Ripe avocado cuts like butter and melts inside the mouth leaving a subtle nutty taste. Sushi chefs around the world love to use avocado as a primary filling because it helps in maintaining a perfect balance of flavors without overpowering any ingredient.

As it has a buttery and nutty taste, avocado is often used as a standalone filling or paired with other seafood and vegetables. The flavor may vary slightly depending upon how ripe an avocado is. I have compiled for you some of the best avocado rolls recipes to try at home.

But, before that let’s take a look at how to correctly cut an avocado to use as filling.

How To Cut Avocado For Sushi

There are different ways in which you can cut an avocado. However, I will discuss two popular methods that are commonly used for making sushi rolls.

Take a sharp knife and cut the fruit vertically until the knife touches the pit. Do the same from the other end. Now twist the two halves and use your knife to remove the pit from the middle carefully.

You may try any of the two methods to make slices of avocado. You may peel the skin and cut thin slices or make thick slices with the skin still on. Make sure you put the avocado on the chopping board while working on it to prevent harming your fingers accidentally with the sharp knife.

For the first method, you can use your hands to peel off the avocado skin. Then use a sharp knife to make thin (roughly 3-4mm thick) slices. In the second method, you can use a small knife and drag it vertically in line from the top to bottom to make thicker slices with the skin still on.

Now use a large spoon to scoop out the avocado slices into a plate. These slices are three times the size of the first method. For some recipes, you may further cut the half section horizontally to get square shaped pieces of avocado.

Pro tip – If you don’t plan to consume the fruit immediately, drizzle some lemon juice or vinegar on the avocado slices to prevent them from turning black or brown. 

Vegan Options

#1. Avocado Sushi Roll

This is the most basic style of sushi rolls that lets you savor the amazing taste of avocado to the fullest. I know some avocado enthusiasts who prefer adding only avocado slices to their sushi roll not to get distracted by other flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of seasoned sushi rice
• 1 ripe yet firm avocado
• Nori sheets
• Two tablespoons of sesame seeds
• Soy sauce

Instructions to roll

Start by preparing one batch of seasoned sushi rice following the instructions here.

Place a bamboo sushi mat on a plain surface and cover it up with a plastic wrap

Put a Nori sheet on the mat with its shiny side facing downwards.

Now, take half a cup of seasoned sushi rice and spread it evenly on the Nori sheet.

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on the sushi rice to add a nice texture to it

Peel avocado and make thick slices as mentioned above. Put 2-3 slices of avocado towards the middle of the Nori sheet, slightly closer to your side.

Start rolling with the help of the bamboo mat and apply gentle pressure as you go. Be careful not to give too much of pressure, or you may end up breaking the slices.

To make California style rolls, flip the Nori sheet and add avocado slices to the other side of Nori. Roll and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on the outer layer of rice.

Cut the roll into 6-8 pieces and serve with soy sauce and wasabi.

#2. Avocado Sushi Roll (With Cucumber and Carrots)

If using avocado as the only filling is too gooey for your taste, you may consider adding other vegetables like cucumber, carrots, and bell peppers. Cucumber helps in adding freshness and crunchiness to the roll while other vegetables also help in balancing the soft texture of avocado.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of seasoned sushi rice
• 1 ripe yet firm avocado
• Half of a Japanese or Persian Cucumber
• 1 Carrot (optional)
• Nori sheets
• Two tablespoons of sesame seeds
• Soy sauce

Instructions

Find step-by-step details on how to cook and season sushi rice here.

Peel the skin of an avocado, remove the pit, and make thin slices of the fruit as mentioned above.

De-skin the cucumber and cut into four long strips. Remove seeds and further cut each piece into two halves lengthwise to get eight thin strips.  

Peel half of a carrot and julienne cut to get long strips. You may semi-boil the carrot pieces to make them slightly tender.

Place bamboo mat on an even surface and put the Nori sheet rough side up. Now, take half a cup of seasoned sushi rice and spread it evenly, leaving half an inch at the sides.

Now, put two slices of avocado, one cucumber strip, and one carrot strip in the middle section, towards your side. Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on the top and roll.

Remove the bamboo mat and plastic wrap. Serve with soya sauce and pickled ginger.

