vegan appetizers

These fried oyster mushrooms are a classic street food snack that is sold throughout Taiwan's famous night markets.

It's fall once again and the holiday season is coming up soon. Maybe you're looking for some new vegan recipes to make 2023's vegan Christmas dinner menu better than ever. Maybe you're a new vegan wondering where to start with Christmas meals. Or maybe you have vegan guests coming for the holidays and you have no idea what to prepare. No matter why you're here, I'm glad you are!

I've put together the best of my time-tested, tried and true, delicious vegan Christmas recipes right here for you. From Christmas breakfast to sugar cookies to vegan Christmas dinner ideas, you'll find a recipe that you and your family will love!

Maybe you're a new vegan wondering what you can cook for your first vegan Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe you're hosting a vegan for Thanksgiving and wondering "what do vegans eat for Thanksgiving?" Or maybe you've been vegan for a while, but you need some new recipes for this holiday that features mostly traditional dishes.

Whatever your vegan Thanksgiving needs, I've compiled a complete menu of recipes to make your holiday meal a success for everyone! There are no compromises in these Thanksgiving dishes. I promise, no one will miss the meat, dairy, or eggs in any of these recipes. Whether you're planning a fully vegan meal, or just incorporating some vegan options for a few of your guests, these dishes are sure to be loved by all. (And if you're not vegan, but came here searching for recipes to serve for a vegan, thank you!)

Hummus is healthy, versatile, easy to make, delicious, and vegan. Although the exact origins of hummus are not certain, evidence indicates that it was probably developed somewhere in the Middle East. Today, it's popular throughout the world and can be found in most grocery stores in the United States and elsewhere.

This delicious, creamy dip is an easy way to get some healthy fats and other nutrients into your diet as well. Hummus is a good source of protein and fiber; vitamins like vitamin B6, vitamin C, and folate; and minerals like manganese, copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium. (The exact amounts of these nutrients will vary depending on the recipe you use or the brand you buy).

Potato skins are a classic American appetizer that are loved by almost everyone. But with cheddar, bacon, and sour cream, they're not exactly vegan-friendly. In this recipe, I'm using store-bought vegan cheddar and sour cream along with sun-dried tomatoes so you can enjoy this delicious dish right at home.

I love making these potato skins for parties, game-day gatherings, or casual everyday snacks. They're great for groups of people because they're a finger food that doesn't require utensils. If you need more ideas for vegan party snacks, try my spinach and artichoke dip, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, or cashew queso dip.

Loaded baked potatoes are one of those foods that I really miss when I go out to eat. They typically contain so many animal products, like butter, bacon, cheese, and sour cream. However, this version is completely vegan and tastes absolutely amazing! I've tested out vegan cheddars and sour creams to find the best brands, and I used sun-dried tomatoes to add a ton of flavor.

This recipe is pretty quick and easy to make; most of the preparation time is just waiting for the potatoes to bake in the oven. So while it's a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, it's also an easy comfort food to pull off any time of year.

Smashed potatoes, where have you been all my life? Fluffy inside and crispy outside, filling but also snackable, these have become a go-to in my kitchen. I tried a few recipes that were on the bland side, so I upped the flavor level with garlic, rosemary, vegan parmesan, and vegan butter. And they are sooo good!

These vegan mozzarella sticks have all the flavor of the original, and even some of the stretch, too! If you're missing this cheesy appetizer, no worries, I've got you! Just whip up a batch of my tangy, salty vegan mozzarella, coat it in a batter and seasoned breadcrumbs, and fry it! (Or bake it, your choice, but I like them fried). The mozzarella doesn't have the exact mouthfeel of original mozzarella (I have yet to find one that does), but it does stretch a little, and the flavor is really close.

This marinara sauce is thick and spicy; perfect for dipping mozzarella sticks, breadsticks, and garlic bread! Like any good dipping sauce, it's chunky, with pieces of tomato, onion, and garlic mixed in with herbs and red pepper flakes. The pepper flakes are optional; leave them out or reduce the amount if you're not into spicy foods!

Since this sauce is mostly crushed tomatoes, I recommend using a good brand. The flavor of canned tomatoes varies widely. I personally look for San Marzano tomatoes that were grown in Italy. They're pricier, but I think the flavor justifies the price.

This garlic bread recipe is the vegan version of the classic that many of us remember and love. It's a sliced, pull-apart baguette with grated garlic and chopped fresh parsley, topped with my vegan parmesan. You can also put some slices of vegan mozzarella between the bread slices for cheesy garlic bread.

Garlic bread is a delicious accompaniment to soups, curries, salads, lasagna, baked ziti, or ravioli. I often eat leftovers as a snack with spicy marinara dipping sauce or spinach & artichoke dip.