The 20 best vegan recipes of 2021

Today, plant-based dishes are giving meat and dairy a run for its money as more people switch to vegan foods. In honor of another year of next-level vegan food, here are the 20 most popular recipes you can’t live without on VegNews.com. We can’t wait to see what’s on the menu in 2022!

Ashley madden

1 Vegan Baked Thai Chili Cauliflower Bites

These sweet and spicy, crisp, bite-sized apps, paired with a silky vegan peanut sauce, headlined in 2021, proving the cruciferous vegetable is not going anywhere in the New Year.
Get the recipe here

ALLEKO

2 Four Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Oat Milk Ice Cream

Bananas, not dairy, are the basis of this delicious chocolate treat. With a splash of added oat milk, VegNews readers agree: you won’t find a creamier scoop of ice cream in a pint.
Get the recipe here

Sam turnbull

3 Easy Chocolate and Vegan Peanut Butter Graham Bars

Back away, cups of peanut butter. These little bars taste the same as childhood hazelnut chocolate cups, but are less complicated to prepare. And with endless customizations – use your favorite cookie crumbs and nut and seed butters – we’re making them all through the New Year.
Get the recipe here

4 Healthy vegan chocolate brownie fritters

Hybrid between brownies, donuts and zucchini bread, these nutritious, chocolatey treats have proven to be a great way to squeeze in your veg in 2021. Veg in donut form, who knew?
Get the recipe here

Danielle Keith

5 Vegan Copycat Panera Creamy Mac and Cheese

Rich vegan butter and macadamia milk mix with cashews to create a silky, nutty, cheese-molded sauce after the string’s white cheddar and cheese macaroni success. This herbal version has the same creaminess and comfort, without the cruelty to animals.
Get the recipe here

6 Sweet and savory vegan fudge with vanilla and cashew butter

All it takes is three easy steps and six everyday ingredients to make this no-bake sweet and savory fudge. Without the refined sugar, this holiday classic retains its decadence thanks to the thick and creamy cashew butter. Don’t be surprised if you hear someone shout, “Fudge, this is good! ”
Get the recipe here

Francesca Bonadona

seven Easy and Crispy Vegan Popcorn Chicken

The extra-firm tofu is made into crisp, golden nuggets, fried to perfection for the game day appetizers that VegNews readers make over and over again. Serve with sriracha mayonnaise, barbecue sauce or creamy ranch – time to dip!
Get the recipe here

Olivier Barth

8 Vegan Garlic Butter Bean Soup with Green Vegetables

This warming soup is our favorite bowl of cozy for a reason: immune-boosting garlic, anti-inflammatory black pepper, and satiating beans high in protein make this easy, delicious and healthy meal. 2021 was all about finding good health, and we’re keeping the same energy on January 1.
Get the recipe here

Hannah kaminsky

9 The best vegan mac and cheese you’ll ever make

It’s no surprise that our best recipe ever earned a spot in this year’s Top 20. Trust us, even your omni friends will melt in front of this succulent cashew, potato and carrot cheese sauce. This is the best mac and cheese on the planet – we’re willing to put our money into it.
Get the recipe here

Alison Bickel

ten Vegan scampis in a lemon and garlic white wine sauce

This elegant Italian-inspired recipe completes the Top 10. Hearts of palm are the perfect substitute for scallops in this savory pasta dish topped with a white wine sauce. It’s our go-to evening meal, and we’re not going away anytime soon.
Get the recipe here

Andrea Soranidis

11 Two-step vegan chickpea salad sandwiches

This is not your mother’s chickpea tuna salad. Finely chopped nori gives this simple, ready-to-use recipe its characteristic fishy taste. Whether you’re working from home, commuting to the office, or looking for a kid-friendly school lunch, you can’t go wrong with this classic sammie.
Get the recipe here

Marie callan

12 Vegan Lemon Pudding

There’s a reason this quick and easy recipe made it to the top 20, and the proof is in the pudding. Fresh lemon juice is the key to getting the crisp, tangy taste of this chewy, decadent dessert that will wow your friends and family.
Get the recipe here

13 Vegan pad thai in sauce with crispy fried tofu

Zesty lime, salty vegan fish sauce and sweet and sour tamarind give this traditional noodle dish a real flavor explosion. Add it to your regular rotation in the New Year and don’t skimp on the crispy bean sprouts for a refreshing twist or the red pepper flakes for a kick of spice.
Get the recipe here

Danielle Keith

14 Vegan Girl Scout No-Bake Samoas

It’s Girl Scout cookie season all year round with these no-bake chocolate samoas. Sweet Coconut, Hazelnut, and Caramel Medjool Dates combine to recreate the iconic taste of these childhood favorite treats so you can treat yourself without having to reunite with your local troupe.
Get the recipe here

15 VegNews Vegan Magic Cookie Bars

Layers of graham crackers, nuts, chocolate chips and shredded coconut held together by homemade sweetened condensed milk make these bars that have gone viral one of our favorite desserts. Make a batch of DIY holiday gifts or enjoy them all on your own, we will not judge.
Get the recipe here

Sarah bond

16 Vegan Marshmallow Coconut Cream Popsicles

These sweet, kid-friendly pops conjure up childhood memories of air-light marshmallow fluff. Aquafaba gives this frozen treat its unique texture while coconut milk and vanilla ensure sweet tooth satisfaction.
Get the recipe here

17 Char Siu Sweet Sticky Vegan Tofu

Seared tofu is coated in a rich, sweet and flavorful sauce made with a blend of hoisin, fresh ginger, garlic and spices in this delicious, protein-rich dish. VegNews readers ate this sassy combination, but in 2022, we’re getting creative and stuffing it into steamed buns.
Get the recipe here

Kirsten kaminski

18 Easy and vegan 3-step no-bake pumpkin cheesecake

A good vegan cheesecake should be the centerpiece of any celebration, and now it’s as easy as one, two, three with this three-tiered cheesecake. We swear by its coconut-almond crust and velvety pumpkin taste.
Get the recipe here

Danielle Keith

19 Cauliflower and Vegan Cheese Potato Casserole

Cauliflower has struck again! This comforting cauliflower and cheese casserole is topped with crispy breadcrumbs for a hearty, healthier, and more tasty meal. Say it with us: sacrificing taste for health is so 2000-and-late.
Get the recipe here

HealthyGirl Kitchen

20 Vegan and Gluten Free Cookies with Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Chip

Starbucks PSL still isn’t vegan, but with these oil-free cookies, we’re getting our fix of pumpkin spice long before the New Year. A sticky, chocolatey bite fresh out of the oven and your cravings for PSL will be soothed.
Get the recipe here

For more vegan recipes, read:
Vegan Chocolate Cannoli Pie
Vegan Soba Noodles with Spicy Miso Broth
Vegan baked sweet potato flautas with cashew queso