#3. Avocado and Peanuts Sushi Roll

Peanuts may seem like an odd filling for sushi rolls, but when combined with avocado slices, they make the perfect pair. The sweet taste of chopped peanuts goes well with soft avocados to give you a mouthwatering delight. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon agave
• Half avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced into thin strips
• Nori sheets
• 2 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
• Wasabi sauce
• Soy sauce
• Pickled ginger

Instructions

Prepare vinegared sushi rice and set aside. For instructions, tips, and advice, see #1.

Make the peanut filling by roughly chopping raw peanuts and roasting them in a pan with one tablespoon oil. Add salt and one teaspoon of peanut butter to create a perfect mixture.

Place the bamboo mat covered with plastic wrap, and put the Nori sheet on it. Take half a cup of sushi rice and spread it over the Nori sheet. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on it.

Flip the Nori to have the side covered with sushi rice facing downwards.

Take two spoonfuls of peanut mixture and arrange horizontally in a straight line an inch away from the edge close to you. Press the mixture gently against the surface of the Nori sheet.

Arrange 3-4 pieces of the avocado slices along the peanut strip. You may add a few strips of cucumber (optional) to add more freshness to the roll.

Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds over the outer layer of rice. Take a sharp Japanese knife and cut out 6-8 pieces of the roll.

If you are hosting a sushi party at home, serve sushi in Japanese sushi dinnerware set to impress your guests. Sushi tastes best with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

#4. Avocado and Mushroom Sushi Rolls

If you are a vegan and you love sushi, then you must try this recipe that perfectly balances the savory taste of mushrooms with fatty avocado. To enhance the flavor of mushrooms, I suggest marinating them in tamari (gluten-free soya sauce).

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of seasoned sushi rice
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 garlic clove (finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1.5 tablespoon tamari
• Half tablespoon maple syrup
• 200 grams oyster mushrooms (chopped roughly)

For the filling:

• 1 carrot, shredded or julienned
• 1/4 small purple cabbage (julienned or shredded)
• 3-4 pieces of tender broccoli, steamed (optional)
• 1 ripe yet firm avocado, thinly sliced

Instructions:

First, make seasoned sushi rice by following the instructions provided in #1 recipe.

To prepare mushrooms, mix sesame oil, tamari, garlic, mirin, and maple syrup in a bowl. Add chopped mushrooms to the mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then cook on medium flame until the mushroom pieces become soft and caramelized. It may take 5-7 minutes.

To make a roll, put the Nori sheet on a bamboo mat covered with thin plastic sheet. Cover the seaweed with sushi rice and make an even layer using your hands.

Put two avocado slices in a line close to the bottom of the sheet, add mushrooms and other vegetables on top of it. Lift the bamboo mat from your side and roll it tightly pressing with your fingers to get a compact shape.

Put the sushi pieces in an elegant Japanese sushi dinnerware set to make it Instagram worthy. Serve with tamari for an appetizing treat!

#5. Avocado and Tofu Sushi Rolls Recipe

If you are a vegan that does not mean you cannot enjoy delicious sushi rolls. Here’s an amazing recipe that uses caramelized tofu with yummy avocado and optional veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of seasoned sushi rice
• Nori sheets
• 1 packet of tofu
• 1 carrot (shredded or julienned)
• 1 cucumber (de-seeded and julienned)
• 1 large avocado (thinly sliced)
• 3 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp mushroom seasoning

Instructions:

Prepare seasoned sushi rice by following the instructions provided in this article （see #1).

Cut one-inch thick slices of tofu and deep fry in sesame oil until both sides become golden brown. Meanwhile, mix sugar, soy sauce, and mushroom seasoning in a bowl and stir until sugar dissolves.

Pour the sauce mixture over the fried tofu and cook until the sauce thickens and tofu is caramelized. Remove from heat and let it cool down a bit.

Cut the caramelized tofu into strips. Make sure you maintain the same size for carrot and cucumber. Semi-boil the carrot strips with a pinch of salt.

Place the bamboo mat on a plain surface and cover it with a plastic sheet.  Lay Nori sheet over it, rough side facing towards you.

Spread a medium ball of rice evenly on the Nori sheet, leaving a little gap on sides. Arrange carrot, cucumber, tofu, and avocado in the middle section towards you.

