While the dinner is the main attraction of any Thanksgiving celebration, the appetizers are equally important. If you don’t snack carefully, you’ll find yourself getting hangry and antsy before dinner is even ready to be served. Eat too big of a lunch, and you may be too full for dinner. But if you get your appetizers just right, you’ll find yourself at the perfect level of hungry when you sit down to your giant plate of potatoes, veggies, stuffing, whatever it may be. But how do you achieve that perfect hors d’oeuvres equilibrium?

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  – with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy!

Also, don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to plant-based recipes for Thanksgiving!

Check out these recipes!

1. Small Bites

Image Source: Rosemary Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

These wonderful appetizers are bite-sized versions of dinner foods to keep you satisfied while you wait for all those awesome entrees and sides to cook. They’ll get you into the spirit of the Thanksgiving meal! Get all the savory flavor you’re sure to be craving with these Rosemary Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms from Jamie Bevia! Counter it with a little bit of sweetness paired with some bonus nutrition with Katharina Boden‘s Cheesy Cashew Cream Stuffed Figs with a Salad.

There’s one flavor that you have to have on your table for this holiday. That’s right, you guessed it: Pumpkin! Get your seasonal fix with these Pumpkin Dumplings with Leek Sauce from Valentina Chiappa. For rolled and wrapped snacks, which should always be available with hors d’oeuvres, you could whip up either these delectably Crispy Potato Leek Rolls from Kristina Jug & Mitja Bezenšek or a delectably creamy Spinach Dip Crescent Roll Ring from Melanie Sorrentino.

2. Cheese

Image Source: Roasted Garlic and Fresh Herb Cream Cheez [Gluten-Free]

A go-to appetizer snack that always seems to be on the table at any holiday celebration is cheese. We’ve gathered some plant-based options for you to enjoy and munch on! For something spreadable that you can put on crackers, bread, dip veggies in, you name it – make this Roasted Garlic and Fresh Herb Cream Cheez from Annie Oliverio. For another smooth option but this time with a pesto flavor, try out this Creamy Spreadable Pesto Cheese from Maya Sozer. The creaminess shines through in Tanya Alekseeva‘s Raw Creamy Macadamia Nut Cheese.

If you want to go with a classic cashew-based recipe that every guest is sure to enjoy, try out Lenia Patsi‘s Instant Cashew Cheese. You could also really impress your guests with a plant-based baked brie! Yes, you heard that right: Emilie Heck‘s Baked Brie with Apricot Jam is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

3. Crackers and Chips

Image Source: Salted Rosemary Chickpea Crackers [Vegan, Grain-Free]

What is cheese without crackers? You’ve got to have some chips to snack on as well, otherwise, your appetizers will be missing something. A little crunchiness will keep your hunger at bay! But you don’t want any plain old ordinary chips and crackers, which is why you should try these Salted Rosemary Chickpea Crackers from Taryn Fitz-Gerald. For a perfect pair, try this recipe with a bonus part: Whole Wheat Sesame Crackers with Hummus from Gabrielle St. Claire!

Get some healthy food in your pre-party snacking while not sacrificing any flavor with Julie Zimmer‘s Healthy Spelt, Oats, Chia, and Flax Seed Crisps! You could also make a healthier option to your classic chip with these 5-Ingredient Zucchini Chips from Magdalena Pienkos. For a chip that will go great with cheese, veggies, or even the hummus from your sesame crackers above, try out these Easy Homemade Pita Chips from Mireille Aikman. Keep reading to see what other amazing things you could pair pita chips with!

Gratitude: Plant-Based Thanksgiving Cookbook

No other holiday captures the spirit of home cooking the way Thanksgiving does. This is why you need the ultimate Thanksgiving cookbook, One Green Planet’s Gratitude: Plant-Based Recipes to Create your own Thanksgiving Tradition! In the cookbook, you’ll find our 100 most popular plant-based thanksgiving recipes like Soft Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts, Spiced Apple Cake with Cashew Frosting, Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding with Nut Crumble Topping, Cinnamon Apple Hand Pies, and hearty entrees like Roast Root Vegetable Stack With Dukkah, Vegducken: Butternut Squash Stuffed With Eggplant, Zucchini, and a Mushroom Lentil Stuffing, and Seitan Roast With Sausage and Pear Stuffing and Apple Cider Gravy and so much more!

4. Dips and Spreads [Vegan]

Image Source: Butternut Squash Hummus [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

Cheese isn’t the only thing that pairs well with chips and crackers! Not only that, but you can spread these awesome recipes on bread, veggies, or whatever you like. For a seasonal start, whip up this Butternut Squash Hummus from Daniela Modesto. You can combine cheese and dip and get the best of both worlds with Claudia Luger-Bazinger‘s Potato Onion Cheese Spread! Following along with the style of cheesy creamy goodness, your guests will love this Creamy Baked Kale and Artichoke Dip from Colorful Kitchen!

Figs are a stellar seasonal ingredient that makes lots of appearances in Thanksgiving foods, so get an early start with them on your appetizer table with this Fig and Cashew Dip from Ashley Smyczek. And who said pate couldn’t be plant-based? Make your very own with Simona Malerba‘s Mushroom and Tempeh Pate.

5. Crostinis, Tartlets, and Bruschetta

Image Source: Roasted Garlic Tahini Crostini [Vegan]

Bread or pastry? Check. Amazing toppings? Check. Easy to eat and portable for mingling? Check. These are going to be your best friends at the Thanksgiving gathering. You’ll find yourself reaching for these Roasted Garlic Tahini Crostini from Florian Nouh again and again. If you like the crostini form of snacking, then make sure to have some topping options for your guests – also make these Butternut Squash Crostini with Cranberries and Tahini Dressing from Jennifer Harmon.

Tartlets are a popular party choice for good reason, they’re convenient and delicious! These Eggplant Potato Tartlets from Lenia Patsi will be a hit. There’s nothing like a mini quiche to snack on while you dream of the potatoes and mushroom gravy you’ll be eating soon, and this Crustless Quinoa Quiche from Jessica Meyers Altman is a great choice. Of course, you could always make a classic with Heirloom Tomato and White Bean Bruschetta from Paris Marash.

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