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    Top 21 vegan recipes & posts from 2021

    Published: Dec 29, 2021 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 by Cadry Nelson
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Text overlay: Top 21 vegan recipes of 2021. Collage with salad dressing, fried artichoke hearts, fried pickles, and orange creamsicle cocktail.

    Today I’m looking back on the posts that were the most searched in 2021. These are the 21 vegan recipes that got the most page views in the past year.

    Text overlay: Top 21 vegan recipes of 2021. Collage with salad dressing, fried artichoke hearts, fried pickles, and orange creamsicle cocktail.

    As we close the calendar on another year, it’s always fun to look back on what have been the most popular recipes and posts.

    It’s clear that people’s passion for air fryers isn’t losing any ground. Almost half of the posts on this list are air fryer related!

    The list is rounded out with cocktails and juices, sandwiches, salad dressings, and a couple of posts on favorite vegan items & essentials at Trader Joe’s.

    The list starts with 21 and ends with the most popular vegan recipe of the year. Keep scrolling to find out what landed the top spot!

    #21 – Vegan arancini

    Vegan arancini on plates with basil.

    Leftovers don’t get better than this vegan arancini!

    These Italian rice balls are made by forming cold risotto into balls, rolling in panko breadcrumbs, and cooking in the air fryer or oven.

    They get perfectly crispy on the outside. Warm & melty on the inside. They are endlessly dreamy.

    Serve as an appetizer or entrée along with warmed marinara for dipping.

    #20 – Raw tacos with walnut filling

    Platter of romaine leaves with walnut meat, avocado, and vegetables.

    Walnuts are a magician in this recipe for raw tacos.

    When seasoned with tamari, cumin, ancho chili powder, and paprika, walnuts become taco meat. The addition of sun-dried tomatoes gives them a wonderful sticky texture & subtle sweetness.

    Put the raw taco meat into lettuce leaves instead of tortillas. Finish with your favorite toppings.

    Best of all, they’re ready in under 15 minutes!

    #19 – Fried artichoke hearts

    Fried artichoke hearts on platter.

    Impress your dinner guests with an appetizer of fried artichoke hearts!

    Even when they come from a humble can or jar, artichoke hearts always feel a little fancy. Take them up a notch further by coating them in seasoned panko and popping them in the air fryer.

    (I give pan fried directions too!)

    Finish with a side of lemon garlic aioli for dipping.

    #18 – Reuben jackfruit sandwich

    Vegan reuben jackfruit sandwich on table in front of pink shirt.

    If you’re a reuben fan, you’ve got to try this vegan reuben jackfruit sandwich.

    It’s made with corned jackfruit, crunchy sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye.

    It has an addictively good flavor that keeps you going back bite after bite. Plus, you can use any leftover corned jackfruit in a nourish bowl!

    #17 – Vegan fried ravioli

    Hand reaching out for a fried ravioli.

    Fried ravioli isn’t just for restaurants anymore! It’s super easy to make at home using store-bought vegan ravioli in the air fryer.

    Toasted ravioli gets wonderful crunch from panko. It’s finished with basil, oregano, nutritional yeast, and garlic.

    Serve with warmed marinara for dipping.

    #16 – What is nutritional yeast?

    What is nutritional yeast? Plus, 20 ways to use it! All of the recipes are vegan & completely delicious. | cadryskitchen.com

    Before I went vegan, I’d never heard of nutritional yeast. Now it’s a staple on my countertop.

    Known colloquially as “nooch,” it’s an inactive yeast that’s grown on molasses. It has a cheesy, nutty flavor that’s great on popcorn, in sauces, and gravies. It also contains protein and vitamin B12.

    Find out more about nooch in this post, plus 25 ways to use it!

    #15 – Beer battered fried pickles

    Breaded pickle slices on plate with ranch dressing.

    Beer battered fried pickles bring the fun to parties and games nights. They’re a crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer that’s a guaranteed hit.

    They can be made in the air fryer or pan fried.

    Serve with vegan ranch dressing for dipping.

    #14 – Vegan French dip sandwich

    Hands dipping vegan French dip sandwich into au jus.

    If you haven’t made this vegan French dip sandwich yet, what are you waiting for?

    This hearty sandwich is filled with savory jackfruit, sautéed onions, and horseradish mayo on toasted ciabatta. Then it’s served with a full-bodied au jus for dunking.

    Sandwiches don’t get more comforting than this!

    #13 – Apple chutney

    Overhead apple chutney in bowl. Trader Joe's vegetable samosas on plate.

    This savory & sweet apple chutney is filled with the flavors of curry, ginger, and cinnamon.

    It is terrific as a dip with vegetable samosas, or served alongside a vegan holiday roast as an alternative to cranberry sauce. It even makes a delicious topping on seitan sausages in a toasted bun.

    Enjoy it hot or cold.

    #12 – Trader Joe’s grocery list

    Grocery cart with pasta, tomatoes, and chips.

    Before I make my weekly TJ’s run, I always refer to my Trader Joe’s grocery list. It has all of the refrigerator and pantry staples I need.

    I simply run through the listed items, checking if I’m low on any essentials. It’s a big help to insure that I don’t forget anything I need for day to day cooking.

    The list includes produce, frozen foods, and shelf stable staples. There’s also a printable at the bottom of the post to save on your phone or print before you go to TJ’s!