Start rolling with the help of the bamboo mat to get a tight and compact cylinder like a roll. Arrange thin Kiwi or strawberry slices on the top to give your sushi an attractive appearance. Serve in beautiful Japanese sushi dinnerware to ‘wow’ your guests.

#6. Avocado and Mango Sushi Roll

Mango lovers raise your hands because avocado and mango pairing is that fatal combination that will have you craving for more! Don’t forget to try this recipe using fresh fruits in the mango season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of seasoned sushi rice
• 1 cucumber, julienned into long strips
• 1 ripe yet firm mango, julienned into vertical strips
• 1 avocado, seed removed and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds,
• Nori sheets
• Tamari or Ponzu sauce
• Coconut peanut sauce

Instructions:

Great tasting sushi starts with sushi rice, so begin the cooking process by making the perfectly seasoned sushi rice. Find the recipe here.

Cut the vegetables and fruits in thin strips for fillings and keep aside. Adding cucumber is optional, but I prefer it for a dash of freshness, and it also helps balance the soft texture of both mango and avocado. 

Place the sushi mat on an even surface and cover it with cellophane paper. Now, take a medium ball of sushi rice, about half a cup and spread over the Nori sheet.

Arrange the fillings on top of the rice, towards your side. Don’t add too many fillings or else it will be difficult to roll.

Lift the bamboo mat and start rolling by applying gentle pressure to make a tight roll. Use some water to stick the ends and cut the roll into 6-8 equal pieces using a sharp Japanese knife.  

Serve the avocado-mango sushi roll with tamari, ponzu sauce, or coconut peanut sauce on a beautiful Japanese sushi dinner set.

#7. Quinoa Avocado Sushi Rolls

If you want to skip on the white sushi rice and try a healthier option, you may use quinoa in its place. Although the sushi traditionalists may frown at this non-conventional recipe, the sushi rolls taste great, and this is a wonderful recipe for a special date night at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• Nori sheets
• 1 1/3 cups of water
• 1/2 cup Japanese rice vinegar
• 2-tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large ripe avocado, pit removed, peeled and sliced
• 1/2  cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 3 strips of crispy bacon
• Spicy Mayo
• Dash of sesame oil

Take a bowl and wash quinoa in cool water until the drained water turns clear. Put washed quinoa and water in a saucepan and set to high heat until the water begins to boil. Reduce heat, cover the pan, and let it cook for 12-15 minutes.

While it’s cooking, mix vinegar, sugar, and salt in a separate bowl and keep stirring until the solids dissolve. You may heat in low flame to quicken up the process.

In a flat wooden bowl, scoop out the cooked quinoa and pour the vinegar mixture on it. Let it cool at room temperature

Place a bamboo mat on an even surface and cover it with a plastic sheet. Lay a Nori sheet on the bamboo mat rough side up.

Take a spoonful of cooled quinoa and spread it evenly over the Nori sheet to get a 1/4 inch thick layer. Leave about 1/4 inch gap on all sides.

Arrange 2-3 slices of avocado slices over the quinoa, followed by crispy bacon and sun-dried tomato.

Use your fingers to start rolling the bamboo mat as you apply pressure to get a compact roll. Take a sharp Japanese knife and cut 6-8 pieces.

Drizzle some spicy mayo over the sushi rolls and serve immediately.

Related Article: 8 Exciting Recipes For Vegetarian Sushi

Seafood And Meat Options

#1. Avocado Tuna Sushi Roll Recipe

Raw tuna is a classic ingredient used with avocado to make a delicious combo. You can find frozen, canned tuna is a supermarket near you. Don’t forget to check the expiry date on the can.

Ingredients:

• 185g can tuna in olive oil
• Nori sheets
• 1/2 avocado, peeled and finely sliced
• 2 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 2 cups vinegared sushi rice
• Soy sauce
• Pickled ginger

Instructions:

To prepare seasoned sushi rice, find instructions and tips here

Drain the tuna and mix it with mayonnaise and chives in a bowl until well combined

Place a bamboo mat on the kitchen counter and cover it with a plastic wrap.

Put the Nori sheet on the mat, rough side upwards. Take a medium ball of rice and spread over the sheet.

Arrange tuna strips, 2 avocado slice in the middle and start rolling to make a compact and tight roll. Press gently to ensure everything stays together.

