27 Vegetarian Appetizers Everyone Will Love

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Updated on June 2, 2024

Warm Cheese Box Bites — Photo:
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

As Southerners, we're trained to entertain starting at birth. But when it comes to planning a menu that's vegetarian, most of us have to shift our hospitality engines into an unfamiliar gear. While it can seem daunting to plan a party without the help of bacon, we're here to tell you that it can be done, and done deliciously! We dipped into our recipe archives to find 45 of our favorites that don't require any meat to deliver big flavor. These dishes are so good, vegetarians and meat-lovers alike will be begging you to share the recipes.

01 of 27

Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly

Red Chipotle Pepper Jelly — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Spicy and sweet, pepper jelly is cream cheese's best friend. Serve this chipotle-spiked spread over goat cheese or cream cheese with crostini or crackers.

02 of 27

Picnic Egg Salad

Picnic Egg Salad

You can make a meal out of this creamy, herb-flecked egg salad. We added a few "secret" ingredients that takes this recipe over the top.

03 of 27

Warm Cheese Box Bites

Warm Cheese Box Bites — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

These tasty bites are made from white bread cubes covered in a cheese mixture and baked to crispy perfection.

04 of 27

Asparagus Ribbon Crostini

Asparagus Ribbon Crostini — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Although these look fancy, they're ridiculously easy to make. Parmesan and lemon zest flavor the creamy ricotta, which serves as a savory bed for ribbons of fresh asparagus.

05 of 27

Butter- Baked Saltine Crackers

Butter-Baked Saltine Crackers — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

No appetizer spread is complete without something crunchy, and these buttery crackers deliver. Deliciously simple, they'll fly off your buffet table.

06 of 27

Spicy Cheese Twists

Spicy Cheese Twists — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Puff pastry is your best friend when it comes to easy and impressive appetizers. These adorable little pastry bow ties are sprinkled with aged Gouda for rich twist.

07 of 27

Mushroom Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Available in the freezer section, phyllo cups are a great shortcut. These mushroom and cheese stuffed appetizers will be a hit with vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

08 of 27

Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites — Southern Living

Phyllo cups to the rescue AGAIN, this time with everyone's favorite creamy cheese. Salty brie is even better with a dollop of tart cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of salty pistachios.

09 of 27

Cowboy Candy

Southern Living Cowboy Candy in a jar and on top of cream cheese with crackers to serve — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

You don't have to a be a cowboy to love this tangy, spicy jalapeño relish. Cream cheese and crackers complete this effortless appetizer.

10 of 27

Charred- Vegetable Guacamole

Southern Living Charred-Vegetable Guacamole in a bowl to serve with tortilla chips — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

We thought guacamole couldn't be better, but we were wrong. Charred corn, onions, and peppers give it a great smoky crunch.

11 of 27

Roasted Artichokes with Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce

Southern Living Roasted Artichokes with Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Artichokes are one of life's great culinary pleasures. Serve them with this easy mayo spiked with roasted garlic, and your guests will go ga-ga.

12 of 27

Eggplant Rollups

Eggplant Rollups — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

I'm just going to say it—vegetarians LOVE eggplant. Filled with creamy ricotta and topped with marinara, these rollups taste just like lasagna.

13 of 27

Grilled Summer Vegetable Platter

Grilled Summer Vegetable Platter — Photo: Hector Sanchez

Folks may turn their noses up at a tray of raw veggies at a party, but these grilled vegetables will win its fair share of fans.

14 of 27

Creamy Avocado Dip

Creamy Avocado Dip — Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

This smoother cousin of guacamole is great with chips and veggies, but it also makes a tasty spread for sandwiches.

15 of 27

Slow- Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta — Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Delicious in the summer with fresh tomatoes, this recipe is also a winner with winter tomatoes.

16 of 27

Basic Pimiento Cheese

Southern Living Basic Pimento Cheese in a bowl to serve with crackers and vegetables — Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

When we say "basic" we don't mean boring—this classic pimiento cheese is just like your grandmother made.

Basic Pimiento Cheese

17 of 27

Warm Cheese- and- Spicy Pecan Dip

Warm Cheese-and-Spicy Pecan Dip — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

No fancy cheeses required for this impressive dip—just Cheddar, Monterrey Jack, and a sprinkle of spicy pecans.

18 of 27

Smokey Black- Eyed Pea Hummus

Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

If you're tired of ho-hum hummus from the grocery store, whip up this easy recipe. Canned black-eyed peas make it super simple.

19 of 27

Georgia- Style Boiled Peanuts

Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts — Alison Miksch

A Southern favorite, boiled peanuts make a great vegetarian appetizer because they're packed with filling protein. Oh, and they're also delicious!

20 of 27

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Mini Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas — David Fenton

Black beans are delicious and filling, making them a big win for vegetarians. These bite-size enchiladas are baked in muffin cups, making them party perfect.

21 of 27

Baked Brie Bites

Baked Brie Bites

Pepper jelly and pecans make a festive and tasty topping for these bite-sized baked Brie tarts.

22 of 27

Deviled Potatoes

Deviled Potatoes — Hector Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Although these guys may look like eggs, they're actually potatoes! Dressed up with capers and lemon zest, these swanky potatoes are everything you love about potato salad in a finger-food form.

23 of 27

Sweet-and- Salty Snack Mix

Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mix — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

I love a party food that doesn't require a utensil or a napkin, and this snack mix delivers. Best of all, you can eat the cone when you're finished, so you don't even have to hunt for the trash can.

24 of 27

Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Sweet potatoes aren't just for dessert—these goat cheese–slathered crostini make a fancy appetizer, and are perfect for your gluten-free guests.

25 of 27

Crudités Platter

CurditÃ©s Platter — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Horseradish adds its trademark heat to this easy, yogurt-based dip surrounded by the season's best fresh vegetables.

26 of 27

Cheesy Mushroom Sliders

Southern Living Cheesy Mushroom Sliders with fries on the side to serve — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Forget processed veggie burgers—these adorable mushroom sliders are packed with so much flavor and are the perfect pick-up size.

27 of 27

Caesar Salad Bites

Caesar Salad Bites — Photo: Jennifer Davick/Prop Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell/Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

I've been trying to figure out how to serve salad as an appetizer for years, and this is it! Sturdy romaine leaves are the perfect vessel for this re-imagined Caesar salad.

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