Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Avocado Every Day

      What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Avocado Every Day

      Can an avocado a day keep your health at bay? What does the research have to say? Read More
    • 7-Day No-Sugar High-Protein Meal Plan

      7-Day No-Sugar High-Protein Meal Plan

      Skip the added sugar and bump up the protein to keep yourself full on this 7-day meal plan. Read More
    • 20 Low-Carb, High-Protein Dinners Ready in 3 Steps or Less

       If you're looking for low-carb, high-protein dinners that don't require cooking for hours, these recipes got you covered. These dinner options are ready to serve in 3 steps or less so you can meet your nutrition goals easily. Each recipe l meets our nutrition parameters, with less than 14 grams of carbs and more than 15 grams of protein, without wasting on flavor. Recipes like 20-Minute Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Pesto Sauce and Cheesy Ground Beef Cauliflower Casserole are delicious options for you to get a healthy meal on your table in no time.  Read More
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See All Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Healthy Recipes
  3. Healthy Lifestyle Diets
  4. Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
  5. Healthy Vegetarian Appetizer Recipes
  6. 18 Vegetarian Appetizers So Good, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner

18 Vegetarian Appetizers So Good, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins May 11, 2022
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce
Credit: Charlotte and Johnny Autry

These meatless starters are perfect for evenings when you want to snack around. There's a little something for everyone in this mix, and no main dish is necessary when you can whip up a batch or two of savory dips, crispy veggie fries and cheesy bites. Recipes like our Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce and Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries are so tasty, entrées will be the farthest thing from your mind.

Start Slideshow

1 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce

Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce
Credit: Charlotte and Johnny Autry
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here we soak lentils instead of fully cooking them, which gives them just enough added moisture to be whirred up into a fritter without being too wet. Serve these curry-spiced fritters on top of a green salad or tucked into a pita.

1 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll

Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
Credit: Jamie Vespa, M.S., R.D.
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Buttery puff pastry is a tasty shortcut ingredient that can be used in many delicious ways. Here we roll out a pastry sheet and cover it with fig jam and crumbled goat cheese, then roll it up into a log and bake it. The end result is a sweet-and-savory appetizer that looks and tastes impressive, especially considering it has just three ingredients.

2 of 18

3 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Marinated Yogurt Cheese

8527736.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

By draining the liquid whey out of yogurt, you can make a "cheese" with the texture of soft cream cheese. Here it's turned into a savory spread with dried herbs. Avoid using regular yogurt containing additives like modified food starch, vegetable gums or gelatin; these thickeners inhibit the release of the whey. Serve this with crusty French bread or crackers.

3 of 18

Advertisement

4 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries

8328259.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant "fries" is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They're the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.

4 of 18

5 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cheesy Zucchini Tots

Cheesy Zucchini Tots
Credit: Casey Barber
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Not one, not two, but three cheeses make these low-carb cheesy zucchini tots live up to their name. Bake them in the oven or fry them in your air fryer for a crisp exterior and a gooey, melted center. Don't use pre-shredded cheese here; shred it fresh for the best and creamiest results. Serve with ketchup, marinara, ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.

5 of 18

6 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Edamame with Ginger Salt

Edamame with Ginger Salt
Credit: Jerrelle Guy
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Add zing to convenient frozen edamame with easy homemade seasoning. You'll have leftover ginger salt—try a sprinkle on steamed or roasted veggies.

6 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crispy Parmesan Mushroom Fries with Ranch Sauce

Crispy Parmesan Mushroom Fries with Ranch Sauce
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you're looking for a new way to enjoy portobello mushrooms, look no further. These meaty mushrooms are sliced, then coated in crispy breadcrumb topping. Hot out of the oven, they're served with a creamy ranch sauce. They're a perfect lower-carb alternative to regular french fries!

7 of 18

8 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Panko-&-Parmesan-Crusted Mushrooms

Panko & Parmesan Crusted Mushrooms
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Serve these rich and tender mushrooms filled with panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese alone as an appetizer or alongside anything from pork to fish. To ensure even cooking, look for mushrooms that are similar in size.