Cut the roll into 6-8 pieces using s sharp Japanese knife and serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

#2. Avocado Shrimp Rolls

If you are a seafood lover, then this recipe is a must try. I prefer cooking and seasoning shrimps to make them tender to eat. With avocado slices to add a buttery texture to the roll, you can’t resist the amazing taste.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of seasoned sushi rice
• 1 ripe yet firm large avocado
• 10 large cooked shrimps, sliced thinly
• Nori sheets
• Sesame seeds

Instructions:

Making seasoned sushi rice is easier than you think. Just follow the instructions mentioned in this article.

Clean the shrimps, de-vein them and steam or bake with a pinch of salt until they are cooked. Make thin slices to use as fillings. Cut the avocado into half, remove the pit, peel off the skin, and make thin slices.

Prepare a bamboo mat by covering with plastic sheet and lay a Nori on it. Cover the Nori with half a cup of seasoned sushi rice, spread out evenly. Sprinkle with some toasted sesame seeds to add more texture.

Flip over the Nori sheet and on the other side arrange the slices of avocado and shrimp in the middle section, towards your side.

Use the bamboo mat to lift the Nori sheet and roll tightly to make a firm inside-out sushi roll. Take a sharp Japanese knife (see my review) and carefully cut 6-8 pieces of the roll. Put the pieces on a beautiful sushi dinnerware set and serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and teriyaki sauce.

#3. Avocado Salmon Sushi Rolls

Think about sushi-grade fish and salmon is the first name that comes to the mind. Salmon-avocado pair is one of the most popular as both these ingredients are easily available. Just make sure that you buy properly frozen fish to avoid any bacterial contamination.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of seasoned sushi rice
• 1 large ripe avocado
• Nori sheets
• 8 ounces sashimi-grade salmon, cut into ½-inch strips
• Pickled ginger
• Wasabi
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

Before you begin the process, make sure you have seasoned sushi rice ready to use. For detailed instructions on how to make sushi rice in cooker and pot, click here.

Cut the avocado and remove the pit. Peel off the skin and make thin slices. Sprinkle lemon juice or vinegar to prevent browning.

Let’s take thawed sushi-grade salmon and cut out half-inch strips of the raw fish.

Place the bamboo mat on an even working surface. Put the Nori sheet over it, shiny side facing down and cover the sheet with a medium ball of sushi rice

Use wet hands to press the rice gently to make a uniform layer. Arrange avocado slices and salmon strips in the middle section, towards you.

Lift the edge of the Nori and start rolling by applying gentle pressure using your fingers. Seal the edges of the Nori after you form a cylindrical shape.

Remove the bamboo mat and plastic wrap. Use a sharp Japanese knife to cut the roll into 6-8 equal pieces. Serve the yummy pieces with pickled ginger, soy sauce, and wasabi.

#4. Avocado and Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll

I must admit that raw salmon tastes great, but beginners may feel intimidated by the idea of eating raw fish. You may also use smoked salmon if it is hard to find sushi-grade raw fish in your area. Try this combination of smoked salmon and avocado to pamper your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of seasoned sushi rice
• 1 large avocado
• Nori sheet
• Slices of smoked salmon
• 1 bunch of chives
• Sweet soy sauce

Instructions:

Prepare seasoned sushi rice by following the instructions in this article.

Take a large avocado, cut into two halves, and remove the pit. Make thin slices of avocado.

Make dry brine consisting of brown sugar, Kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Smoke the salmon fillet for about 2 hours, then brush with melted apricot jam or some honey. Let it cool.

Place the bamboo mat covered with a plastic sheet on an even surface and lay Nori on it.

Take a medium ball of sushi rice and layer it evenly on the Nori sheet, leaving a 1cm border on both sides. Arrange thin slices of smoked salmon, followed by chives and avocados at the center.

Start folding from the bottom, pressing gently to ensure that the rice compactly holds the fillings inside.

Use a sharp Japanese knife to cut the roll into 6-8 pieces and serve with sweet soy sauce on a traditional looking Japanese sushi dinnerware set.

#4. Avocado and Chicken Schnitzel Sushi Rolls

Chicken lovers will enjoy the scrumptious taste of this sushi roll where you have chicken and avocado create the perfect lip-smacking flavor. It’s perfect for lunch boxes and family dinners.

