Finding the perfect ripe avocado can be a challenge, especially when they’re all rock-hard at the store. Luckily, there are several hacks to speed up the ripening process. We tested five popular methods to find out which one works best. Here’s a friendly guide to help you enjoy perfectly ripe avocados in no time!

Hack 1: Paper Bag with a Banana

How It Works: Place your avocados in a brown paper bag with a banana. Bananas release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process.

Results: This method works well and typically ripens avocados in 1-3 days. The ethylene gas from the banana accelerates the process, and the avocados become soft and ready to eat in a relatively short time.

Hack 2: Oven Method

How It Works: Wrap the avocado in aluminum foil and place it in an oven at 200°F (93°C) for about 10-20 minutes.

Results: This method can soften avocados quickly, but it can also affect the taste and texture, making them mushy or slightly cooked. It’s useful if you need soft avocados immediately, but it’s not ideal for flavor.

Hack 3: Paper Bag Alone

How It Works: Simply place the avocados in a brown paper bag and leave them at room temperature.

Results: This method works similarly to the banana method but is slower, taking about 3-4 days for the avocados to ripen. It’s a straightforward approach but not the fastest.

Hack 4: Rice or Flour

How It Works: Bury your avocados in a bowl of uncooked rice or flour. The rice or flour traps ethylene gas around the avocados, speeding up ripening.

Results: This method is effective, ripening avocados in 2-3 days. It’s a bit messier than the paper bag methods, but it works well if you have extra rice or flour on hand.

Hack 5: Microwave Method

How It Works: Pierce the avocado skin in several places with a fork. Microwave on low power for 30-second intervals until it reaches the desired softness.

Results: This method can make avocados soft quickly, but like the oven method, it can compromise taste and texture. It’s not recommended unless you’re in a real pinch.

Conclusion

After testing all five methods, the Paper Bag with a Banana hack is our top pick. It’s quick, effective, and preserves the taste and texture of the avocado. The Rice or Flour method is also a good alternative if you have the ingredients on hand and prefer not to use a banana.

Next time you need ripe avocados fast, try one of these tested hacks and enjoy your perfectly ripened avocados in just a few days!