50 easy vegan recipes with 5 ingredients or less

You can expect tasty appetizers like vegan pickle roll-ups and meatless pigs in a blanket. There are protein-packed dishes like eggy tofu and BBQ pulled pork. Plus, side dishes aplenty with fried plantains, roasted asparagus, and mashed potatoes.

Some of the dishes can be cooked on the stove, and others are ideal for the air fryer.

These quick and easy vegan meals are ideal for busy nights. Happy cooking!

In this post:

Vegan pickle roll ups are a Midwestern classic. This 3-ingredient, no cook appetizer is made with vegan ham slathered with non-dairy cream cheese and wrapped around a crunchy dill pickle.

Serve this bite-sized appetizer at parties and holiday gatherings. Or enjoy it on your own as a quick snack.

The next time you’re peeling potatoes for mashed potatoes or potato salad, save the peels! Throw them into the air fryer for a hot and crispy snack.

Air fried potato peels are terrific dipped in ketchup. Or top them with optional toppings like non-dairy sour cream, seitan bacon, and green onions.

Scratch that nostalgia itch with these yummy vegan pigs in a blanket. They are fun and easy to make.

You can cook them in the air fryer, or bake them in the oven.

With just 3 ingredients, they’re great for parties, after school snacks, or holiday gatherings.

There are few things more heavenly than roasted garlic cloves smeared on hot bread. And thanks to the air fryer, this 2-ingredient appetizer is quick and easy to make.

Air fried garlic cloves also make a tasty pizza topping. Or use it in recipes that call for raw garlic (like hummus) for a milder flavor.

The next time you’re making a squash for dinner (or carving a pumpkin at Halloween), save the seeds.

Air fried pumpkin seeds are a crispy treat that’s ready to eat in 30 minutes.

Seitan bacon wrapped dates look fancy, but they are a breeze to put together.

Dates are sliced and filled with vegan cheese or nut butter. Then they’re wrapped in seitan bacon and browned in oil.

Keep them in mind for Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, or any special evening with friends.

I love eating roasted chickpeas by the handful, but they also make a terrific salad topping. Cook them in the oven or air fryer. Your choice!

They are lightly seasoned with nutritional yeast flakes and salt.

Candied pecans are wonderful 4-ingredient snack (with two more optional ingredients). Eat them by the handful, in salads, or scattered on top of non-dairy ice cream.

Best of all, they only take 5 minutes to make.

When you’re craving french fries but don’t want to mess with oil, opt for baked fries instead.

They’re delightful on their own. Or you can serve them with ketchup, ranch, or onion & garlic dressing for dipping.

Warmed olives are my go-to appetizer whenever I need an easy dinner party starter. People are always impressed by them, but making they couldn’t be simpler to prepare.

Castelvetrano olives are sautéed with garlic, fresh thyme, and lemon zest for a truly magical appetizer.

Crispy air fryer tortilla strips aren’t just a delicious topping for salads and soups! They’re also a tasty snack with guacamole, salsa, or chipotle black bean dip.

I have eggy tofu for breakfast almost every morning. It’s ready to eat in 5 minutes, and it keeps me full until lunchtime since it’s packed with protein.

Scrambled silken tofu is similar to scrambled eggs in texture and flavor. Fluffy and creamy on the inside, while the outside gets wonderful crispy edges.

Serve with vegan avocado toast (also made with 5 ingredients!) for a complete & delicious breakfast!

When you want a main course you can really sink your teeth into, make a batch of vegan pulled pork with Soy Curls.

Coated in barbecue sauce, they’re terrific on their own or piled high onto a sandwich.

Cook them in the air fryer (my preferred method) or use a skillet.

These simple & satisfying quesadillas with vegan cheese are filled with refried beans for a lunch or snack that will really stick with you.

Enjoy them on their own, or serve them with salsa or guacamole for dipping.

Sometimes simple is best! This toasted bagel sandwich with hummus is filled with crunchy vegetables. It’s a simple lunch that’s great for on-the-go.

If you crave salty and sweet combos, you’ll love this 3-ingredient peanut butter banana quesadilla.

Peanut butter is slathered inside a tortilla, topped with sliced banana, and then toasted until melty. Great for breakfast or a protein-packed snack!

When you’re making a more time consuming main course, it’s nice to choose a side dish or two that requires less focus.

These simple 5 ingredient vegan side dishes make light work of dinner.

Every meal is better when sweet fried plantains are involved. They get a little crispy around the edges, and soft on the inside.

You can pan fry them, or cook them in the air fryer.

When I’m hungry for a baked potato but don’t have time to wait, I turn to baby potatoes instead. They’re ready to eat in just 15 minutes, thanks to the air fryer.

You get all the flavor of a baked potato but in a fraction of the cooking time. Great for a quick weeknight meal!

Unsure about what to do with fresh fennel? Roast it!

Roasted fennel is amazing coated in vegan parmesan cheese and cooked until tender. Serve it with pasta or other Italian-style dishes.

You know it’s spring when asparagus starts popping up! Cook asparagus in the air fryer for a delicious side dish that works with almost any entrée.

The asparagus gets a little crispy on the tips and tender inside. Divine!

When you need something cozy & comforting, make a batch of warm and creamy vegan mashed potatoes. They’re simple to make, inexpensive, and fast.

Enjoy them with a dab of non-dairy butter on top, or finish them with meatless turkey gravy.

