9 Creative Ways to Use Avocados

It's no secret that avocados are the crucial ingredient in guacamole, and make a great toast topper, but there's so much more you can do with these versatile green fruits. Like chickpeas or potatoes, avocados can be served in many different forms and work well in a variety of textures. However, unlike those aforementioned staples, avocados are pretty fickle—one day they're too unripe to use, and the next they're practically a pile of mush.

Since avocados can be especially tricky, it's always good to have a recipe (or two) that could benefit from some sliced, smashed, or blended avo. This way, you'll never need to worry about tossing another overripe avocado in the trash again. Have an avocado that won't make it past burger night? Smash it on the finished patty for a different texture. Want to add some avocado to your breakfast? Blend it with ingredients such as banana, frozen mango, and cocoa powder so it becomes the base of a filling smoothie.

Aside from being incredibly versatile, avocados—often dubbed a superfood—are packed with healthy fats (that are good for your heart) and other key nutrients that can improve your overall health. They've got more potassium than bananas (yes, really!) and are rich in satiating fiber. They're also a solid source of antioxidants that are great for your skin, hair, and nails, and may help prevent certain types of cancer.

Keep reading to find out how you can take your meals to the next level, thanks to a boost from heart-healthy avocados.

01 of 08

Add them to a grain bowl

Easy avocado recipes - Brown Rice Bowl With Egg and Avocado — Con Poulos

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The next time you throw together a DIY grain bowl using some leftover rice, beans, vegetables, and whatever else may be languishing in your fridge, liven the whole thing up by tossing some fresh avocado slices on top. Not only will the green superfood give your bowl an irresistible smooth texture, as is the case with this meal, but it'll also give you a hefty dose of fiber that'll keep you full.

02 of 08

Mash them on a burger

Easy avocado recipes - Cheddar Turkey Burgers With Mashed Avocado — Marcus Nilsson

We all know that mashed avocado works well on toast and chips (à la guacamole) but it's also a hearty burger topping. Not convinced? In this recipe, the smashed avocado (mixed together with fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper) brings a bold yet familiar taste and texture to an otherwise uninteresting turkey burger.

Not a fan of turkey burgers? Avocado pairs well with beef burgers too, and is also the perfect topper for a meat-fee patty.

03 of 08

Toss them in a hearty salad

Beet, Potato, and Avocado Salad — Minimize cleanup by roasting the beets, potatoes, and fennel on a single rimmed baking sheet. Get the recipe. Paul Sirasalee

Sure, avocado in a Cobb salad is nothing new, but the green fruit has the power to take just about any bowl of greens to the next level. In this salad, avocado chunks add creaminess and an earthy flavor to beets, potatoes, crushed fennel seeds, and more.

04 of 08

Make a nutritious dressing

Chopped Salad With Avocado Dressing — Toss this salad with creamy homemade dressing for avocado flavor in every bite. Get the recipe. Paul Sirasalee

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Avocados work just as well on your salad as they do in your salad. This salad is topped with a rich and healthy dressing that features an avocado base mixed with Parmesan, yogurt, lemon juice, and more. If you're looking for a way to add some more healthy fats into your life, this is an easy (and flavorful!) way to do it.

05 of 08

Try them on a sandwich

Layer creamy avocado, salty prosciutto, and a slightly runny sunny-side up egg atop a thick slice of country bread or sourdough for a meal that tastes great any time of the day. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, or even some red pepper flakes to add a little heat. **Get the recipe:** Avocado, Prosciutto, and Egg Open-Faced Sandwich. Roland Bello

Like it or not, lettuce and tomato seem to steal the spotlight when it comes to sandwich ingredients, but we're here to argue that avocado is just as good (if not better) than that duo. In this open-faced sandwich, for example, lettuce and tomato are out and a runny egg and salty prosciutto get a boost from some sliced avocado instead.

06 of 08

Blend them in a smoothie

Spinach Smoothie With Avocado and Apple — Christopher Baker

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Since avocado has a neutral taste, it makes for an ideal smoothie base. When blended, avocado is creamier than ever and able to give other ingredients a chance to shine. In this beverage, avocado acts as the anchor for spinach, an apple, and some apple juice.

07 of 08

Use them to whip up a healthy dessert

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies — These no-fuss brownies are moist, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious—and the perfect blank canvas for some playful Halloween decorating. For an extra bit of texture and pop of chocolately flavor, try stirring a small handful of chocolate chips into the batter before baking. Victor Schrager

Believe it or not, avocados work really well in desserts. In this recipe, the velvety fruit is combined with typical brownie ingredients—such as dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and dates—to make super fudgy brownies. The brownies are then topped with a blended avocado-based frosting that also includes maple syrup and raw cacao powder.

08 of 08

Let them shine in chocolate truffles

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Avocados and chocolate meet again in this recipe for chocolate truffles, which would make a great holiday dessert. While avocado does have its own taste, these truffles don't taste like an avocado. Instead, they boast a rich chocolatey taste that even chocolate snobs will love. Roll the truffles in a finely chopped or pulverized coating of your choice (like roasted salted almonds or sprinkles) to personalize them.

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