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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
There’s a reason bruschetta 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.
Crostini with hummus
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
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 are filled with buffalo hummus and fresh veggies. Serve with vegan blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Make a big batch ahead of time. Then slice and serve.
Rainbow fruit & veggie platter
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
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 crab rangoon
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 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
Warmed olives are endlessly delicious with garlic, fresh thyme, and lemon zest. Just warm in a skillet with olive oil and serve.
Onion rings
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
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
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.
Fried almond cheese balls
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
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 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
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
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
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
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.
Content and photos updated January 15, 2022. Originally posted February 9, 2014.
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