Avocados filled with fresh mozzarella, ripe garden tomatoes, and basil, finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of crunchy salt flakes. This low-carb dish works well as an appetizer, or turn it into a complete meal atop baby greens with grilled chicken.
Avocados are a nutrient-dense source of healthy fats and make an ideal base for many simple recipes. Instead of mashing them into guacamole, you can halve and stuff them with Caprese salad ingredients for a fresh, no-cook option that’s quick to assemble and satisfying to eat.
Caprese Stuffed Avocado
Caprese is a classic Italian combination of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, typically finished with olive oil and balsamic. The simple trio showcases bright, fresh flavors and the colors of the Italian flag: red, green, and white. Wrapped inside an avocado, these ingredients add creaminess and richness, turning a light starter into a filling dish.
Because of the healthy fats in avocado, these stuffed avocados can serve as a light meal on their own. For a heartier plate, serve them alongside or over grilled chicken and a bed of baby greens.
Caprese Salad Tips
This version of Caprese comes together quickly. Small tomatoes like cherry or grape tomatoes add natural sweetness and a pleasant bite, but you can substitute roma or other tomatoes—just dice them to match the size of quartered cherry tomatoes.
Fresh mozzarella is best for texture and flavor. If you can’t find sliced mozzarella, the small bocconcini or mozzarella balls work well; simply halve or quarter them to create bite-sized pieces for the salad.
Preparing the Avocados
Avocados vary in size and the space left after removing the pit, which affects how much filling you can add. If an avocado yields extra flesh, scoop out a tablespoon or two to create a smooth cavity for stuffing. Dice the removed avocado and toss it into the caprese mixture to add creaminess and extend the filling.
For a neater eating experience, you can remove the avocado flesh completely from the skin using a thin-edged serving spoon and place the filled avocado flesh on a plate, avoiding the peel while eating.
Once filled, finish each avocado half with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze and a pinch of flaky sea salt for contrast and texture.
Printable Recipe
Caprese Stuffed Avocado – Gluten Free, Low Carb
Anya @ Prepare & Nourish
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Ingredients
- 4 small avocados or 2 large avocados
- 1 cup small tomatoes such as grape or cherry quartered
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella diced
- ¼ cup fresh basil chiffonade
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- 1 tablespoon basil infused oil optional
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
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Combine the tomatoes, diced mozzarella, and chiffonaded basil in a small bowl.
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Halve the avocados and remove the pits. Use a thin-edged spoon to scoop a small amount of flesh from each half to create space for the filling; keep the scooped avocado to dice and add to the mixture.
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Gently fold the diced avocado into the tomato and mozzarella mix, taking care not to overwork the ingredients.
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Spoon the Caprese mixture into each avocado half. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and, if desired, a little basil oil. Finish with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
How to Serve
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Serve as an appetizer by eating directly from the avocado with a fork, or scoop the filling onto a plate and enjoy as a salad. To make it a main course, serve on a bed of baby greens with grilled chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition info provided is an estimate from an online calculator and is for guidance only.
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This post was originally published on June 28, 2017 and has since been updated.