The sound of bacon sizzling in a hot pan, its fat crisping into golden curls that crackle with each turn is a beautiful sound. No matter how tired you are, it wakes you up with the promise of a tasty dish. Builders Brunch isn’t fancy fare—it’s the kind of meal that roots itself in comfort, in practicality, in the bliss of good, straightforward ingredients treated with a little attention and a lot of love.
Ingredients
- Streaky bacon (4–6 rashers, depending on thickness)
- Large eggs (2 per person)
- Ripe avocado (½ per person)
- Thick‑cut bread (1–2 slices per person)
- Butter or olive oil (for frying/toasting)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- A squeeze of lemon or lime (optional, for drizzling over avocado)
Begin by laying streaky bacon into a cold skillet and gradually warming it up so the fat renders slowly, coaxing out every ounce of flavor. As the kitchen fills with that unmistakable aroma, it’s impossible not to feel excited. That fragrance alone—the smoky sweetness mingling with a hint of nutty meatiness—is enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
Meanwhile, you can pop your thick‑cut bread into the toaster (or onto a grill pan) and let it transform into golden‑brown slabs that will stand up to all the juicy, runny yolks and buttery avocado. The key here is choosing bread with enough body—whether it’s a crusty sourdough, a dense farmhouse loaf, or even a hearty rye—to hold its own between mouthfuls of egg and bacon.
Yolk Meets Toast
As the bacon finishes, don’t waste the glorious drippings. Tilt the pan and wipe most of the excess fat into a heatproof container for later (it’s perfect for roasting potatoes), leaving just enough to cook your eggs. Slide your eggs—fried, sunny‑side up—into that same skillet so they pick up a whisper of bacon flavor around their edges. There’s a reason eggs and bacon are culinary best friends: the rich, unctuous yolk drapes itself over crisp bacon bits, creating a flavour pairing that feels as instinctive as peanut butter and jelly.
Creamy Avocado Contrast
While the eggs gently bubble and set around their edges, slice open a ripe avocado. Scoop its creamy green flesh onto a cutting board, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of citrus if you like a bright counterpoint. The avocado’s silky texture and cool freshness cut through the richness of bacon fat and egg yolk, giving each bite a balanced, silky mouthfeel.
Plate It Like You Mean It
Now comes the fun part: assembly. Lay down the toasted thick bread, arrange the avocado slices across one corner, and drape the bacon rashers beside them. Nestle your sunny‑side eggs on top and let the yolks glisten in the morning light. A final crack of black pepper, maybe a pinch of flaky sea salt, and you’re ready to dig in.
Other Great Additions
What makes Builders Brunch such a winner is how adaptable it is. If you’re feeling a bit creative—or you just want to clear out the fridge—there are plenty of extras you can toss into the mix:
- Grilled tomatoes: Add a juicy, slightly sweet contrast.
- Sautéed mushrooms: Bring an earthy, umami depth.
- Baked beans: A traditional favourite, adding comfort and a touch of sauciness.
- Spinach or rocket: Lightly wilted greens lend freshness and colour.
- Hash browns or fried potatoes: For the carb-lovers, more crunch and warmth.
- Chilli flakes or hot sauce: A spicy kick never hurts.
- Cheese: A slice of mature cheddar or a crumble of feta can add a new dimension.
- Herbs: Fresh chives, parsley, or coriander can brighten up the plate beautifully.
Why It Works
Builders Brunch is more than just a meal—it’s a ritual. It celebrates good, honest ingredients without pretense. It’s about the sounds (the pop of bacon, the clink of fork on plate), the smells (smoky pork, toasty bread, fresh avocado), and the textures (crisp, creamy, runny). It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest combinations are the most satisfying.
Whether you’re feeding hungry hands after a morning of DIY projects or simply craving a weekend treat, Builders Brunch has your back. It’s a celebration of bacon, eggs, avocado, and toast done right—with room to make it your own. Pull up a chair, carve out a little time for yourself, and savour each bite of this home-style classic.
Builders Brunch
Ingredients
- 6 rashers back bacon smoked
- 4 large eggs
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 4 slices bread thick‑cut sourdough, farmhouse or similar
- 1 tbsp butter olive oil for toasting/frying
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 medium lemon or lime
Instructions
- Preheat your grill pan or toaster.
- Spread a little butter (or brush with olive oil) on both sides of each slice.1 tbsp butter, 4 slices bread
- Toast until golden‑brown and crisp, then set aside on a warm plate.
- Place the bacon rashers in a cold frying pan in a single layer.6 rashers back bacon
- Turn the heat to medium and cook for 4–5 minutes each side (depending on thickness), until crispy and golden.
- Transfer to kitchen paper to drain.
- Pour off excess fat, leaving just a thin coating in the pan.
- Crack in the eggs, spacing them apart.4 large eggs
- Fry on medium–low for 3–4 minutes until whites are set but yolks remain runny.
- Season with salt and pepper.salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Halve and stone the avocado.1 medium ripe avocado
- Score the flesh in a criss‑cross pattern and scoop out with a spoon.
- Season with a pinch of salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.1/2 medium lemon
- Lay two slices of toast on each plate.
- Add the avocado over one corner.
- Arrange the bacon rashers alongside.
- Gently place two fried eggs atop each toast.
- Finish with a crack of black pepper and, if you like, a sprinkle of chilli flakes or fresh herbs.
18 comments
Whether you’re muscle-aching after DIY or simply craving a hearty brunch, this hits the spot.
The instructions were clear, and everything came together in under 25 minutes. The yolk-rich eggs and creamy avocado made each bite perfect.
he core combination of bacon, egg, avocado and toast is so solid that it welcomes endless adaptations. Definitely worth trying as a template for your own creations.
I used sourdough for extra tang, and the lemon-kissed avocado was a revelation. Quick to prepare and utterly satisfying—my DIY-weary partner declared this the best pick-me-up he’s ever had.
I tracked the macros and was delighted to find this clocks in at just over 500 kcal with 22 g protein. The healthy fats from avocado and minimal added oil make it feel indulgent yet balanced.
There’s something so comforting about sizzling bacon and runny eggs.
Overall a fabulous dish, but I found the avocado needed a bit more zing—so next time I’m marinating mine in lime juice and a pinch of chilli salt.
My teenagers devoured this without a second thought—something I rarely manage with homemade brunch.
I whipped this up for a Saturday morning treat, and it didn’t disappoint. The bacon was perfectly crisp, and cooking the eggs in the rendered fat gave them an irresistible smoky edge.
Everything cooks in one pan (plus the toaster), and the flavour payoff is extraordinary. I’ll be making this whenever time is tight but taste still matters.
Five stars from the whole family.
I’ve paid good money for brunch like this in trendy cafés, but making it myself was infinitely more rewarding. The grill-pan-toasted sourdough had restaurant-worthy char, and the crackle of the bacon was spot-on.
If you’re watching your cholesterol, this might be a once-in-a-while treat rather than an every-day dish. That said, as an occasional weekend feast it’s utterly worth it. I paired it with wilted spinach to lighten things up, which worked a treat.
I tried the “cheesy twist” note in the tips section and melted mature cheddar on the toast before adding the toppings. It was decadently good—almost like a croque madame-style brunch.
Lovely size fry up. Filling but not over doing it.
Highly recommend for an easy weekend brunch.
The avocado added just the right creamy counterpoint, and the toast stood up admirably to all that luscious yolk. A brilliant, no-fuss brunch I’ll be making time and again.
It’s approachable for cooks of all levels, quick enough for a midweek pick-me-up, and endlessly customisable.