Proven recipes for successful vegetarian appetizers

by John Griffith
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You receive several guests for a cocktail dinner? There is a good chance that at least one of the guests does not eat meat. To be up to expectations and to please all of your guests, plan a vegetarian menu with varied tastes that will satisfy even the biggest meat hater. In addition, it’s a good opportunity to broaden your culinary horizon and learn some quick and healthy recipes. Here are our proven ideas for vegetarian appetizers that will make you convert to vegetarian diet.

Avocado fries recipe

avocado fries recipe, inside wooden bowl, tomato sauce and cherry tomatoes in small bowls

Healthy vegetarian appetizers – Crispy avocado fries – finger food ideas

Ingredients:

  • 1 large ripe avocado
  • flour
  • eggs
  • milk
  • breadcrumbs
  • parmesan
  • olive oil

halved avocados and cherry tomatoes, eggs and breadcrumbs, avocado fries recipe, placed on white surface

Peal the avocado and cut it into strips

avocado slices, placed on round wooden cutting board, avocado fries recipe, cherry tomatoes around them

Dip each slice first into flour

avocado slice dipped in flour, placed in small black plate, placed on white surface, avocado fries recipe

Then into eggs and milk beaten together

finger food recipes, avocado slice dipped in beaten eggs, placed in black and white bowls

And finally into a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese

avocado slice dipped in breadcrumbs, finger food recipes, placed in small black plate

Arrange the avocado slices onto a paper lined baking tray and spray with oil

avocado slices arranged on paper lined baking tray, sprayed with oil, finger food recipes

Add a tomato dip for the perfect party food

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Proven recipes for successful vegetarian appetizers

vegetarian appetizers, bread bowl, salad inside, made of red and orange cherry tomatoes

Cheese balls with pistachios and dried tomatoes

cheese pistachio bites, inside a green and red bowl, vegetarian appetizers, bites on crackers

Cheese balls with pistachios and dried tomatoes

Ingredients: 

  • 6 cloves of roasted garlic
  • 230 g of cheese cream at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp. Greek yoghurt
  • 3 c. fresh basil
  • 1 C. fresh or dried oregano
  • 170 g of feta cheese
  • 20 g marinated dried tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup of Kalamata olives
  • one  pepper
  • 1 C. crushed red pepper
  • 1 ½ cups crushed roasted pistachios

Cocktail recipe with a taste of the Mediterranean

cheese and olives, pistachio nuts, garlic and basil, vegetarian appetizers, on a black countertop

Preparation for 12 – 18 cheese sweets:

Preheat the oven to 200 ° C. Peel the garlic cloves. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of olive oil and wrap with foil. Roast garlic cloves for 30 minutes or until browned and tender. Let cool, then crush the garlic with a fork. In the food processor bowl add the cream cheese, Greek yogurt and roasted garlic, reduce to a creamy purée. Add basil and oregano, mix again. Stir in the feta cheese, olives, dried tomatoes, pepper and a teaspoon of marinade oil. Mix roughly. Take a small amount of the dough with a spoon and form the cheese candy. Let the balls cool for at least an hour. While the cheese balls are in the refrigerator, mix the crushed pistachios and crushed red pepper in a cup. Before serving roll the cheese candies into the mixture.

 Bites of pretzels topped with cheese and beer sauce

bread bites, beer sauce, inside a white bowl, chopped onions, vegetarian appetizers

Vegetarian appetizers – mini pretzel bites

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cup hot water
  • 2 tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 packet of dry baker’s yeast
  • 6 c. melted butter, unsalted
  • 2 ½ tsp. salt
  • 4 cups flour
  • olive oil
  • 10 cups water + 1 tsp. water
  • 120 g of baking soda
  • 1 beaten egg

For the cheese and beer sauce:

