Apple Toast, plus Ricotta and Sage Honey

Craving a fall-inspired bite that's as simple as it is stunning? This Apple Toast, plus Ricotta and Sage Honey strikes the solid balance of sweet and savory. Think creamy ricotta, crisp apples, and a drizzle of fragrant honey infused with fresh sage. Each bite tastes like autumn on toast!

Overhead of apple toast with sage honey on a cutting board.

Yes, we're back with another toast creation and we're not even sorry. They're too easy, endlessly customizable, and always good. This time, we had apples on the brain (we're team apple for life), and our garden sage is growing like it owns the place- so it was clearly meant to be.

This apple toast couldn't be simpler to put together. The only real "wait time" is letting the sage gently infuse into the honey, which is totally worth it for that deep, fragrant flavor. One bite and you'll be tasting the sweet, cozy joy that makes fall so magical.

Key ingredients and substitutions

Easy ingredients- minimal effort. See what goes into this simple apple toast.

Two slices of apple toast on a cutting board.

Apples we're obsessed with Honeycrisp apples. They are the solid sweet apple with the crunchiest crunch for eating raw. Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady varieties are also great choices, but feel free to use any apple you want.
Ricotta Ricotta works well in both savory and sweet recipes. We love the pairing of the mild, creamy ricotta with the honey. You can swap the ricotta for Greek yogurt labneh cream cheese or mascarpone.
Honey Pick a mild honey for infusing the sage, such as clove (readily available in grocery stores) or wildflower. We like to support local farmers, so we use honey available at our local farmer's market.
Sage Fresh sage! Dried sage doesn't offer the same taste. And since we are only infusing the honey for a short time, we need all the flavor we can get! If you don't like sage, fresh thyme, or rosemary also pair beautifully with apples.
Orange zest The toast is finished with freshly grated orange (or lemon zest) for a pop of citrus.
Chopped nuts we like to top the apple toast with some finely chopped nuts. Pistachios, almonds, or pecans are our go-to.
Bread For all our gourmet toast recipes, we always recommend a sturdy bread such as sourdough or country loaf. Rye would also work well with the apples and sage.

Full ingredient list can be found in the recipe card below.

Step-by-step instructions

Making these apple toasts with sage honey is easy peasy. set aside some time to infuse your honey. We find that a minimum of one hour works well to get the best flavor.

Step 1. Make the sage honey: In a small pan, warm the sage and honey over medium-low heat until melted. Let the honey steep for at least one hour.

Step 2. Lay out your toasted bread. Spread the ricotta evenly over the bread.

Apples and ricotta on toast in a cutting board.

Step 3. Top with sliced apples, overlapping them slightly to cover the ricotta.

Apple toast with ricotta, honey and nuts on a cutting board.

Step 4. Drizzle the apples with the sage honey, followed by a sprinkle of orange zest, then top with chopped nuts.

*These are abbreviated instructions. The full list of directions can be found in the recipe card below.

Expert tips

Drain any excess water from your ricotta If your ricotta is on the wet side, spoon it into a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth and allow it to drain for 10-15 minutes. This will give you a creamy, more spreadable ricotta.
Pan toasting for the win Toasters are ok for "toast", but they often result in uneven browning and curled edges. We recommend toasting the bread in a pan with butter or oil for the best taste.

Swaps

Toasts are our jam because you can make them your own. Oh, wait- jam- that's another great idea!

Fruit swap Try using peaches, figs, or pears instead of apples.
Prosciutto Add another layer of savory with a few thin slices of salty prosciutto.
Crostini Turn these into apple and sage honey crostini for the solid fall appetizer or place them on a grazing board.

Storage and prep

The toast should be prepared before eating; however, you can make the sage honey ahead of time.

Let the honey cool completely after infusing, then transfer it to a clean, airtight jar or glass container. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place (not the fridge), as honey can crystallize faster when chilled.

Apple toast sliced open on a cutting board with sage and honey.

The honey will keep for up to 2 weeks, and the sage flavor will deepen over time. For longer storage, strain out the sage leaves after infusing to prevent any bitterness or spoilage.

Serving suggestions

Below are some fresh ideas for serving your apple toast. And don't forget to pair it with some refreshing drinks!

Slice them into individual servings and offer as part of a brunch board with other cheeses, fruits, and spreads.
Host an afternoon tea party and serve with lavender or chai tea.
Serve with a classic brunch cocktail fresh lemonade or a homemade bubbly beverage.
Don't throw away that leftover sage honey! Make a large batch and use it to drizzle over cheese, sweeten hot drinks, glaze roasted veggies, dress salads, or even drizzle over breakfast breads like scones or biscuits.