Speaking of mashed potatoes, another tasty option is mustard mashed potatoes. They have a little added tang, thanks to the addition of stoneground mustard.

Serve them with vegan sausages or bratwurst.

Give noodles the night off, and make air fryer spaghetti squash instead. It’s a cinch to make. Ready to eat in about a half an hour!

It’s great on its own, or treat it like traditional spaghetti. Cover it with pasta sauce, mushrooms, and vegan meatballs.

This lemony cauliflower recipe was inspired by an unforgettable dish I ate in Vancouver, Canada.

Cauliflower is cooked until toasty in the air fryer or oven. Then it’s finished with a squeeze of lemon juice and pinch of salt.

This is my favorite way to prepare cabbage! Cut it into bite-sized pieces, and roast cabbage in the oven until buttery soft and crispy around the edges.

This simple side dish is great with mashed potatoes and seitan.

If you’ve only ever had raw radishes, do yourself a favor and air fry them!

Air fried radishes are coated in vegan parmesan and garlic. Then they’re cooked until tender. It’s an irresistible side dish that’s sure to please.

You’re just 4 ingredients away from crispy kale chips made in the air fryer or oven.

This healthy snack can be eaten on its own or served alongside a sandwich.

As far as winter squashes go, delicata may be the best. It’s easy to cut, and you can eat the skin.

Sprinkle delicata squash with rosemary for a tasty side dish that can be cooked in the oven or air fryer. 

Confession: I make red wine infused mushrooms at least once a week!

Cremini mushrooms soak up all of the mouthwatering flavors of garlic and red wine in this eye-catching side dish.

(While these flavorful red wine mushrooms technically have 6 ingredients, one is just garnish.)

My fridge isn’t complete without a batch of quick pickled jalapeños on hand. They take only 10 minutes to make and last for weeks in the refrigerator.

Pile them on tacos, nachos, stir-fries, and sandwiches for crunch and spice.

Give the dumplings in your freezer an upgrade with this easy gyoza dipping sauce.

With a delicious mix of salty, tangy, and nutty, it uses just 3 ingredients (plus optional garnish).

Whip up a batch while your dumplings are sizzling.

Velvety tahini dressing is a wonderful all-purpose sauce. It’s terrific drizzled on salads, grain bowls, falafel, and wraps.

Keep a batch in the refrigerator for simple saucing.

There’s a reason it’s a classic! Balsamic vinaigrette dressing is deliciously balanced, and perfect for a variety of salads.

Plus, no blender is required. Simply pull out a whisk and bowl to make it.

Tangy vegan honey mustard is a quick and easy dipping sauce that requires just 3 ingredients.

It also works well as a sandwich spread or drizzled on salads.

Who needs store-bought? Homemade cocktail sauce is a cinch to make with just 4 ingredients. This tasty condiment has a pungent bite of horseradish.

You’ll feel like a kid again with these sweet and chewy vegan rice crispy treats. They require just 3 ingredients and come together in minutes.

Serve them as a crowd-pleasing dessert, or add them to a lunchbox.

Who knew frozen bananas could work such wizardry? Chocolate banana nice cream tastes like dessert, but it’s made with wholesome ingredients.

This easy dessert could be yours with just three ingredients and a few minutes of effort.

Woo your valentine with chocolate covered oranges.

While chocolate covered fruit is often pricey in stores, it’s inexpensive and easy to make at home.

With just 2 ingredients, and the help of the microwave, this sweet treat comes together in a flash.

Start the day with green juice! Celery and cucumber juice is hydrating and refreshing.

For a little sweetness and tang, I like to add apple and/or lemon to the mix. 

This colorful carrot and apple juice recipe is blended with celery, romaine, and cucumber. It’s a refreshing drink that goes down easily.

There’s a reason that peanut butter and banana are a classic! This salty and sweet pair balance each other beautifully.

This creamy PB banana smoothie is such a pleasure, it could almost be dessert.

Look at that gorgeous color! This 5-ingredient blueberry banana smoothie is sure to entice.

With a thick and creamy texture and lightly sweet flavor, it goes down easy. Perfect for breakfast or a workout recovery beverage!

Get a taste of the tropics with a mango banana smoothie. It includes mango, banana, and vanilla soy milk.

You can almost feel the sunshine!

This tasty rooibos iced tea is like an Arnold Palmer but with peach juice.

Pour it over ice for a cool drink that’s caffeine-free.

This orange creamsicle cocktail is one of the most popular recipes on my blog.

With freshly squeezed OJ, gin (or vodka), and a splash of vanilla almond milk, it’s an alcoholic version of that classic frozen treat.

Homemade pistachio milk is wonderfully creamy, velvety, and delicious. It requires only 5 ingredients. And it doesn’t contain any gums or fillers like store-bought varieties.

If you love pistachios, you’ve got to try this one!

While soy, almond, and cashew milks often steal the spotlight, homemade walnut milk is just as delicious, creamy, and full of flavor. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make.

It’s perfect for sipping or adding to smoothies.

Get festive with a cranberry mimosa! With just three ingredients, it’s simple to keep everything on hand for impromptu gatherings.

And of course, it’s ideal for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or Christmas get-togethers.

If you’re a dill pickle lover, you’ll go wild for this simple pickle vodka.

It can be enjoyed on its own – on the rocks or as a shot. It’s also a tangy addition to a pickle martini or vegan Bloody Mary.