  • 150 g – 200 g grated cheddar cheese
  • 100 g grated mozzarella
  • 225 g cream cheese
  • ½ cup of beer
  • 2 tbsp. powder chili
  • 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • 1 C. powder garlic
  • ¼ teaspoons ground pepper
  • ¼ c. salt
  • a cup of green onions

Preparation:

  1. In the mixing bowl with a hook, mix together the water, sugar, butter and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  2. In another bowl, mix the flour and salt.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the blender jar and mix on low speed.
  4. Increase the speed and continue beating until you get a smooth paste that peels off the sides of the bowl.
  5. Put the dough on a floured surface and knead lightly for 1 minute.
  6. Put the dough in an oiled bowl and shape into a ball so that it is covered with oil.
  7. Cover and let rise in a warm, dry place.
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and a tablespoon of water.
  9. Preheat the oven to 220 ° C.
  10. Put 10 cups of water in a saucepan with baking soda and bring to a boil. While the water is warming, divide the dough into 8 pieces.
  11. Place the pieces on a floured surface. Stretch each piece of dough to obtain long and thin ropes. Cut each string into equal pieces of about 2.5 cm.
  12. When working in small quantities, add the mini-pretzels in the boiling water. Leave there for 35 – 40 seconds before removing with a strainer. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, brush with egg and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12-13 minutes.

Cheese and beer sauce: In a saucepan, melt on medium heat the mixture of cheese, beer, chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic and salt. Stir well to obtain a homogeneous sauce. Add chopped green onion before removing from heat.

 The Octoberfest invites you to a dinner aperitif with these delicious mini-pretzels.

step by step, diy recipe, bread bites, vegetarian appetizers, marble countertop

Vegetarian appetizers – Caprese salad

Ingredients:

  • 500 g cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced
  • 2 tbsp. capers
  • the juice and zest of a ½ lemon
  • 2 tbsp. of olive oil
  • coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • goat cheese crumbled

For the Parmesanshells :

  • 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • the zest of a small lemon

Instructions :

  1. In a salad bowl, mix tomatoes, roasted red pepper trenches, capers, parsley with oil, juice and lemon zest. Add salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 190 ° C. In a small bowl mix Parmesan and lemon zest. Cover a rimmed baking tray with a silicone baking mat.
  2. Take some Parmesan cheese and a round cookie cutter by tapping lightly over it to form a disc. Shape 6 cheese discs and place them on the baking sheet without touching them. Put in the oven for 8 minutes.
  3. Do the same with the rest of Parmesan. Let cool a little before removing. Then place the patties in a muffin pan while they are still hot. Press lightly so that the cheese discs are cup-shaped.
  4. Let cool for 3-5 minutes before unmolding.
  5. Before serving, fill the cups with the mixed salad and crumbled cheese.

Caprese salad served in a parmesan dish. 

vegan appetizers, bread basket, cherry tomatoes inside, red and orange, on a white plate

 Mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce – the most classic of the vegetarian appetizers.

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Mozzarella sticks

Ingredients:

  • 12 cheese sticks cut in half or mozzarella cut into sticks
  • ½ cup of flour
  • 3 beaten eggs
  • 1 cup of Italian breadcrumbs
  • a cup of Japanese panko breadcrumbs
  • a cup of marinara sauce
  • olive oil
  1. Put the flour in a salad bowl. Beat the eggs in another bowl. Put the breadcrumbs on a third plate. Take the sticks that you will dip in the flour and then in the beaten egg. Coat them with bread crumbs. Place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet and let cool for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the cheese sticks in the oil for 1-2 minutes. Put them on a paper towel.
  3. Serve hot with marinara sauce.

step by step, diy recipe, vegan appetizers, mozzarella sticks, with marinara sauce

 Banana Donut Brochette with Mexican Chocolate Sauce

fried bananas, with melted chocolate, sliced lime, vegan appetizers, wooden board

Banana Donut Brochette with Mexican Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:

