Avocado as a dessert? If you've only had avocado in savory dishes, prepare to have your mind blown. This avocado with condensed milk, known as avocado con yelo in the Philippines, combines creamy ripe avocado with sweet condensed milk and crushed ice for a refreshing treat that's ready in just 5 minutes.
Growing up in the Philippines, this dessert was a summer staple in our household. Inspired by beloved treats like Halo-Halo, Mango Bango, Banana con Yelo, and Ice Scramble, it's amazing how something so simple can evoke such nostalgic memories. If you haven't tried avocado in dessert form, you're in for a delightful surprise.
Jump to:
- What is Avocado Con Yelo?
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Additions
- How to Make Avocado with Condensed Milk
- Ways to Serve
- Mix-Ins and Toppings
- Variations
- What to Serve with This
- How to Store
- Rose's Top Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- Must-Try Filipino Ube Desserts
- Did you try this recipe?
- Avocado with Condensed Milk (Filipino Avocado Con Yelo)
What is Avocado Con Yelo?
Avocado con yelo (pronounced ah-voh-KAH-doh kon YEH-loh) literally means “avocado with ice.” It’s a classic Filipino dessert made by mixing ripe avocado with sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and crushed ice for a creamy, refreshing treat.
In the Philippines, avocado is often enjoyed as a sweet dessert fruit, not a savory ingredient. That’s why you’ll see it everywhere in treats like avocado con yelo, avocado shakes, and yes, avocado ice cream.
It’s also loved because it’s super simple. No cooking, no baking, and you can make it chunky or smooth depending on how you like it. Comfort in a bowl, especially on a hot day.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes: No cooking, no waiting. Just combine and eat.
- Only 4 ingredients: Avocado, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and ice. That's it.
- No special equipment: A bowl, a spoon, and ripe avocados are all you need.
- Refreshing: The perfect treat for hot summer days or whenever you need something cool.
- Naturally nutritious: Avocados are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins.
- Endlessly customizable: Add tapioca pearls, other fruits, or turn it into a shake.
- A Filipino classic: This dessert has been loved for generations and brings back childhood memories for many Filipinos.
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need:
- Ripe Avocados: Choose avocados that are soft but not mushy. Hass avocados are ideal because of their creamy texture. If you can't find ripe ones, leave them at room temperature until they soften. In a pinch, you can add a little sugar to help mimic the natural sweetness of ripe avocados.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This thick, sugary milk adds richness and sweetness to the dessert. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute with evaporated milk, though the dish will be less sweet.
- Ice Cubes: Crushed ice gives this dessert its refreshing, chilled quality.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions and Additions
- Honey or Agave Syrup if you prefer a natural sweetener instead of condensed milk.
- Coconut Milk for a dairy-free version, though it won’t be as sweet.
- Ice Cubes for a chilled, refreshing twist especially perfect on hot days.
- Shredded Coconut sprinkled on top for added texture and flavor.
How to Make Avocado with Condensed Milk
- Prepare the Avocados: Start by selecting the perfect ripe avocados. Cut them in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl. You want the avocados to be slightly mashed but still chunky enough to give the dessert some texture. The creamy avocado will blend perfectly with the condensed milk, creating a rich base for your dessert.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the mashed avocados. Use a spoon or a fork to mix the two ingredients together until you achieve a smooth, creamy texture. The sweetness of the condensed milk should complement the natural flavor of the avocado without overpowering it. Taste the mixture at this stage to adjust the sweetness if necessary, you can always add more condensed milk or a bit of sugar if you like it sweeter.
- Chill and Serve: Add crushed ice to the avocado mixture and stir until everything is well combined. The ice will melt slightly, blending with the avocado and condensed milk to create a perfectly chilled treat. Serve immediately to enjoy the refreshing flavors and creamy texture.
Ways to Serve
- In a Bowl (Classic Style): The traditional way. Mash or cube the avocado, add milk and ice, and eat with a spoon. Simple and satisfying.
- In a Tall Glass (Parfait Style): Layer the ingredients in a tall glass: avocado on the bottom, crushed ice in the middle, then drizzle milk over the top. It looks beautiful and is fun to mix as you eat.
- As a Shake (Blended): Blend the avocado, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and ice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy with a straw. This is the Filipino avocado shake style.
- Over Shaved Ice: If you have a shaved ice machine, pile fluffy shaved ice over the avocado and drizzle generously with condensed milk. This is the true "con yelo" experience.
Mix-Ins and Toppings
Want to take your avocado con yelo to the next level? Try these add-ins:
- Tapioca pearls (sago): Cooked tapioca adds a fun, chewy texture. This transforms it into avocado sago.
- Nata de coco: Coconut gel cubes add sweetness and a unique chewy texture.
- Cornflakes: Adds a surprising crunch. Trust me on this one!
- Crushed graham crackers: Sprinkle on top for a cheesecake-like twist.
