These vegan gluten free Cornmeal Baked Avocado Tacos have just the right balance of sweet and spicy.
Since Cinco de Mayo is in a couple of days, I decided to make some Cornmeal Baked Avocado Tacos. I've been meaning to make these for awhile, and finally got around to it this week. These were inspired by some tacos I tasted on vacation in San Diego.
There was a restaurant in walking distance to the place we were staying that had vegan options. I ordered avocado tacos, not realizing they came breaded. Not thinking, I had a bite, then realized the batter probably contained gluten.
Even though I told the waiter ahead of time that I was vegan and gluten free, it didn't register to him that I could not eat the item that I ordered.
The bite I did have was enough to make me want to create my own breaded avocado tacos. Luckily, there was another taco on the menu that I ordered that tasted just as good.
These Cornmeal Baked Avocado Tacos are very different than the tacos that I ordered, but just as good, if not better. First, I changed out the breading to cornmeal, because I love the crunch it gives.
Their tacos came with pico de gallo and grilled veggies. I decided I wanted to make a cilantro lime sauce and corn salsa to go with mine.
I usually make Mexican-inspired dishes that are spicy, but these are very mild. I ended up adding sriracha sauce to mine for some kick.
If you want to add more spice to the recipe, you could use serrano peppers in place of the jalapeños in either the cilantro lime sauce or the corn salsa (or both).
Another recipe to try is my Vegan Taco Salad recipe.
Jump to:
🧾 Ingredients
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- Raw cashews: Raw cashews are the only kind that will work for this recipe. You could leave the sauce off, and just add the corn salsa.
- Jalapeño: Adds spice. For less spice, remove the ribs and seeds. For even more spice, use a serrano pepper.
- Cilantro: If you are one of those people who hates cilantro, leave it out.
- Lime juice: I used key limes. You could use any variety.
- Water: Thins the sauce.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor.
Corn Salsa
- Corn: You could use fresh or frozen corn.
- Bell pepper: I used an orange bell pepper. You could also use a red bell pepper or green bell pepper.
- Onion: Adds a sharp pungent flavor.
- Cilantro: If you are one of those people who hates cilantro, leave it out.
- Jalapeño: Adds spice. For less spice, remove the ribs and seeds. For even more spice, use a serrano pepper.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Lime juice: I used key limes. You could use any variety.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor.
Tacos
- Cornmeal: Adds a crispy texture.
- Cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder: Add spice and flavor to cornmeal batter.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor.
- Avocados: Ripe but firm avocados work best so that they are easier to handle.
- Almond milk: I used plain unsweetened. You could also use soy milk, oat milk, or another dairy-free milk.
- Corn tortillas: I used soft corn tortillas. You could use flour tortillas or hard taco shells.
- Sriracha sauce (optional): Adds spice. You could also use your favorite hot sauce or leave it off altogether.
This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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🔪 Instructions
Cilantro Lime Sauce: Soak cashews for at least 4 hours or 15 minutes in hot water. Drain water.
In a high speed blender or Nutribullet, blend cashews with the rest of ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Corn Salsa: Combine all ingredients and place in the fridge to combine flavors.
Tacos: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine cornmeal and spices. in another bowl pour almond milk.
Slice the avocados and carefully place them one by one in the almond milk, then in the cornmeal batter.
Lay the avocado slices on the oiled parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, flip, and bake for another 5 minutes.
Warm the corn tortillas on the stovetop or in the microwave. Assemble tacos with the breaded avocado slices, then corn salsa.
Drizzle cilantro lime sauce on top. Drizzle sriracha sauce on top for even more spice.
🥡 Storage
The corn salsa will last 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The cilantro lime sauce will last about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
I suggest making the cornmeal baked avocado slices right before serving.
📖 Variations / Additions
- Restaurant Style Salsa
- Serrano Salsa
- Cucumber Salsa
- Mango Salsa
- Vegan sour cream
💠Tips
- Use ripe but firm avocados. They are easier to handle.
🌮 Vegan Tacos
These vegan tacos with cornmeal baked avocado, cilantro lime sauce, and corn salsa are sure to be a hit!
*Don't forget to come back and leave your feedback and star rating.
🧂 You May Need
📋 Recipe
Cornmeal Baked Avocado Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeño
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons key lime juice 4 limes
- ½ cup water + water to soak cashews
- 1 clove garlic  minced
- salt and pepper
Corn Salsa
- ½ cup corn
- ¼ cup chopped bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeño
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon key lime juice 2 limes
- salt and pepper
Tacos
- ¼ cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper
- 2 avocados sliced
- 3-4 tablespoons unsweetened plain almond milk
- 8 corn tortillas
- sriracha or hot sauce optional
Instructions
Cilantro lime sauce
- Soak cashews in enough water to cover them for at least 4 hours or in hot water for at least 15 minutes.  Drain water. Blend cashews, fresh water, jalapeño, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a high speed blender or Nutribullet until smooth and creamy.
Corn salsa
- Combine corn, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a container. Let sit in fridge to combine flavors.
Tacos
- Preheat oven to 450°.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine cornmeal, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- In another bowl pour almond milk. Take sliced avocado slices and carefully put into the almond milk, then the cornmeal mixture. Lay pieces on the parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 450° for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Warm tortillas on stovetop or in microwave. Place avocado slices on corn tortillas. Spoon corn salsa next to avocado slices. Drizzle cilantro lime sauce and sriracha or hot sauce (if using) on top.
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Kim says
These are a wonderful flavor combination! Thanks for the recipe!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Kim!
Leslie Rossi | alifewellconsumed says
i've got avocados on my counter ready to use!
Aarika says
These sound so delicious! The cilantro lime sauce is calling my name! =) I can't wait to try these yummy tacos. Thank you!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Aarika!
Debra says
Sounds delish! I think I'll use that cashew creme sauce on many things. Love those flavors and that it's healthy too!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Debra! I actually wish that I would have made more of the sauce to use on a salad or in a dip!
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
Home made is almost always better even than at the eat restaurant. I'm intrigued to try these avocado tacos, gotta be great!
Willow Moon says
I agree! I think homemade is better pretty much every time!
Fuss Free Helen says
Baked avocado rocks, and I am not sure why more people do not cook them. Great idea to bake in the crispy, spice polenta - One I'll be trying.
Willow Moon says
I think people have the mindset that avocados should be used fresh because of their texture, but I am certainly glad I thought outside that box!
Mica @ Let's Taco Bout It Blog says
I'm glad the restaurant was able to accommodate you and that this inspired a recipe for you! I love cooking with cornmeal. I think it adds much more texture than using breadcrumbs. I would love to give this recipe a try.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Mica!
AiPing | Curious Nut says
Wow. I've never breaded my avocados before. And even if I do, I do it with bread crumbs and not cornmeal. This is an eye opener and sounds super delish. I'm going to have to try this soon.
Willow Moon says
I like bread crumbs too, it's just that gluten free bread is $6-$8 per loaf, and cornmeal is way cheaper. Plus, after baking squash chips with it as the coating, I fell in love with the crispy texture.
Peter Block says
This is so on my to do list. Got to try this treatment to the avocados.
Willow Moon says
I was surprised myself at how much I liked it. I never thought I would like a breaded baked avocado!