By Megan Edwards,
Last Updated:Throwing a plant-based party? Don’t want to go empty-handed to a gathering? We’ve got you covered. These delicious vegan appetizers are guaranteed to wow a crowd with their intense flavors and perfectly portable size. From crispy, crunchy onion rings to elegant bruschetta bites and tropical fruit skewers, we’ve rounded up our favorite vegan finger foods that will bring pizzazz to any social event. Why settle for basic chips and dip when your dish could be the life of the party?
Onion Rings
Kiki Nelson's oil-free onion rings are hands-down one of the best vegan party appetizers you could make. Sweet onion is encased in crunchy panko bread crumbs and savory spices before being crisped up in an air fryer. This classic finger food is just as delicious as the one served at your favorite bar, just minus all the greasy oil. Serve with ketchup, and dig in.
Porcini-Lentil Vegan Pâté
Save this recipe for a fancy dinner party when you want to pull out all the stops to impress your guests. This velvety, umami-rich vegan pâté gets its flavor from tangy shallots, savory mushrooms, and sweet balsamic vinegar. Nutrient-dense lentils add creamy substance so you can easily spread a spoonful onto whole wheat crackers or fresh veggies. With this recipe in your backpocket, you’ll feel extra fancy the next time you throw together a crudités board!
Sautéed Leek and Butter Bean Toasts
It’s impossible to have just one of these tasty toasts. Each piece of bread is slathered in roasted garlic, creamy avocado, and a savory leek and white bean mash. The symphony of flavors is brought to a crescendo with the addition of Aleppo pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon. With just one bite you’ve experienced an incredible variety of tastes that all build on top of each other to create a masterpiece.
Air-Fried Arancini
“These were delicious,” one happy reader writes about these crispy stuffed rice snacks. Each air-fried arancini ball features an outer shell of cheesy arborio rice and a tangy filling made of olives and piquante peppers. The coating of whole wheat panko gets deliciously crunchy in the air fryer, and a bowl of spicy marinara dipping sauce rounds out this tantalizing vegan appetizer.
Cheesy Vegan Stuffed Spinach Bites
Craving an ooey, gooey, cheesy snack? These bright green spinach bites will do the trick. The veggie-packed outer coating conceals a molten potato-based cheese center that’s delicious both inside these treats or served as a dip on the side. Dunk the balls in marinara sauce for another layer of savory flavor.
Homemade Vegan Sopes with Refried Beans
If you’re new to the delicious world of sopes, think of this tasty vegan appetizer as a Mexican version of bruschetta. Small balls of savory corn masa are flattened into disks and topped with spicy refried beans, creamy guacamole, and zesty pico de gallo salsa. The layers of flavors in this recipe are reminiscent of all your favorite elements of a burrito, just shaped into a bite-size form!
Smoky Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
Licorice-scented fennel is the secret ingredient in this sumptuous stuffed mushroom recipe. Each tender cap is filled with a savory mixture of roasted fennel, red onion, cannellini beans, and smoky seasonings. Chopped dates add a touch of sweetness, giving each morsel a flavor profile similar to your favorite BBQ sauce. Your party guests will love these one-bite wonders!
Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
One of the most popular Forks Over Knives recipes of all time, these spicy Buffalo cauliflower wings are just what your friends are craving when you have them over for game day. Each “wing” is dredged in a well-seasoned batter and baked to crisp perfection. Once they’re tender, slather the snacks with hot sauce and serve with a side of vegan ranch to really get the party started.
Walnut Biscuit Stacked Fruit Appetizers
This easy vegan finger food recipe is perfect for nibbling on before the main course is served. Homemade walnut biscuits create a savory base for a tower of fresh fruit drizzled in sweet maple syrup. Feel free to use any combination of fruit that you have hanging around in your pantry; the result is bound to be delicious.
Orzo-Stuffed Tomatoes with Pesto Fluff
These pesto-topped campari tomatoes are perfect for popping in your mouth as you make the rounds at a sophisticated soirée. Each flavor bomb is bursting with a hearty mixture of orzo pasta, peas, pine nuts, basil, and bell pepper to create a mouthwatering Mediterranean medley that is bound to be a crowd favorite.
