal.
Stephanie says
I can't believe I had no idea that melba toast was just white bread! I feel slightly foolish. On the plus side, I found a new recipe for dip I want to try, and this will be the perfect dipper!
Charles says
Great for Super Bowl! Thanks for sharing!
Katherine says
So easy! This melba toast is such a great homemade appetiser.
Tara says
Yum! I'll be making this easy toast for my Christmas brunch charcuterie board! Thank you for sharing!
Jen says
This is so good!! My kids really loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
Lulu says
Recipe??? Am I losing my mind. IT'S JUST TOAST!!
Dannii says
It isn't just toast though. If you have read through the whole post then you will see it isn't just as simple as putting a slice of bread in the toaster - there are additional steps to make it really thin like melba toast. Also, there are all the extra tips, and serving suggestions that make this in to a whole post. I am sorry that you are so offended by this free post that we are providing.
Tayler says
I made this toast to go on a charcuterie board this weekend and it was fantastic! Everyone loved it!
Mirlene says
What a fun way to put a spin on toast!