From Jalapeño Poppers to Nacho Fries, These 26 Cheesy Appetizers Are All Dairy-Free

Cheese lovers, rejoice: it’s never been easier to create delicious, dairy-free cheesy appetizers. Whether you’re hosting a game night, throwing a party, or simply craving a comforting snack, these plant-based recipes have you covered. 

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Below, we’ve compiled our favorite vegan cheesy dishes that are perfect for any occasion, from Thanksgiving to a work potluck.

Appetizers: the perfect party starter

Appetizers are a crucial part of any gathering, setting the tone and keeping guests satisfied before the main event.

The concept of appetizers dates back to ancient Rome and Greece, where small dishes were served before the main course to stimulate the appetite. In medieval Europe, appetizers became more elaborate, often involving intricate dishes meant to showcase wealth and hospitality. 

Imposter Food

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Today, they continue to serve as a delightful prelude to the main meal, bringing people together with flavors that excite and satisfy. Whether you prefer bite-sized snacks or more substantial small plates, these cheesy, dairy-free appetizers make for a comforting and indulgent start to any occasion.

26 dairy-free cheesy appetizers you need to try

The Herbivorous Butcher

1Crispy Fried Vegan Grilled Cheese With Marinara Dipping Sauce

This dish merges the appeal of mozzarella sticks and grilled cheese, creating a battered and fried sandwich that is crispy on the outside with melty vegan mozzarella inside. It’s cut and served with marinara sauce for dipping, adding a tangy complement to the rich cheese.
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Candice Hutchings

2Garlic Bread Dippers With Jalapeño Cheddar and Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce

An American-Italian fusion dish, this recipe features crispy, buttery garlic bread paired with two irresistible dipping sauces—one creamy garlic and the other a spicy jalapeño cheddar.
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3Cauliflower-Cashew Crostini With Tapenade

A creamy cauliflower-cashew spread topped with savory portobello tapenade makes these crostinis a perfect, flavorful appetizer for an elegant gathering.
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4Cheesy Vegan Nachos with Quinoa Chili

A spicy quinoa chili forms the toothsome base of these nachos, seasoned with cumin, thyme, and red pepper flakes for depth. Topped with a creamy vegan cheese sauce and finished with scallions, olives, and salsa, they deliver a bold and satisfying mix of textures—perfect for sharing on game day.
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5Homemade Almond Cheese

Perfect for a charcuterie board, this homemade almond cheese requires just two ingredients and a bit of time. Serve it with crackers at your next soirée. 
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Moku Roots

6Macadamia Nut and Herb-Crusted Swiss Cheeseballs

These macadamia nut-based cheese balls offer a mellow, tangy flavor reminiscent of Swiss cheese, perfect for an upgraded cheese board. Coated in a crust of chopped macadamia nuts and fresh herbs, they add a delightful crunch.
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Jasmine Briones

7Cheesy Stuffed Vegan Baked Potato Rolls

​​These rolls offer the comforting flavors of a baked potato in a new, indulgent form. Fluffy dough is filled with a creamy Russet potato mixture, vegan cheddar, and bacon bits before its topped with marinara sauce, sour cream, and green onions.
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Lauren Toyota

8Supreme Vegan Nacho Fries With Tofu Bacon Crumbles

Crispy, hand-baked russet potatoes are layered with a creamy nacho cheese sauce, smoky tofu bacon crumbles, and vegan sour cream. Topped with diced tomatoes and fresh chives, they deliver a comforting mix of cheesy, smoky, and tangy flavors—perfect for an indulgent, shareable snack.
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9Vegan Crab and Cream Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

Hearts of palm and vegan cream cheese come together in these stuffed mushrooms, delivering a creamy, satisfying bite reminiscent of classic crab-stuffed dishes. Topped with crispy breadcrumbs and seasoned with Old Bay, these mushrooms are rich, savory, and perfect for any appetizer spread.
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Ashley Hankins

10Stuffed Vegan Chili Cheese Dog Bites

Fluffy dinner rolls are filled with smoky vegan chili, cheddar shreds, and pan-fried hot dogs, creating a comforting twist on classic chili cheese dogs. These baked bites are perfect for a cookout or a cozy comfort food craving, combining creamy, meaty, and cheesy flavors in every bite.
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11Quick Vegan Cheese Pizza Cups