- Leche flan: A slice of Filipino caramel custard makes this extra decadent.
- Ube ice cream: Purple yam ice cream on top takes this to dessert heaven.
- Chocolate syrup: For chocolate lovers, a drizzle of chocolate adds richness.
- Toasted coconut flakes: Adds texture and a subtle coconut flavor.
Variations
- Avocado Shake (Blended Version): Blend 1 ripe avocado, ¼ cup condensed milk, ½ cup regular milk, and 1 cup ice until smooth. This creamy Filipino avocado shake is perfect when you want a drinkable treat.
- Avocado Ice Cream: Pour the avocado and condensed milk mixture into a container and freeze for several hours. Blend until smooth for homemade avocado ice cream.
- Avocado Ice Candy: Pour the blended mixture into popsicle molds or small plastic bags, seal, and freeze. A popular Filipino frozen snack!
- Avocado Sago: Add cooked tapioca pearls (sago) to the mixture for extra texture. Cook the sago according to package directions until translucent, then cool before adding.
- Avocado Smoothie Bowl: Blend avocado with condensed milk and a frozen banana until thick. Pour into a bowl and top with granola, fresh fruit, and coconut flakes.
- Vegan Avocado Con Yelo: Use coconut condensed milk and coconut evaporated milk for a dairy-free version that's just as creamy and delicious.
What to Serve with This
- Fresh Berries: Add some strawberries or blueberries for a fruity, colorful contrast.
- Crushed Ice: Serve the mixture over ice for a refreshing, chilled version.
- Graham Crackers: Pair with graham crackers for a fun texture contrast.
How to Store
This dessert is best enjoyed immediately. Once the ice melts and the avocado sits, the texture changes and the avocado may start to brown.
Rose's Top Tips
- Use perfectly ripe avocados. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure but not feel mushy. Unripe avocados will be bland and hard; overripe ones may taste bitter.
- Ripen avocados faster. Place them in a paper bag with a banana or apple at room temperature for 1-2 days.
- Use both milks for best results. The combination of evaporated milk (for creaminess) and condensed milk (for sweetness) creates the most authentic flavor.
- Crush your ice well. Smaller ice pieces blend better with the avocado and create a smoother texture. You can crush ice in a blender or put cubes in a plastic bag and smash with a rolling pin.
- Adjust sweetness to taste. Start with less condensed milk and add more as needed. Some avocados are naturally sweeter than others.
- Serve immediately. The ice melts quickly, so make this right before you're ready to eat.
- Avoid the dark green part. When scooping avocado, try not to scrape the dark green layer closest to the skin. It can be bitter.
Recipe FAQs
Avocado con yelo is a Filipino dessert made with ripe avocado, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and crushed ice. The name means "avocado with ice" in Filipino.
In the Philippines and many other tropical countries, avocado is treated as a sweet fruit rather than a vegetable. Its creamy texture and mild flavor pair perfectly with sugar and milk, making it ideal for desserts.
You can, but the dessert will be much less sweet since evaporated milk has no added sugar. You'll need to add sugar separately if you substitute. For best results, use both milks together.
Unripe avocados won't give you the creamy texture this dessert needs. Place them in a paper bag with a banana at room temperature for 1-2 days to speed up ripening.
It's best made fresh. If you need to prep ahead, mix the avocado with the milks and store in the fridge (pressed with plastic wrap to prevent browning). Add ice just before serving.
Absolutely! Mango, banana, and jackfruit all pair well with avocado in this dessert. Adjust sweetness as needed.
Must-Try Filipino Ube Desserts
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Avocado with Condensed Milk (Filipino Avocado Con Yelo)
Ingredients
- 2 pieces Ripe Avocados
- ¼-½ cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 2 cups Ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the Avocados: Start by selecting the perfect ripe avocados. Cut them in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl. You want the avocados to be slightly mashed but still chunky enough to give the dessert some texture. The creamy avocado will blend perfectly with the condensed milk, creating a rich base for your dessert.2 pieces Ripe Avocados
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the mashed avocados. Use a spoon or a fork to mix the two ingredients together until you achieve a smooth, creamy texture. Taste the mixture at this stage to adjust the sweetness if necessary—you can always add more condensed milk or a bit of sugar if you like it sweeter.¼-½ cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Chill and Serve: Add crushed ice to the avocado mixture and stir until everything is well combined. The ice will melt slightly, blending with the avocado and condensed milk to create a perfectly chilled treat. Serve immediately to enjoy the refreshing flavors and creamy texture.2 cups Ice cubes
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Notes
- Perfectly ripe avocados are key. They should be soft but not mushy.
- Avoid the dark green part of the avocado closest to the skin, as it can be bitter.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less condensed milk to your preference.
- For a shake, blend all ingredients until smooth instead of serving chunky.
- Make it vegan with coconut condensed milk and coconut evaporated milk.
