28 Vegetarian Appetizers That Make Party Prep Simple

No matter what type of party you’re throwing, it’s always a good idea to have a few vegetarian options on the table. Luckily, appetizers are some of the easiest bites to make meatless. You’ll see what we mean when you look through this collection of recipes; each one is packed with fresh vegetables, flavorful herbs or savory spices. Best of all, these appetizers are quick to prepare and simple to serve (and perfect alongside wine or cocktails!) — this paté included. It’s fancy and fun while still being completely no-fuss; you can make it an advance and the prep work takes just five minutes!

Cheese makes any dish better, and it stars in this tomato, mozzarella and basil bruschetta recipe. Crusty French bread acts as a sturdy base, and seasoned tomatoes act as a juicy dressing for this melt-in-your-mouth appetizer.

Just when you thought you couldn’t love pasta anymore, we’ve found another delightful way to enjoy it. This recipe takes cooked pasta and deep fries it, leaving you with crispy pasta chips that are meant to be dipped. Serve with marinara or our smooth, creamy dipping sauce.

Healthy, flavorful and simple, this easy-to-make appetizer packs big flavor. Hearty cannellini beans get tossed with lemon juice, herbs and garlic for a delicious snack that requires just a few ingredients. Serve with crusty bread or toasted pita.

These easy bites skip the eggs for a deliciously deviled plant-based appetizer. Chickpeas replace egg yolks for a filling that’s reminiscent of deviled eggs and so super-creamy it doesn’t need the usual mayo. It’s piped into fresh cherry tomatoes for a colorful bite that’s perfect finger food. The tomatoes and filling can be prepared 2 hours ahead of time and covered and refrigerated separately; just fill them as close to serving time so they don’t become watery. Bonus: They’re healthy, vegan and gluten free.

A list of appetizers wouldn’t be complete without spinach and artichoke dip. This classic recipe is a must-have at any tailgate, movie night or holiday party. Serve it with crackers, chips or crusty toasted bread.

There’s no doubt that this is one of the most simple recipes to prepare, but the flavors it features are anything but boring. Fennel seeds, crushed red pepper and orange zest are the key to dressing up simple olives with elevated flavor.

Crostinis are perfect for a party because they’re easy to devour with one hand, no dipping or spreading required. This vegetarian option combines fresh spinach and herbs with creamy sour cream, which gets topped with toasted almonds. The best part? It takes just a half hour to prepare.

Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party or a movie night, dips are usually the star of the appetizer tray. In this recipe, goat cheese gets baked with cream cheese for a smooth, spreadable dip that will soon become a crowd favorite.

Deviled eggs are a quintessential appetizer, and we love that they provide a hearty option for the vegetarian guests at your party. Creamy and delicious, they’re super versatile, too. This recipe can be enjoyed as is, or dressed up with your favorite garnishes — try capers, scallions, or crispy onions.

While we love baked brie wrapped in puff pastry as much as the next person, sometimes you just don’t want to fuss with dough of any kind. This breaded version comes out crisp, golden and buttery, giving even the fanciest baked Brie a run for its money. Cross-hatching not only looks cool, it helps heat the cheese heat evenly. And if you opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs, everyone at your party can enjoy this crowd-pleasing molten beauty.

This cooling starter is the perfect way to kick-off a dinner party on a hot day. Loaded with veggies, it comes together in just 20 minutes. For an even deeper flavor, let this sit in your refrigerator overnight.

This appetizer is like dipping fresh bread into warm soup, all in one handheld bite. Perfect for a big crowd, this recipe serves 10. Serve it sliced or keep it in one piece to act as a centerpiece at your next party.

With a smooth and tangy filling and a crunchy walnut topping, these blue cheese-stuffed dates offer a bite that’s both savory and sweet. They’re an excellent alternative to deviled eggs — even easier to prepare (no cooking!), but with a more unexpected flavor combination. Cottage cheese tempers the blue cheese and adds a little protein to each bite.

Skewers are the ultimate party snack, and we love this recipe that makes prep work super easy. Fresh, flavorful and light, these skewers are a simple way to start off any party. Marinated feta, cucumber and olives make the perfect bite for your next summer get together.

It seems the applications for polenta are endless — this versatile ingredient can be transformed depending how you cook it. Our new favorite way to prepare it? Crackers! This recipe spotlights grilled polenta as the base for fresh, flavorful roasted red pepper salsa.

Stuffed mushrooms are a hearty and filling one-bite appetizer. The perfect vegetarian option to add to your buffet, these pillows of flavor are packed with cheese, breadcrumbs and herbs. Pro tip? Make them ahead of time and pop them in the freezer.

Packed with fresh vegetables and flavorful herbs, this recipe is sure to delight vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Tahini adds a creamy texture, and lemon juice adds bright, balanced acidity.

Our take on the restaurant classic, this crunchy onion will please fried-food lovers everywhere. The zesty crust gets its flavor from cumin, paprika and cayenne, all of which pairs perfectly with the creamy dipping sauce.

Mini pizzas are a fun way to serve a filling snack before a big dinner. Instead of mozzarella and tomato, this recipe swaps in gorgonzola as an elevated alternative. Store-bought pizza dough is the secret to having this snack on the table in just 30 minutes.

Looking for a fun way to switch up your favorite spread? Classic hummus is made with chickpeas, but we love this fun twist that uses edamame instead. Season with cumin and coriander for a deep, elevated flavor.

Cheese puffs are like little pillows of savory flavor and melty goodness. We love that these use aged Italian Pecorino and Parmesan for extra salty flavor, which is balanced by fresh cracks of black peppercorn.

This take-out favorite gets a makeover with chili powder, red pepper flakes and oregano. Serve warm or chilled for an easy appetizer that requires just five ingredients.

If you’ve never thought of deep frying ravioli, allow us to introduce you to your new favorite appetizer. Opt for meat or cheese ravioli (fresh works best!) then dip in egg and bread crumbs. Drop in bubbling oil until golden brown, and serve warm with a side of marinara.

Chips just aren’t the same without guacamole, so this simple appetizer is a must-have at any party. We love this classic recipe because it’s easy to master and can be dressed up or down with flavorful additions like mango, pineapple or feta cheese.

For an easy recipe that looks like it took all day, turn to Brie en croute. This recipe looks fancy, but is simple to whip up and serve. Gooey brie gets covered in crusty puff pastry for an impressive appetizer you can serve any time of year.

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, fried pickles are a crowd pleasing starter that are sure to fly off the buffet table. This recipe is packed with flavor and takes just 25 minutes to prepare.