Wholesome Whole Food Plant Based Appetizers
Whole Food Plant Based Appetizers
Fill your appetizer spread with wholesome whole food plant based options. Whether it’s for a casual family movie night or a fancy party, these bite-sized hors d’oeuvres are sure to impress.
From dips and snacks to crostini, these recipes will add a new flavorful twist to your favorite dishes. Whole Foods has a great assortment of WFPB catering options, including single-item trays and combo packs, available online.
1. Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Buffalo flavored anything is huge right now and these little cauliflower bites are the perfect meatless alternative. Cauliflower florets are dipped in a simple vegan-friendly batter, baked until golden and crispy then tossed with your favorite buffalo sauce. It’s the ultimate game day snack or anytime appetizer that even omnivores will love.
For the batter, whisk together flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt and garlic powder. Add non-dairy milk and whisk until smooth batter forms. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray or a light coating of oil to prevent the cauliflower from sticking.
Bake the cauliflower until golden and crispy, flipping them halfway through for even baking. While the cauliflower is baking, prepare the buffalo sauce.
Toss the cauliflower florets in the buffalo sauce, and serve with a side of traditional appetizer snacks like celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. This dish also pairs well with cold salads, slaws or low carb dips.
2. Cocktail Meatless “Meatballs” Marinara
The perfect plant-based meatball recipe, these vegetarian quinoa “meatballs” are so easy to make and so good. You’ll love them tossed in pasta recipes or zucchini noodles, stuffed into a delicious meatball sub or served with this easy Instant Pot Garlic Rice alongside a simple Shaved Fennel Salad.
You’ll just need 7 simple, inexpensive, wholesome pantry ingredients to create this amazing dinner! This dish is full of protein, micronutrients and fiber — so satisfying.
Pulse rehydrated shiitake mushrooms in food processor until chopped, but there is still a little bit of texture left (you don’t want to mush them). Add remaining ingredients and process together well with your hands. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop out portions of the mixture and press lightly between your hands to form them into balls. You may wish to sprinkle the tops of each ball with a small amount of vegan cheese for extra umami, if desired.
3. Vegetable Crudites with Hummus
A crudites platter is a beautiful array of raw vegetables served along with a dip. It’s a perfect appetizer for parties and holidays. You can also add a few things salty to the platter like savory roasted nuts and marinated olives.
To make this hummus, combine cooked chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and 3 tbsp. reserved cooking liquid in a food processor or high-powered blender until smooth (using additional cooking liquid, if needed). Add more lemon juice, salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in mint leaves and pine nuts and transfer to a serving bowl.
Serve the hummus with crudites of your choice. This is a great show-stopping dish that is super easy to put together. It’s also a great option for meal prep as the hummus can be made up to 2 days ahead.
4. Cowboy Caviar Dip
Cowboy Caviar, also known as Mexican Caviar or Texas Caviar is a cross between a black bean salad and a fresh salsa. This vibrant, hearty dip is sure to please any crowd and comes together in just 15 minutes!
The recipe uses a variety of fresh ingredients to give this dip bold flavors without being overpowering. You can always make it spicier with a pinch of jalapeno or chili peppers or by adding in more chopped cilantro. You can even add some diced radishes for a little crunch and added flavor.
Combine the beans, corn and other vegetables in a large bowl. In a separate smaller bowl, whisk the lime juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, taco seasoning, salt and pepper to create the dressing that will coat and bind the dish together. Pour the dressing over the veggie and bean mixture and toss well. Chill for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to blend and marinate.