Crowd-Pleasing Vegan Dishes for All Your Summer Gatherings
Summer is here, the sun is shining, and people are gearing up to safely get together and celebrate the season. If you’re thinking of the perfect plant-based dish to bring to your next picnic or barbecue, forget the typical pasta salads and go for these vegan summer party dishes that are sure to make every guest come back for second helpings.
When it comes to health foods, tofu is a heavy hitter. It provides a solid source of plant-based protein and iron, contains all nine essential amino acids, and has plenty of vitamins and minerals to make it worth incorporating into your diet. These delicious baked buffalo bites add a crispy texture to the tofu with the breadcrumb coating and a zingy-ness with the buffalo sauce that will make it impossible to try just one.
Try a twist on traditional chickpea hummus with this tasty lentil hummus that’s got garlic, cumin, paprika, olive oil, and more to make it full of flavor. Pair it with raw vegetables like carrots and cucumber, homemade grain-free bread, or the chickpea chips down below and dip away!
To satisfy your sweet tooth and give you the added bonus of a boost of energy, these dark chocolate banana cookies fit the bill. Made with just a handful of ingredients like dates, oats, walnuts, and of course, bananas and dark chocolate, you likely already have what you need sitting in your pantry. The best part is that you can customize these energy cookies to your liking — swap out the dates for raspberries or cranberries, try using almonds instead of walnuts, or use seeds if you have a nut allergy. Whip them up in less than 30 minutes and watch them go quickly!
If you’re looking for something fresh, filling, and easy to throw together, then look no further than this chickpea and avocado salad. You’ll need a few simple ingredients: chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, avocado, bell peppers, fresh lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
Switch up your go-to tortilla chips with these crunchy and flavorful chickpea chips. They’re great on their own but are especially tasty with the lentil hummus up above or for any of your dipping needs.
Roasted asparagus in the oven is good, but crunchy panko-breaded asparagus with a spicy Sriracha dip is next-level. Next time you want to go for something more nutritious than your standard French fries, grab a bunch of asparagus and make this healthier, and dare we say, tastier, upgrade.
These hearty falafel bites are filling enough to stand on their own as a main dish in a wrap, but their bite-sized status means they qualify as a snack too. They make a flavorful addition to any gathering and are only enhanced with the delicious tahini recipe they’re paired with.
If you want a guilt-free treat, look no further than these rich, protein-packed brownies made with lots of whole healthy ingredients like bananas, cacao powder, and nut butter. They’re the kind of food that tastes so good that you can’t believe they’re actually good for you. Whip up a batch of these and everyone will be asking you for the recipe.
Why not pair your picnic with some yoga? We recommend Naya Rappaport’s Yoga for Digestion after a big meal. Try it for free today with a 14-day trial to Alo Moves.
