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    Home » Vegan cooking resources

    Top 10 reader favorites of 2020

    Updated: May 12, 2025 · Published: Dec 30, 2020 by Cadry Nelson · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

    Text overlay: Top 10 reader favorites from Cadry's Kitchen. Hands dipping sandwich into au jus.

    Here are the most popular reader favorites from Cadry’s Kitchen in 2020. The list includes air fryer recipes, vegan comfort food, and a surprising choice in the number one slot.

    Jackfruit French dip sandwich on table.

    Today I’m looking back at the most popular recipes on Cadry’s Kitchen this year.

    The interesting thing about having a food blog is that the new recipes you develop in a year are rarely the ones that get the most traffic. Recipes build momentum over time as word of mouth spreads and search engines catch on.

    That is obvious from the top reader favorites of this year as none of them came out in 2020. One recipe is from 2011, and two were created in 2012! (Although, the photos and content have been updated since then.)

    I guess that means my recipe for vegan crab cakes will have its day in 2030! Until then, here are the recipes that have gotten the most clicks this year.

    Gin & tonic

    Fingers squeezing lime over gin and tonic with mint.

    Perhaps speaking to the perils of 2020, my perfect gin & tonic is coming in at number 10.

    The two most important ingredients are right there in the name, of course. But by muddling some fresh mint and adding a squeeze of lime, you’ve got a summer favorite that I’ll happily imbibe in the winter too.

    Fried pickles

    Breaded pickle slices on plate with ranch dressing.

    When I got my first air fryer for Christmas in 2016, I wondered how much I’d use it. The answer is that four years later, I’m still using it daily. (Although, last month I had to replace it with this one after its fan died.)

    It seems all of you are still loving your air fryers too since half this list is air fryer recipes! (FYI: You can find all of my vegan air fryer recipes <– here.)

    Fried pickles are coated in beer batter, finished with breadcrumbs, and then fried until crisp in the air fryer or a skillet. Perfect for dipping in vegan ranch!

    Grab your favorite crunchy pickle slices. You’re going to want to make this one!

    Air fryer baked potato

    A baked potato topped with chives and non-dairy butter on plate.

    Next on the list of reader favorites are air fryer baked potatoes.

    What’s so convenient about making baked potatoes in the air fryer is that they are ready in about half the time as cooking in the oven. In the end, you get a spud that’s perfectly crispy on the outside while pillowy on the inside.

    I like to load mine up with non-dairy butter, Miyoko’s scallion cashew cream cheese, and green onions. Or I’ll go all out with some browned seitan bacon.

    It’s an easy & satisfying weeknight meal, especially with a ladling of three bean chili.

    Pro tip: Make more than enough for leftovers. They’re great for lunch or chopped into a breakfast burrito.

    Fried ravioli

    Toasted vegan ravioli from the air fryer on serving platter with marinara.

    Fried ravioli, also known as toasted ravioli, is something I used to only get in restaurants. Not anymore. It’s so easy to make at home, thanks to the air fryer.

    You just dip frozen or fresh vegan ravioli in aquafaba (or a mixture of non-dairy milk & cornstarch). Then you coat it in panko breadcrumbs & spices. Air fry and finish with warm marinara for dipping.

    Remember this reader favorite for New Year’s Eve!

    Creamy cashew salad dressing

    Creamy cashew dressing being poured onto kale salad.

    Hey, it’s not all cocktails and appetizers. Sometimes you need a salad too! This creamy cashew salad dressing recipe from 2011 makes any leafy green more inviting.

    It can stand up to something hearty like kale, but it’s equally nice on romaine or green leaf lettuce. It’s also a flavorful dipping sauce with carrot sticks!

    It’s made with raw cashews, tamari, garlic, lemon juice, cilantro, and water. The cashews give it a wonderfully full body.

    Coconut oil deodorant

    Pouring coconut oil deodorant from bowl into clean jar.

    All of the ingredients in this next item are food-safe, but that doesn’t mean you should eat it!

    If you’re looking for an easy DIY project that anyone could do, check out this coconut oil deodorant. It’s made with just three ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.

