May 25, 2017

Baked Avocados with Fresh Salsa

This post was originally published here on June 18, 2014. I’ve since updated the photos and text to showcase just how delicious these avocados really are!

With Memorial Day lurking right around the corner, I figured it was a good time to refresh this old recipe from 2014. Because let’s be honest, the previous photographs were pretty cringe-worthy. I certainly wouldn’t have been motivated to make these Baked Avocados with Fresh Salsa based on how they looked before. So how could I have expected you guys to want to make them?

So I gave them a little facelift. And now they look all shiny and pretty. I hope you get the urge to run right out and try them. Because I think they are the perfect recipe to help kick off the unofficial start of Summer this Memorial Day weekend!

When I first read about the idea of baked avocados (it was this post from Food Faith Fitness), I was skeptical. Wouldn’t they get all brown and weird? And who would ever want to eat a warm avocado? The whole concept seemed strange to me. But I was intrigued enough to try it out for myself. And since then, baked avocados have become a staple in my house (along with like every other recipe involving avocados = I’m obsessed).

Baking the avocados causes them to turn extra creamy and soft. And they provide the perfect little vessels for loading up with whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand (in this case, corn, tomatoes, crumbled cheese and cilantro). Any food that you can turn into an edible bowl is a major win in my book. Because boy, do I hate having extra dishes to wash!

I like to use crumbled Queso Fresco in this recipe (which is what I’ve called for in the ingredient list below). But for whatever reason, it’s an ingredient that I sometimes have a hard time finding in my grocery store. I’ve substituted crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese in the past, both with great success. So feel free to use whichever of the three cheeses you have/prefer.

These Baked Avocados with Fresh Salsa work as a party appetizer, side dish or mid-afternoon snack. Basically, they are good any time of day. Oh and don’t forget to have a bag of tortilla chips nearby. I think you’ll want them!

Cheers,

Liz

Get the Recipe:

Baked Avocados with Fresh Salsa

At a Glance:

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 cup Queso Fresco cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1/8 tsp. salt, plus more for seasoning the avocados
• 1/8 tsp. black pepper
• 4 avocados
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Instructions

1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, corn, cheese, lime juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Cut the avocados in half and remove and discard the seeds. Then slice a small area (about the size of a postage stamp) off the back side (the skin side) of each avocado half. This will give them a flat surface to rest on, preventing them from toppling over during cooking. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the avocado.
4. Place the avocado halves in a baking dish, flesh side up. Sprinkle with a little salt. Then fill the cavities with a heaping spoonful of the salsa. Transfer the baking dish to your pre-heated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Top with some fresh cilantro and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Serve while still warm.

Notes

If you can't find Queso Fresco cheese, try substituting it with feta or goat cheese.