This Honey Citrus Avocado Dip ushers avocado into the sweeter side by blending in honey, citrus, vanilla and ginger. It's a vibrant and refreshing dip that pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, crusty baguette slices or crisp, buttery cookies. The natural sweetness and slightly earthy undertones create the ultimate creamy, dream dip. Serve it at parties, for lunch or as a healthy afternoon snack.
Avocado leans sweet in this Honey Citrus Avocado Dip
When avocado comes to mind, it likely summons visions of loaded guacamole served with salty tortilla chips or a beautifully arranged avocado toast. But, if you haven't experienced the sweet side of avocados yet, you've got some tasty times ahead! Unlike a classically savory Avocado Dip, this Honey Citrus Avocado Dip flips the script and sweetens the pot.
Because avocados have a fairly neutral flavor, they can shapeshift into savory or sweet dishes. Hass avocados, in particular, have subtly nutty characteristics with a soft hint of sweetness when ripe. The buttery and creamy texture lends well to a wide range of dishes like this Honey Citrus Avocado Dip or as a savory dip like my Guacamole with Spicy Cucumbers and Radishes. Avocados can even go full dessert mode! Try these Avocado Blueberry Tarts with Almond Crust to see avocados peak in the sweets department.
More sunny, citrusy recipes from Baking The Goods
About 90% of the Nation’s avocados are grown in California
Somehow I am lucky enough to live just down the road from an avocado farm that grows the absolute best avocados I have ever experienced in my life! I stop in for a bagful of avocados pretty much every weekend. They are arranged by ripeness, so you can select from the make guac tonight bin, the approaching ripe bin, all the way to the freshly picked bin. Generally, I end up with couple of each to last me throughout the week.
Thankfully, California Grown avocados can be found in grocery stores throughout the country, so you can enjoy fresh and buttery California avocados pretty much anywhere. Look for the California Grown label to know you're getting the best of the best! Then make yourself a big bowl of this Honey Citrus Avocado Dip with fresh California fruit like strawberries, oranges, kiwi and blueberries.
Find even more ways to serve avocados!
Oranges & Lemons are in season year-round in California
Different orange varieties come into season at different times throughout the calendar year in California. Translating to a constant supply or oranges. Did you know that lemon trees can produce fruit year round? Yup, that means fresh California lemons are also available all year long! In fact, CA Lemon growers are responsible for over 90% of all lemons grown in the United States.
There is no actual cream in this creamy Honey Citrus Avocado Dip
Despite having a super creamy texture and smooth, rich flavor, there is no actual cream in this sweet avocado dip. Ripe avocados are blended until silky and luscious, creating a refreshing treat that's as creamy as yogurt. In fact, there are only 6 main ingredients in the Honey Citrus Avocado Dip and a couple of optional toppings.
Honey Citrus Avocado Dip Ingredients
- California grown Avocados are the main event here! The neutral flavor and naturally buttery texture becomes luxuriously creamy, ultra smooth and gently sweet when blended into this Avocado Dip.
- Citrus from California, any combo of citrus works great here. Try lemon and orange to layer in the sunny flavors!
- Honey naturally sweetens the avocado dip. The neutral avocado flavor takes on a sweeter personal when blended with the honey and citrus.
- Fresh ginger gives a welcome zing of warmth! A little ginger goes a long way and livens up the sweet avocado dip with fresh and warm undertones.
- Vanilla works with the honey and citrus to round off the edges, adding more flavor depth to the creamy avocado dip.
- A pinch of salt is always a welcome addition when balancing flavor.
- California Pistachios are finely chopped and add a textural topping and toasted nutty flavor to the dip.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or mint can be used to adorn the top of the dip and platter or can be mixed into the Honey Citrus Avocado Dip to layer in herby flavor.
Honey & citrus are the only sweeteners used in this dip
There are no added sugars or sweeteners in this healthy avocado dip, just the natural, soft sweetness of nature. When the citrus and honey combine with the avocado, everything is balanced in a gently sweet flavor that bends just enough to taste like dessert without being a sugarbomb. The vanilla and citrus give the dip some orange cream undertones, similar to a creamsicle. Playing perfectly off of the creamy avocado.
This Avocado Dip whizzes together in a food processor in moments
Simply combine the dip ingredients together in a food processor and whizz until smooth and creamy. That's all it takes to blend the Honey Citrus Avocado Dip together! Then it's a choose your own adventure situation when it comes to topping and serving this refreshingly creamy avocado dip.
What to serve with the Honey Citrus Avocado Dip
The options are pretty much endless here. Fresh fruit is the obvious choice but you can get creative and serve this Honey Citrus Avocado Dip with all kinds of yummy sides. Here are a few of my recommendations.
