16 Vegan Appetizers (Gluten-Free)

Looking for vegan appetizers?

Here's a list of 16 vegan appetizers which are perfect for parties for all occasions, from birthdays and Christmas to Thanksgiving, Easter and New Year's! They're all gluten-free and refined sugar free too, and are made using simple plant-based ingredients!

When preparing for a party, cooking as much in advance as possible is key, so each recipe below includes details of whether it can be prepared ahead of time, how long it keeps for and tips for how best to store it.

1. Candied Nuts

These Candied Nuts are incredibly moreish and take less than 10 minutes to make!

How long do they keep for?

A week.

What's the best way to store them?

In an airtight container.

2. Italian Hummus

This Italian Hummus is made with creamy white beans and flavoured with fragrant rosemary.

How long does it keep for?

A few days.

What's the best way to store it?

Covered in the fridge.

3. Vegan Brie Cheese

This Vegan Brie is surprisingly similar to the real thing and easy to make!

How long does it keep for?

A few days.

What's the best way to store it?

Covered in the fridge.

4. Vegan Cashew Cheese Ball

This Vegan Cashew Cheese Ball is creamy, tangy and full of flavour! 

How long does it keep for?

A few days.

What's the best way to store it?

Covered in the fridge.

5. Mushroom Pâté

This Mushroom Pâté is rich and meaty, smooth and silky and so nutritious.

How long does it keep for?

A few days.

What's the best way to store it?

Covered in the fridge.

6. Sweet Potato Hummus

This Sweet Potato Hummus is just as delicious and healthy as regular homemade hummus, but it doesn't require a blender!

How long does it keep for?

A couple of days - if not making fresh, add a splash of water when you make it so it doesn't dry out.

What's the best way to store this?

Covered in the fridge.

7. Vegan Sausage Rolls

These Vegan Sausage Rolls are crispy and flaky, full of flavour and seriously moreish!

How long does it keep for?

Best when fresh, but keep for a couple of days.

What's the best way to store this?

Covered in the fridge.

8. Spinach Artichoke Dip

This Spinach Artichoke Dip is rich and creamy, full of flavour and secretly healthy!

How long does it keep for?

A couple of days. If making in advance, prepare all the steps apart from baking it in the oven, and keep it covered in the fridge. Then bake in the oven just before serving.

9. French Onion Dip

This French Onion Dip is rich, creamy, sweet and tangy!

How long does it keep for?

A couple of days.

What's the best way to store this?

Covered in the fridge.

10. Vegan Queso

This Vegan Queso is seriously flavourful, rich and creamy and much healthier than the traditional version!

How long does it keep for?

A couple of days.

What's the best way to store this?

Covered in the fridge.

11. Tofu Yakitori Skewers

Tender cubes of tofu and caramelised leeks covered in a sticky, salty-sweet sauce.

How long does it keep for?

The tofu can be left to marinate up to a day before, but this dish is best cooked fresh.

12. Tofu Katsu Sushi Lettuce Wraps

Crispy, crunchy breaded tofu with vegetables and rice in a lettuce wrap drizzled with a salty-sweet, tangy miso sauce!

How long does it keep for?

The sauce and vegetables can be prepared up to a day ahead, but the tofu and rice are best cooked fresh.

13. Vegan Crispy Duck Lettuce Wraps

These Vegan Crispy Duck Lettuce Wraps are full of flavour and a great alternative to the traditional version!

How long does it keep for?

Best assembled fresh, but the individual components (including the sauce) can all be made up to a day in advance and stored separately in the fridge.

14. Muffin Tin Sushi Cups

These Muffin Tin Sushi Cups are super easy to make, so adorable and perfect for eating with your hands!

How long does it keep for?

Best eaten on the day.

What's the best way to store this?

Covered in the fridge.

15. Lazy Samosa Lettuce Wraps

An easier, healthier, lightened up version of traditional samosas served with a sweet, tangy, fruity kiwi chutney. 

How long does it keep for?

Best made on the day, but the kiwi chutney can be made a day in advanced and stored in the fridge.

16. Tofu Satay Skewers

This Tofu Satay is just as delicious as its chicken counterpart, salty-sweet, rich and flavourful. Served with an amazing peanut sauce!

How long does it keep for?

The tofu can be left to marinate in the fridge the day before but it's best cooked fresh. The sauce can be made the day before and stored in the fridge.

If you make any of these vegan appetizers, I'd really love to see what you come up with! You can show me by tagging a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.