10 Canned Foods That Will Upgrade Your Boring Toast Instantly

Enjoyed by millions of us on the daily, toasted bread makes the perfect base for a satisfying breakfast or lunch, providing a versatile canvas for customizing with whichever toppings take your fancy. Reaching for your favorite spread is of course a great way to jazz up your slices (peanut butter, Nutella, and jam all deserve a mention), but a variety of canned foods can also help you turn toast into an even heartier meal, while maintaining the same convenient approach.

Many canned foods can be added to your toast straight from the can, while others will require a quick drain or reheat on the stovetop. There's truly an option to suit every mood, whether you're after something savory and protein-rich, sweet and sticky, or looking to pack some extra color and nutrients onto your plate. So, if your everyday toast is starting to look a little lackluster, here's your reminder that there might just be a can sitting in your pantry that can help.

A true British classic, beans on toast is a filling, protein-packed, and totally delicious option for your breakfast or lunch. We're not talking smoky, American-style baked beans here, but rather canned Heinz beans, which consist of haricot beans (aka navy beans) packed in a runnier, tomato-based sauce. The combination of the tender beans, slightly sweet sauce, and crisp bread provides an irresistible contrast, and this meal delivers on convenience while being budget-friendly, too. As well as their notable protein content, baked beans are also an excellent source of fiber and essential minerals like zinc and iron.

To craft the perfect beans on toast plate, start by toasting your chosen bread until golden and crisp. This could be classic white sandwich bread, rustic sourdough, or wholesome seeded slices. Meanwhile, warm up the beans in a pan on the stovetop, or in a bowl in the microwave. Then, simply butter your toast and spoon the beans right on top. This dish will also taste incredible with a generous scattering of cheddar cheese, which will melt into the hot beans beautifully to add an extra dose of indulgence.

For a toast topper that feels equal parts elegant and satisfying, grab a can of sardines. Loaded with rich, savory flavor, protein, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, this canned fish will certainly leave you feeling nourished. And, it also pairs beautifully with a whole host of other toppings.

Canned sardines come in multiple forms. You'll find the fish packed in oil, water, and various sauces, such as those made with mustard, tomato, or lemon. Any variety can serve as a delicious addition to your toast, and since it's already been cooked, you can serve the fish hot or cold. To inject an extra dose of spicy, aromatic flavor into the sardines, try sautéing minced garlic and finely diced fresh chile in a pan, before adding the sardines and warming them through. Transfer everything to your toasted bread, and squeeze over some fresh lemon juice for a bright and zesty finish.

Sardines also taste amazing atop a bruschetta-style toast, with the juicy acidity of the fresh tomatoes cutting through the richness of the fish beautifully. With their sharp bite and vibrant color, thinly sliced red onions are another great garnish for your toast, as are fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives. You can absolutely pair the sardines with a savory spread, too. Think cream cheese, a tomato-based relish, or a tangy olive tapenade.

It's a favorite for serving with ice cream or whipped cream as a fuss-free dessert, but canned fruit cocktail can also be used to give your morning toast a sweet upgrade. The fruit and bread combo is something you might've come across in a batch of striking Japanese sandwiches, and of course there's pillowy-crisp French toast, which we often see adorned with fresh berries or sliced bananas. However, there's a far simpler, and just as tasty way to combine these two foods.

Fruit cocktail offers a moreish medley of sweet and tangy flavors, and adding it to toast requires very little prep. This canned food generally includes a variety of fruits, such as peaches, pears, grapes, and cherries, which are packed in juice or syrup. The fruit is best served alongside something creamy, such as cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. Or, try mixing cream cheese with a little honey or powdered sugar, and spreading this over the toast. For a more indulgent approach, start with a layer of Nutella. Peanut, almond, or cashew butter would work great, too. Now, you can spoon some of the drained fruit cocktail on top, to give your toast heaps of wonderful fruity flavor. Other canned fruits such as crushed pineapple, apricot halves, or mandarins also make a fitting accompaniment to toast, so feel free to switch things up depending on what you have in your pantry.

Sweetened condensed milk is probably best known as a dessert ingredient, being a key element of many homemade fudge recipes, and serving as a rich base for no-churn ice cream. But, have you ever considered drizzling atop a crispy slice of toast? This simple combination is surprisingly moreish, whether you're enjoying it for breakfast, dessert, or a quick afternoon snack.

Condensed milk is made by concentrating cow's milk to remove around 60% of its water content, and adding sugar. The result is a thick, creamy liquid with a delightfully rich and sweet taste. It's not to be confused with evaporated milk, which is unsweetened and runnier in consistency. Despite its main component being an everyday drink staple, canned condensed milk is in fact classified as a food product rather than a beverage, hence why it features in this line up. 

Before you add condensed milk to your toast, start by spreading over some salted butter to contrast the incoming sweetness. Then, just open up the can, spoon out some condensed milk, and drizzle it all over the buttered toast. Around a tablespoon per slice is a good place to start, but feel free to add more if desired. A sprinkling of cinnamon wouldn't go amiss, either. Condensed milk also works fantastically as a topping for French toast, and pairs especially well with sliced fresh fruits like strawberries and bananas.

This canned food is a staple in kitchen cupboards around the world, but chopped tomatoes aren't just for pasta sauce. Served on toast, their natural tanginess shines, and they're super easy to spruce up with some additional seasonings.

