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37 Vegan Appetizers Everyone Will Enjoy

Lori standing in her kitchen.
Updated by · This post may contain affiliate links.

Looking for vegan appetizers for your next party? Browse through these easy, crowd-pleasing snacks and party foods that are not only vegan and plant-based, but also created with non-vegans in mind! From finger foods and dips to more substantial dishes like vegan wings, sliders, and quesadillas, you'll find something here for every crowd and occasion!

A brightly lit photo of vegan stuffed mushrooms on a white plate.
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About the Recipes

Traditional party spreads usually center around animal products, leaving vegans feeling like they're stuck with plain veggies and hummus.

While there's nothing wrong with hummus or veggie trays (they're party classics for a reason!), vegans crave an exciting array of options just like anyone else.

So we rounded up 37 of our most exciting, flavorful, universally-appealing vegan appetizer recipes. These are mouthwatering, tried-and-true favorites that you can feel confident serving to any crowd!

The recipes are:

  • Inclusive: These snacks and appetizers are designed to appeal to everyone, whether they follow a plant-based diet or not. Don't be surprised if your omnivorous friends go back for seconds and ask for the recipes!
  • Creative and Flavorful: Vegan food should never be boring or bland. With a mix of bold spices, fresh ingredients, nostalgic flavors, and new ideas, these recipes prove that vegan party food can be both exciting and satisfying.
  • Special Diet-Friendly: With health-conscious and allergy-friendly options, we've made sure there are plenty of choices here to accommodate your friends and family with dietary restrictions.
A vegan party platter with crackers, fruit, and pimento cheese dip.

If you find a new favorite party snack, be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Vegan Party Platters

Vegan Cheese and Snack Board

An elegant vegan cheese board with a variety of cheeses, fruits, snacks, and crackers for dipping.
An epic vegan cheese board is guaranteed to get the party started! From simple to extravagant, creating one is easier than you might think. This article is FULL of ideas for themed and seasonal snack boards. Add your favorite plant meats for a full-on vegan charcuterie board.
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The Ultimate Veggie Tray

a colorful assortment of raw and blanched vegetables with two dips on a wooden tray.
A colorful vegetable tray is great anytime. Make your own fresh crudité platter in just 30 minutes. And be sure to check out the amazing dips!
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Vegan Cheese Ball

cashew cheese ball on platter
Prepare to be blown away by the flavor of this festive cashew cheese ball! Soaking the nuts in beer lends an authentic, cultured flavor - or use water if you're not into beer. Serve with crackers, pretzels, and sliced apple, and watch it disappear!
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Vegan Dips and Spreads

Vegan Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip on a platter with crackers and bread for dipping.
This vegan onion dip is so rich and amazing no one will believe it's dairy-free! Make it in advance since it tastes even better the next day. Beyond dipping, it's also fantastic on potato skins, crostini, and burgers.
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Buffalo Cauliflower Dip

thick and creamy cauliflower buffalo dip in a bowl garnished with cilantro and pumpkin seeds.
Inspired by Trader Joe's vegan buffalo dip, this one is also made with cauliflower, carrot, and pumpkin seeds, but it tastes so rich no one will know there are hidden veggies!
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Za'atar Hummus

overhead view of a bowl full of zaatar hummus surrounded by raw veggies on a serving board.
With its zesty, lemon-y flavor profile, za'atar is right at home in this ultra creamy hummus.
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Vegan Refried Bean Dip

cheesy bean dip topped with avocado, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro.
Warm, creamy, and cheesy, vegan refried bean dip is perfect for game day and hanging with friends. Serve with plenty of pico de gallo and tortilla chips.
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Fresh Cranberry Salsa

bright red cranberry salsa in a bowl surrounded by crackers and chips.
Speaking of tortilla chips, cranberry salsa is an easy appetizer that's both fancy enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and casual enough for a summer cookout. With jalapeno, lime, and red onion, it pairs well with cheeses, tacos, and more.
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Zhoug Sauce

zhoug sauce drizzled with olive oil in a glass container.
Spicy, fresh, and totally addictive, zhoug is one of our all-time favorite dips and condiments. Serve with veggies, breads, crackers, or falafel. 
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Vegan Pimento Cheese

