Get ready for a taste explosion with this tangy Labneh Toast with Roasted Strawberries. It's both sweet and savory, thanks to roasting the strawberries in the oven (that's right, you heard that correctly). When paired with labneh (a soft Middle-Eastern cheese made from strained yogurt) you get an irresistible gourmet toast that's perfect any time of the day!
Artisan or "fancy toasts" as I like to call them, are my jam. Don't believe me? I've got blueberry, raspberry, beets, eggs, and the almighty avocado all adorned on the perfect slice of bread. To me, it's the perfect brunch meal.
Since strawberry season is right around the corner, I couldn't resist a strawberry toast. But make it special! So I roasted these red beauties. Yes- roasting fruit is a thing! It absolutely transforms a fruit (especially if it's not the ripest of the bunch).
I paired the roasted strawberries with a tangy labneh. Think cream cheese meets sour cream. It's creamy, and oh-so spreadable. This gourmet toast barely needs a thing after that, but I top it with honey, fresh mint, and edible rose petals. Now that's fancy!
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What is labneh?
Labneh, also spelled labnah or labne, is a Middle Eastern soft cheese made from yogurt. It's prepared by straining yogurt to remove most of the whey, resulting in a thicker, creamier consistency compared to regular yogurt. It's tangy, rich, and has a spreadable consistency.
Ingredient notes
Here is what you will need to make this labneh toast with roasted strawberries.
- Bread- Look for thick slices of bread like sourdough, multigrain, or Texas toast.
- Labneh- You can find labneh in well-stocked grocery stores, especially those that carry Mediterranean or Middle Eastern ingredients. If you are in the U.S., you can find labneh at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. I was also able to find it in my local Shop Rite. It's usually located in the dairy section (in containers) near the yogurt or specialty/international food sections.
- Strawberries- Fresh is best, but you can use thawed frozen strawberries as well.
- Sugar- I use a little sugar to help draw some of the juices out for roasting.
- Honey, mint, and/or edible rose petals for topping.
Equipment
Grab a baking sheet/pan (and maybe some parchment for easier clean-up) to roast the strawberries. If you prefer to toast your bread on the stove (instead of a toaster), then you will need a small frying pan.
How to roast strawberries
Once you roast fruit, there's no turning back. So consider yourself warned!
Wash, trim, and hull the strawberries. Leave small strawberries whole, and slice the larger ones. Add sugar/honey and toss. Let stand for 15 minutes.
Spread the strawberries and any juice on a baking sheet in an even layer. Roast until soft, and caramelized. It's ok to have some charred areas.
Let cool slightly. Top your labneh toasts with warm or room temperature strawberries. Drizzle any extra juice that remains on the pan.
📝Expert tips
- Use softened or room temperature labneh, as it's easier to spread.
- Serve the roasted strawberries warm or at room temperature. Drizzle that extra juice over the top!
Substitutions and variations
- Bread- You can use any bread you want. Use a good quality bread that is sturdy and has a little height to it. This is the type of toast you will cut with a fork and knife, so you want it to be able to hold up to the toppings. Sourdough, multigrain, and Texas toast are great choices.
- Labneh- So you can't find labneh? No worries. Try ricotta, cottage cheese, or Greek yogurt.
- Fruit- You don't have to commit to just strawberries. Any berry will work, as will peaches or other stone fruits. Try roasting some red grapes as well!
- Balsamic- Strawberries and balsamic vinegar are a match made in heaven. You can try roasting the strawberries with balsamic, or instead of honey, drizzle balsamic over the finished toast when ready to serve.
- Citrus- To bring out the freshness of the fruit, zest some fresh lemon or orange over the top.
Storage and make-ahead
This strawberry toast is best eaten right away. To save time, roast a big batch of strawberries in advance. When ready to prepare the toast, just remove the berries from the fridge, bring them to room temperature, or heat slightly in the microwave.
If you have leftover roasted strawberries, you can store them in a lidded container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Consume any leftover labneh according to the package dates.
FAQ
Use labneh as you would yogurt. Use it in parfaits, to top oatmeal, or to make a zesty dip. Add it to charcuterie boards or try it in a smoothie. Spoon some over tacos, or try replacing sour cream in recipes with labneh. The possibilities are endless.
Love toast?
Me too! Try these fancy gourmet toasts.
Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.
📖Recipe
Labneh Toast with Roasted Strawberries
Equipment
- baking sheet or roasting pan
- toaster or grill pan
Ingredients
Roasted Strawberries
- 16 ounces (1 lb. or 3¾cups) fresh or frozen strawberries, whole
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
For the Toast
- 2 slices rustic or artisan bread sourdough, multigrain
- 4-6 tablespoon labneh*, or full-fat Greek yogurt, plain *see notes at the end of recipe card
- ½ cup roasted strawberries
- 1-2 tablespoon honey
- 1-2 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
- edible rose petals for garnishing optional
Instructions
Roasted Strawberries
- Preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Wash, trim, and hull the strawberries. Cut the larger strawberries in half or thirds and leave the smaller strawberries whole. Add to a bowl with the vanilla and sugar. Toss to coat. Let stand for about 15 minutes.16 ounces (1 lb. or 3¾cups) fresh or frozen strawberries, whole, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- On a large baking sheet, spread the strawberries in a single layer. Roast in the oven for about 30-35 minutes, turning once, until soft, caramelized, and slightly jammy. A few charred spots are ok. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
Assemble the toast.
- Toast the bread in a toaster or pan fry on medium with a little butter until golden brown on both sides.2 slices rustic or artisan bread
- Spread 2-3 tbsp. labneh on top of the bread. Top with the roasted strawberries. Drizzle with honey and garnish with mint and rose petals (if using). Serve immediately.4-6 tablespoon labneh*, or full-fat Greek yogurt, plain, ½ cup roasted strawberries, 1-2 tablespoon honey, 1-2 teaspoon chopped fresh mint, edible rose petals for garnishing
Notes
- You can find labneh in well-stocked grocery stores, especially those that carry Mediterranean or Middle Eastern ingredients. If you are in the U.S., you can find labneh at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. I was also able to find it in my local Shop Rite. It's usually located in the dairy section (in containers) near the yogurt or specialty/international food sections.
Nutrition*
*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.
Thanks for brunching! Let me know what you think: