Description
This Shrimp and Avocado Garlic Bread is a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer combining succulent sautéed shrimp with creamy avocado and zesty garlic bread. Perfect for gatherings or a quick snack, it features a crispy French loaf topped with a fresh avocado-tomato mixture, garlic butter, and Parmesan cheese, then baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Mixture
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Bread and Toppings
- 1 French bread loaf
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Additional salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for toasting the garlic bread and melting the toppings later.
- Sauté Shrimp: In a medium skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the shrimp, season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise into two halves. Spread the softened butter evenly over both cut sides. Sprinkle with additional garlic and chopped parsley for flavor. Place the bread halves cut-side up on a baking sheet.
- Bake the Bread: Bake the prepared bread in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until it turns lightly golden and crispy.
- Mash Avocado Mixture: While the bread bakes, scoop out the avocado flesh into a bowl. Mash the avocados with fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes gently to combine.
- Assemble the Garlic Bread: Once the bread is toasted, remove it from the oven. Spread the avocado mixture evenly over the warm bread halves. Arrange the cooked shrimp on top and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Final Bake: Return the assembled bread to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, just to warm through and melt the Parmesan cheese slightly.
- Serve: Slice into portions and serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra heat and flavor, drizzle with chili oil or add diced jalapeños to the avocado mixture.
- You can use pre-cooked shrimp to save time by simply reheating them lightly with garlic.
- Use fresh parsley and garlic for the best flavor in the butter spread.
- Squeeze additional lemon juice over avocado to prevent browning if not serving immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
