10 Guacamole
Appetizers
for Any Kind
of Party

There’s no denying guacamole is the king of appetizers. That creamy green dip just has no competition when it comes to satisfying hungry bellies. But chips and guac isn’t the end of the story: When it comes to guacamole appetizers, versatility knows no bounds.

 

From bruschetta to shrimp cocktails, guacamole elevates your favorite apps to new heights of deliciousness. That’s the beauty of avocados: They take good things and make ’em better. And when your guests show up to your party expecting run-of-the-mill appetizers and see their favorite foods guac-ified, it’s sure to be a soiree they won’t forget.

 

Here’s our guide to dishing up a wide array of guacamole appetizers.

 

 

Our Favorite Ways to Serve Guacamole Appetizers

Cocktail Party Guacamole Appetizers

We took some traditionally classy appetizers and raised them to a new level of good. But these recipes aren’t black-tie only: Make any gathering a class act by serving one or more of these avocado hors d’oeuvres.

• Shrimp Guac-tails: Fill a cocktail glass with smooth and creamy guacamole (the smoother, the better). Add large cocktail shrimp around the rim of the glass and serve.
• Tomato and Avocado Bruschetta: In a bowl, stir together diced avocado, tomato, salt, pepper, and minced basil, then drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette. Serve on toasted crostini for a guacamole twist on an Italian classic.
• Stackable Guac Bites: Slice a sturdy cucumber into discs and top them with dollops of classic guacamole. Additional toppings might include smoked salmon, bacon strips, olives, or feta.

 

Pro tip: If your avocados aren’t quite at peak ripeness, but you’ve got to have guacamole pronto, you’re in luck. Learn how to ripen an avocado quickly.

 

Classic Appetizers in Guacamole Form

If your appetizer spread is overbooked with complex dishes, or you just don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen, balance things out with a good ol’ fashioned bowl of guacamole. We took inspiration from classic party appetizers to craft these dips that stick to the basics while upping the ante.

• Artichoke Dip: The heart-iest dip in town just got the guac treatment. Perfect for game nights, get-togethers, or afternoon snacks.
• Buffalo Chicken Dip: Put a Mexican twist on America’s favorite game day snack and serve this traditional dip as guacamole. Dunk with pita bread or other sturdy dippers so you won’t drop a bite.
• Pigs in a Blanket: OK, bear with us here. This might sound a little odd, but can you imagine how this TASTES? We can (we’ve tried it), and our pigs’ blankets will always be green from now on.

 

Of course, these recipes are just scratching the surface of the delicious combinations you can create with guacamole. Dive into our guacamole recipe archive to discover the endless possibilities.

 

 

Creative Guacamole Appetizers

Not so much “from another world” as “out of this world,” these creative recipes aren’t like any guac you’ve ever had.

• Our recipe for Coconut Shrimp with Thai Sweet Chili Guacamoletakes “tasty” to new heights. It combines the creamy umami of guacamole with the light, fruity notes of pineapple and spices things up with sweet, crunchy shrimp.
• These Guac Tots might be the quickest way to get guac in your belly. Plus, they’re a guaranteed hit for the kids!
• This recipe for Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese, Pear Chutney Guacamole, and Crispy Prosciutto combines incredibly unique flavors all in one delicious bite. Pinkies up!
• Guacamole Egg Rolls will become your new appetizer go-to. These fried little beauties are topped with a sweet and spicy sauce that will have you rolling back for more.

 

Guacamole Preparation Tips

No matter which of these guacamole appetizers you’ve got on the menu, the key to perfect guacamole is perfect avocados. Here are a few bite-sized tips.

• PICK THE RIPE ONE: A perfectly ripe avocado will have a dark green, bumpy skin. Give it a gentle squeeze — if it gives a bit, you’re good to go. If it’s hard, give it a couple of days to ripen. If it’s ripe but you don’t need it for a few days, pop the avocado in the fridge to preserve the green goodness for up to three days.

• SAVE YOUR LEFTOVERS: Uneaten guacamole just means more for tomorrow. Leave your guacamole in its bowl and squirt some lemon or lime juice on top of it. Cover it in plastic wrap and press it down so it’s flush with the guac to eliminate any air. Your guac should stay green in the fridge for up to two days.

 

Guacamole Appetizers Are Just the Beginning

Take a shot at upgrading your favorite apps with guac — we’ll bet you won’t regret it! Of course, appetizers are just the beginning. Find more avo-inspiration on our guacamole recipe page.