40 Delicious Vegan Appetizers
Got a party to host or attend and need some vegan appetizers to steal the show? Well, you’ve hit the jackpot! Whether you’re gearing up for a game day bash or a festive Christmas party, we’ve got your back with a smorgasbord of delectable delights, ranging from finger foods to dips and wraps. Trust me, there’s a treat here for every taste bud in the crowd!
Whether you’re fully plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, carnivore, or straddle the line between them all, you’re bound to adore these vegan party appetizer ideas. This list includes my amazing cashew vegan cheese ball for parties and our fabulous oil-free homemade Chex mix for game night. With a spread this diverse, there’s a tasty treat for every palate!
We have a long list of healthy vegan appetizer ideas that are perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, tailgates, game day parties, and so much more.
Reasons you will love these recipes
- Big on Flavor, Low on Calories – Enjoy all the deliciousness of traditional appetizers without the heavy fats—perfect for starting your meal light.
- Easy to Prepare and Serve – Most of these recipes are simple to make, making them a stress-free option that’s perfect for any holiday gathering.
- Crowd-Pleasers for All Guests – These appetizers are plant-based and oil-free, so they’re great for vegans and non-vegans alike who want to enjoy something tasty and nutritious.
Vegan Appetizer Ideas
These vegan appetizers are the perfect opportunity to spread the joy of plant-based eating with your loved ones! Show them that diving into vegan cuisine is not only delicious but also a delightful adventure packed with flavor and fun. So, let’s get this party started!
Best Vegan Appetizers
With a plethora of fantastic vegan appetizers out there, this list rounds up the cream of the crop! Get ready to dive into the very best of the best!
This vegan cheese ball is so delicious that no one will even realize that it’s dairy-free. It is perfect for parties, family get-togethers, the holidays, and game nights. You don’t even need a special occasion to enjoy this amazing vegan appetizer; simply eat it as a snack anytime!
These bite-sized colorful sandwich pinwheels make terrific little appetizers or a quick tasty lunch, and they are very kid-friendly!
Chex mix is everyone’s favorite snack mix because it is bursting with flavor and is easy to make. Customize it and swap out ingredients to make it different each time. This healthy plant-based version of Chex mix is completely oil-free!
These Garden Spring Rolls are one of our favorite recipes. Add a big bowl of steamed rice, and we’ve got dinner!
These easy lettuce wraps are so delicious and healthy because they’re filled with fresh, crisp vegetables and savory plant-based protein, offering a flavorful and low-carb meal or appetizer that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
These Crockpot Carrots are simmered in tangy BBQ sauce and are mouthwateringly delicious. They are perfect for holidays, game days, birthday parties, and even family dinners. Be forewarned, they’re super addictive!
This delicious oil-free blooming onion is baked to crispy perfection and drizzled with amazing vegan chipotle sauce.
This Vegan Charcuterie Board will be a huge hit at your next party or gathering of friends and family. It’s perfect for entertaining during the holidays or even game night!
These cauliflower wings are lip-smacking delicious! Terrific for game day or any day for that matter. We even eat them as a main dish.
This vegan spinach artichoke dip is sure to be a hit at any potluck or game night! The recipe is so versatile, it can be made with white beans or cashews.
This blender salsa recipe is so simple to make, and it’s much better than the store-bought. All you need is a blender and a few ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, onions, cilantro, peppers, and spices.
This easy Black Bean and Corn Salsa is a colorful delight and perfect for serving as an appetizer, side dish, or snack on game day!
This Vegan Nacho Cheese is incredible as a dip for baked chips as well as on fries, baked potatoes, and pizza. For healthy burritos and quesadillas, it can’t be beaten! Make it with cashews or white beans.
These Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms are a fabulous side dish or appetizer for any occasion. This is a simple and savory recipe that’s a snap to assemble and a real crowd-pleaser dish.
Making Vegan Cashew Queso has never been easier than with this delicious 4 ingredient recipe that takes less than 5 minutes to make in your blender or food processor. It's that simple!
Hands down, this vegan potato recipe is the best you’ll ever try. Even people who aren’t vegan love these!
These collard green vegan wraps with creamy peanut sauce offer a fresh, healthy main dish or appetizer that is bursting with vibrant color and loads of nutrition. Checkout out my cooking demo video of this recipe
Sometimes you just need a little something sweet that doesn’t require a lot of effort. Whether you’re making a snack for yourself or for a crowd, these easy stuffed dates are the perfect healthy dessert or snack.
