30 Exciting Vegetarian Party Food Ideas (From Snacks to Main Dishes)

Many vegetarians can relate to going to a party and only having the veggie tray or fruit platter to snack on. If you're lucky, there's some cheese and crackers and cookies, too.

If you're inviting vegetarian guests to your party or you're a vegetarian going to someone else's party, you want to make sure there's enough tasty and filling foods to go around that everyone can enjoy.

With all these yummy meatless party foods to choose from, you'll wow your vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests alike.

You can make The Mediterranean Dish's baba ganoush or pick some up (along with fresh pita bread) from your local Mediterranean restaurant. Your guests won't be able to stop eating this delicious garlicky spread!

Stuffed mushrooms work well for vegetarian party menus any time of the year. Delish's spinach artichoke filling will go off like gangbusters!

Try Trisha Yearwood's carmelized vidalia onion and goat cheese tartlets for a fun, flavor-packed treat.

This classic party snack goes great with any party theme, especially during summer feasts.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces of fresh mozzarella balls
• 1 ounce of fresh basil leaves
• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, washed
• 1 tablespoon of fresh pesto
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place mozzarella balls, tomatoes, and basil leaves on a skewer in an alternating pattern.
2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired.
3. Drizzle with pesto (optional).

Serves: 16

Sushi is incredibly easy to make vegetarian or even vegan — just let a veggie like cucumber or avocado be the main filling, served with soy sauce and wasabi.

It's always a good idea to include some healthy-but-hearty finger foods like quinoa balls (like these from Abbey Sharp) in your party menu for your more health-conscious guests.

Serve this savory appetizer with fun-shaped, whole-grain chips.

Ingredients

• 30 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cotija cheese, sliced jalapenos, or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In your food processor, add rinsed and drained black beans, onion, garlic, lime juice, and all spices. 
2. Blend until dip is mostly smooth
3. Put dip into a bowl and add garnishes if desired.

Watermelon feta skewers are especially refreshing in the summer, but they would be great at any party.

Ingredients

• 2 cups watermelon cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 block of feta cheese cut into the same sized cubes as your watermelon
• Basil or mint leaves cut to a similar width as your cubes
• Balsamic glaze

Instructions

1. On your skewer, add 1 cube of watermelon, 1 cube of feta, mint or basil, and another cube of watermelon.
2. Once finished making your skewers, lay them on a platter and drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze.

These couldn't be simpler to make!

Spice up your party with this flavorful snack. Put out small cups of nuts or serve it in bowls for grazing guests.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces mixed nuts or any nut of choice
• ⅓ cup honey (or hot honey)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1½ tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ cup white granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. 
2. On the stove over medium-low heat, combine the honey, cayenne pepper, coconut oil, and salt until it's melted and smooth.
3. Remove from heat and add nuts to this mixture making sure they're entirely coated. 
4. Spread coated nuts onto your baking sheet and put them in the oven for 30 minutes, checking them about every 10 minutes to stir them around and make sure they aren't burning.
5. When finished roasting, remove them from the oven and add them to a bowl, then add gradually add the sugar coating as you stir to evenly cover the nuts.
6. Stir the nuts in the bowl every few minutes until they are completely cooled (about 15 minutes). 

There are so many popcorn topping possibilities that make it an easy but exciting vegetarian snack food. Go savory, sweet, spicy, or a combination of flavors that'll definitely please your crowd. 

Everyone knows how to make nachos, and you can easily set up options for both your vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends to enjoy. Some of the best meat-free toppings include:

• Black or refried beans
• Cheese or vegan cheese
• Pickled onions
• Jalapeños
• Grilled and seasoned corn
• Vegetarian meat
• Chunky salsa
• Guacamole or avocado chunks

And any of the other basics you want! 

Try this creative vegetarian recipe for your main dish.

Ingredients

• 8 slices of eggplant
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 packaged veggie burgers
• 8 slices of tomato
• 4 basil leaves, cut into strips

Instructions

1. Cook the eggplant in a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat for 10 minutes. 
2. Cook the veggie burgers as directed on the package.
3. Place the veggie burger and tomato between eggplant slices.
4. Top with the basil leaves.

Serves: 4

Puff pastry rolls filled with vegetarian sausage and herbs? Yeah, those are guaranteed to be a hit. There are plenty of different recipes to try, but Emily Leary's is especially simple and looks so tasty.

Pizza can be as vegetarian as you want! A build-your-own pizza bar will make sure everyone gets to enjoy their favorite toppings: 

• Vegetarian pepperoni, sausage, or chicken
• Plenty of vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, onions, jalapenos, olives, etc.
• Options for vegan cheese & crusts if necessary

Sloppy joes are a fan-favorite, and can be just as good when made vegetarian; they taste just like regular sloppy joes, but without the meat.

