18 Vegan Appetizers That Everyone Will Love

Pico de Gallo

"Excellent," says Debbie Hinds. "Growing up in Central California, I was fortunate enough to eat authentic Mexican food on a regular basis. This is what pico de gallo should taste like."

Roasted Chickpeas

A smoky, garlicky snack that's also filling. Just toss drained chickpeas with olive oil, cayenne, and garlic salt and you have a beautifully roasted starter that is high in protein.

Guacamole

This top-rated guac has all of the fresh, fiery goodness that we've come to expect of this trusty dip. Ready in just 10 minutes, all you'll need are blue corn chips to dive in and enjoy.

Keto Zucchini Chips

"For those that are carb and calorie-conscious, these spicy keto zucchini chips are the most perfect snack to enjoy any time of the day," says recipe creator Fioa.

Bruschetta With Shallots

The perfect make-ahead appetizer that will be the first to disappear. Minced shallots bring added richness to the tomato-herb mixture while fresh lemon juice adds a kiss of acidity. Serve on crusty bread and enjoy.

Chef John's Eggplant Escabeche

"This spicy preserved eggplant is a refreshing and vibrantly-flavored side dish or appetizer served on grilled bread," says Chef John. The sweet heat of this dish makes it the perfect first course.

Candied Almonds

Walk on the sweet side with this simple appetizer. Almonds are coated with with a cinnamon-sugar mixture on the stovetop then cooled on wax paper. The result is a crunchy, spiced delight.

Black Bean Hummus

Get ready for rich, complex flavor. Lemon juice, tahini, and cumin join black beans in a food processor to make this hummus super silky.

Byrdhouse Marinated Tomatoes and Mushrooms

A bright, acidic blend of delicious veggies. "Wow!" says Polly. "A perfect balance of ingredients. I have nothing to add as this recipe is perfect as written."

Carrot Chile and Cilantro Soup

"This is fantastic!" raves SWOODYUT. "I use some extra cilantro because I love it but it's just fine as is. Nice and light —great as first course."

Vegan Spinach Bites

These delicious fried potato and spinach bites are heavenly served straight from the skillet. Each bite has rich, garlicky flavor with flaxseed meal adding substantial fiber.

Spicy Bean Salsa

An addictive mixture of diced jalapeños, whole kernel corn, black-eyed peas, and tomatoes. Season with Italian dressing and refrigerate to let the flavors marry.

Roasted Bell Peppers with Sunflower Seeds

Balsamic vinegar and toasted sunflower seeds play well with the natural sweetness of roasted peppers. Broil until a smoky char is achieved.

Jicama Appetizer

Crisp, tart, and perfectly seasoned with chili powder. "Great for adding fiber to your diet," says P Yackimec. "In many areas of Central and Southern Mexico you'll find this as a traditional restaurant mainstay served at the table like the bread basket when you first sit down."

Basque Salad

"This smelled great, looked beautiful, and tasted fantastic," says reviewer foodelicious. "The sweetness of the peppers and the acid of the vinegar were balanced beautifully. This is a keeper."

Tofu Nuggets with Maple-Mustard Dipping Sauce

"Extra firm tofu and breading give these nuggets the texture of real chicken, and the sauce is just a yummy bonus," explains recipe creator isachandra. Dip these pan-fried nuggets into a silky mixture of Dijon mustard and maple syrup for a pleasantly balanced bite.

Vegan Jalapeno Poppers

"These savory jalapeño poppers are a great plant-based party or game day appetizer," says fabeveryday. "Diced mushrooms add a 'meaty' addition with the absence of bacon, and vegan cheese substitutes keep this appetizer vegan."

Muhammara (Roasted Pepper & Walnut Spread)

Toasted walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and fire-roasted red bell peppers all play a part in creating this tantalizing spread. Chill for at least two hours to allow flavors to meld, then serve garnished with pepper flakes and chopped parsley.

• See our entire collection of Vegan Recipes here