35 Vegetarian Appetizers That Will Make You Forget About Meat
Having vegetarian options 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 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
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
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
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
Brie With Caramel and Sliced Almonds
Brie and caramel make an unexpectedly delightful pairing.
Get the recipe: brie with caramel and sliced almonds
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Breadsticks
Whip up your own batch of Italian grissini, then set them out for easy snacking.
Get the recipe: breadsticks
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Roasted Figs With Goat Cheese
All that separates you from these elegant appetizers is 20 minutes.
Get the recipe: roasted figs with goat cheese
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
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
Spicy Marinated Olives
These marinated olives taste even better when made ahead of time.
Get the recipe: spicy marinated olives
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