Events

Vegetarian Party Food Worth Celebrating: 20 Tasty Ideas

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Last Updated: Jul 27, 2023

Mouthwatering vegetarian food does not have to be limiting. With a rainbow of fresh vegetable ingredients, there are so many delicious recipes waiting to be created. If you’re in search of delicious vegetarian party food ideas, here are some of our favorites.

Vegetarian party appetizers

Get the party started with these sure-to-please vegetarian party appetizers.

1. Edamame

Avocado and edamame hummus recipe with olive oil and ingredients as a healthy Mediterranean diet with summer flowers and olive oil.

You may recognize these bright green gems from Japanese restaurants. Edamame are young soybeans still in their pods and make great snacks. Boil and sprinkle with salt or make a spicy option by sprinkling your edamame with garlic powder, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

2. Cucumber sandwiches

These delicate sandwiches make great vegetarian party food starters. Mix plain cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Italian dressing and spread on some fluffy bread. Top with slices of crisp cucumber, slivers of red onion, and fresh dill. Refrigerate and serve.

3. Chickpea fritters

Try chickpea fritters if you’re in search of vegetarian party food ideas. In a food processor, blend chickpeas, egg, cilantro, and seasonings (cumin, garlic powder, salt, ground ginger) and shape them into balls. Fry the chickpea fritters until golden and serve with a cool yogurt dipping sauce.

4. Veggie platter

Slice and arrange a colorful variety of vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli, bell peppers) on a platter and serve with multiple dipping sauce options like ranch, peanut sauce, and tzatziki.

5. Figs in a blanket

This fun spin on the traditional ‘pigs in a blanket’ appetizer is perfect as vegetarian party food. In a flaky puff pastry, wrap spicy, honey-glazed figs and luxurious goat cheese together and bake. If goat cheese is a little too pungent for your taste buds, try substituting it with brie or Manchego.

6. Creamy avocado dip

Guacamole, tomatoes on rice cakes.

As an alternative to your traditional guacamole, try serving this creamy avocado dip as your next vegetarian party appetizer. Mix avocados, yogurt, caramelized onions, and fresh scallions. Serve with an assortment of tortilla chips or pita chips.

7. Mushroom turnovers

Mushroom, thyme, onions, and garlic are mixed to create this savory filling. Wrap your filling in a pastry dough shaped like a half-moon, bake, and enjoy. 

Vegetarian party entrées

Impress your guests with these savory and flavorful vegetarian party food entrées.

1. Spinach and mushroom stuffed pasta

Fill jumbo pasta shells (also known as conchiglioni) with a dreamy blend of spinach, mushroom, and ricotta. Bake in the oven and drizzle with hot marinara sauce and freshly grated cheese.

2. Barbecue jackfruit sandwiches

If you’re looking for vegetarian party food ideas, you can stop right here. This vegetarian twist on your classic barbecue pulled pork sandwiches is sure to be a hit. Replace the pulled pork with fresh jackfruit. The texture of jackfruit is quite meaty and makes a perfect sandwich filling when shredded and tossed in a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce.

3. Roasted squash risotto

This rustic dish is perfect as vegetarian party food for intimate gatherings. Risotto can be a tough dish to master, but when done right, it is absolutely delicious. Top your creamy risotto with roasted summer squash and savory mushrooms, then garnish with fresh parmesan.

4. Savory carrot and artichoke heart tarts

This visually appealing appetizer is sure to be a hit among vegetarian party food dishes. On a pastry dough, spread a creamy mixture of ricotta, almonds, thyme, and orange zest. Arrange rainbow carrots and artichoke hearts on top to create a visually stunning design and bake. Slice into squares and serve warm.

5. Herb-crusted cauliflower steaks

cauliflower steaks with herb sauce and spice. plant based meat substitute

Slice your cauliflower on its side to make one-inch flat ‘steaks.’ Brush your cauliflower steaks with a flavorful mixture of olive oil, fresh garlic, panko bread crumbs, and parmesan and cook until the edges have browned and crisped.  

6. Chickpea mushroom burgers

Replace your traditional meat patties with patties made from hearty chickpeas and mushrooms. Both meaty in texture and flavor, this veggie patty will crisp along the edges while staying juicy on the inside.

7. Spiced tofu tacos

Jazz up your classic street tacos with these spiced and crispy tofu tacos. Drizzle your tofu strips with lemon juice and olive oil and sprinkle with cumin, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cook your tofu until golden and crispy on the edges. Add Kalamata olives, feta cheese, red onion, and lettuce to your tofu and wrap in a warmed tortilla or pita bread.

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Vegetarian party desserts

No party is complete without dessert! At your next party, end the meal with these homemade vegetarian party desserts.

1. Matcha cheesecake bites

These no-bake cheesecake bites make great vegetarian party desserts. For the filling, whip together cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and culinary matcha. Press down crumbled graham cracker crust into a springform baking pan and spoon in your cheesecake filling. Refrigerate a minimum of six to eight hours; however, overnight is best. Open the release pan and cut your no-bake matcha cheesecake into bite-sized pieces and serve chilled.   

2. Rhubarb pie

Tired of the classic apple and cherry pies? Bring a homemade rhubarb pie as your next vegetarian party dessert. When raw, rhubarbs have an overwhelmingly sour and tart taste. But when stewed and cooked down, rhubarb has a sweeter flavor and is often used to make pies with a beautiful deep pink hue.

3. Watermelon blackberry popsicles

Blend watermelon chunks, blackberries, lime juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add halved fresh blackberries to your popsicle molds before pouring your mixture in. Freeze overnight and serve cold.

4. Baked apples

Baked stuffed apples on plate and fresh apples in the background. Selective focus, shallow DOF.

Cut off ½ inch of each apple and core out the insides before placing it in a glass pie plate. Sprinkle with ground allspice and ground nutmeg for that familiar, warm holiday taste. Combine a mixture of dried cherries, sugar, water, and vegetable oil and scoop into each apple. Bake and then top with roughly chopped walnuts for texture.

5. Superfood chocolate bark

Melt dark chocolate and pour it into a lined baking pan. Sprinkle goji berries, pumpkin seeds, chopped hazelnuts, chia seeds, and hemp seeds on top of the chocolate, and then place the entire tray into the fridge to cool for approximately 30 minutes. Once set, use a knife to cut the superfood bark into bite-sized pieces and serve chilled.

6. Dark chocolate peanut butter banana bites

This easy vegetarian party food is super simple to make. Slice your bananas and spread a small amount of peanut butter onto the top of your banana. Melt dark chocolate chips in a bowl until it’s a smooth liquid, and dip your bananas and peanut butter stack into the chocolate. Place your dipped bananas on a lined parchment paper sheet and leave them in the freezer to cool for one hour before serving.

Shop vegetarian ingredients

Trying out these tasty vegetarian party food ideas starts with having the right ingredients. You can see what ingredients are available to you by shopping on Instacart. When you shop with Instacart, you can easily add items to your list and pick up your groceries curbside or have them conveniently delivered to you.

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