Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather with friends and family, celebrate the warm weather, and enjoy delicious food. This year, enhance your gathering by incorporating avocados into your menu. From savory air-fried chicken wings or kebab meatballs with guacamole to a refreshing chicken salad or hearty sandwiches, these quick recipes will impress your guests. Create a memorable meal that captures the holiday excitement with these avocado-inspired air fryer ideas!
Chicken Wings & Creamy Guacamole
Treat yourself or your guests to a delicious and satisfying snack with these crispy air-fried chicken wings paired with a creamy guacamole dip. This flavorful combination is sure to impress your friends and family and elevate your snacking experience!
Serves 4
Guacamole Dip Ingredients
- 2 avocados, pitted, peeled, mashed
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
Guacamole Dip Instructions
- Add all dip ingredients into a small bowl and mix until creamy.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Ingredients
- 20-24 split chicken wings – drumette and winglet
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Add olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl and mix.
- Add the chicken wings and toss until coated on all sides.
- Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer, leaving space in between. Cook in multiple batches if you need to.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping chicken wings halfway through using a pair of tongs. Remove from the air fryer when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve immediately with a side of creamy guacamole.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Avocado
Savor the flavors of this grilled chicken sandwich with avocado, a delicious and healthy option perfect for lunch or a quick dinner. Packed with tender chicken and fresh ingredients, it’s a satisfying meal that’s both easy to prepare and full of taste!
Serves 4
Chicken Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts, skinless, boneless, cut into strips
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Chicken Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400˚F.
- Place chicken strips on a cutting board in a single layer.
- Rub olive oil on both sides.
- Sprinkle both sides with spices.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer.
- Cook for about 14-16 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through until the internal temperature reaches 165˚ F.
Sandwich Ingredients
- 4 Brioche seeded buns, toasted
- ⅓ cup light mayo
- 1 cup arugula
- 1 large avocado, pitted, peeled, thinly sliced
- ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
Sandwich Instructions
- Place toasted buns open side up on a cutting board.
- Smear lightly with mayo.
- On the bottom halves, layer on arugula, avocado, cucumber, and chicken, then add the top of the bun.
- Serve immediately.
Kebab Meatballs & Zesty Guac
Get ready to savor a delicious twist on traditional flavors with these kebab meatballs paired with zesty guacamole. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner at home, this dish combines tender, flavorful meatballs with creamy, refreshing dip for a delightful taste experience.
Serves 4
Guacamole Ingredients
- 3 large avocados, pitted, peeled, chopped
- 1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice
- 1 tomato, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 splashes hot sauce, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Guacamole Instructions
- Place the avocado flesh into a small bowl and mash with a fork.
- Mix in the lemon or lime juice.
- Add all other guac ingredients and mix.
- Cover tightly and chill until ready to serve.
Meatball Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef or turkey
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 small white or yellow onion, finely diced
- ½ a small red onion, cut into one-inch squares
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground pepper
Meatball Instructions
- Measure wooden or bamboo skewers to ensure they fit into your air fryer without touching the heating elements. Cut skewers down as needed.
- Soak wood or bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes (so they won’t burn).
- Preheat air fryer to 350˚F.
- Add all ingredients except the red onion to a large bowl and mix with your hands until evenly combined.
- Form 24 meatballs using a small ice cream scoop or rolling one-ounce portions of the meat mixture in your palms. Place on a baking sheet.
- Add three meatballs to a skewer with a section of red onion in between.
- Spray the air fryer grate with baking spray and place the meatball skewers inside without touching.
- Air fry in batches for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F.
- Serve warm with pita bread and a side of guacamole.
Breaded Chicken & Avocado Salad
This robust salad is a deliciously satisfying dish that combines crispy, flavorful chicken with fresh greens and creamy avocado. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, it’s nutritious and easy to prepare, making it a family favorite!
Serves 4
Breaded Chicken Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup flour
Chicken Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375˚F.
- Rinse and pat dry chicken breasts.
- Place breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt in a shallow bowl or dish, and mix.
- In another shallow bowl or dish, add the flour.
- In a third bowl or dish, add the eggs.
- Place chicken breasts in the flour one at a time and coat both sides.
- Dip breasts in the eggs and then the breadcrumb mixture.
- Shake off the excess.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer.
- Cook for 20-22 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165˚ F.
- Remove chicken from the air fryer and allow to cool.
- Cut the breasts into slices and set aside.
Salad Dressing Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp sesame seed (or other light) oil
- 2 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Salad Instructions
- Place all dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together.
- Set aside.
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups lettuce of choice
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 large avocados, pitted, peeled, sliced
- 3/4 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds (optional)
Salad Instructions
Add lettuce, cherry tomatoes, quinoa, and avocados to a large bowl.
Drizzle with dressing and toss lightly.
Divide the salad onto plates.
Top with chicken and sprinkle hemp seeds.
Serve immediately.
