Are you on the search for the perfect vegan Christmas appetizers to add intense flavor and beautiful color to your festive holiday gathering? In this article, we’ll reveal an exciting array of incredibly healthy, yet entirely decadent vegan bites that will win over both you and your guests.
The following vegan appetizers are jam-packed with fresh veggies, healthy fats, plant-based proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enormous flavor. If you didn’t think that plant-based dishes were synonymous with great taste, think again!
These vegan Christmas appetizers are sure to “wow” everyone when presented in your pre-dinner spread. Plus, they’ll be a welcome treat from many other traditional holiday dishes containing loads of added sugar, unhealthy trans fats, or artificial ingredients.
Don’t wait to get cooking… Try all of the following incredibly-good vegan appetizers at your next holiday party!
10 Vegan Christmas Appetizers
1. Vegan Cranberry Salsa
© Photo By Homemade Interest
Sweet, tart and spicy flavors unite in this fresh vegan cranberry salsa recipe with exquisite flavor. With fresh cranberries, jalapenos, cilantro, green onions and freshly squeezed orange and lime juices, this recipe is truly an explosion for your taste buds! You’ll likely have to hold yourself back from eating too much and spoiling your appetite for the main course!
Pro tip: Leave out the sugar in this recipe or use coconut sugar for a more nutritious, healthier dip.
Get this Vegan Cranberry Salsa Recipe here.
2. Lentil Mushroom Vegan Hand Pies
© Photo By Connoisseurus Veg
This vegan Christmas appetizer is sure to become a new “go-to” dish for any time you feel like entertaining – with golden brown, flaky outer crusts and juicy, savory insides.
Cremini mushrooms and lentils are without a doubt the star ingredients in this recipe, but it also gets a ton of interesting flavor from various veggies and fresh herbs, (including rosemary, sage and thyme). Finally, dried cranberries and walnuts give these tasty vegan pies irresistible sweetness and crunch!
Get this Vegan Lentil Mushroom Hand Pie Recipe here.
3. Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
© Photo By Neurotic Mommy
For many people, no Christmas appetizer platter is complete without savory stuffed mushrooms, and this particular Italian recipe is a total crowd-pleaser. In fact, if you have non-vegan guests at your holiday party, no one will be able to tell these succulent morsels are dairy-free!
Each mushroom is filled with Italian breadcrumbs and vegan Parmesan cheese, along with a variety of spices and herbs (parsley, basil, oregano, garlic, and onion powder). Plus, vegan butter and avocado oil makes each bite extra decadent, while providing healthy fats for optimal health.
Get this Vegan Stuffed Mushroom Recipe here.
4. Vegan Beetroot Hummus
© Photo By The Clever Meal
This bright and exciting dish will likely be the talk of your Christmas gathering, with outrageous color, and an addicting, tangy-sweet taste. Plus, believe it or not, it’s incredibly easy to make your own hummus!
In this case, simply add all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend! Top this rich, protein-packed dish with walnuts (or your favorite nut), and serve with crackers, pita bread, or raw veggie sticks.
Get this Vegan Beetroot Hummus Recipe here.
5. Vegan Cranberry and "Goat Cheese" Crostini
© Photo By Jessica In The Kitchen
Next up, this quick and easy vegan Christmas appetizer can be made in less than ten minutes, yet looks and tastes like something at an upscale restaurant. Simply toast slices of crostini bread for 5 minutes, then spread on a soft vegan cheese of your choice. Add some healthy, homemade cranberry sauce (leftover sauce works great here), and you have a fancy, virtually effortless plant-based appetizer!
Get this Vegan Cranberry and "Goat Cheese Crostini Recipe here.
6. Vegan Tomato Flatbread
© Photo By Green Evi
This dish is just as beautiful as it is appetizing, with just a few fresh and healthy ingredients that offer big and bold flavor. The highlight of this dish is fresh tomatoes, and you can get any kind you prefer (though the recipe calls for a mix of regular and cherry). Sliced heirloom tomatoes would also give a nice pop of color and are an excellent source of vitamin K.
Adding fresh herbs into the mix creates even more vibrant flavor, and while the recipe uses parsley, you could use basil or any herb you like best. Finally, the addition of garlic, tahini and pine nuts creates an exciting twist on regular pizza (and non-vegan guests won’t even miss the cheese)!
Get this Vegan Tomato Flatbread Recipe here.
7. Vegan "Tzatziki" Bites
© Photo By The Clever Meal
If you’re looking for a low-calorie vegan Christmas appetizer that can be ready super-fast, this is it. This creamy, garlicky, dairy-free dish includes simple yet health-boosting ingredients fit for any occasion.
This tzatziki recipe uses coconut yogurt, garlic, fresh dill, olive oil and lemon juice plus salt and pepper. Serve in a bowl for dipping with crackers or raw veggie sticks, or spoon onto cucumber slices with a slice of tomato and a sprig of dill for a beautiful display.
Get this Vegan Tzatziki Bite Recipe here.
8. Vegan Sweet Potato Avocado Tartare
© Photo By Love and Lemons
Sweet potato slices are turned into delicate crackers in this innovative, nutrient-packed vegan recipe, then topped with a slice of radish and fresh avocado salsa. This colorful appetizer makes a wonderful pre-dinner snack that provides great fiber and healthy fats to keep you from over-indulging on less healthy options.
The avocado tartare is made by mixing ripe avocado cubes with sea salt, red onion, Dijon mustard, sesame oil and fresh lemon juice for a mix of tangy, exciting taste in every bite. Top with sesame seeds for a flavorful crunch!
Get this Vegan Sweet Potato Avocado Tartare Recipe here.
9. Vegan Green Pea and Coconut Spread
© Photo By Green Evi
This vegan appetizer is visually appealing and so easy to make, plus it’s packed with plant-based pea protein, and big flavor from the garlic, tahini, lemon juice, fresh mint, Thai basil and coconut milk. It’s truly an innovative dish, offering a fresh alternative to typical avocado toast. Add the pea/coconut mixture to baguette slices and top with mint leaves and strawberry slices for an eye-catching treat.
Get this Vegan Green Pea and Coconut Spread Recipe here.
10. Vegan Portobello Mushroom Bruschetta
© Photo By Contentedness Cooking
Finally, for another fast and delicious stuffed mushroom recipe, this vegan Christmas appetizer can be made in just 5 minutes, in 2 easy steps! With fresh flavor and an addicting aroma, each mushroom is stuffed with garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, basil and salt and pepper.
Portobello mushrooms are also a nutritional powerhouse, containing powerful antioxidants and being a great source of fiber, potassium, riboflavin and copper. These delicious, meaty portobello’s are sure to become a new favorite in your appetizer spread.
Get this Vegan Protobello Mushroom Bruschetta Recipe here.
Which vegan Christmas appetizers are you going to make this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more healthy vegan recipes? Check out more delicious, nutrition-approved 310 recipes here!
