What would any gathering, get-together, or hang-out be without…
Appetizers!
Fun finger foods really are the life of the party – sharing a big plate of food with friends and family keeps everyone entertained (and your bellies happily satisfied!) before the main course.
Aside from getting our eager hands on favorites like spicy chicken wings, savory pigs in a blanket, and cheesy nachos, our mouths are watering with this tasty collection of vegan appetizers!
Tantalize those taste buds with the best assortment of nibbles and bites, like deep-fried jalapeno poppers, freshly made hummus, and crunchy crostini.
We’re always ready to party. Join the fun, and make some of the recipes below!
If you like, you can also skip ahead to your favorite categories from the following list:
Fried
1. Deep-Fried Vegan Jalapeno Poppers
Think you can handle the heat?
For a spicy vegan appetizer, make these sliced and fried jalapeno poppers. They can also be made gluten-free, with an easy switch to gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Served with barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or ketchup, these are seriously irresistible for anyone who likes a little fire in their apps!
2. Cauliflower and Chard Fritters
These pan-fried fritters pack in so many fresh, nutritional veggies!
Combine cauliflower, chard, garlic, and parsley with a little oil, flour, and ground flax seed to get a hearty mix. Pan-fried for a few minutes in a skillet, you’ll go crazy over the golden, crispy bite on the outside and the flavorful filling.
Serve them with a vegan spicy yogurt cilantro sauce for the creamiest dipping experience that’s both feisty and refreshing in flavor.
Learn how to make the recipe now.
3. Deep-Fried Tortilla Chips
Tired of the same old nacho chips you buy at the store?
Put down that bag, and make some in your own kitchen!
Learn how to make homemade tortilla chips in just a few minutes using soft flour or corn tortillas. Simply fry them in oil to get crispy triangles that are perfect for dipping in your favorite salsa, guacamole, or hummus.
Just be sure you’re using a vegan tortilla – some of them are made with lard, which is rendered from pig fat. Check the ingredient list before you buy!
Find the instructions to make these here.
4. Fried Kohlrabi
Ever wonder what to do with that weird looking, bulbous kohlrabi in the produce section? We have the perfect idea for you, oh curious one…
Our fried kohlrabi bites are super crunchy, perfect to enjoy as an addictive appetizer served with a creamy sauce.
While the original ingredient list calls for egg and Greek yogurt, easily swap the chicken egg for one flax egg, and use a vegan dairy-free yogurt for the dipping sauce.
Baked
5. No-Knead Italian Breadsticks
We. Love. Carbs.
So for all of you bread lovers wanting to sink your teeth into some fluffy carbs at the party, here’s a delicious and easy recipe for breadstick twists that require no kneading.
Flavor this bread with your favorite combo of seasonings. We give it an Italian twist (haha…) with garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, and olive oil.
We’ll teach you how to make them here.
6. Butternut Squash Oven Fries
For a healthy, nutrient-dense appetizer, bake a batch of these butternut squash oven fries.
These crispy seasonal vegetable sticks are a healthier version of the classic potato recipe – with the same crispy, crunchy outside and nearly melt-in-your-mouth inside.
They’re perfect for serving during the cooler months, especially for all your holiday parties!
7. Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
An easy recipe for the best vegan barbecue appetizer out there!
We toss cauliflower florets in a gluten-free batter and bake ‘em until they’re crispy. After they’re baked, we douse them in the spiciest cayenne sauce you could ever imagine.
8. Smoky and Spicy Chickpeas
If you’ve ever fallen off the healthy eating bandwagon because of bland snacks and apps, we’ve got the tastiest solution for you.
Our roasted chickpeas deliver the goods for guilt-free, tasty satisfaction. Crispy and crunchy, we flavor these bite-sized goodies with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cayenne, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Get this smoky and spicy recipe right here on Foodal.
Crostini and Sandwiches
9. Roasted Tomato Crostini
Roasted tomato crostini is an appetizer that’s ridiculously easy to prepare.
Mix together slow roasted cherry or grape tomatoes with garlic, balsamic vinegar, and basil for a vibrant bite of deliciousness to wake up your palate.
The acid from the tomatoes, the herbaceous and slightly sweet flavor of the basil, and the tang of the balsamic all meld together on your tongue to tickle your taste buds. It’s a flavorful combination to pique your appetite for whatever delicious meal is to come.
10. Black Bean and Poblano Taquitos
For anyone who has a busy schedule, planning to make something spectacular for a party can be stressful.
This recipe offers a helping hand – provided by your slow cooker.
We love to make baked taquitos, a quick and easy Mexican-inspired (and gluten-free!) appetizer.
Cook the beans with a medley of spices in the slow cooker while you’re working. When you get home, simply roll them up with charred poblano peppers in corn tortillas, and bake them until golden brown and crispy!
