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    Home » Appetizers

    33 vegan party food ideas for your next gathering

    Updated: Jun 2, 2025 · Published: Jan 15, 2022 by Cadry Nelson · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

    Text overlay: Vegan party food ideas. Collage with vegan cheeseboard, artichoke cakes, nachos, and almond cheese balls.

    Planning a gathering for a birthday, holiday, or games night with friends? Here’s a mouthwatering collection of vegan party food.

    With dips, spreads, cold & hot appetizers, there’s something here to satisfy every palate.

    Text overlay: Vegan party food ideas. Collage with vegan cheeseboard, artichoke cakes, nachos, and almond cheese balls.

    Keep everyone at your next gathering well fed with these vegan party food ideas.

    There are classic appetizers like guacamole and hummus, substantive noshes like nachos and walking tacos, as well as indulgent fare like jalapeño poppers and fried pickles.

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Dips & spreads
    • Cold finger food
    • Hot appetizers

    Dips & spreads

    If dipping and dunking are your preferred snacking actions, you’ll want to pay particular attention to these recipes for dips and spreads.

    Guacamole

    Tortilla chip scooping guacamole in yellow bowl.
    Make this recipe

    Guacamole is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

    With avocados, cilantro, garlic, onion, and lime, this is a winner every time.

    Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.

    Jalapeño cashew cheese spread

    Knife in jalapeno cashew cheese spread on platter.
    Make this recipe

    Cashews are a full-bodied, creamy base for this jalapeño cashew cheese spread.

    It’s filled out with lemon juice for tang, plus tamari & miso for salt and umami.

    Serve with crackers or toasted crostini.

    Vegan feta cheese

    Slices of vegan feta cheese by cheeseboard.
    Make this recipe

    This mouthwatering vegan feta cheese has a tangy bite.

    It’s made with blanched almonds.

    Serve it hot or cold. Great for spreading on crackers or toasted bread!

    Olive tapenade

    Hand spooning dip onto cracker.
    Make this recipe

    Olive lovers will go wild for this olive tapenade.

    It’s an easy appetizer that comes together in only 5 minutes.

    Simply use the food processor to break up olives, garlic, lemon juice, capers, and fresh thyme.

    Serve with crackers or crostini.

    Kalamata olive hummus

    Hand dipping pita into kalamata olive hummus.
    Make this recipe

    If olive tapenade & hummus got together & fell in love, their offspring would be kalamata olive hummus.

    Scoop it up with toasted pita, crackers, or fresh veggies.

    7 layer dip

    Vegan seven layer dip by tortilla chips.
    Make this recipe

    This vegan 7 layer dip is filled with refried beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, non-dairy cream cheese, lettuce, red bell peppers, and shredded non-dairy cheese.

    Serve with sturdy tortilla chips for easiest dipping.

    Vegan chili cheese dip

    Vegan chili cheese dip in bowl on table with tortilla chips.
    Make this recipe

    I hate to play favorites, but this vegan chili cheese dip is really something special.

    It’s packed with three bean chili and seitan chorizo in a creamy blend of cashew queso.

    Serve with tortilla chips for dunking.

    Pickle salsa

    Chip dipping into pickle salsa.
    Make this recipe

    Pickle salsa is a briny, garlicky dip with crunch. It’s similar to your typical tomato salsa but with pickles instead.

    Serve with potato chips or tortilla chips for dipping. It also makes an excellent sandwich spread.

    Pineapple salsa

    Tortilla chip being dipped into pineapple salsa.
    Make this recipe

    Pineapple salsa is so fresh, sweet, and juicy.

    It also has a bit of spice underneath for kick.

    It takes just 10 minutes to make. This is a great party dip to make ahead of time.

    Pizza hummus

    Swirls of pizza hummus in bowl, garnished with fresh basil, seitan pepperoni, and sun-dried tomato oil.
    Make this recipe

    “You got your hummus in my pizza.”

    “You got your pizza in my hummus.”

    Friends, you’re both right. It’s pizza hummus!

    It has a base of sun-dried tomato hummus. Then it’s topped with your favorite pizza toppings.

    Serve with wedges of toasted pizza crust, toasted pita, or crackers.

    Cold finger food

    Cold appetizers are easy to prep ahead of time.

    Have this vegan party food waiting on the table when guests arrive. Super convenient!

    Bruschetta

    Bruschetta al pomodoro on platter & garnished with basil.
    Make this recipe

    There’s a reason bruschetta al pomodoro is a classic.

    It’s always so delicious with ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, garlic, vinegar, and oil.

    Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time. Just top toasted crostini with it once guests arrive.

    Vegan pickle rollups

    Hand holding Midwest sushi over plate of roll ups and yellow napkin.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan ham and pickle roll ups are a breeze to prepare! With just three ingredients, they come together quickly and easily.

    Crunchy dill pickle is surrounded by non-dairy cream cheese and smoky vegan ham. So good!

    Crostini with hummus

    Toasted bread on plate with hummus, artichokes, and marinated cashews.
    Make this recipe

    Crostini with hummus includes marinated cashews and grilled artichoke hearts. You get briny, salty, and creamy in every bite.

    Make the hummus & cashews ahead of time. Then compile just before the party.

    Vegan caviar

    Plate with cracker, vegan caviar, and non-dairy almond cheese spread.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan caviar may look a little fancy, but it’s easy to make.

    Pearl couscous is colored pink by way of sliced beet. Then it’s flavored with lemon & garlic.

    Serve on water crackers with a spread of almond cheese.

    Tortilla pinwheels

    Tortilla pinwheels on plate.
    Make this recipe

    Tortilla pinwheels are filled with buffalo hummus and fresh veggies.

    Serve with vegan blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing for dipping.