We love Vegan Sushi, but it can be so expensive to buy in restaurants. The good news is that it’s easy to make at home, and you can customize it to include all the stuffings you like best!
Cucumber Sandwiches are perfect for appetizers, luncheons, bridal or baby showers, picnics, and even just for a healthy meal. They are fresh, light, and so delicious!
This low-fat Italian Vegan Hummus is delicious on sandwiches, in wraps, or served with fresh vegetables and pita bread. It’s completely oil and tahini-free, so the calories and fat per serving are very low.
This French Onion Vegan Dip is not only dairy-free but also low-fat and delicious. Caramelized onions are what give this dip the sweetest flavor. Great with chips, crusty bread, or crispy veggies.
Vegan Chili Cheese Fries are plant-strongly amazing! Crispy oil-free fries, topped with layers of tangy spicy chili and creamy vegan cheese sauce. The ultimate heart-healthy comfort food!
These quick and easy air fryer chickpeas are absolutely delicious and completely oil-free. Choose from this tasty assortment of flavors!
This vegan spinach dip recipe can be made in minutes and used as a dip with fresh vegetables or served on crusty bread or crackers.
This chocolate hummus is SO easy to make. If you’ve got 5-minutes and a blender, you’ve got a delicious healthy vegan dessert.
These are a great little protein-packed snack and so easy to make! I've tried different versions of roasted chickpeas snack with assorted seasonings and just couldn't get the flavor to pop, until these. Terrific tangy vinegar snack!
Waldorf Salad is an appetizer that is a fabulous fusion of wholesome ingredients like apple slices, walnuts, leafy greens, and a creamy dressing that is out of this world. It’s a perfect classic crowd-pleaser to serve any time of the year.
This beautifully vibrant green edamame hummus recipe is bursting with flavor! It makes a delicious dip for veggies or even a spread for sandwiches and wraps.
If you have 10 minutes and a blender, you’ve got a crazy delish easy vegan black bean dip!
Air popping is one of the healthiest ways to prepare popcorn because it does not involve oil, which adds to the fat and calorie content. It can be made on the stove top, in an air popper or in the microwave.
These cauliflower wings are baked to perfection and smothered with a gooey sweet honey mustard sauce that will be a hit with plant-eaters and meat-eaters alike!
Thought you couldn’t eat potato chips on a healthy vegan plant-based eating plan? Me too, but thankfully we were wrong! These healthy homemade vegan potato chips are easy and delicious!
This easy, oil-free, vegan hummus takes only about 10-minutes to make and requires absolutely no cooking. It also happens to be gluten-free.
Tootsie rolls are a deliciously rich classic candy, and this yummy homemade vegan chocolate recipe is sure to please!
These colorful fruit skewers are made with fresh fruit and lime sauce and are perfect for a healthy dessert or an impressive party appetizer.
Making homemade baked tortilla chips is super easy and anyone can do it. Since they are baked and not fried, they are a much healthier option than regular chips, and they’ve got all the taste!
Healthy, homemade, oil-free, air fryer french fries are simple to make and absolutely delicious!
This luscious spread uses no added fat. The sundried tomatoes give it a wonderful smoky flavor and add the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene. Spread it on low-fat crusty bread or use it as a dip for baked pita chips. Recipe from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
To make it even easier for those who need specific vegan appetizer ideas, I’ve created a few lists that should help narrow down your search and pinpoint exactly what you are looking for.
Rolls & Wraps
These delightful rolls and wraps are the ultimate party pleasers! With their vibrant colors and refreshing flavors, they’re as visually stunning as they are scrumptiously delicious.
- Sandwich Pinwheels. Dive into a flavor fiesta with these vegan sandwich pinwheels! Bursting with a lively mix of crisp veggies and scrumptious plant-based spreads, each bite is a party for your taste buds.
- Asian Fresh Spring Rolls. I seriously have an addiction to these beautifully healthy veg spring rolls! Whether they are dipped in peanut sauce or chili sauce, I’m perfectly happy with these crunchy flavorful masterpieces.
- Collard Wraps with Peanut Sauce. These Collard Green Vegan Wraps with creamy peanut sauce offer a fresh, healthy main dish or appetizer bursting with vibrant color and loads of nutrition.