You can whip up this easy toast plate in mere minutes. Just tip the contents of the can into a saucepan, and warm the tomatoes up over a medium heat. You can go for classic chopped tomatoes here, or choose a variety enhanced with garlic, herbs, or chiles. Whole, peeled tomatoes work great, too, if you're after a little more texture, while fire-roasted tomatoes can bring a subtle smokiness to your plate. Toast your bread, butter it generously, then spoon over the tomatoes, before seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

To transform this dish into more of a complete meal, you could absolutely top things off with a fried egg, or perhaps pair the tomatoes with canned fish such as sardines or tuna. To create a wholesome, Mediterranean-inspired lunch, try laying some sliced mozzarella atop your tomato toast. This will taste even more fantastic finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and some torn basil leaves.

First being sold in grocery stores back in 1937, and still incredibly popular around the world today, Spam is a processed canned meat product made with ground pork. This retro convenience food is loved for its salty, savory taste, which is often likened to that of bologna. And, when sliced and pan-fried, Spam takes on a wonderfully crispy, golden exterior. 

Fried Spam is a popular sandwich add-in, but it's just as great served open-faced style, with the meat layered atop golden slices of toast. This approach also provides you with more surface area for piling on additional toppings, and Spam pairs brilliantly with a wide array of extras. You could sprinkle over some shredded cheese and pop the toast under the broiler for a minute or two until gloriously melty, or top your toast with fried or scrambled eggs. Salad veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber are great for bringing a dose of freshness, and tangy ingredients such as dill pickles or kimchi will do an excellent job of balancing the Spam's saltiness.

Aside from the classic version, Spam some in various other flavors, including Hickory Smoke, Jalapeño, and Maple. So, there's plenty of room for creativity when crafting your perfect meat-topped toast plate.

Another nutritious and hearty way to upgrade your toast is with a humble can of chickpeas. This makes for a nourishing, fiber- and protein-rich meal, that can be whipped up in minutes. With their mild, nutty taste, chickpeas are the perfect base for elevating with bold herbs and spices. You can leave them whole, smash them, or even blitz them up into a creamy hummus. Either way, the resulting dish is sure to satisfy.

A particularly fantastic way to prep these versatile legumes for toast topping is sautéing them with some diced shallot, garlic, and warming spices like cumin or paprika. If desired, you can mash the chickpeas lightly with a fork or potato masher as they heat up. And, we love stirring in some fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon before spooning the flavor-packed mixture onto the toasted bread. Chickpeas go great with canned chopped tomatoes, too, if you fancy crafting a saucier, tangier topping for your toast.

For a richer finish, try pairing chickpeas with something creamy. You could spread the toast with smashed avocado, herbed Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese before piling the chickpeas on top. Or, give your chickpea toast a Mediterranean-inspired twist by finishing it with a drizzle of herby pesto sauce.

Canned corn is a surprisingly fitting addition to toast. These sunny little morsels bring heaps of color and natural sweetness, which makes them ideal for pairing with other savory ingredients. The juiciness of the corn contrasts the crisp bread brilliantly, and there's no shucking or boiling required here, just a quick drain and warm through.

We highly recommend getting creative with some tasty ingredient combos here. Corn pairs well with other veggies like bell pepper and onion, as well as herbs, spices, and aromatics — think garlic, cilantro, thyme, chili powder, or cumin. One totally moreish technique is to mix the drained corn with your chosen extras, plus a dollop of Greek yogurt and a generous handful of shredded cheese. Then, you can spoon this mixture into the toast, and pop everything under the broiler until golden and gooey.

Alternatively, you could blend the drained corn into a chunky spread, which can be seasoned with a simple sprinkle of salt and pepper. This is great for topping with sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, or crispy bacon. Tuna and sweetcorn is another classic combo, which doubles down on the canned convenience, and gives your toast a welcomed protein boost.

Switch up your usual avo toast with this sweet and earthy substitution, that boasts an equally striking shade of green. Canned peas are totally underrated as a toast topping, and smashing them is a great way to bring out their flavor. You can season them as simply or boldly as desired, and serve them hot or cold. Try pairing them with a rustic sourdough, or even a slice of crusty garlic bread.

Two ingredients that taste amazing alongside peas are lemon and mint. To keep things fresh and simple, you could sauté the drained peas in a pan with these extras, plus a good pinch of salt and pepper, then mash everything a little before spooning the mixture onto the toast. Or, if you have a little more time on your hands, you could build a more complex toast stack. An initial layer of ricotta cheese would be a delightful accompaniment to the peas, while the addition of a runny poached egg or delicate folds of smoked salmon would transform the dish into a truly Instagram-worthy brunch. To contrast the soft texture of the peas, you could scatter over some toasted nuts or seeds, such as walnuts, pine nuts, or pumpkin seeds. And, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes is a great way to give the toast a spicy kick.

While sliced deli meats or bacon are a great for adding protein and savory flavor to your toast slices, there's an even heartier way to give them a meaty upgrade. Canned corn beef's signature salty, slightly spicy taste elevates basic toast slices no end. Despite its distinct pink color, the meat comes completely cooked and ready to eat as it, but heating up will likely improve its texture and flavor.

An easy way to prepare corned beef toast is by spreading the meat onto your chosen bread, and popping it in the oven, air fryer, or under the broiler. This will simultaneously toast the bread while heating the beef through and giving it a mouth-watering golden brown finish. You can also mix the corned beef with some extra ingredients before adding it to the bread, such as finely diced red onion, Italian herbs, or shredded cheese.

Feel free to finish the toast with some fresh toppings, too. You could craft a Reuben-inspired lunch by piling tangy sauerkraut on top of the corned beef, and drizzling over some creamy Russian dressing. A sweet onion relish or a dollop of creamy slaw would go down a treat, too.