A small bowl filled with creamy dairy free pimento cheese with veggies and crackers on the side.
Without a doubt, this is one of my most popular vegan cheese recipes! It wonderfully creamy and tastes shockingly similar to the "real thing." If you've ever been a fan of classic pimento cheese, this is a must try.
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Copycat Bitchin' Sauce Recipe

white ramekin filled with creamy homemade bitchin sauce surrounded by chips and veggies.
If you've ever had Bitchin' Sauce you know how delicious it is! Now you can make this copycat version at home in no time. It's garlicky, savory, and pairs well with pretty much everything.
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Oil-Free Vegan Queso

A hand holding a tortilla chip scooping up creamy vegan queso from a wood bowl.
In just 10 minutes you can have this creamy, cheesy vegan queso ready for dipping and drizzling! Customize it with different spices and salsas, and serve warm or room temperature. 
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Chipotle Corn Salsa (EASY Version!)

light blue bowl filled with colorful chili corn salsa.
Think of this as a lazy homemade version of the roasted chili corn salsa from Chipotle. Scoop it up with tortilla chips for a mild, lightly sweet, burst of freshness!
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Creamy Peanut White Bean Dip

peanut white bean dip on a platter with vegetables.
If you enjoy the flavors of peanut sauce, you'll love this flavorful, Asian-inspired bean dip! It's creamy, healthy, and delicious with raw veggies.
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Foods To Serve With Dips

Bagel Croutons

golden and crispy big bagel croutons on a baking sheet.
Sturdy enough for dipping, and delicious enough to eat on their own, bagel croutons might sound like a strange idea at first, but trust me! One bite and they'll be a new go-to party snack.
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Whole Wheat Crackers

Crackers and sprigs of rosemary on a baking sheet.
Endlessly customizable with different herbs and spices, these crackers are easy and fun to make. The recipe explains how to make artisan-style crackers or cut them into shapes.
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Vegan Finger Foods

Easy Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

baked stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet.
Cheesy, tender stuffed mushrooms are always a hit. These are not only vegan but nut-free and gluten-free, too. And prep couldn't be easier!
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Thai-Inspired Vegan Larb

Vegan Thai Larb with Seitan topped with quick-pickled red onion and peanuts
Light, fresh, and savory, these vegan lettuce wraps are inspired by Thai Larb. Made with crumbled, seasoned seitan, fresh herbs, and quick pickled red onion.
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Loaded BBQ Tempeh Nachos

vegan bbq nachos piled on a serving tray
Piled high with baked BBQ tempeh, corn, coleslaw, ranchero beans, and a delicious cashew-lime dressing. A personal favorite!
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Baked Vegan Taquitos

6 large taquitos stacked on a platter
Filled with vegan taco meat and cheese, then baked until crispy, these healthier taquitos are so satisfying. Serve with your favorite garnishes like salsa, guacamole, and vegan sour cream.
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Easy Veggie Burgers or Sliders

Air fryer vegan burger on a bun with kimchi, lettuce, onion, and mustard.
Form these into sliders and let your guests add all of their favorite toppings! They're firm, meaty, and won't fall apart. Prep is ridiculously easy, and the patties can be baked in the oven or air fryer.
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Quesadillas With Quick Homemade Cheese

close up side view of sliced quesadillas with spinach. and homemade vegan cheese.
With an easy 6-ingredient cashew cheese, you'll wonder how something so simple can be so good! Switch up the fillings or follow the recipe for mushroom-spinach vegan quesadillas.
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Meaty Vegan Meatballs

large serving bowl filled with vegan spaghetti and meatballs.
Skip the spaghetti and serve these Italian-herb "plant-balls" on a platter. They're meaty, savory, high in protein, and ridiculously easy to make!
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Air Fryer Shishito Peppers With Sesame-Ginger Sauce

shishito peppers in a black bowl.
Blistered shishito peppers are light, savory, and totally addictive. Serve with sesame-ginger dipping sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes!
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Air Fryer Tempeh Bites

side view of crispy and sticky tempeh in a black bowl.
Marinated in a smoky, maple-soy glaze, then air fried for 10 minutes, this flavorful cubed tempeh makes an amazing high-protein vegan appetizer. 
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Air Fryer Edamame

looking down at crispy roasted edamame in a glass.
Here's another quick and healthy air fryer appetizer. Crisp and lightly seasoned, edamame is great by the handful and for garnishing dips and hummus.
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Bourbon Spice Candied Pecans

