Does adding an avocado to your dessert recipe seem sacrilegious to you? How about using one in place of your go-to mayo? It shouldn’t. The green fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) has a creamy texture and palatable flavor that makes it extremely versatile to use in ways beyond a slice (or you know, some good old avocado toast). And for those looking to cut back on oil or dairy, try subbing it in baked goods, pasta dishes, sandwiches and more means you don’t have to sacrifice any of the taste while ditching not-so-great-for-you ingredients.
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What’s more, avocados are nutritional powerhouses — they are an excellent source of healthy fats, which increase absorption of fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins D, K, A and E.) Plus, they deliver a mega-dose of both potassium (almost 1,000 mg per avocado) and fiber.
Ready go to green? Check out nine different, delicious ways to swap avocado into all different kinds of recipes.
9 Healthy Avocado Recipes You Need in Your Life
1. Butter-Free Brownies
Leave the butter in the fridge: These dark, dense and delicious homemade brownies get healthy fats from one large avocado. Want to make your batch extra fudgy? Take ‘em out of the oven a minute or two early for an ooey, gooey treat. And oh yeah, go ahead and scoop on some homemade ice cream if you’re in an à la mode kind of mood. Photo and Recipe: Davida / The Healthy Maven
2. Mayo-Free Egg Salad
Here, Greek yogurt and avocado team up to add a creamy texture to egg salad without saturated fat-laden mayo. Enjoy it on your favorite whole-wheat bread for a sammie that can’t be beat, serve it up atop a bed of greens or eat it by itself: it’s delicious every way. Photo and Recipe: Maria / Two Peas and Their Pod
3. Oil-Free Pesto Pasta
This recipe gets a flavor boost from zesty cilantro and lime, while avocado serves as the base of the sauce. If you’re not crazy about spicy foods, leave out the jalapeno pepper. And, wallet bonus: You don’t need to purchase any pricey pine nuts for this pesto dish. Photo and Recipe: Erin / Well Plated
4. No-Banana Green Smoothie
Hate bananas but love thick, creamy smoothies? Frozen pineapple and avocado will give you the consistency similar to a smoothie that has a banana as its base. And thanks to the addition of two cups of spinach, you’ll get two servings of veggies in just one glass. Photo and Recipe: Natasha / Natasha’s Kitchen
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5. No-Dairy Chocolate Mousse
Five minutes are all you need to whip up this rich dessert that has no heavy cream or dairy — even if it it really tastes like it does. Each serving delivers a surprising ten grams of fiber, so you’ll end up eating, digesting and savoring this decadent dish more slowly. Photo and Recipe: Renee Blair / Life by Daily Burn
6. Oil-Free Blueberry Muffins
These baked goods will make other breakfasts green with envy. Crumbly on the outside, it’s avocado — not a stitch of oil — that keeps ‘em moist (and gives them that faint green hue). Sprinkle on an optional sugar streusel before baking if you’re feeling indulgent. Photo and Recipe: Ali / Gimme Some Oven
7. Gluten-Free Avocado-Stuffed Meatballs
You know those meatballs with cheesy centers that are heavenly? This recipe has the same angelic taste but without the cheese: Here, a green surprise hides in the center of these lean meatballs. The dollop of avocado inside adds just the right amount of umami flavor to these gluten-free babies. Photo and Recipe: Mike / The Iron You
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8. No-Dairy Fudgesicles
Cool and refreshing, these almond-based popsicles will hit the spot when you’re craving something sweet. Thanks to avocados, they have creamy texture, plus added fiber and healthy fats that will keep you satiated better than the average 50-calorie fudgesicle normally would. You’ll need to freeze them for four hours, but we promise they will be worth the wait! Photo and Recipe: Paige / My Modern Cookery
9. No-Dairy Avocado Coconut Pie
Need to whip up a dessert in a flash? Then you’ve gotta go no-bake. Here, the combo of avocado’s luscious texture and coconut’s tropical flavor will transport anyone out from the depths of winter straight to the Caribbean. Photo and recipe: Avocados From Mexico