Spiced-Couscous Cucumber Bites
The secret to an incredible bite-size appetizer is prioritizing a good mix of textures and flavors, and these yummy couscous cups do exactly that. Refreshing cucumber slices are hollowed out and filled with spicy couscous, tangy dried apricots, and creamy tahini. Top each bite with aromatic mint, and you’ve got yourself a winning snack to serve to guests (or perhaps enjoy all to yourself!).
Sicilian Rice Balls with Mushrooms and Peas
What’s better than a bite-sized ball of creamy, veggie-loaded rice coated in crispy breadcrumbs? Not much, in our opinion! These vegan arancini are simple to make and are always a total crowd-pleaser. Let guests dunk them in marinara sauce or homemade pesto and enjoy your antipasti like the Italians do. One happy reader writes, “Fabulous recipe. Great finger food!”
Endive Boats with Summer Fruit
Take the stress out of your party prep by making these simple six-ingredient endive boats. The colorful, crunchy leaves are filled with a summery jumble of chopped peaches, tomato, blueberries, and fresh tarragon. (If you don’t have tarragon, feel free to use basil instead.) The savory-sweet combo will be a hit among your pals, and the whole thing comes together in just 15 minutes.
Summer Squash Roll-Ups
Before serving up these superb squash roll ups at your next gathering, be sure to tuck a few into your lunchbag for a delicious day-after snack. Crunchy matchstick veggies and creamy hummus are wrapped in tender squash ribbons so you get the perfect handheld version of a crudités platter. This recipe would be equally tasty if you swapped out the hummus for vegan ranch. Add a little hot sauce if you like a kick of heat!
Mini Bell Pepper Poppers
These adorable bell pepper poppers strike the perfect balance between savory and sweet flavors thanks to the winning combo of mango, tomato, cucumber, and scallion in the filling. Cilantro adds herbal zest while a dash of spicy Tajín seasoning kicks the heat up a notch. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a group of friends, you won’t be disappointed by this amazing vegan finger food recipe one reader calls “fresh and delicious!”
Crispy Baked Polenta Sticks with Ranch Dip
Forget mozzarella sticks—polenta sticks are just as tasty and far healthier! These crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside cheesy snacks are perfect for munching on during movie night or when you have company over to watch the game. The dip-friendly sticks pair perfectly with vegan ranch, but marinara sauce would work nicely as well.
Fancy Vegan Meatballs
Elevate your appetizer game with these eye-catching vegan meatballs. Beans, rice, and mushrooms form the meaty base while garlic, sage, and sun-dried tomatoes infuse them with finger-licking savory flavor. After being baked, each meatball is served on a romaine lettuce leaf, topped with warm marinara, and sprinkled with cashew cheese crumbles. Game changer, right?
Chipotle Black Bean Dip
Hummus is always a crowd-pleaser, but why not switch things up a bit with this delectable black bean dip? The hearty beans are blended with the intense flavors of chipotle chiles in adobo, garlic, onion, and lime juice until everything gets velvety smooth. Serve with tortilla chips and veggie sticks for a Southwestern centerpiece that will be gobbled up in no time.
Zucchini Fritters
Dreena Burton’s zucchini fritters are one of our most popular vegan finger food recipes of all time—and for good reason. The tender patties are packed full of savory ingredients like tahini, Dijon mustard, and dill seed before being baked to golden brown perfection in the oven. Serve these tantalizing snacks with a side of vegan sour cream, ketchup, or balsamic reduction for a delicious dunking experience.
Sweet Potato Mini Galettes
Crisp homemade pastry shells, juicy sweet potatoes, and an herb-infused fennel filling make these mini galettes a crowd-pleasing party appetizer. The no-knead dough comes together quickly and looks extra pretty when the edges are pinched into pleats. Rosemary, sage, and chives deepen the earthy flavors of the filling while nutritional yeast adds a touch of cheesiness. They’re just as tasty as they are beautiful!
