For all their popularity, avocados are often underused. And while there’s nothing wrong with keeping it classic, you should know that avocados can do a whole lot more. Think beyond brunch plates, salads and that overpriced avo toast from every upmarket deli. Make the most of this gorgeous green fruit with these avocado recipes, from ice cream to pasta sauce.
Green & Gorgeous
Whether scooped and eaten, blitzed into salad dressing or mashed into guacamole, avocados are incredibly versatile – a lot more than you think. It just takes a bit of creativity in the kitchen and thinking of new ways to incorporate them into everyday dishes. They can even be used in desserts like chocolate mousse and tartlets. Make sure to get them when they’re in season for the tastiest results. Check this fruit and vegetable chart to cook with the seasons.
Avocados tend to go ripe in one go when bought in bulk, so make sure you store them properly – usually at room temperature. If you have rock-hard avocados and want them to ripen quickly, wrap them in newspaper or place them in a paper bag with a banana or apple. They release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that softens the cell walls and breaks down starches into sugars, thus ripening the fruit. When you test this trick out, make sure to try these avocado recipes.
No-churn Ice Cream
What avos lack in taste, they make up for in texture. Its creamy consistency makes it perfect for making ice cream, even without a churning machine. You only need four ingredients (condensed milk, ripe avocados, lime zest, and fresh cream), some parchment paper and a loaf tin. After a few hours in the freezer, you’ll have scoop-worthy avocado and lime ice cream.
Flapjack Stacks
Piled high and drizzled with syrup, this flapjack stack is a healthier take on the classic. Avocados are great for sneaking extra nutrients into bakes, like this stack. They’re deliciously fluffy. Serve with blueberries and crème fraîche for the perfect wake-up treat.
Salad Dressings
For the ultimate salad dressing, blitz avocados with mayonnaise and crème fraîche to make it super creamy – add a handful of fresh herbs like basil, coriander or parsley for a more vibrant taste. This works well with greens like asparagus, baby marrow, cucumbers and broccoli.
Want something a little different at your next braai? Drizzle this green goddess dressing over boiled potatoes and sprinkle it with bacon and onion bits to complement your mains.
Devilled Eggs
Obsessed with devilled eggs? You’ll adore this heavenly take. Instead of combining the yolks with mayo, add smashed avocado to the mix for a tasty twist. This avocado recipe is fantastic for social gatherings, picnics and those following a low-fat, high-carb diet. The bit of saltiness from the Parma ham truly takes it to the next level!
Savoury Tartlets
Not your average tart, these savoury pastries showcase the versatility of avocados. Not only is the fruit used for the filling, but it’s also used as a butter substitute to make the pastry shells, giving a short, buttery and golden crust. Serve these delights at brunch or dinner parties. Feel free to top with smoked salmon ribbons or biltong bits for a contrasting flavour.
Creamy Pasta Sauce
If you love creamy pasta but it doesn’t love you back, try this lactose-friendly version with avocado. You heard that right! While most might find warm avo off-putting, this avocado recipe is absolutely worth trying. It’s great for when all your avos go ripe in one go. Simply blend the avos with lemon juice and zest, water, parsley, basil and garlic until creamy. Season with salt and pepper and toss in the pan with your al dente linguine. Finish it with Parmesan pangrattato for a touch of texture and tuck in!
Banana Bread
There’s banana bread, and then there’s this marbled beauty that blends two batters. The first batter combines cocoa powder and chopped walnuts. The second batter incorporates smashed banana and avocado, plain yoghurt to create a balanced and moist dessert loaf with the best of both worlds. Smear with your favourite nut butter for a healthier teatime treat.
Chocolate Mousse Tartlets
These chocolate mousse tartlets are your sign to start baking with avocado if you haven’t already. Loaded with healthy fats and creamy texture, they are ideal for making chocolate mousse. The earthy flavour of the avocado also pairs well with the dark chocolate. It’s absolutely worth baking.
Decadent Breakfast Cups
Make mornings a little sweeter with these loaded breakfast cups. Layered with chia pudding, granola, chopped almonds, avocado chocolate mousse, blueberries, nut butter and dark chocolate, this avocado recipe is everything!
Chilli Poppers
Take gameday snacks to tasty heights with these chilli poppers. Instead of regular jalapeños, use the pickled kind; the briny pickle juice elevates the flavour of the filling and the spicy peppers. For the filling, combine avocado, cream cheese and lemon juice and zest. Stuff the peppers, coat them with panko breadcrumbs and fry them until golden brown and crunchy.
Double down on the avocado with a creamy yoghurt dip and wash it down with a crispy cold beer. It doesn’t get better than this!
Learn how to pick the perfect avo.
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