    David and I have been using it for years. I like it better than any other natural deodorant on the market.

    French dip sandwich with jackfruit

    Hands dipping vegan French dip sandwich into au jus.

    Coming in at fourth place in the year’s reader favorites is my vegan French dip sandwich made with jackfruit. It makes me so happy when it gets lots of love, because it’s one of my all-time favorite sandwiches too.

    Lots of folks use jackfruit for barbecue-style dishes. But it’s so much more exciting as vegan roast beef with au jus for dipping.

    Here are just some of the things people have had to say about it:

    “Freaking deliciousness!!! Loved this recipe.”

    “Made this last night after seeing it posted on Garth Davis’ page. It was amazing. I am so happy to have found your page. Thank you so much!”

    “SO GOOD! I haven’t had a French dip sandwich in years and pre-vegan they were my absolute fav. I haven’t been a huge fan of jackfruit in the past so I was a little skeptical. You have changed my mind! The au jus was so flavorful and delicious – the whole thing was perfection.”

    Air fryer tortilla strips

    Crispy corn tortilla strips made in the air fryer garnishing burrito bowl.
    Air fryer tortilla strips

    Air fryer tortilla strips are made by cutting corn tortillas into strips with kitchen shears, spraying with oil, and a pinch of salt. Then they’re cooked until crisp in the air fryer.

    They add terrific crunchy texture to vegan tortilla soup or Southwest salad with grilled corn. You could also use them for snacking with some guacamole for dipping.

    Air fryer roasted garlic

    Air fryer roasted garlic in small plate by crusty bread.

    In the penultimate spot – air fryer roasted garlic.

    It’s super easy to prepare. And it makes a dinner of soup or salad & bread infinitely more exciting when there’s warm roasted garlic to spread onto the baguette.

    Roasted garlic can be an ingredient in hummus or baba ganoush. Or it can be a spread all on its own!

    Celery & cucumber juice

    Glass straw in celery cucumber juice with lemon slice on rim.

    Coming in at first place is my celery & cucumber juice. This juice was inspired by a trip to Café Gratitude’s Kansas City location. It’s really refreshing with cucumber, celery, apple, and a squeeze of lemon.

    Celery juice has been having a moment for the past couple of years. Adding a few other ingredients to the mix makes it all the more inviting & thirst quenching.

    More Vegan cooking resources

    • Text overlay: 50 favorite vegan Trader Joe's items. Collage with grilled olives, nutritional yeast flakes, Thai vegetable gyoza, and piquant popcorn on display.
      50 favorite Trader Joe’s vegan products (updated May 2025)
    • Text overlay: 50 vegan recipes with 5 ingredients (or less!) 4-panel collage with tahini dressing being poured, fried plantains, barbecue Soy Curls, and creamy banana nice cream.
      50 easy vegan recipes with 5 ingredients or less
    • Text overlay: 50 vegan air fryer recipes. 4-panel collage with jalapeno popper, onion ring, fried pickles, and vegan arancini.
      50 easy vegan air fryer recipes for every meal
    • Text overlay: Top 20 vegan recipes of 2024. 4-panel collage with salad dressing, sandwich, cocktail, and salsa.
      Top 20 vegan recipes of 2024
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    About Cadry Nelson

    Cadry Nelson is the writer, recipe creator, and photographer behind Cadry’s Kitchen, and the author of Living Vegan For Dummies, 2nd Edition. Since launching her blog in 2009, Cadry has been making plant-based cooking approachable, and reimagining classic comfort foods. Her work has been featured in NBC News, Buzzfeed, Yahoo, Parade, VegNews, and more. She regularly appears on local TV shows, demonstrating to a broad audience how easy vegan cooking can be.

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    Cadry Nelson standing in kitchen with hand on hip.

    Hi, I'm Cadry!

    I’m the creator behind Cadry's Kitchen and author of Living Vegan For Dummies.

    I'm a longtime vegan, but I grew up eating a standard American diet. I know that all of us crave foods that are familiar, comforting, and delicious.

    That’s why it’s my passion to share mouthwatering plant-based recipes that taste like home.

    More about me →

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