    Make a big batch ahead of time. Then slice and serve.

    Rainbow fruit & veggie platter

    Fruit and veggie platter with nuts, vegan cheese, and hummus.
    Make this recipe

    You’ve got to love all of the vibrant color in this rainbow fruit and veggie platter.

    With a sea of pinks, blues, oranges, and reds, it will brighten any gathering.

    Hot appetizers

    Impress your party guests with these hot appetizers.

    There’s a variety of cooking options – baked, fried, warmed on the stove, or cooked in the air fryer.

    Vegan nachos

    Platter of loaded vegan nachos with guacamole, tomatoes, cashew queso, black beans, and soyrizo.
    Make this recipe

    Your guests will dive right into a pile of vegan nachos with cashew queso.

    They are loaded with chorizo, black beans, tomatoes, and guacamole.

    Or you can serve all of the components separately for a build-your-own vegan nacho bar. Your call!

    Vegan pigs in a blanket

    Beautifully browned crescent dough around veggie dogs.
    Make this recipe

    These easy vegan pigs in a blanket use just 3 ingredients!

    Cook them in the air fryer, or bake in the oven.

    Serve with vegan honey mustard for dipping.

    Vegan crab rangoon

    Hand dipping vegan crab rangoon appetizer into sweet chili sauce.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan crab rangoon have all of the flavors of that Americanized Chinese food favorite.

    But they’re super easy to make, thanks to mini filo cups.

    They’re filled with non-dairy cream cheese and vegan crab cakes.

    Serve with sweet and sour sauce for dipping.

    Walking tacos

    Vegan walking taco stuffed with corn chips, non-dairy cheese, and jalapenos.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan walking tacos are a hit with kids and adults alike.

    Set out toppings like seasoned lentil taco meat, shredded non-dairy cheese, guacamole, lettuce, and tomatoes.

    Then each person can make their walking taco in a bag of corn chips, just the way they like it.

    Warmed olives

    Fingers holding shiny Castelvetrano olive over bowl.
    Make this recipe

    Warmed olives are endlessly delicious with garlic, fresh thyme, and lemon zest.

    Just warm in a skillet with olive oil and serve.

    Onion rings

    Hand holding vegan onion ring over platter.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan onion rings can be made in the air fryer or pan fried. They’re dredged in a panko breadcrumb coating.

    The sweet onion slices inside become tender, while the outside is super crispy.

    Serve with ketchup, barbecue sauce, or vegan ranch dressing for dipping.

    Jalapeño poppers

    Hand dunking popper into dressing.
    Make this recipe

    Get a little spicy with vegan jalapeño poppers!

    They’re stuffed with non-dairy cream cheese and breaded. Pan fry, bake, or air fry.

    Serve with ranch dressing for a cooling dip.

    Polenta fries

    Polenta fry being dunked into bowl of marinara with basil garnish.
    Make this recipe

    Air fryer polenta fries are easy to make, thanks to tubed polenta.

    Just cut it into fry shapes, season, and cook in the air fryer.

    Serve with warmed marinara, ranch dressing, or barbecue sauce for dipping.

    Crispy gnocchi

    Pillowy air fryer gnocchi with tomato dipping sauce.
    Make this recipe

    When you need a snack or appetizer in a hurry, look no further than crispy air fryer gnocchi. Made with shelf stable gnocchi, it comes together in just 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

    (Alternative cooking methods included.)

    Fried almond cheese balls

    Platter with fried cheese balls & tiny fork.
    Make this recipe

    Fried almond cheese balls are made with creamy vegan feta.

    They’re rolled into balls, covered in panko, and fried.

    Enjoy this irresistible appetizer with marinara for dipping.

    Fried artichoke hearts

    Hand dipping breaded artichoke heart into aioli.
    Make this recipe

    Crispy fried artichoke hearts are a tantalizing appetizer.

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

    Serve with lemon garlic aioli for dipping.

    Beer battered fried pickles

    Fried pickle chip being dipped into ranch sauce.
    Make this recipe

    Fried pickles are always so much fun. They are a hit every time.

    Dipped in beer batter and then panko, they can be pan fried or made in the air fryer.

    Serve with vegan ranch dressing for dipping.

    Vegan fried shrimp

    Hand dipping breaded hearts of palm into sauce.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan fried shrimp are made with hearts of palm.

    It’s cut into bite-sized pieces, breaded in seasoned panko, and fried until crisp.

    Serve with cocktail sauce for dipping.

    Vegan crab cakes

    Platter with vegan crab cakes garnished with dill & lemon and served with dairy-free aioli.
    Make this recipe

    Flaky vegan crab cakes are made with a mix of chickpeas and artichoke hearts.

    Finish with a dollop of lemon dill aioli for an elegant appetizer.

    Fried ravioli

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

    Vegan fried ravioli isn’t just for restaurants.

    It can easily be made at home in the air fryer using store-bought ravioli. (Either fresh or frozen works here!)

    The ravioli is seasoned with oregano, nutritional yeast, and garlic. Serve with marinara for dipping.

    Fried olives

    Fried stuffed olives on plate with dipping sauce.
    Make this recipe

    You’ll want to pop these fried olives into your mouth – one right after the other.

    They’re hand stuffed with vegan feta cheese, coated in batter, and finished in seasoned panko. The brininess of the olives accentuates the cheesiness of the filling.

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

    Seitan bacon wrapped dates

    Seitan bacon wrapped dates on appetizer plate.
    Make this recipe

    Vegan bacon wrapped dates are so easy to make.

    And they use just four ingredients!

    If you love the combination of smoky and sweet, you’re sure to be a fan of these cheese-filled treats.

    Content and photos updated March 14, 2025. Originally posted February 9, 2014.

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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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