I’m so excited to share this recipe with you!
We like to trail ride in our Jeep or RZR. It’s a great way to unplug, see nature and some fun other finds along the way. And, it’s a great way to find out of the way local dining gems. That’s how we found avocado fries. Like “where have you been all my life” avocado fries.
East of us is a well traveled trail called Box Canyon. We had heard people talk about enough so we loaded up the RZR and headed for the north trail head. We passed several majestic saguaro cactus, saw a few squirrels and quail scamper away from us and even drove down the waterfall. The waterfall is the highlight of the trail. It’s been dry every time for us but I think it would be just as fun and white knuckle with some cascading water thrown in.
The first time we ran the trail, we searched on Google Maps for a lunch spot and found the River Bottom Grill. Now we plan on lunch there every time we run Box Canyon. The food is good and the shaded patio with a band is great.
It was dumb luck we saw avocado fries on their menu. We almost never get appetizers when we eat out. For me, restaurant portions are big enough without adding the extra calories of an appetizer. But, this time we ordered two appetizers and shared the burger. I am so glad we did. He picked cheese curds and I zeroed in on the avocado fries. Both were as good as advertised, the avocado fries were out of this world good. I was searching the internet for recipes as we were devouring them! Most of the recipes were for a deep fryer or skillet frying, not going to happen in our house as we are trying to shed some weight.
Then I found several that were done in an air fryer. We found a winner! We had just replaced our old and very tired toaster oven with a new one that was also, wait for it, an air fryer! I’m sure you can use your regular oven or even a BBQ grill; I’ll practice and update our results.
It doesn’t take long either, which is an added bonus in our house.
You’ll want to get all the parts ready before cutting the avocado. Lay three shallow bowls on the counter; they are your assembly line. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees.
Stir together flour, salt and pepper in the first bowl. Crack an egg and gently beat it with a teaspoon of water in the second bowl. Add Panko bread crumbs to the third bowl.
Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and slice each half into four pieces.
Dip the avocado slice in the flour mixture, making sure to completely coat it then shake off the excess. Next, dip the slice into the egg, making sure it’s coated then shake off the excess. Last, press the slice it into the bread crumbs. Lay the slices on parchment or waxed paper.
Repeat for all eight slices.
Before putting in the air fryer, spray one side of the avocado with cooking spray, turn over and spray the other side. We have olive oil in a spray bottle and like to spray that on the slices.
We have two racks in our air fryer and I like to use the lower rack. If it’s not browned enough, I’ll move the pan to the upper rack for the last minute or so.
Place in the air fryer and cook for four minutes. Turn the slices over and cook another four minutes or until golden brown, three to four more minutes. Watch closely the first time so you don’t burn them. Serve with dipping sauce of your choice. Don’t worry about storing leftovers as there won’t be any.
Avocado Fries
Recipe Credit: All Recipes
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- One egg
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- One ripe avocado, pitted and sliced into 8 pieces
- Cooking Spray
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
In bowl one, stir together flour, salt and pepper. Gently beat egg and water in second bowl. Add bread crumbs to third bowl.
Dip one avocado slice in flour mixture, making sure to coat then shake off excess. Dip that slice into the egg mixture, making sure to coat and shake off excess. Press that slice into bread crumbs, making sure to coat and set breaded slice on waxed paper or fryer pan. Repeat with remaining slices.
Spray one side of each breaded slice with cooking spray. Turn over and spray other side.
Cook in air fryer for four minutes. Turn slices over and cook another three or four minutes until golden brown.
Serve with dipping sauces.