Avocado Love: Recipes for Every Craving

Often associated with toast, salads and guacamole, avocado deserves a much bigger place in the kitchen. Its naturally creamy texture and mild, buttery flavour make it incredibly versatile, working just as well in fresh sushi rolls and comforting pasta as it does in crispy snacks and desserts.

So we’re going beyond the usual avocado toast with four delicious preparations from different flavour traditions: fresh avocado sushi rolls, creamy avocado pesto pasta, crispy avocado fries and silky chocolate avocado mousse.

1. Avocado Rice Paper Rolls

Fresh avocado, crunchy vegetables and herbs wrapped in translucent rice paper make these Vietnamese-inspired rolls light, colourful and refreshing. They need no cooking beyond preparing the filling, making them ideal for a quick snack or light meal.

Prep time: 25 mins | Cook time: 5 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 rice paper wrappers
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 small carrot
• ½ cucumber
• ½ red bell pepper
• ½ cup shredded cabbage
• ¼ cup fresh coriander leaves
• ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

For the dipping sauce:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ tsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp water

Get the ingredients here

Method

1. Wash and prepare all the vegetables. Cut the avocado, carrot, cucumber and bell pepper into thin strips.
2. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil and blanch the shredded cabbage for 1-2 minutes—drain and cool.
3. Mix the soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, chilli flakes and water to make the dipping sauce.
4. Fill a shallow plate or large bowl with lukewarm water.
5. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for a few seconds until it becomes pliable. Don’t soak it too long, as it will keep softening while you assemble the roll.
6. Place the wrapper on a clean, slightly damp surface.
7. Arrange avocado, carrot, cucumber, bell pepper, cabbage, coriander and mint in the lower third of the wrapper.
8. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
9. Fold the bottom edge over the filling, fold in both sides and roll tightly upwards.
10. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
11. Cut the rolls in half and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.

Tip: Don’t overfill the rice paper wrappers. A small amount of filling makes them much easier to roll neatly and prevents tearing.

2. Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta

Looking for a comforting pasta with a fresh twist? This creamy avocado pesto pasta combines ripe avocado with basil, garlic, lemon and Parmesan for a smooth, vibrant sauce. It comes together quickly and makes an easy vegetarian lunch or dinner.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 g pasta
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp walnuts or pine nuts
• ¼ cup reserved pasta water
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• Chilli flakes, optional

Get the ingredients here

Method

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
2. Reserve about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
3. Cut the avocado in half, remove the stone and scoop the flesh into a blender.
4. Add basil, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice and walnuts or pine nuts.
5. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. Add a little reserved pasta water at a time until the sauce reaches a smooth, spoonable consistency.
7. Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl.
8. Add the avocado pesto and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
9. Season with salt and black pepper.
10. Finish with chilli flakes, fresh basil and extra Parmesan, if desired.
11. Serve immediately.

Tip: Don’t cook the avocado pesto separately for a long time. Tossing the freshly blended sauce with hot pasta keeps its creamy texture and fresh flavour intact.

3. Avocado Fries

Creamy avocado gets a crispy makeover in these avocado fries. Thick avocado wedges are coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and baked or air-fried until golden on the outside while staying soft and creamy inside. Serve them with a tangy chilli-yoghurt dip for an easy snack.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 8-10 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large ripe but firm avocados
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp paprika or chilli powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• Oil spray, as needed

For the dip:

• ½ cup thick Greek yogurt or hung curd
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• Salt, to taste

Get the ingredients here

Method

1. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. If using an oven, preheat it to 220°C.
2. Cut the avocados in half, remove the stones and carefully peel the skin.
3. Cut each half into thick wedges.
4. Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in a second bowl, and breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, garlic powder, black pepper and salt in a third.
5. Coat each avocado wedge in flour, shaking off the excess.
6. Dip it into the beaten egg.
7. Coat thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumbs.
8. Arrange the coated wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on a lined baking tray.
9. Lightly spray or brush with oil.
10. Air-fry at 200°C for about 8-10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp. If baking, cook at 220°C for about 12-15 minutes, turning halfway.
11. Meanwhile, mix the yoghurt, lemon juice, chilli flakes and salt to make the dip.
12. Serve the avocado fries hot with the dip.

Tip: Firm-ripe avocados work best. If the avocado is too soft, the wedges can break while being coated.

4. Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Who says avocado belongs only in savoury dishes? In this rich chocolate avocado mousse, ripe avocado provides a naturally creamy base while cocoa and dark chocolate bring a deep, indulgent chocolate flavour. It’s an easy dessert that comes together without complicated techniques.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 5 mins | Chill time: 2 hrs | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 100 g dark chocolate
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar or powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk or plant-based milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

For topping:

• Fresh strawberries or raspberries
• Dark chocolate shavings
• Chopped pistachios, optional

Get the ingredients here

Method

1. Roughly chop the dark chocolate and melt it gently in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave.
2. Allow the melted chocolate to cool slightly.
3. Cut the avocados in half, remove the stones and scoop the flesh into a blender.
4. Add cocoa powder, maple syrup, coconut sugar or powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and salt.
5. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. Add the melted chocolate and blend again until completely combined.
7. Taste and adjust the sweetness if required.
8. Divide the mousse between four serving glasses.
9. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the mousse to set and chill.
10. Top with fresh berries, chocolate shavings or chopped pistachios before serving.

Tip: Use fully ripe avocados with no brown or stringy flesh. Blend the mixture thoroughly for the smoothest mousse and chill it well before serving.

Four Cravings, One Versatile Fruit

From delicate sushi rolls and creamy pesto pasta to crispy avocado fries and an indulgent chocolate mousse, these avocado recipes show just how versatile this fruit can be.

Whether you’re looking for a light meal, a comforting bowl of pasta, a crunchy snack or an unexpected dessert, there’s an avocado recipe for every craving. Pick your favourite, gather the ingredients and give this buttery green fruit a new role in your kitchen.

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