- Easy Vegan Sushi. It doesn’t take fancy ingredients or a lot of time to make your own homemade vegetable sushi. Actually, it’s pretty fun to do and it makes a perfect finger food appetizer.
Game Day Healthy Appetizers
These healthy vegan game day appetizers are sure to be a hit because they offer a tantalizing array of flavors and textures that appeal to a wide range of tastes. From zesty dips to savory bites, they prove that nutritious eating can be just as satisfying during game-time festivities!
- Cauliflower BBQ Wings. These Cauliflower Wings are terrific for game day or any day for that matter. We even eat them as a main dish.
- Baked Blooming Onion. This delicious oil-free Blooming Onion is baked to crispy perfection and drizzled with amazing vegan chipotle sauce.
- Black Bean & Corn Salsa. This easy Black Bean and Corn Salsa is a colorful delight and perfect for serving as an appetizer, side dish, or snack on game day!
- Vegan Nacho Cheese. This Vegan Nacho Cheese is incredible as a dip for baked chips as well as on fries, baked potatoes, and pizza. For healthy burritos and quesadillas, it can’t be beaten!
- Cashew Queso. Making Vegan Cashew Queso has never been easier than with this delicious 4 ingredient recipe that takes less than 5 minutes to make in your blender or food processor.
Christmas Vegan Appetizers
These vegan appetizers are perfect for Christmas parties and gatherings because they’re not only delicious but also packed with wholesome ingredients that promote well-being. From nutrient-rich dips to flavorful bites, they offer a festive spread that nourishes both body and soul, making holiday celebrations truly merry and bright!
- No-Bake Chocolate Balls. Chocolate balls are simple, no-bake chocolatey truffles that are easy to make and loved by adults and kids alike. Whether you need a chocolate fix or a quick dessert to serve, these will be a big hit!
- Little Smoky BBQ Carrots. These Crockpot Carrots are simmered in tangy BBQ sauce and are mouthwateringly delicious. They are perfect for holidays, game days, birthday parties, and even family dinners. Be forewarned, they’re super addictive!
- Stuffed Mushrooms. These Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms are a fabulous side dish or appetizer for any occasion. This is a simple and savory recipe that is a snap to assemble and a real crowd-pleaser dish.
- Loaded Potato Skin Bites. These loaded potatoes are the perfect snack or appetizer for family and social gatherings or game days. Not only do they make a beautiful display, but they also taste AMAZING!
Gluten-Free Appetizers
These gluten-free vegan appetizers are a fantastic choice for parties and gatherings because they cater to various dietary needs while still offering delicious and satisfying options.
- Stuffed Dates. Sometimes you just need a little something sweet that doesn’t require a lot of effort. Whether you’re making a snack for yourself or a crowd, these easy Stuffed Dates are the perfect healthy dessert or snack.
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. This oil-free vegan Roasted Red Pepper Hummus recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to make. If you have 10 minutes and a blender or food processor, you’ve got a delicious healthy snack.
- Crispy Roasted Chickpeas. These quick and easy Air Fryer Chickpeas are absolutely delicious and completely oil-free. Choose from this tasty assortment of flavors!
Easy Vegan Finger Food
These easy vegan finger foods are perfect for party appetizers because they’re quick to prepare, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time mingling with your guests. Plus, their bite-sized portions make them convenient to eat while socializing, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the festivities without missing a beat!
- Almond Butter Energy Balls. Energy Balls are an easy, no-bake snack that can be assembled in mere minutes. They are packed with wholesome ingredients and serve as convenient options for snacks and appetizers.
- Rainbow Fruit Skewers. These colorful Fruit Skewers are made with fresh fruit and lime sauce and are perfect for a healthy dessert or an impressive party appetizer.
- Chocolate Tootsie Rolls. Tootsie Rolls are a deliciously rich classic candy, and this yummy homemade chocolate recipe is sure to please. It’s vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and dairy-free, and it doesn’t require any cooking!
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. All the taste of Grandma’s cookies, but none of the fat! These Vegan Oatmeal Cookies are oil-free, dairy-free, and egg-free, with only 88 calories and 1 gram of fat per cookie!
How to Store Vegan Appetizers
Most vegan appetizers will need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Dips, salsa, and hummus will need to be stirred after refrigeration to freshen them up. The healthy charcuterie board items will need to be bagged and stored individually for the best results.