  • For peanut powder  : a cup of salted roasted peanuts
  • 300 g of crystal sugar
  • 2 tbsp. cinnamon powder
  • For the Mexican chocolate sauce  :
  • 220 g semi-sweet chocolate cut into pieces
  • 120 ml of coconut milk
  • ½ c. chili ancho powder
  • ¼ c. cinnamon
  • 1 C. coffee vanilla extract
  • For banana donuts :
  • 140 g of flour
  • 30 g of rice flour
  • 2 tbsp. Yeast
  • a cup of Mexican beer
  • 6 ripe bananas
  • the zest of two limes
  • Colza oil

Are you looking for ideas for fast and original vegetarian appetizers? Delight your guests with these banana fritters with exotic sauce.

step by step, diy recipe, vegan appetizers, bananas and lime, chocolate and nuts

Preparation:

  1. In the mixing robot bowl put the peanuts and 100 g of sugar. Reduce them to powder. Be careful not to crush the peanuts too much and turn them into butter. Add remaining sugar and cinnamon stirring with a spoon. Put the powder in a jar.
  2. Pour the coconut milk in a saucepan over low heat. Bring it to a boil. Remove from heat and add the pieces of chocolate. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in chili powder, cinnamon and vanilla. Before serving, heat the sauce over low heat.
  3. In a broad and deep plate mix the flour and the yeast. Gradually pour the milk and the beer. If the dough is too thick, add more beer. Heat the oil in a large pan. Cross bananas with bamboo skewers. Dip the skewers into the dough so that they are completely covered. Brown on both sides in oil for 2 – 3 minutes. Take the bananas out of the frying with a slotted spoon. Leave to drain on paper towels.
  4. Serve sprinkled with peanut powder, accompanied by spicy chocolate sauce.

Vegetarian appetizers, which are a real treat for the eyes and taste buds

fried bananas, veggie appetizers, sliced lime, covered in powder sugar, on a wooden board

Sweet potato bites – vegetarian appetizers

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • a large sweet potato cut into slices 
  • salt and pepper
  • a cup of cashew nuts
  • ½ cup dried tomato tapenade and grilled peppers
  • basil leaves

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 220 ° C. Brush the slices of sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Turn the rings over on their own and put back in the oven for another 15 minutes. Put the cashews in the robot’s bowl and mash them. Add 3 tablespoons of the tapenade. Garnish each bite with a little of the mixture, two tablespoons of tapenade and basil leaves.

Sweet potato bites accompanied by dried tomato tapenade, roasted red peppers, cashew nuts and spices.

sweet potato slices, hummus and olives on top, veggie appetizers, arranged on a wooden board

Crunchy bites recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 onions
  • 1 C. lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. freshly chopped chives
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp. sugar 
  • a cup of pumpkin
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped sage
  • 1 ½ cup grated mozzarella
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 cups of bread crumbs
  • vegetable oil
  • parsley or parmesan to garnish
  1. Heat a tablespoon of oil over medium or low heat.
  2. Throw the onion rings in the pan with a pinch of salt and two teaspoons of sugar. Add a little water if the onion rings begin to stick to the pan.
  3. Once caramelised, put the onions in a bowl.
  4. Cook the pumpkin in the same pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Add more oil if necessary. Continue stirring until the pumpkin softens. Add the pumpkin cooked with caramelised onions and reserve in the fridge.
  5. Then add sage and mozzarella, mix well. Add salt and pepper.
  6. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. In another bowl put the breadcrumbs seasoned with a little salt and pepper.
  7. Shape small balls of mozzarella mixture, dip them in the beaten egg, then coat them with bread crumbs.Repeat the operation once more.
  8. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Brown the croquettes for 2 minutes on each side and place them on a paper towel.
  9. Serve with a spicy yoghurt sauce.

