Fried Avocado

Served With a Spicy Cilantro-Lime Mayo

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Total: 25 mins

Servings: 6 to 8 servings

Yield: 16 pieces

If you love avocado but are tired of toast and guacamole, these crispy fried avocado wedges are an excellent alternative. The avocado wedges are breaded with a simple panko coating and fried to perfection. Two avocados will give you about 16 to 20 crunchy, delicious snacks. Make the spicy cilantro-lime mayo for dipping, or use your favorite homemade dip. If you're short on time, use a ready-made dip or condiment—ranch-style dressing, ketchup, and a cream cheese dip are excellent options.

Flaky panko crumbs give the avocado wedges their satisfying crunchy texture. You only need salt and pepper for the coating, but you can always add some extra flavor with chili powder, a dash of cayenne pepper, or Creole seasoning. Fry some up for a weekend game-day snack, or a special occasion appetizer, or serve them as a side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

What Makes Panko Different From Other Dry Breadcrumbs

Panko originated in Japan—the light, flaky crumbs are made from crustless white bread that has been baked using a special process, then the bread is flaked, dried, and toasted. Panko crumbs and regular breadcrumbs may be used interchangeably, but if you want that crispy, crunchy texture, use panko.

Tips for Making Fried Avocado Recipe

Choose firm avocados – They should hold their shape when sliced, breaded, and fried.
Neutral flavor vegetable oil is best! – Such as canola oil, refined high-heat safflower oil, or grapeseed oil.
Careful when cutting avocados – Since the avocados are firm, the pit might be more difficult to remove. If so, cut the avocado half with the pit in half again, and remove the pit by hand.

Ingredients

For the Spicy Cilantro-Lime Mayo:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 dash cayenne pepper
1 dash salt (or to taste)

For the Fried Avocado Strips:

2 large avocados
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash ground black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Steps to Make It

Prepare the Spicy Cilantro-Lime Mayo

Gather the spicy cilantro-lime mayo ingredients.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 dash cayenne pepper, if using. Add 1 dash salt, taste and as needed. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Prepare the Fried Avocado

Gather the ingredients for the fried avocado.
Slice 2 large avocados in half; remove the pit, peel, and slice each half into 4 or 5 strips.
Set up a breading station with 3 bowls or containers. To the first bowl add 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 dash of ground black pepper. Put the 2 large beaten eggs in the second bowl and the 1 cup panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
Dip an avocado strip in the flour and turn to coat all sides, then coat with the beaten egg. Let excess egg drip off and dip the avocado strip in the panko crumbs, pressing gently to coat. Remove the coated avocado strip to a plate and continue with the remaining strips.
Add about 1 inch of vegetable oil (1 tablespoon) to a deep sauté pan or Dutch oven and heat it to 350 F. Add 4 to 6 avocado strips to the hot oil and fry for about 2 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown.
Remove the fried avocado strips to a paper towel-lined plate or pan, then repeat with the remaining pieces.
Arrange the fried avocado on a small platter or plate with the spicy cilantro-lime mayo.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

Extra Flavor! – Replace the salt in the flour coating with about 1 teaspoon of seasoning salt or Creole seasoning.
For Southwest flavor – Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder and a dash of ground cayenne pepper to the flour.
Try different dips! – Instead of the cilantro-lime mayo, make a ranch-style dip, a simple mustard-mayo dip, or this shortcut garlicky aioli. Alternatively. use your favorite store-bought dip, ketchup, creamy dressing, or aioli.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories	290
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g	27%
Saturated Fat 3g	17%
Cholesterol 52mg	17%
Sodium 359mg	16%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 4g	15%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 6mg	28%
Calcium 41mg	3%
Iron 2mg	9%
Potassium 305mg	6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.