- Fresh berries like California Grown strawberries sliced in half or small toothpick skewers of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or any berries you prefer!
- Citrus grown in California. Cara Cara or Blood Oranges or sweet little Mandarin segments all pair perfectly here.
- Kiwi from California. Did you know CA grows kiwi? Learn how kiwi is grown here, it's a fascinating and beautiful process.
- Cucumbers are a refreshing addition that tastes incredible with this sweet avocado dip.
- Melon would love to take a plunge into this dip! Whether it's watermelon, honeydew or something more specialty, any melon works here.
- Simple cookies like a shortbread, store-bought wafers or crisp lemon or gingersnaps.
- Toasted bread or crackers are both tasty dippers. Try toasted baguette slices topped with a dollop of Honey Citrus Avocado Dip and a few berries for a fresh and satisfying combo.
- Chocolate and avocado are fabulous friends. Break up a chocolate bar and add it to the platter. There are no rules, any chocolate would be a wonderful add on.
As the weather warms up and our desire to turn on the oven cools, an easy no-bake dessert recipe is key. This Honey Citrus Avocado Dip is just the ticket when you want to impress with a beautiful dessert but can't bear the thought of heating up your home.
A simple dessert doesn't get more elegant than a stunningly styled platter of fresh fruit and store-bought treats surrounding a bowl of vibrant and verdant Honey Citrus Avocado Dip. Bask in the freshness and spread the joy with this easy dessert recipe!
Tips for serving & styling your dip platter
- When serving this Avocado Dip, feel free to make it as simple or as fancy as you feel.
- Use a large platter, charcuterie board or baking sheet as your base.
- The Honey Citrus Avocado Dip is the star, so consider serving it in a beautiful bowl. A shallow bowl works best for easy dipping.
- Style the platter like you would a charcuterie or cheeseboard. Place the avocado dip bowl on a platter and surround it with a bounty of fresh and sweet sides.
- Use what you've got and lean on your inner creative styling compass to guide you!
Create an Edible Centerpiece and turn it into dessert
If you'd like to take your creativity a step further, consider creating an edible centerpieces with the ingredients used in this dip. What's an edible centerpiece you ask? Allow me to introduce you.
Transform an edible centerpiece into a Honey Citrus Avocado Dip dessert platter
A fun way to engage your guests during a dinner party or an afternoon gathering is to invite them to participate in the food prep. The ingredients for this Honey Citrus Avocado Dip can first live a full life as and edible centerpiece, adorning your dinner table during the meal. When it's time for dessert, invite your party guests to help you break down the centerpiece. While you whip together the Avocado Dip, have your guests prep the fruit and style the platter.
Guests love to feel helpful. By assigning them this simple task, you're giving them license to help and tap into their creative side. This is a fun and dynamic way get your guests involved and provide a memorable experience.
This post was proudly made in partnership with California Grown. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting me and the brands that I love. Follow @cagrownofficial on Instagram to learn more about the incredible produce grown in California, farm practices, and discover new recipes!
PrintRecipe
Honey Citrus Avocado Dip
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: about 2 cups dip
Description
This Honey Citrus Avocado Dip ushers avocado into the sweeter side by blending in honey, citrus, vanilla and ginger. It's a vibrant and refreshing dip that pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, crusty baguette or crisp, buttery cookies. The natural sweetness and slightly earthy undertones create the ultimate creamy, dream dip. Serve it at parties, for lunch or as a healthy afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Avocado Honey Citrus Dip
3 large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded, about 2 cups lightly smashed
½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice + 1 tablespoons lemon zest, from 2-3 large lemons
½ cup honey + more for topping
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely grated ginger, optional
pinch of fine sea salt
¼ cup finely chopped pistachios or other nuts
a few sprigs of thyme, mint or basil, optional
Serving Suggestions
Strawberries
Blueberry, raspberry or blackberry skewers, on toothpicks for dipping
Cucumber spears
Orange segments
Chocolate hunks
Kiwi slices
Toasted baguette
Store-bought cookies like graham crackers, shortbread cookies, lemon cookies or gingerbread cookies
Instructions
Place the avocado, lemon juice & zest, honey, vanilla, ginger and fine sea salt in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy.
Pour into serving bowl and use a spoon or small spatula to create a swoopy swirl. Top with more honey, chopped nuts and a few sprigs of herbs.
Serve on a platter or tray with fresh fruit, toasted bread, cookies or chocolate hunks.
Notes
Serve right away to minimize oxidation. If preparing ahead of time, cover the Avocado Dip with plastic wrap, placing it direction on the top of the surface and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for a number of hours if properly covered but best when served right away.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
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