 Crunchy balls battered with mozzarella and pumpkin – delicious vegetarian appetizers

mozzarella bites, in a grey bowl, with green napkin, veggie appetizers

  Sweet potato fries prepared in the oven to eat at will

sweet potato, french fries, in a metal cone, veggie appetizers, ketchup in a white bowl

Vegetarian appetizers – four healthy french fries recipes

Original idea for a vegetarian Christmas appetizer – Cheese and chili queso dip with red and green tortilla chips

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Christmas vegetarian appetizers

 Apple tartlets without cooking

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Grilled aubergines stuffed with bulgur and feta cheese

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Fried Brussels sprouts with lemon 

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    Appetising mix of spicy nuts

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vegetarian appetizer recipes, step by step, diy recipe, small bites, tomatoes and peppers inside

Mellow cake with zucchini, goat cheese and pesto sauce – mini-cakes perfect to accompany a cheese platter

bread with herbs, inside a paper tray, vegetarian appetizer recipes, white and blue towel

Ultra delicious vegetarian appetizers

bread bites, with parmesan and herbs, vegetarian appetizer recipes, white plate

Bring an original taste to your vegetarian appetizers with these slices of caramelised butternut squash and gorgonzola

wholegrain bread slices, vegetarian appetizer recipes, chopped and baked, sweet potato on top

Original idea for a vegetarian Christmas appetizer

christmas tree shaped bread bites, tomato sauce in a white bowl, on a wooden board, vegetarian appetizer recipes

Brie with pomegranate seeds, honey and pecans – a melting recipe to share with friends

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bread slices, with avocado and spinach, on a black plate, dairy free appetizers

 Goat cheese lollipops with cranberries

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  ”Fries” of roasted zucchini

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Christmas cheese and dried cranberries rolled hors d’oeuvres

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Grilled and spicy chick peas 

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Cinnamon Mexican churros for an exotic vegetarian appetizer

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Feta cheese drizzled with honey and topped with orange zest, grilled pine nuts and mint

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Lavash bread crackers with guacamole and red pepper breadsticks

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Dips and spreads are a must for good vegetarian appetizers – dip sauce with white beans, lemon and rosemary

hummus in a white bowl, with lemon and rosemary, easy vegan appetizers, baked bruschetta

  Hummus of grilled peppers, mint and goat cheese

hummus in a white bowl, easy vegan appetizers, baked crackers on the side

Dried tomato and garlic dip with sweet potato chips

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Goat cheese marinated in olive oil, garlic and thyme

easy vegetarian appetizers, sliced mozzarella, in a blue and white plate, with herbs and sauce

Shortbread biscuits with three ingredients

parmesan buscuits, easy vegetarian appetizers, step by step, diy recipe

baked pear, filled with nuts and melted cheese, easy vegetarian appetizers, in a white plate

Offer a variety of sandwiches for crispy vegetarian appetizers without fail

baked slice of bruschetta, pears on top, with honey, vegan superbowl snacks

Sliced potatoes baked with garlic butter

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Another easy recipe for brie bites

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Indian vegetarian cuisine is an inexhaustible source of inspiration – paneer croquettes (Indian cheese), peas and potatoes

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Vegan recipe of mushrooms stuffed with black rice

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mushrooms filled with quinoa and nuts, easy vegetarian appetizers, in a metal tray

Home-made avocado spring rolls with coriander and lemon sauce

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Puff pastry tartlets with spinach, feta and pine nuts

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 Vegetarian tacos with sweet potatoes

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Vegetarian wraps with mimosa eggs and green beans for a quick mexican aperitif

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Homemade chickpea hummus sprinkled with olive oil, garnished with whole chickpeas, onion and pomegranate seeds

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Bites of brie and cranberry sauce

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 The video recipe

bruschetta slices, vegetarian super bowl recipes, passion fruit slices on top, in a white plate

 Antipasti aperitif skewers

veggie pinwheels, olives and onion, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, on a wooden skewer

 Goat cheese slices and figs

wholegrain bread slices, cheese and passion fruit on top, veggie pinwheels, wooden board

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.