While many of these recipes are freezable, please follow the storage instructions for each recipe to be sure they are freezer-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Healthy vegan appetizers focus on whole, plant-based ingredients like vegetables, legumes, nuts, and grains. They’re usually lower in unhealthy fats, refined sugars, and additives, making them nutritious and satisfying.
Stuffed mushrooms, veggie spring rolls, healthy oil-free hummus with veggie sticks, mini lettuce wraps, and roasted chickpeas are all popular options that are delicious and nutritious!
Add ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, tofu, or nuts to boost protein. You can make protein-packed dips, spreads, or wraps that are both filling and healthy.
Absolutely! Recipes like veggie skewers, healthy bean dips, and no-bake oat energy bites can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge, making them ideal for serving fresh with minimal last-minute prep.
More vegan appetizers
And if you’re looking for even more ideas, check out my Plant-Based Appetizers & Snacks category. Need something sweet? No problem! There’s a Vegan Desserts category too. For even more inspiration, take a look at this list that includes recipes from some of your favorite plant-based bloggers, Healthy Party Game Day Snacks.
I hope you enjoyed exploring this collection of vegan appetizers and found plenty of inspiration for your next gathering! Whether you’re planning a holiday spread or just want some healthy snack ideas, these recipes are perfect for impressing guests and keeping things light. Happy cooking and happy snacking!
UPDATED: This post has been updated. The original post date was March 2021.
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Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews or 3/4 cup white beans, drained
- 1-2 tablespoon plant milk
- 1/2 cup low-fat eggless mayo
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 medium garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- black pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups Artichoke hearts, drained (12-15 oz can)
- 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed (1.5 cups)
Easy Low-Fat Mayo
- 12 oz soft silken tofu drained (up to 16 oz is fine)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweetener pure cane, maple syrup, etc
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of cashews, but those can be replaced with beans. You might even want to do a combination of both to reduce the calories slightly but still have the creamy cashew flavor.
- If you are planning to use cashews and you have a high-power blender like a Vitamix, there is no need to soak the cashews. I use one for all of my recipes. Otherwise, you will want to soak the cashews in warm water for at least 30 minutes. Using cashew pieces instead of whole cashews will speed up the soaking process and cut it in half.
- Next, make my delicious low-fat, eggless mayo if you aren't using store-bought vegan mayonnaise. It is as simple as adding tofu, Dijon mustard, vinegar, sea salt, and sweetener to a blender and processing until smooth. I have included the ingredients and measurements above. Use leftover mayo on sandwiches, wraps, and in recipes like my vegan ranch dressing.
- If you made the homemade mayo, transfer it to a bowl because you'll need the blender to make the rest of this recipe.
- Add all 8 of the first ingredients: beans (or raw cashews), almond milk, a half-cup of the mayo, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Blend until very smooth.
- Add the drained artichokes and blend for just a few seconds. I like to keep the artichoke hearts a bit chunky, so pulsing instead of blending works well. If your blender is lower-powdered, you may have to add a little more almond milk if it's too thick for the blender.
- At this point, you will need to make sure that your frozen spinach is completely thawed and drain the excess water from it. What I like to do is place the defrosted spinach on some paper towels, roll it up, and squeeze it over the sink.
- Pour the mixture from your blender into a bowl and add the defrosted and drained spinach. Stir until incorporated well. This will take a couple of minutes to thoroughly distribute the spinach.
- Serve with oil-free Mary’s Gone Crackers, chips, carrots, celery, or any other veggies of your choice. It's also fabulous in a sourdough bread bowl where you can use the bread chunks as dippers.
Easy Mayo:
- Add all mayo ingredients to a blender and process until smooth. This will make more mayonnaise than needed for the dip. Pour leftovers into an airtight container and store for 7-10 days in the refrigerator. It is great on sandwiches and in other dips and sauces.
Video
Notes
- Chips for Dipping- Homemade corn tortillas are SO easy to make. They make a perfect accompaniment for this dip. Other options include Easy Crispy potato chips and Mary’s Gone Crackers.
- Spinach- I don’t recommend blending the spinach with the other ingredients in a blender because it turns an ugly green color. It tastes the same but doesn’t make a good impression.
- Storage- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
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