Thai Fruit Skewers with Coconut and Lime
This fruit-forward vegan appetizer is ideal for a summer BBQ or garden party. Simply marinate your fruit of choice in coconut and lime juice (in this recipe we chose mango, kiwi, pineapple, and papaya), and then thread the sweet chunks onto skewers. A sprinkling on fresh mint right before serving helps to enhance the tropical flavors of this recipe that one reader calls “beautiful and wonderfully fresh.”
Vegan Jalapeño Poppers with Savory Sweet Potato Filling
A veganized version of classic pub grub, these party-worthy poppers will satisfy even the most skeptical guests. The spicy jalapeño shells are stuffed with a creamy, cheesy sweet potato mixture that melts in your mouth and makes it impossible to eat just one. Feel free to add some chopped cilantro or a drizzle of hot sauce to score some bonus points for presentation.
Tex-Mex Potato Skins
Bite-size potato skins? Yes please! These stunning snacks incorporate a slew of Southwestern spices to create the Tex Mex finger food of your dreams. Each tiny tuber is packed full of black beans, sweet corn, smoky chipotle powder, and tangy lemon juice before being drizzled in a creamy cheese sauce. A pico de gallo garnish ties it all together and leaves your taste buds begging for more.
Dairy-Free Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Win over the hearts (and stomachs) of your guests with this plant-based version of a classic party appetizer. The traditional cheese sauce is replaced by a creamy mixture of plant-based milk and flour that’s dressed up with savory spices to highlight the earthy artichoke and spinach. One satisfied reader says, “This is my go to dip for gatherings.”
Polenta Crostini with Chickpea Pesto
Switch up your standard bruschetta recipe with this creative twist on the classic Italian appetizer. Slices of hearty polenta are baked until golden brown and then topped with a creamy chickpea pesto, juicy tomatoes, tangy onions, and fragrant basil. Crack a little black pepper on top, and you have a tasty snack to tide you over until dinnertime.
Taco-Spiced Tortilla Chips
Zhuzh up store-bought tortilla chips with this drool-worthy blend of Southwest spices. Cumin, coriander, chipotle chile powder, and paprika (among other seasonings) deliver a powerful burst of flavor to turn your basic chips into a taco-inspired snack. Dip these tasty triangles into salsa, guacamole, or vegan sour cream to enjoy the full effect.
Curried Tofu Summer Rolls
Summer rolls are the perfect vegan finger food because they’re refreshing, filling, and full of good-for-you ingredients. Our recipe packs each rice paper wrapper with baby spinach, shredded carrots, cilantro, and delectable strips of curry-infused tofu. Feel free to enjoy as is, or serve alongside a dipping sauce (such as Tomato Tamarind Chutney or Wasabi Orange Sauce) to pack in as much flavor as possible.
White Bean Toasts with Veggies
Colorful and cute, these epic appetizer toasts are stacked with all the best ingredients. Each slice of the whole grain baguette is topped with lettuce, cucumber, red onion, a savory white bean mash, and cherry tomatoes to create the perfect mini tartine. If you have extra bean mash, serve it on the side as a dip with crackers or veggie sticks. The best part of this recipe is its versatility, so get creative with the produce that you choose for the topping!
Air-Fried Vegan Lumpia
Crispy, savory, and totally dippable, these air-fried lumpia are an incredible way to kick off your next gathering. This vegan version of the traditional Filipino snack stuffs each wrapper with mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and quinoa to create a robust plant-based filling. Popping them in the airfryer ensures they get deliciously crunchy sans oil, and you can easily set out a smorgasbord of dipping sauces for your pals to dunk the rolls into.
Vegan French Onion Dip
What party appetizer is more classic than French onion dip? Here, we’ve swapped the dairy and oil for a healthy plant-based mixture that uses tofu as the creamy base for this savory, herb-infused spread. Serve the dip with a platter of fresh veggies and whole wheat pita crackers when you’re in need of a vegan party appetizer everyone will love.
About the Author
About the Author
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards is a staff writer and content producer for Forks Over Knives. She is also a certified RYT-500 yoga teacher who is passionate about cultivating holistic wellness through plant-based eating, mindful movement, and meditation. With a background in journalism and marketing, she supports both the online presence and quarterly print magazine for Forks Over Knives.
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