Having vegetarian options [1] at the ready is always a good idea when it comes to family dinners, summertime barbecues, and light meals at home. Not everyone enjoys eating fish and poultry, meaning the more meat-free options you have, the better! These healthy appetizers [2] are protein-packed and delicious, and we can guarantee that they will make even the biggest meat-lover drool. From warm honey-drizzled feta with pine nuts to brie and fig pie bites, these appetizers will be gone before you know it! Take a peek at the best meat-free recipes, ahead.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano, Susannah Chen, and Hilary White
Mediterranean Layered Dip
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 [4]
Hummus Toast
Vegans and vegetarians will love these hearty crostini toasts topped with hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, and pea shoots.
Get the recipe: hummus toast [5]
Sautéed Kale and Burrata Bruschetta
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 [6]
Vegetarian Appetizers: Parmesan Fricos
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 [7]
Brie With Caramel and Sliced Almonds
Brie and caramel make an unexpectedly delightful pairing.
Get the recipe: brie with caramel and sliced almonds [8]
Apricot, Goat Cheese, and Almond Bites
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 [9]
Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms
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 [10]
Parmesan, Black Pepper, and Thyme Crackers
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 [11]
Warm Honey-Drizzled Feta With Pine Nuts
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 [12]
Watermelon Mango Salsa
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 [13]
Mushroom and Brie Bruschetta
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 [14]
Pico de Gallo
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 [15]
Burrata-Stuffed Squash Blossoms
Leave out olive tapenade and crostini, then let guests assemble their own burrata-filled squash blossoms.
Get the recipe: burrata-stuffed squash blossoms [16]
Pimento Cheese Fondue
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 [17]
Crostini With Orange, Pear, and Cranberry Mostarda
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 [18]
Edamame Hummus
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 [19]
Red Potatoes With Tomato-Avocado Salsa
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 [20]
White Bean and Rosemary Dip
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 [21]
Baked Goat Cheese
Meet this three-ingredient fix for last-minute entertaining: shockingly simple-to-make baked goat cheese.
Get the recipe: baked goat cheese [22]
Gruyère Gougères
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 [23]
Breadsticks
Whip up your own batch of Italian grissini, then set them out for easy snacking.
Get the recipe: breadsticks [24]
Rosemary-Sesame Pecans
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 [25]
Brie and Fig Preserves Pie Bites
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 [26]
Mediterranean-Spiced Roast Chickpeas
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 [27]
Spicy Pickled Green Beans
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 [28]
Zucchini Fries With Buttermilk Ranch Dip
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 [29]
Spanish Pizza With Swiss Chard and Walnuts
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 [30]
Truffle and Parmesan Popcorn
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 [31]
Mushroom and Goat Cheese Queso
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 [32]
Grilled Brie with Cherry-Thyme Relish
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 [33]
Roasted Figs With Goat Cheese
All that separates you from these elegant appetizers is 20 minutes.
Get the recipe: roasted figs with goat cheese [34]
Steamed Artichokes With Lemon-Pepper Butter
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 [35]
Goat Cheese and Pistachio-Stuffed Dates
Goat cheese- and pistachio-stuffed dates are a savory, vegetarian take on bacon-wrapped dates.
Get the recipe: goat cheese and pistachio-stuffed dates [36]
Spicy Marinated Olives
These marinated olives taste even better when made ahead of time.
Get the recipe: spicy marinated olives [37]
Red Lentil Terrine
For a nontraditional and exceptionally delicious take on pâté (hold the liver) try a vegan red lentil terrine.
Get the recipe: red lentil terrine [38]
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