If you've ever ordered your food "California Style" at a restaurant then you know that your meal is guaranteed to contain avocado. Particularly in Southern California, avocado is part of our Beach-Bum culture, and we love to use it in all kinds of things like face masks, hair care, and candle scents.
Of course, there are common ways people use avocado in their cooking as well, like in guacamole, sushi, sandwiches, and as a topping for salads, but there are even more ways one can use this superfood.
If you're in need of a change or just really love avocados, here are 12 unique ways to cook with these nutritious, multipurpose fruits:
Avocado Cups
Avocado cups are perfect for a light yet yummy snack packed with plenty of vitamin A, C, D, E, and K. Simply slice an avocado in half, take the pit out, and pack each half with as many or as little toppings as you'd like. We reccomend chopped tomatos, a leaf of cilantro, and low fat mozarella or feta cheese. However, there are plenty of other healthy additions one can stack onto their snack such as cooked zuccini bits, onion slices, bacon, and more!
2. Avocado Stuffed Bell Peppers
Avocado stuffed bell peppers can be served as part of a meal or as a snack! If being served with a meal, we reccomend using larger red and yellow bell peppers, while mini bell peppers are the perfect size for a quick fixing. Both choices are simple to make and delcious to enjoy guilt-free. All you need is bell peppers and avocado! However, additional ingredients can be added to this recipe for maximum enjoyment. These ingredients can include oil (perhaps avocado oil??), salt, cheese, onion, bacon, and more. You can either eat the bell pepper and avocado raw, or bake the peppers in a little bit of oil and stuff your ingredients into the tops.
3. Avocado Based Salad
Avocado takes the spotlight in this salad, but that doesn't mean that lettuce isn't included. Sprinkle a smidgen of salt onto a bed of avocado, then add in strips of lettuce, bites of cucumber, tomato, and onion, and a dash of any additional salad toppings such as croutons, olives, carrots, and bell peppers.
4. Avocado Caprese
Avocado caprese is standard caprese with a nutricious twist! This appetizer is easy and quick to make. All one needs is sliced mozarella, sliced tomotao, basil leaves, italian dressing (or olive oil), and sliced avocado. Assembly is required but very little cooking is needed!
5. Avocado Spread
Avocado spread can be the perfect substitue for condiments such as mayonaise. Extract the avocado from its shell, plop the avocado into a bowl, and smash away any frustrations you have about the current state of the universe! One could stop here, however, there are plenty of recipes that add lemon juice, ranch mix, and/or chopped onion for a creamier and more flavorful spread.
6. Avocado Deviled Eggs
These little devils are to die for! Much like regular Deviled Eggs, the avocado rendition begins with hardboiled eggs. With chopped avocado, a squirt of mayo, a dash of lime juice, and a hair of cayenne pepper, mix it all together and you've got a tasty something to eat. Much like our other recipes, this snack can be enhanced with additional ingredients such as garlic, turkey bacon, and more!
7. Avocado Chips
Avocado chips are Keto friendly and satisfying to munch on. This recipe requires avocado, lime juice, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and parmesean cheese. Blend, press, bake, and enjoy!
8. Avocado Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is one of the ultimate comfort foods, but its also not the healthiest option one could go for. This is why we think adding avocado to a classic is the best way to go in this case. Like regular macaroni and cheese, this recipe calls for pasta, butter, salt, flour, milk, and cheese. On top of this however, our Mac n' Cheese avocado-style adds in avocado, lime juice, and minced garlic. Now find a feel-good movie on Disney+ and binge away!
9. Avocado Smoothies
An avocado smoothie might sound a bit odd, but the benefiits this drink can have on one's heart are worth the risk! Like any other kind of smoothie, simply dice up desired ingredients, add yogurt, and blend! But what in the world goes with avocado?? Plenty! There are a slew of avocado smoothie recipes online ranging from chocolate to pineapple to chia seed and more. Sounds like there's a smoothie tasting competition in our future!
10. Avocado Ice Cream
Quick! Before the doubt sets in just hear us out. Avocado ice cream is an adventure to be experienced! Though making ice cream from scratch requires an extra bit of time and effort, this recipe is perfect for anyone in need of a project to try and taste. The only things you need for this dessert are avocado (shocking), water, white sugar, evaporated milk, regular milk, and lime juice. We dare you to give this one a try!
11. Avocado Hummus
One could find this in the store now a day, but if making things from scratch sounds like fun why not customize and cook it up at home? There are a multitude of recipes that vary in ingredients for this particular dip so we suggest browsing the internet for one's preferred style of hummus.
12. Loaded Avocado Skins
Think loaded potato skins but with a superfood twist. Instead of using mashed potatos and baked potato skin, this recipe calls for mashed avocados and baked avocado skin. The mashed avocado mix can be enhanced with a variety of ingredients such as lime juice, chives, cheese, meat, sour cream, and so on! These would make a perfect party treat!
Did you know? Once opened, the avocado meat inside will last longer if it is stored with the pit of the fruit!
Let us know in the comments below if any of these recipes have worked for you! If you have any avocado suggestions we're missing out on, let us know about those too!