Learn how to make it now on Foodal.
11. Tomato Basil Bruschetta
Diced fresh tomato, basil, garlic, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil all come together in this classic bruschetta appetizer.
Easy and effortless, serve this elegantly simple mix of fresh ingredients on top of toasted slices of your favorite vegan bread.
You will taste the authentic flavors of Italy in every single bite, making it a satisfying appetizer that you’ll want to make for every single party you host.
Pureed and Mashed Dips
12. Roasted Garlic Hummus
We’ve never been upset with garlic breath…
Which is why this roasted garlic hummus is one of our favorites!
Roasted garlic adds depth to traditional chickpea hummus. And with the addition of fresh oregano, lemon, and a dash of cayenne, this homemade dip gets a little more pizzazz.
13. Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
Roasted garlic not enough for you?
If you want even more flavor, we suggest this hummus recipe – in addition to roasted garlic, we add sweet and tangy sun-dried tomatoes for an extra, addicting layer of taste.
14. Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus
If you’ve been disappointed by the spice level of most of the hummus that you’ve eaten in the past, make this feisty option now!
Our cilantro jalapeno hummus packs the perfect amount of heat into every flavorful bite, with the epic combination of jalapeno and fresh cilantro.
Your taste buds won’t know what hit them…
Spice up your life with this recipe here.
15. Pumpkin Hummus
Most people love sweet pumpkin recipes, but how about trying a savory one instead?
This autumnal twist on the typical hummus dip is the perfect fall appetizer.
The pureed pumpkin creates a super creamy texture, and gives the hummus a beautiful yellow-orange hue, not to mention a boost of nutritional value!
16. Kale Basil Hummus
When you want to squeeze more greens into your diet in a new and tasty way, dunk your crudite into our flavorful kale basil hummus.
The leafy greens and fresh herbs give the classic bean dip a fresh flavor – even picky eaters who claim they hate “that healthy stuff” won’t be able to stop eating it!
17. Baba Ghanoush Hummus
This version of hummus is inspired by baba ghanoush, a smooth and creamy eggplant dish.
We combine all the classic flavors of hummus you love with perfectly roasted eggplant and garlic cloves.
The best of both worlds!
Read the instructions for the recipe here.
18. Guacamole
Add this to your list of recipe essentials you should absolutely know how to make!
Made with simple ingredients like ripe avocado, fresh vegetables and herbs, and a few spices, our guacamole is a classic dip we will always love making and serving.
It’s our favorite dip for parties, taco night, or served alongside cocktails on the patio – and it will easily become one of your go-to favorites, as well!
Salsas
19. Mango Cucumber Salsa
Hot, cold! Spicy, refreshing! Sweet, savory!
With every dip and every bite, this mango cucumber salsa provides a crazy-unique balance of flavors, heat levels, and textures.
With additional ingredients as vibrant as jalapeno, purple onion, and cilantro, this recipe bursts with bright colors and tastes.
20. Pico de Gallo
This fresh and fast salsa recipe combines juicy tomatoes with just a few additional ingredients.
Red onion, garlic, lime, cilantro, and jalapeno all join the fiesta to create a healthy condiment with a spicy kick that is deliciously dip-worthy.
And you’ll be relieved to discover how easy it is to make this one-bowl wonder. Once everything is prepped and chopped, just toss it all together in a big bowl and serve!
21. Salsa Verde
Here’s a quick and easy way to make a tasty and tangy salsa verde. You don’t need too many ingredients for this traditional Mexican roasted tomatillo dip!
Roasted tomatillos and a few other ingredients are blended together and ready to serve.
Other than the fresh tomatillos, you just need a serrano or jalapeno pepper (or two, if you can handle the heat!), a lemon or lime, a clove of garlic, an onion, and some cilantro and salt.
It’s fast, customizable to your heat preferences, and so good with tortilla chips!
Pique the Vegan Palate
Foodal’s tasty collection of vegan appetizers uses the freshest ingredients in creative ways to pique the palate before you dive into the main course.
With no animal products, each appetizer shines with bright flavors from an entertaining assortment of vegetables, legumes, herbs, and spices.
So, fun host or hostess, which of these dips and snacks are you planning to serve at your next party? Let us know in the comments below!
Or, better yet, invite us over so we can have a taste of all the delish apps!
Photos by Raquel Smith, Nikki Cervone, Kendall Vanderslice, Meghan Yager, and Lorna Kring © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.
About Nikki Cervone
Nikki Cervone is an ACS Certified Cheese Professional and cheesemonger living in Pittsburgh. Nikki holds an AAS in baking/pastry from Westmoreland County Community College, a BA in Communications from Duquesne University, and an MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University. When she's not nibbling on her favorite cheeses or testing a batch of cupcakes, Nikki enjoys a healthy dose of yoga, wine, hiking, singing in the shower, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
