35 Vegetarian Appetizers That Will Make You Forget About Meat

Like a Mediterranean take on the Southwestern star, 7-layer dip, this hummus-based feast for the eyes packs a variety of crave-worthy flavors into each and every bite.

Get the recipe: Mediterranean layered dip

Vegans and vegetarians will love these hearty crostini toasts topped with hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, and pea shoots.

Get the recipe: hummus toast

Make a healthy, stand-out winter bruschetta by employing the complementary textures of creamy, salty burrata and freshly sautéed curly kale.

Get the recipe: sautéed kale and burrata bruschetta

Ever wish you could set out a wedge of parmesan cheese, and leave it at that? Parmesan fricos, while far more elegant in presentation and flavor, are only minimally more involved to prepare.

Get the recipe: parmesan fricos

Brie and caramel make an unexpectedly delightful pairing.

Get the recipe: brie with caramel and sliced almonds

Like a cheese plate in finger-food form, these jewel-like apricot, goat cheese, and almond bites satisfy.

Get the recipe: apricot, goat cheese, and almond bites

For a retro nibble with a modern spin, serve stuffed mushrooms filled with arugula, walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Get the recipe: vegetarian stuffed mushrooms

One-up the standard cheese plate spread by including savory shortbread-like crackers that have the cheese inside of them.

Get the recipe: parmesan, black pepper, and thyme crackers

Part cheese plate, part dessert, this easy-to-make appetizer is salty, sweet, crunchy, and all-around delicious.

Get the recipe: warm honey-drizzled feta with pine nuts

Take tortilla chips on a tropical vacation by serving them with a dish of zesty watermelon, mango, and cucumber salsa.

Get the recipe: watermelon mango salsa

For an elegant and sophisticated appetizer, try mushroom and brie bruschetta. Lots of fresh thyme is the secret to this dish.

Get the recipe: mushroom and brie bruschetta

If you've never made pico de gallo from scratch, there's no time like the present to master this classic salsa.

Get the recipe: pico de gallo

Leave out olive tapenade and crostini, then let guests assemble their own burrata-filled squash blossoms.

Get the recipe: burrata-stuffed squash blossoms

This Southern-inspired pimento cheese dip is basically a queso and fondue combo that raw veggies are just dying to dive in to.

Get the recipe: pimento cheese fondue

Mostarda, a traditional Italian condiment that combines sweet-cooked fruit with savory mustard, is a creative topping for a triple-cream cheese.

Get the recipe: crostini with orange, pear, and cranberry mostarda

For a fresh, green take on the Middle Eastern classic, swap out blah-looking garbanzos for vibrant edamame and frozen peas.

Get the recipe: edamame hummus

Roast red potatoes until crunchy and browned, then serve them with a dollop of fresh tomato-avocado salsa. Skip the sour cream, and it's entirely vegan-friendly.

Get the recipe: red potatoes with tomato-avocado salsa

White bean dip with rosemary is the right blend of rusticity, wholesomeness, convenience, and, of course, deliciousness.

Get the recipe: white bean and rosemary dip

Meet this three-ingredient fix for last-minute entertaining: shockingly simple-to-make baked goat cheese.

Get the recipe: baked goat cheese

Gruyère gougères may sound and taste fancy, but they're surprisingly easy to make. Also note that few foods pair better with a glass of chilled Champagne than these cheese puffs.

Get the recipe: gruyère gougères

Whip up your own batch of Italian grissini, then set them out for easy snacking.

Get the recipe: breadsticks

Consider this rosemary nut snack your "back pocket appetizer" — it's an easy dish to pull out whenever you find yourself faced with last-minute entertaining.

Get the recipe: rosemary-sesame pecans

Sweet, salty, and creamy all at once, these pie bites stuffed with fig preserves and brie are sure to be a big hit among vegetarians and carnivores alike.

Get the recipe: brie and fig preserves pie bites

Satisfy the vegans (OK, everyone) on your guest list by setting out a bowl of crisp, Mediterranean-spiced roast chickpeas.

Get the recipe: Mediterranean-spiced roast chickpeas

Pickled vegetables are a great way to prep the palate before a meal, and these spicy pickled green beans have extra pep.

Get the recipe: spicy pickled green beans

Fries get a healthy makeover when zucchini becomes their base. These zucchini fries are oven baked, with a light breading and a fresh buttermilk ranch dressing.

Get the recipe: zucchini fries with buttermilk ranch dip

Spanish coca topped with Swiss chard, walnuts, and raisins is a simple and straightforward appetizer that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Get the recipe: Spanish pizza with Swiss chard and walnuts

A splash of truffle oil and a sprinkling of nutty parmesan cheese elevate popcorn from everyday to party-worthy.

Get the recipe: truffle and parmesan popcorn

Let's face it, people love queso. This mushroom and goat cheese queso is sure to take your meal to a whole new level.

Get the recipe: mushroom and goat cheese queso

Baking brie isn't the only way to get it good and gooey. For a less-traditional spin, heat the triple-creme cheese over a grill's embers and pair it with a heap of herb-flecked cherries.

Get the recipe: grilled brie with cherry-thyme relish

All that separates you from these elegant appetizers is 20 minutes.

Get the recipe: roasted figs with goat cheese

Limited prep is required when you pair steamed artichokes with a lemon-pepper butter for dipping.

Get the recipe: steamed artichokes with a lemon-pepper butter

Goat cheese- and pistachio-stuffed dates are a savory, vegetarian take on bacon-wrapped dates.

Get the recipe: goat cheese and pistachio-stuffed dates

These marinated olives taste even better when made ahead of time.

Get the recipe: spicy marinated olives

For a nontraditional and exceptionally delicious take on pâté (hold the liver) try a vegan red lentil terrine.

Get the recipe: red lentil terrine