11 Vegetarian Appetizer Recipes: Easy Appetizer Ideas

Vegetarian appetizers are appetizers without meat products (such as chicken, beef, or pork). Some vegetarians eat seafood, while others consider fish and other seafood dishes meat products. Depending on the individual, cheese and other dairy products might or might not be part of a vegetarian diet. While cheese and other dairy goods are animal products, the animal remains alive to produce the ingredient, hence the controversy.

The term for dishes that omit animal products altogether, regardless of whether the animal remains alive to produce the ingredient, is vegan. According to their strictest definitions, all vegan dishes are vegetarian, but not all vegetarian dishes are vegan.

Whether you subscribe to a completely vegetarian diet, wish to use fewer meat products, or want to expand your cooking repertoire, there are many easy vegetarian appetizers you can try. Here are eleven meatless recipes for a potluck or family get-together:

1. 1. Bruschetta: A traditional Italian appetizer, bruschetta sits atop crostini (little toasts), which are slices of toasted baguette. Chop fresh tomatoes or cut cherry tomatoes in half and mix them with minced garlic, olive oil, sea salt, balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs, and minced red onion. Learn how to make bruschetta.
2. 2. Corn fritters: Sweet and crispy corn fritters are a classic southern United States appetizer or side dish. Use fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels, plenty of spices, and fresh herbs. Prepare a basic corn fritters recipe or experiment with adding cheese or Mexican flavors.
3. 3. Crostini: Top crostini—Italian for “little toasts” or “little crusts”—with various toppings. Use a combination of goat cheese, Brie, pesto, ricotta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, cranberry jam, and roasted garlic. Learn how to make crostini and discover eight ideas for crostini toppings.
4. 4. Guacamole: Mash fresh avocados with onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt to make guacamole, a vegetarian-friendly dip that pairs well with queso fresco or another Mexican cheese in Mexican dishes. Some guacamole recipes might also call for tomatoes or chopped jalapeños. Serve the dip with crispy tortilla chips or fresh vegetables. Learn how to make perfect guacamole.
5. 5. Hummus: Purée chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to make a classic, straightforward hummus. This vegetarian dish in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine is usually an appetizer or accompaniment to a main dish. Learn how to prepare Chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s hummus recipe.
6. 6. Onion galette: Fold a pastry crust—such as pie dough, puff pastry, or pizza dough— over jammy, caramelized onions to make an onion galette. Top the dish with Parmesan cheese before baking it to produce a bubbly, crispy topping. Cut this party appetizer into slices or squares and serve it warm or at room temperature. Try this easy onion galette recipe.
7. 7. Pimento cheese: A mixture of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and seasonings, pimento cheese can be a satisfying appetizer alongside crackers and fresh vegetables. Alternatively, cut pimento cheese sandwiches into smaller pieces if you want party-friendly finger food. Learn how to prepare homemade pimento cheese.
8. 8. Spicy edamame: A popular Japanese appetizer, spicy edamame is boiled, steamed, or microwaved edamame in a spicy sauce of sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Try this spicy edamame recipe you can make in batches.
9. 9. Stuffed mushrooms: For a mushroom-forward vegetarian appetizer, stuff button mushroom or cremini mushroom caps with cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. Learn how to prepare this homemade stuffed mushroom recipe and simply omit the panko breadcrumbs if you want to make gluten-free stuffed mushrooms.
10. 10. Tzatziki: A creamy dip that uses Greek yogurt, garlic, grated cucumber, and lemon juice, tzatziki is a dipping sauce that complements pita chips, bell peppers, fresh radishes, zucchini, and sweet potato fries. Learn how to make Greek tzatziki at home, which you can garnish with crumbled feta cheese and fresh herbs.
11. 11. Vegan spinach artichoke dip: Combine cashews, nondairy milk, and nutritional yeast (in place of dairy milk and traditional cheese, like mozzarella) for a creamy, hearty vegan appetizer. Serve your vegan artichoke spinach dip with flatbread or vegetables. Try this recipe for a vegan artichoke dip.

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