    #11 – Vegan air fryer recipes you’ll love

    Text overlay: 40 vegan air fryer recipes. Collage with taquitos, fried pickles, BBQ Soy Curls, and onion rings.

    Got a new air fryer for Christmas and don’t know where to start? Use this list of vegan air fryer recipes!

    It includes 40 recipes that are sure to keep you busy. There’s fried zucchini, eggplant parmesan, BBQ sandwiches, and even lasagna!

    #10 – Air fried potato peels

    Air fried potato skins in a tiny red and white bowl.

    Peeling potatoes for mashed potatoes or soup? Don’t let those peels go to waste with this recipe for air fried potato peels!

    Throw them into the air fryer for a crispy snack. They’re a delicious treat while you wait for your main course to cook.

    #9 – Air fryer tortilla strips

    Overhead black bean & seitan soup with crispy tortilla strips, avocado, and limes in bowl.

    Air fryer tortilla strips are a light and crunchy topping or snack. Simply pop strips of corn tortillas into the air fryer for less than ten minutes!

    Use them as a crispy finish to tortilla soup, add them to Southwestern salads, or enjoy them with guacamole for dipping.

    #8 – Gin & tonic

    Fingers squeezing lime over gin and tonic with mint.

    It’s all about the details when it comes to the perfect gin and tonic. Make the best version of that classic cocktail with the addition of lime and fresh mint.

    It’s a refreshing cocktail for summer. But the piney vibes of the gin also make it great for winter months.

    #7 – Coconut oil deodorant

    Jar with coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch mixture.

    Finding a store-bought natural deodorant that works can be a challenge. I know, because I tried a bunch before I started making my own coconut oil deodorant.

    This homemade deodorant uses 3 pantry-friendly ingredients. And it’s very effective at keeping you smelling good, even on a hot summer day.

    #6 – Air fryer roasted garlic

    Roasted garlic air fryer recipe. Roasted garlic in dish with oil and vinegar in background.

    Air fryer roasted garlic has a milder flavor that’s almost sweet. When fully cooked in cloves, it becomes super spreadable like butter.

    It’s delicious slathered on hot bread, used as a topping on pizza, or added to hummus instead of raw garlic. Thanks to the air fryer, it’s ready in just 20 minutes!

    #5 – Celery & cucumber juice

    Cucumber celery juice in glass with lemon wedge.

    This hydrating celery & cucumber juice is made with celery, cucumbers, apple, and/or lemon. Nothing like a morning glass of green juice to make you feel like you have a leg up on the day!

    (Don’t have a juicer yet? My juicer has served me well for a decade!)

    #4 – Creamy cashew salad dressing

    Creamy cashew dressing being poured onto kale salad.

    This creamy cashew salad dressing has flavor in spades.

    It has a cashew base, which makes it wonderfully creamy. Then it has tamari for umami, lemon for brightness, cilantro for herbaceousness, and a hit of garlic for kick.

    When it comes to salads, a flavorful dressing makes all of the difference in the world. It’s so much easier to fill up on leafy greens when they’re covered in something enticing.

    #3 – Air fryer baked potato

    Close-up jacket potato with non-dairy butter, chives, and vegan cream cheese.

    With this air fryer baked potato, you get a beautifully crisp peel, and pillowy interior.

    Once the air fryer entered my life, I started making baked potatoes a whole lot more often. They cook so much faster – in just 35 to 40 minutes.

    It can be a side dish or a full meal on its own. Just top it in three bean chili or seitan bacon, non-dairy cheese, & vegan sour cream.

    #2 – Favorite Trader Joe’s vegan products

    Exterior Trader Joe's.

    This list rounds up 35 of my favorite vegan Trader Joe’s products. There are pantry staples, refrigerated sauces & spreads, frozen meals, and delicious snacks.

    Some folks think of a trip to the grocery store as drudgery. But when it comes to Trader Joe’s, for me it’s all pleasure.

    #1 – Orange creamsicle cocktail

    Creamiscle coktail on table with orange slices, orange juice, and gin.

    The most highly trafficked post of the year is this recipe for an orange creamsicle cocktail. That favorite frozen treat of yore gets an adult twist with this alcoholic drink.

    With freshly squeezed orange juice, gin (or vodka), and a splash of vanilla almond milk, people have been loving this refreshing beverage.

    Top vegan recipes from previous years

    For more favorites, check out the top vegan recipes from the past few years.

    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Susan

      December 31, 2021 at 6:44 pm

      What a great selection.

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        December 31, 2021 at 10:08 pm

        Thanks, Susan!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Cadry!

    I’m a longtime vegan. (14 years!) 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 →

    Spring recipes

    • Green salad with blood oranges & peanut dressing
    • Tangy peanut salad dressing (vegan)
    • Vegan eggs Benedict (for an amazing brunch!)
    • Vegan hollandaise sauce (dairy free & egg free)

    Salads

    • Easy tahini dressing for salads, bowls, or falafel (vegan)
    • Balsamic vinaigrette dressing (Just 5 ingredients!)
    • Vegan chef salad with seitan & avocado
    • Israeli couscous salad with olives & artichokes

    Easy weeknight meals

    • Air fryer baked potato in about 35 minutes
    • Buffalo chickpea sandwich with vegan blue cheese
    • Three bean chili: Warm up with a bowl
    • Vegan taco pizza with black beans: A taste of nostalgia
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