Quick Salmon & Herb Cream Cheese Breakfast Toast

04/18/25

(Updated 06/06/25)

Fresh, zesty, and packed with flavour, this smoked salmon toast layers crispy sourdough with lemony herb cream cheese and silky cold-smoked salmon. Ready in minutes, it’s perfect for a low-key fancy breakfast, brunch, or light lunch. Pescatarian-friendly and a natural source of omega-3s.

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The 10-minute toast that tastes like a fancy café brunch.

Smoked salmon and cream cheese is a cult classic for good reason. This version takes it up a notch with a few punchy extras—dill, chives, lemon, and capers—turning the humble cream cheese into a luxe, flavour-packed spread.

With just a quick mix of ingredients and no cooking beyond toasting your bread, it’s impressive enough for brunch guests, yet casual enough to make in your pyjamas—no kitchen faff involved.

As a Registered Nutritionist (and toast enthusiast), I love when toppings bring flavour and feel-good ingredients to the table—like smoked salmon, which naturally contains omega-3s. For more healthy toast topping ideas, try this Jammy Egg, Avocado & Pesto Toast—or if sweet brekkies are more your thing, this Cottage Cheese Toast with Fruit.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A note on cream cheese. Both full-fat and lite cream cheese work, so choose your own adventure. Full-fat is richer and creamier, while lite has a fresher and slightly tangier flavour. During recipe testing, I leaned towards full-fat—it gave a more velvety mouthfeel that really worked.
Type of bread. I love sourdough here. The sturdy crust holds up beautifully under the toppings. But rye or a bagel work a treat too.

Scroll to the recipe card for the full ingredients and detailed method.

Step-by-Step: Smoked Salmon Toast

Finely snip the chives and chop the dill (I like using kitchen scissors for the chives).

Mash cream cheese and capers, squishing the capers with a fork.

Mix olive oil, lemon juice and zest, herbs, and a good pinch of salt and pepper into the cream cheese.

Spread cream cheese on toast. Gently layer smoked salmon overtop. Finish with a sprinkle of extra herbs.

Kitchen Tips

Here are my test kitchen notes to help you nail the recipe:

Bring the cream cheese to room temperature. Mixing cold, firm cream cheese will give you an arm workout! For easy blending and the creamiest, most spreadable texture, soften first. I found the best way was to let it sit on the bench—it generally takes 30 mins, or around 15 if your kitchen’s warmer.
Squish the capers. Give them a quick press with a fork while mixing into the cream cheese—it’ll distribute their briny, salty flavour more evenly.
Mindfully layer. Spread the cream cheese generously to the edges of the toast, then gently drape the salmon overtop—it looks great with a bit of height! Finish with a showering of extra herbs (yes, herbs on herbs). That final scatter will make it look fresh and inviting 😊.

Serving & Storage

Best served fresh, though the herb cream cheese can be prepped ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before assembling the toast—the flavours will become more punchy!

Thanks for reading! If you’re after more brunch recipes starring salmon, check out my Smoked Salmon Bagel Brunch Board🐟.