12 Surprising Recipes That Star Avocados

Avocado Fries with Sriracha Garlic Dip

"Healthy and delicious 'fries' with a spicy and flavorful dipping sauce, says kathleenem, the recipe submitter. "Great for a snack or an appetizer or even a whole bunch for a yummy lunch!"

Creamy Avocado Pesto

"This is an ingenious way to make pesto," says nickbobkysr, who gave it 5 stars. "If you like avocado or guacamole even a little bit, you need to try this recipe!"

Avocado Smoothie

Not just rich and delicious, avocados are loaded with fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats that make you feel full -- and keep you feeling that way longer. Avocados also pack in vitamins C, E, and K, plus B vitamins, including folate. Try 'em in smoothies to start the day with a healthy bang; avocados add terrific velvety texture.

Avocado Ice Cream Sauce

Admit it, you did not see this coming. What's next, avocado in the chocolate pudding?

ABC Pudding - Avocado, Banana, Chocolate Delight

Yes, avocado in the chocolate pudding. Avocado goes deep undercover here, and totally solves the case. There's zero dairy in this pudding -- avocado steps up to add the rich creaminess.

Creamy Avocado Egg Salad

So good we've granted this recipe an honorary 6th star. "A new twist on regular egg salad," explains tracy918, the recipe submitter. "Serve on lettuce leaves or your favorite cracker."

Avocado Compound Butter

Keep this compound of butter, jalapeno peppers, lime juice, spices, and avocado on hand for grilling season. "Cook steak, chicken, or even fish and top with a a coin of compound butter to add delicious buttery flavor," says Mitchell, the recipe submitter.

Avocado Dressing

Avocados belong in the salad, why not the salad dressing, too? Here avocado combines with other healthy ingredients: yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a dash or two of hot pepper sauce. Beyond dressing green salads, try it with grilled chicken and pork.

Avocado Irish Cream Fudge

There's avocado in the Irish cream fudge. No blarney. "Although avocados seem like a strange ingredient for fudge, they give a great creamy texture to a decadent treat," explains Sarah, the recipe submitter. "No one can ever believe it's made with avocados!"

Avocado Watermelon Salad

Avocado in green salads and veggie salsas is old school. But avocado in fruit salads? Breaks all the rules, excepting the rule that says avocado is itself a fruit.

Avocado Aioli

This creamy aioli with avocado is a 3-in-1 garlic sauce. It's a dipping sauce, a salad dressing, a condiment for grilled steaks and burgers. Try it with the avocado fries for delicious avocado-on-avocado action.

Avocado-Nut Bread

Avocado stands in for bananas in this nut bread. "This recipe is dense and moist," says Yoly. "Made with Swerve® and without the addition of butter, oils, or any other fats for a 'healthier' bread. I did not tell the family the 'secret' ingredient and they all thought it was banana nut bread!"

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• Check out our collection of Avocado Recipes.