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of seasoned sushi rice
• 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 2 x 160 grams of crumbed chicken schnitzels
• Nori sheets, toasted
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise (60 ml)
• 1 large avocado thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions :

Start cooking rice at least 30 minutes before you wish to prepare the sushi rolls. To find step-by-step instructions on how to make sushi rice, see #1.

Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan kept on medium flame. Add the chicken schnitzels and cook for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden in color. Remove from heat and use absorbent kitchen paper to absorb excess moisture.  Cut chicken into 1.5 cm long strips.

Lay the bamboo mat covered with a plastic sheet on a surface. Put Nori over it and spread out a half cup of seasoned sushi rice evenly over Nori.

Add 2 tsp mayonnaise across the center of the sushi rice and arrange 2-3 pieces of chicken strips and avocado slices over it (towards you from the center).

Start rolling the bamboo mat and apply gentle pressure to get a compact roll. Moisten the Japanese sushi knife and cut out 6-8 slices of the roll. Serve with soya sauce.

#5. Avocado and Bacon Sushi Rolls

Ahhh Bacon!  It is one of the most delicious foods ever. When you pair it up with avocado for a buttery flavor, it feels heavenly on the palate. Try this recipe at home or when you throw a party for friends, and they won’t stop complimenting your culinary skills!

Ingredients:

• 1 batch of perfectly seasoned sushi rice
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• Nori sheets
• Rindless and cut bacon strips
• Mayonnaise in a bottle
• 1 large avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
• 1 Japanese cucumber, peeled and sliced into thin strips
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil or corn oil

Instructions :

Prepare seasoned sushi rice beforehand, following the instructions mentioned here. 

To make bacon fillings, let the bacon come to room temperature and then cut out thin strips. Put the bacon strips in a bowl and add brown sugar to it. Let it sit for a few minutes to marinade.

Heat corn oil in a pan on medium flame and once it reaches cooking temperature, put the bacon strips and let them fry until they turn golden brown on both sides. When done, dab the bacon on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Now, put the bamboo mat on an even surface, wrap it with plastic, and lay Nori sheet on it. Arrange cooked bacon strips in the middle, drizzle some mayonnaise on it, add avocado slices and cucumber strips.

Roll the bamboo mat to get a compact shaped cylinder and cut it into 6-8 pieces. Serve with soy and wasabi sauce on an elegant sushi dinnerware set to impress your guests.

Related Questions

What other fillings can you use besides avocado?

Apart from the various options mentioned in the recipes above, you can use your creativity to add different types of seafood fillings such as crabmeat, imitation crab, and white fish. For vegan rolls, you may try bell peppers, spring onions, fresh asparagus, and baked sweet potato.

Can I freeze avocado rolls?

You may freeze avocado rolls if you need to, but I recommend that you eat them immediately. Freezing hardens sushi rice, softens the Nori sheet, and destroys the flavor of avocado. If you freeze them at all, let the rolls sit outside for a few minutes to come down to room temperature before you consume them.

How long do avocado rolls last?

If you made extra avocado rolls for dinner, you can probably save some for the next day. However, you must sprinkle some lemon juice or vinegar on the avocado slices to prevent them from browning. When storing the rolls, keep them in a zip locked vacuum sealed bag or container. Storing for more than a day is not a good idea, as avocados will begin to lose flavor and deteriorate.

Is avocado roll vegan?

Yes, you can substitute raw fish with avocado and pair it up with other veggies like cucumber and carrots to make a delicious vegan sushi roll.

How many calories in avocado roll (6 pieces and 8 pieces)

Six pieces of the avocado roll may contain about 140 calories while the eight pieces contain nearly 180 calories. However, this equation changes when you add shrimp tempura, tuna or other fillings along with avocado. For example, shrimp tempura alone may carry about 540 calories.

The Final Words

As a beginner trying your hand at sushi making, I would recommend that you use sushi making kits (see my favorite kits). The kit includes everything you need to start your sushi-making journey. From bamboo mat and Nori sheets to cookbooks, rice paddles, and chopsticks, the kit has them all. Check out my unbiased review of the two-bestselling sushi making kits here.