Ingredients

• 1 package of Gardein beefless ground soy protein (found at major supermarket chains and health food stores)
• 1 can of vegetarian sloppy joe sauce
• 4 whole-grain hamburger buns

Instructions

1. Heat up the ground soy protein in a large skillet.
2. Add the sloppy joe sauce and heat until steaming hot.
3. Serve on hamburger buns with dill pickles and fresh vegetables.

Serves: 4

Tofu wraps work great as a main course but are microwavable so they are easy and quick to prepare. Simply CeeCee's BBQ style tofu wraps will bring all the flavor and heat you could want at your party!

If your party is in the fall or winter, a vegetarian chili recipe would make the perfect main course, with plenty of fixings like sour cream, onions, and Fritos to jazz it up.

Make Naturally Ella's Mediterranean flatbread to share at the party. You can make or buy a flatbread and add toppings like olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, and onions. So much flavor packed into each bite, your guests won't be able to stop themselves!

Sliders are great for a crowd because you can eat as many as you want, and they're portable. This recipe from Minimalist Baker only needs 7 ingredients to make the burgers. Pre-make the burger patties and assemble the sliders with classic or fun toppings when it's go-time.

Vegan quiche is a yummy party food that you can make from scratch. It's filling and comforting. Try Bianca Zipatka's recipe for your next party.

Cookie + Kate's sweet potato and black bean enchiladas will have your crowd asking you for a copy of the recipe. Fresh, nutritious, and flavorful, these will be definite winners.

This Savory Vegan has a recipe for vegan avocado egg rolls that I'm dying to try (no eggs in the actual recipe, don't worry). Plus, a vegan cilantro ranch to go with them? Sign me up!

Kebabs are super customizable, filling, and easy to make! 

Ingredients

• 14 ounces (400g) extra-firm tofu or halloumi, cubed
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts
• 1 red bell pepper, chunked
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chunked
• 1 red onion, wedged
• Wooden skewers, soaked

For Marinade

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 3 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon green onions, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)

Instructions

1. Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl and add the tofu/halloumi, coating it with the marinade. Set aside to marinate for 30+ minutes or more.
2. Slice zucchini, chunk bell peppers, wedge red onion.
3. Add marinated tofu/halloumi and prepared vegetables onto skewers.
4. Grill skewers on medium-high heat for 8-10 mins, turning occasionally.
5. Brush skewers with reserved marinade in the last few minutes of grilling.
6. Serve hot, with extra marinade or YumYum sauce for dipping.

You can't go wrong with a refreshing quinoa salad for a vegetarian side dish. Simply Quinoa has plenty of salad options to choose from, but it's pretty to improvise your own recipe. Serve it in individual cups or potluck style.

Simply heat up these packaged meatless meatballs, which you can buy at any large grocery chain or health food store, for a quick and easy main course or side dish. Add a toothpick and your favorite vegetarian sauce for dipping.

Your guests will love flavorful Gardein barbecue wings (made with soy and wheat protein) that taste just like real chicken barbecue wings. You can find these at most large grocery chains. Just heat up the meatless wings and serve!

When you're in a rush, go with a no-bake vegetarian cookie recipe for your party. These are especially great for a summer party when you'd rather not turn on the oven!

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats and cocoa powder.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, butter, and milk. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
4. Once boiling, let it boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to help create the right consistency for the cookies.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
6. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and cocoa powder. Stir until well combined.
7. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. You can make them as large or as small as you like.
8. Let the cookies cool and set at room temperature or place them in the refrigerator for faster setting.

Vegan brownies can be just as good as non-vegan, like the recipe from Nora Cooks. Rich and fudgey, they're pretty much what your brownie dreams are made of.

Vegan donuts can either be a breakfast food for a brunch party or a fun hand-held dessert to get your sugar kick after the meal's over. 

Chocolate-dipped strawberries are classic and easy to make. Just melt your preferred kind of chocolate, dip fresh strawberries into your mixture, and let them cool on parchment paper. You can add fun embellishments like a drizzle of a different-colored chocolate or sprinkles. 

Cinnamon chips and a fruit salsa sound like an amazing sweet treat any time of year. Try Chew Out Loud's homemade cinnamon sugar tortilla chips plus their fruit salsa recipe for an absolutely refreshing combo.

There are plenty of food options to make for your party that will satisfy your vegetarian pals (or you!). Even your meat-eating friends and family will want to gobble these up!