Looking for easy, crowd-pleasing vegan appetizers for your next party? Browse through these mouthwatering party foods and appetizer recipes that are not only plant-based but also created with non-vegans in mind! From finger foods and dips to more substantial dishes like wings, sliders, and quesadillas, you'll find something here for every crowd and occasion.
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!), we 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!
Jump to:
- 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.
Vegan Party Platters
Vegan Cheese and Snack Board
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 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
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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Dips and Spreads
Vegan Caramelized Onion Dip
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!)
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
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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To Serve With Dips
Bagel Croutons
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
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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Finger Foods
Easy Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Asian Dipping Sauce
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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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