Crispy on the outside with ripe avocado on the inside, these air fryer avocado fries are great as an appetizer, side dish, or snack!
You probably didn’t know that in early 2018 I was hired to develop some recipes for an air fryer company to use in the instruction manual that came with their appliance. While I completed my assignment (five different recipes with photography and a nutrition forward), the air fryer they were developing never made it to market. I’ve been sitting on these recipes for a while and have made them a few times without ever mentioning my air fryer. (I also have a kale chips recipe – hence the kale below!)
Soooo….what IS an air fryer?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses convection to circulate hot air around food. Instead of just using heat, the combination of heat + air cooks food faster and with a bit more crisp. While I am not a die-hard deep fry food gal, there are things (like sweet potato fries! Or panko-crusted anything!) that the air fryer is ideal for. Sweet potato fries are the number one reason I pull this bad boy out. While I can’t say for sure that I would have bought one if I hadn’t been for a work project, I am glad to have it when we want to make anything with a fried or crispy topping. (I feel the same about my Instant Pot). That said, you can make these recipes in the oven too.
Benefits of avocado
Not only are these fries absolutely delicious, but the fact that they are not deep fried in oil is a big plus, especially in contrast to the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats found in avocados. Research has indicated that people who add avocado to already well-balanced diets have lower risk of heart disease, better LDL blood levels, and lower levels of oxidative stress in their bloodstream after eating avocado. Avocados are also a good source of pantothenic acid, fiber, vitamin K, copper, folate, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. And as a bonus, they contain an array of phytonutrients. Eat up!
Air Fryer Avocado Fries
Ingredients
- 2 avocados, thickly sliced
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 extra large egg
- 2/3 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C).
If you’re air fryer basket it not nonstick, you may want to use a little olive oil or oil spray in the bottom so the avocado fries do not stick.
Step 2: Pour flour, egg, and panko into three separate bowls.
Choose shallow bowls
Step 3: Add paprika, salt and pepper to panko.
You can mix up the spice flavors here depending on what you like! Even some parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast would be yummy.
Step 4: Dredge the avocado slice in flour, shaking off excess, followed by egg, and finally panko mixture.
Keep one hand the “dry hand” and one hand the “wet hand” and pass the avocado back and forth for a neater set up and to keep your flour from getting clumpy.
Step 5: Arrange half of avocado in a single layer in Air Fryer basket.
Do not overcrowd! If yours has a big basket, you might be able to do them all in one.
Step 6: Fry for 8 minutes, flipping fries at the halfway mark.
Flip gently using tongs so as not to shake off too much panko.
Step 7: Arrange second half of avocado in basket and repeat cook for second batch.
The Recipe
Air Fryer Avocado Fries
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 avocados thickly sliced
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 extra large egg
- 2/3 cup plain panko
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400°F
- Pour flour, egg, and panko into three separate bowls.
- Add paprika, salt and pepper to panko.
- Dredge avocado slices in flour, shaking off excess, followed by egg, and finally panko mixture.
- Arrange half of avocado in a single layer in Air Fryer basket.
- Fry for 8 minutes, flipping fries at the halfway mark.
- Arrange second half of avocado in basket and repeat cook for second batch.
- Serve with dipping sauce of your choice.
- Dipper: 3 tablespoons mayo with 2 teaspoons sriracha
Tips For Making Air Fryer Avocado Fries
Choosing an avocado
You will want to choose an avocado more on the firm side of ripe so it holds its shape.
Use an oven and baking sheet instead.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these too. Use a baking sheet and a cooling rack if you have one. You’ll probably have to cook them longer than the air fryer, so keep your eye on them and wait until they’re golden brown. Since the avocado itself is safe to eat raw, you don’t have to worry about the inside getting cooked through.
Serve with dipping sauce of your choice!
I used 3 tablespoons mayo with 2 teaspoons sriracha for a creamy spicy sauce. Other ideas: ranch or blue cheese, a cheese sauce, nutritional yeast sauce, BBQ, ketchup, etc. You can also top them with a sprinkle of lime juice and cilantro for guacamole themed flavor.
How to serve:
Serve them as an appetizer, snack, or on top of a salad. Or as a side dish to an entree, like fish with mango salsa! You could also do little cubes using the same method and make crispy avocado croutons. These are best enjoyed right away, although you can reheat leftovers in a toaster oven. A microwave would probably yield a soggy result.
Tam says
I’ve had avocado tacos with the avocados prepared this way and they were delicious! I think I need to make these soon.
Kori says
These look and sound phenomenal!! I just love your recipes, and your photography + the plate are beautiful. I hope to make these soon in our oven!
Kath Younger says
Thank you! Let me know how the oven goes
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I need an airfryer to try this! It looks soooo good! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
tess says
I got an AF for my birthday 7 months ago and it is the most used appliance in my kitchen! My 3yo loves simply AF broccoli and carrots and potatoes. I dont have to add any oil, its amazing and 4-8 minutes later depending on the veggie we have perfect crispy on the outside tender on the inside veggies. It has also been a game changer for our tofo nights. No oil, no needing to press the tofu first. Just extra firm tofu, chopped into cubes, cooked in 2 quick 7 minute batches at 400. No preheating, no hot kitchen. Simple clean up. I love this thing so much!! english muffin pizzas, kiddo frozen nuggets, pizza bagels, and I even do whole 3.5 lb chickens in 45 minutes. i love it! It’s really working overtime now that all our meals are at home in isolation.
De Reiger says
The avocado is nutritious in any form of production, now that I know it can be a pride, it’s sure to be enjoyed by all, especially children.