Loaded Guacamole

This Loaded Guacamole is creamy, salty, crunchy, and completely addictive. It’s my forever answer to “what should we snack on?” and honestly feels like a full meal in guac form. And with the big game coming up... this needs to be on your game day menu.

 

Why I Love This Recipe

I first stumbled on a version of this Loaded Guacamole at Frontera Grill in the O’Hare airport in Chicago and immediately became a changed person. Guacamole and chips as a pre-flight snack? Hell yes. I still passionately believe every airport should have a little stall serving fresh guac and chips to go, truly life altering.

Until that dream becomes reality, we’re making it at home. This version of Loaded Guacamole has creamy smashed avocados topped with crispy salty bacon, sun dried tomatoes, cotija, pepitas (optional depending on my mood lol), and roasted jalapeño for just the right kick. It comes together in minutes, feels fancy without trying too hard, and works equally well as a party appetizer or a solo snack situation that accidentally turns into lunch.

Jump to:

• Recipe name at a Glance
• Why I Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Substitutions & Swaps
• How to Make
• 🥑✨ Tips & Tricks for the Best Loaded Guacamole
• FAQ's
• Similar Recipes
• Loaded Guacamole

Ingredients

Loaded Guacamole Base

• Ripe Hass avocados
• Red onion (sub shallot if needed)
• Fresh chives (green onions work too)
• Lemon
• Lime
• Fresh jalapeño
• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Toppings

• Bacon
• Jalapeño (for roasting)
• Pepitas (optional)
• Sun dried tomatoes (optional)
• Cotija cheese

Substitutions & Swaps

🍅 Mix-In Swaps

• Roasted tomatoes — deeper, slightly sweeter flavor.
• Corn (fresh, grilled, or roasted) — adds sweetness and crunch

🌶 Heat Options

• Jalapeño — classic and mild.
• Serrano — spicier, use less.
• Pickled jalapeños — tangy heat with extra punch.
• Red pepper flakes or hot sauce — easy heat control.
• Skip the heat — still delicious and totally crowd-friendly.

🧅 Onion & Crunch Swaps

• Red onion — sharp and colorful.
• Shallots — milder and slightly sweeter.
• Scallions — softer onion flavor.
• Crispy onions or fried shallots — for crunch and texture. (and FYI you can buy Crispy Onions online if you dont want to make them)

🍋 Citrus Options

• Fresh lime juice — non-negotiable brightness.
• Lemon juice — works in a pinch.
• Add lime zest — extra pop of citrus flavor.

🌿 Herb Variations

• Cilantro — classic guacamole herb.
• Chives — subtle oniony freshness.

🧀 Loaded Add-Ins

• Cotija or queso fresco — salty and crumbly.
• Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack — melty, Tex-Mex vibes.
• Crumbled bacon or chorizo — smoky and indulgent.
• Everything bagel seasoning — unexpected but very good with the bacon!

🍽 Serving Swaps

• Tortilla chips — classic.
• Plantain chips — sweet-savory contrast.
• Veggies — carrots, jicama, cucumbers, bell peppers.
• Use as a topping — tacos, burgers, burrito bowls, or eggs.

How to Make

🥑✨ Tips & Tricks for the Best Loaded Guacamole

Don’t overthink it. Loaded guac is meant to be fun, a little messy, and totally customizable. Follow your cravings.

Start with perfectly ripe avocados. They should give slightly when pressed but not feel mushy. Good avocados do most of the work for you.

Mash by hand, not smooth. Use a fork and keep some texture. Chunky guac > purée every time.

Season early. Salt the avocados as soon as you mash them. This brings out their flavor and keeps the guac from tasting flat.

Use fresh lime juice. It brightens everything and balances the richness. Add it gradually so it stays zippy, not sour.

Fold in the mix-ins gently. Tomatoes, onions, jalapeños etc. Whatever you’re loading in should be mixed in lightly so the guac stays fluffy.

Add crunchy toppings last. Things like toasted pepitas, chips, or crispy bits should go on right before serving so they stay crunchy.

Taste and adjust before serving. Avocados vary a lot, so always do a final taste for salt, acid, and heat.

Serve immediately for best color. Guacamole is happiest fresh. If you need to hold it briefly, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface.

Use a wide bowl. More surface area means more toppings and better scooping for everyone. This pairs BEAUTIFULLY on top of cheese crisp too!!

FAQ's

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