Crisp candied pecans in a small white bowl resting on a dark wood serving board.
Spiced candied pecans are sweet, crunchy, and a perfect addition to grazing boards. They're a convenient make-ahead recipe since they stay nice and crispy!
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Cold Salads

Spicy Cucumber Salad

A dark red bowl filled with sliced cucumber tossed in spicy Asian dressing.
Fresh and spicy cucumber salad is great for summer parties! Only 9 ingredients and 25 minutes to prepare.
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Vegan Pasta Salad

close up overhead view of vegan pasta salad topped with fresh herbs and dairy-free cheese.
This Italian Pasta Salad is versatile, delicious, and perfect for parties. With fresh veggies, chickpeas, olives, and zesty Italian dressing, it's a classic for a reason!
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Vegan "Egg" Salad (Mushroom Pâté)

a vegan egg salad sandwich on a cutting board.
This vegan egg salad is a fun twist on the usual tofu-based spreads. Made with mushrooms, white beans, vegan mayo, and Indian black salt, serve it in a bowl like mushroom pâté!
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Vegan Pasta Fresca

large bowl full of vegan pasta with onion, spinach, vegan cheese, and fresh parsley.
Flavorful Pasta Fresca is made with sauteed onion, garlic, spinach, and a quick balsamic sauce. It's a great choice for cookouts, potlucks, or anytime really!
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Vegan Pimento Macaroni Salad

pimento macaroni salad in a large white serving bowl
Imagine everything you love about macaroni salad, but instead of mayo it features a creamy vegan pimento cheese sauce! Easily made gluten-free and/or nut-free.
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Hot Foods to Serve in a Slow Cooker

A Crock Pot is a great way to keep foods warm, whether you originally prepared it in the slow cooker or not! From chili to vegan wings, these recipes are ideal when you want to serve your guests something more substantial.

The Best Vegan Chili

a pot full of thick and meaty vegan chili.
We're very passionate about chili and believe it should be thick, deeply flavorful, and yes, meaty! And this one? Well, it's the best damn vegan chili we've ever tasted. Then again, we have two other chili recipes that could have easily taken this spot: 45-Minute Lentil Chili and Beyond Meat Chili. You choose!
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Vegan Buffalo Wings

Buffalo seitan wings on a serving platter with celery in background.
Is it even a party without vegan wings? Saucy, tender, and hot, this recipe is the perfect balance of simple and delicious. If you're not into the spicy heat, they're great with other sauces, too! Try teriyaki, Korean BBQ, or healthy tomato BBQ sauce.
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Vegan White Chili

close up of white chili in a bowl topped with lime wedge and jalapeño
With white beans, TVP (or soy curls), fresh jalapeno, and plenty of cumin, this vegan white chili knows how to shake thing up at a party. With both stovetop and Instant Pot instructions, it's easy to make, too.
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BBQ Soy Curls (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker)

A barbecue soy curl sandwich on whole wheat bun with slaw.
Talk about easy, this vegan BBQ is the epitome of a fuss-free party dish. Serve it with buns and a few sides or on top of the loaded nachos mentioned above!
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Vegan Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Creamy vegan macaroni and cheese inside a large black Crockpot.
You probably don't think of mac and cheese as an appetizer, but it's definitely great party food! And this one is made entirely in the slow cooker. So while you're hanging with friends, waiting for the big game to start, simply stir it a few times while the CrockPot does all the work!
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When it comes to hosting or attending a party, the people and excitement of the event should be the focus. With all of these fun and delicious options, now they can be!

If you try any of these vegan appetizers be sure to comment below and let us know! You can also tag your photos on instagram with @myquietkitchen to show off your party spread.

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  1. Pam in Sacramento says

    I'm eyeing those nachos; they look so yummy! Thinking this is a great list for the upcoming Superbowl, too.

    Thank you so much for all of your wonderful recipes, Lori. My family and I have enjoyed a number of them this year. Wishing you and your loved ones boundless peace, joy, health, and optimism in 2025.

    Reply