Hailed as a superfood, the avocado is as versatile as it is nutritious. Explore these innovative uses for the nutrient-packed tree fruit created by registered dietitians.
16 Delicious Avocado Recipes That Will Make Your Mouth Water
Updated on Nov. 09, 2017
Avocado Grain Bowl
Want an almost entirely plant-based dish that’s also gluten-free and allergy-friendly? Molly Cleary, MS, RD, based in New York City created an avocado grain bowl that contains only one of the top eight allergens: dairy—the cheese could easily be left off to make it vegan- and dairy-free. This grain bowl is full of fiber, packs protein from the quinoa and black beans, and provides heart-healthy fats in the avocado, olive oil, and pepitas. Top with feta cheese for an added calcium boost for healthy bones. Check out more ways to increase bone density.
Asian Avocado Salad
Cleary shares this colorful vegan option that packs protein from edamame, cashews, and peanut butter in the dressing. It’s full of fiber since each ingredient is plant-based and unrefined. Most of the fat is unsaturated (avocado, peanut butter, and cashews), helping you feel satisfied without raising cholesterol levels. And, bonus—it’s also a low-carbohydrate meal for those trying to limit carb intake. Find out the best low-carb veggies.
Coconut Avocado Lime Tartlet
“Reminiscent of key lime pie, this avocado lime tartlet with toasted coconut and a crunchy almond date crust is a sweet tart dessert that’s gluten-free and comes together in minutes!” says its creator Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN.
Pomegranate Guacamole
A fun twist on traditional guacamole, the healthy fats from the avocado combine with antioxidant-rich pomegranate to make a delicious appetizer. It was developed by Brittany Poulson, MDA, RDN, CDE, owner of YourChoiceNutrition.com. Here are more health benefits from pomegranates.
Chicken Avocado Burritos
Filled with fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats, this meal will satisfy and provide long-lasting energy. Top it with mild or spicy salsa, for extra antioxidants and a kick. Poulson shares these family-friendly burritos on her website.
Savory Green Avocado Oatmeal
For a unique twist on your favorite morning cereal, consider this Savory Green Avocado Oatmeal idea from May Zhu, RD. Avocado and oatmeal each contain over 15 different essential vitamins and minerals, and combining them together can provide health benefits for energy, skin, and heart health. The combo of fiber, protein, and fats promote feelings of satisfaction and fullness, which may help in controlling appetite. Here’s why oatmeal is the perfect breakfast food.
Date Avocado Chocolate Truffles
Luscious Date Avocado Chocolate Truffles are a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth treat from Roxana Begum, PhD, RD, of The Delicious Crescent. They don’t contain heavy cream or butter, but rely on the avocado for the creamy texture; with minimal added sugar, the dates provide the sweetness. Here are more chocolates with next-level benefits.
Spiced Herbed Lentil Salad with Avocado
This Spiced Herbed Lentil Salad with Avocado is a lip-smacking salad developed by Dr. Begum, infused with Middle Eastern flavors. It’s loaded with protein and fiber from the lentils and the avocado chunks add a smooth texture with healthy fats. Psst…Lentils are one of the top vegan protein sources.
Avocado Soup
Creamy avocado soup makes the perfect appetizer for any family meal, or a refreshing thermos lunch high in protein and healthy fats. Chef Abbie Gellman, RD, created this super quick, delicious soup. Here are six more easy and delicious soup recipes.
Edamame Avocado Hummus
For a twist on popular hummus, dietitian Julie Harrington, RD recommends adding edamame and avocado for a boost of fiber and protein, creating a more satisfying snack with the perfect mix of carbs, fat, fiber, and protein. Dunk with veggies or whole-grain crackers for a delicious snack.
Creamy Avocado Pasta
Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, of CitNutritionally.com admits that this creamy avocado pasta recipe is one of her favorites. It’s loaded with fiber that helps keep you full and heart-healthy fat that will boost satisfaction. By using edamame pasta (or whole-wheat pasta or lentil pasta) you can boost the fiber in this meal even more, which helps keep you full, maintains proper blood sugar control, and even helps reduce your cholesterol levels.
Egg Salad Avocado Toast
Julie Lee, MS, RD, at Binghamton University shares this easy breakfast option to fuel your morning. The combination of healthy fats from the avocado, protein from the egg, and complex carbs from the toast breakdown slowly, providing you with a steady stream of energy to get through the morning. Add any fresh veggies you have on hand—tomatoes, leafy greens, sprouts, or bell peppers. Here’s how you can enjoy eggs at every meal!
Avocado Brownies
Katie Pfeffer-Scanlan, RDN, swapped out the butter and oil in a traditional brownie recipe for avocado—creamy deliciousness resulted! Your kids will love these healthier treats loaded with healthy fats and less sugar. Yes, “diet avocados” are a thing now.
Avocado Yogurt Key Lime Pie
Liz Weiss, MS, RDN, shares this amazing dessert, “Imagine a key lime pie that’s actually good for you and then sink your teeth into this sweet, luscious pie made with avocado, agave, and Greek yogurt and a Graham cracker crust made with crushed almonds. Each slice has only 220 calories.”
Spicy Southwest Sardine Bites
Sneak seafood into your party fare with these delicious appetizers packed with heart-healthy fats. The omega-3 fatty acids from sardines and monounsaturated fats from the avocado bring a welcome healthy twist to your festive gathering. These treats were created by dietitian Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, author of The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club.
Avocado Ice Cream
Sports dietitian Dana White, MS, RD, ATC, shares, “This is one of my most favorite (and simple) avocado recipes. I developed it for one of the vegan athletes I work with—she was really missing ice cream.” And, it’s dairy-free, so lactose intolerant folks can enjoy this tasty dessert, too. Remember that avocados pack some major calories.