These quick vegan pizza cups feature a crispy tortilla base topped with pizza sauce, vegan mozzarella, and your choice of vegetables. Baked in a muffin tin, they come together in under 20 minutes for a perfect bite-sized, crunchy, and cheesy snack.
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12Vegan Baked Jalapeño Poppers 

These vegan jalapeño poppers are stuffed with a smoky, creamy blend of chive cream cheese, vegan bacon, and herbs, and are then topped with a crispy bread crumb coating. Paired with a tangy sundried tomato aioli, they make an irresistible spicy snack or game day appetizer.
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13Herbed Vegan Tofu Ricotta

This herbed vegan tofu ricotta is quick and versatile, featuring a mix of nutritional yeast, miso, and fresh herbs for a rich, savory flavor. It’s perfect as a spread for toast or as a dip for a quick appetizer. You can even use it to stuff pasta for the main course. 
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14Loaded Cheesy Vegan Sheet-Pan Nachos

These loaded sheet-pan nachos feature crispy tortilla chips topped with a creamy tahini nacho sauce, black beans, tomatoes, avocados, and a colorful mix of fresh toppings. Perfect for sharing, they bring together bold flavors for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing snack.
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15Hasselback Potatoes With Cheese Sauce

These hasselback potatoes are baked until golden and crispy, then drizzled with a creamy cashew-based cheese sauce. Garnished with fresh chives and dried cranberries, this dish is great for festive occasions.
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16Easy Vegan Poutine With Herby Gravy and Mozzarella

Poutine makes for a surprisingly ideal appetizer—crispy French fries topped with savory, herb-infused gravy and melty vegan mozzarella are easy to share, flavorful, and indulgent. 
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Ed Tatton

17Vegan Macadamia Feta Cheese

This tangy macadamia-based vegan feta is creamy and luscious. Though it takes several days to set, the result is a satisfying dairy-free feta that’s a perfect addition to a cheese board.
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18Foolproof Creamy Vegan Cheese Fondue

This vegan fondue uses white beans and cashew butter for a velvety, creamy base, offering a dairy-free twist on the classic Swiss dish. Perfect for dipping roasted potatoes, apples, pears, or crusty bread, this recipe is an inviting centerpiece for a cozy gathering.
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19Baked Vegan Cheese Wheel En Croute

This three-step baked vegan cheese wheel en croute brings together a rich truffle vegan cheese, sweet and tart cranberry sauce, and golden puff pastry, striking a perfect balance of textures and flavors. An easy yet impressive appetizer that’s ideal for festive gatherings, it requires minimal effort for maximum impact.
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20Heart-Shaped Tomato Tart With Spiced Red Pesto

This heart-shaped tomato tart combines spicy homemade red pesto, cherry tomatoes, vegan mozzarella, and black olives on a buttery puff pastry base for an elegant presentation. As a bonus, it’ll make your home smell amazing as guests arrive.
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21Cheeseburger Tater Tots With Cashew Cheddar Sauce

These tater tots are topped with crumbled vegan sausage, chopped tomatoes, and onions, then drizzled with a creamy cashew-based cheddar sauce. The blend of classic cheeseburger toppings and golden-baked tots ensures a satisfying bite that everyone will love.
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Terry Hope Romero

22Herbed Vegan Almond Cheese Wheels

These almond cheese wheels are versatile as a centerpiece for an appetizer platter. Their sharp, tangy flavor pairs well with herbed crackers, chutneys, or even fresh fruit. Slice them into bite-sized portions for easy serving.
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23Easy Vegan Fakeout Queso

This easy vegan queso makes for a perfect party dip, bringing a rich, creamy flavor with a healthy twist thanks to its base of potatoes, peppers, and carrots. Serve it alongside tortilla chips, fresh veggie sticks, or even drizzle it over nachos for an instant crowd-pleaser.
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Sam Turnbull

24Loaded Vegan Queso Dip

This creamy, savory cashew-based queso gets a hit of intrigue from the addition of salsa, black beans, corn, and fresh cilantro. Plus, you can up the spice level by adding more sliced jalapeños. 
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25Vegan Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Dip

For a dip that’s spicy, smoky, and seriously satisfying, this recipe features creamy jalapeño-spiked cheese, crispy vegan bacon, and tangy cheddar. It’s great served with crackers or tortilla chips alike.
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Daniel Biron

26Brazilian Cheese Bread

Made with Yukon Gold potatoes, tapioca flour, and vegan mozzarella, they’re perfect as a snack or appetizer, and you can even keep the dough refrigerated or frozen to prepare for your next party.
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Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.