8 of 18

9 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips

overhead shot of air fryer zucchini chips on a black plate with creaming dipping sauce
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These crispy air-fryer zucchini chips are delicious paired with the creamy dill dipping sauce--or any sauce you have on hand. And the best part? The air fryer delivers a crispy crunch without having to pile on the oil like traditional fryers do.

9 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip

8097416.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Creamy melted cheese brings sweet corn and spicy jalapeño together with a nice pop of brightness from lime juice and cilantro in this tasty dip inspired by Mexican elote and esquites. This creamy and satisfying dish can be served with tortilla chips and veggies for dipping.

10 of 18

11 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

3-Ingredient Cheddar & Apple Bites

3-ingredient Cheddar Apple Bites
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Creamy apple butter and sharp Cheddar cheese are a perfect match in these easy party hors d'oeuvres. This recipe calls for prepared pie crust, which is pressed into mini muffin tins to make little tart shells, so it's super easy to make as well. Add slices of apple for extra crunch, if you'd like, or keep these bites simple. Either way, consider making a double batch--they'll go quickly.

11 of 18

12 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli

Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Creamy avocados are a delicious foil to crunchy breading in this healthy oven-fried avocado fries recipe. Dip into spicy Sriracha dipping sauce for a flavor explosion. Save your ripe avocados for guacamole or toast--only firm ones will do when making these fries.

12 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Almost Chipotle's Guacamole

Almost Chipotle's Guacamole
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle--but don't worry, our version won't be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.

13 of 18

14 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butternut Squash Queso Fundido

a cast iron skillet with a cheesy dip
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This cheesy dip recipe is lightened up by subbing mashed butternut squash for some of the melted cheese. We also loaded it with chili-spiced caramelized onions. Serve this healthy makeover with tortilla chips or sliced jicama for dipping.

14 of 18

15 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Loaded Sweet Potato Nacho Fries

a cast iron skillet with sweet potatoes and various toppings
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Bump up the vitamin A and fiber when you swap tortilla chips for sweet potatoes in this healthy recipe. Serve as an appetizer at your next party or turn it into dinner by adding chicken, tofu, shrimp or more beans for protein.

15 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Classic Hummus

6080917.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It's easy to make hummus at home with just a few pantry items. Serve drizzled with your best-quality extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley. Mop it up with warm whole-wheat pita bread or cut-up vegetables.

16 of 18

17 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Caprese Skewers

Tomato-Basil Skewers
Credit: Photographer / Jen Causey, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We take all the ingredients of a classic caprese salad and layer them onto skewers for a quick appetizer. These tomato-mozzarella-basil skewers are easy to assemble and perfect for a party.

17 of 18

18 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fresh Tomato Salsa

Fresh Tomato Salsa
Credit: Jason Donnelly
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy fresh tomato salsa recipe yields about 5 cups of salsa—plenty to serve a crowd. If you like spicy salsa, use the full amount of jalapeños and add more cayenne pepper. Serve with chips, tacos and more.

18 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Leah Goggins

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 18 Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce
    2 of 18 Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Roll
    3 of 18 Marinated Yogurt Cheese
    4 of 18 Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries
    5 of 18 Cheesy Zucchini Tots
    6 of 18 Edamame with Ginger Salt
    7 of 18 Crispy Parmesan Mushroom Fries with Ranch Sauce
    8 of 18 Panko-&-Parmesan-Crusted Mushrooms
    9 of 18 Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips
    10 of 18 Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip
    11 of 18 3-Ingredient Cheddar & Apple Bites
    12 of 18 Avocado Fries with Sriracha Aioli
    13 of 18 Almost Chipotle's Guacamole
    14 of 18 Butternut Squash Queso Fundido
    15 of 18 Loaded Sweet Potato Nacho Fries
    16 of 18 Classic Hummus
    17 of 18 Caprese Skewers
    18 of 18 Fresh Tomato Salsa

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    EatingWell

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Recipe Index
    • Jobs
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    Meredith© 2023 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

    Sign in

    View image

    18 Vegetarian Appetizers So Good, You'll Want to Eat Them for Dinner
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.