Hosting Thanksgiving can be stressful enough — the menu planning, the cooking schedule, and of course, making sure everything tastes great. But when it comes to appetizers, simplicity is your best friend. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or bringing a dish to share, these vegan Thanksgiving appetizers under 5 ingredients deliver big flavor with minimal effort.
You’ll find everything from dips and crostinis to skewers and snacks — all plant-based, quick to prepare, and crowd-pleasing. Each recipe uses five ingredients or fewer, perfect for when you’re short on time but still want something that looks and tastes special.
Why Go for 5-Ingredient Vegan Appetizers?
Thanksgiving prep can easily take over your kitchen. These low-ingredient recipes simplify your cooking process while keeping the flavor high.
Here’s why they’re ideal for your holiday menu:
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Less prep, more time to enjoy — You can make these in minutes, leaving time for your main dishes.
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Budget-friendly — Fewer ingredients mean a lighter grocery bill without sacrificing taste.
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Perfect for multitasking — While your mains cook, these can be made ahead or assembled right before serving.
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Kid and guest-friendly — Familiar flavors with a vegan twist appeal to everyone at the table.
So grab your cutting board, roll up your sleeves, and let’s create appetizers that are simple, elegant, and completely plant-based.
1. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Pita Chips
A classic, creamy dip that’s a staple at any gathering. It’s rich in protein, easy to make, and always a crowd favorite.
Ingredients:
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1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
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1 roasted red pepper
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2 tbsp tahini
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1 clove garlic
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Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions:
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Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
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Add water as needed for desired consistency.
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Serve with pita chips, veggie sticks, or crackers.
Tip: Make it ahead and refrigerate — it tastes even better the next day.
2. Maple Glazed Vegan Sausage Bites
These bite-sized snacks combine sweet and savory for the perfect pre-dinner treat.
Ingredients:
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Vegan sausage links (any brand you like)
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2 tbsp maple syrup
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
Instructions:
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Slice sausages into bite-sized pieces.
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Whisk maple syrup and Dijon together.
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Sauté sausage pieces in a skillet, then pour glaze over and cook for 2 minutes.
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Garnish with herbs if desired.
Serve them on toothpicks for easy grabbing.
3. Cranberry Crostini with Cashew Cream
Beautiful, festive, and ready in minutes — this appetizer looks fancy but couldn’t be simpler.
Ingredients:
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Baguette or sliced French bread
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1 cup cashew cream (store-bought or homemade)
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Cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
Instructions:
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Lightly toast bread slices.
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Spread a spoonful of cashew cream.
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Top with a dollop of cranberry sauce.
That’s it — tangy, creamy, and crunchy all at once.
4. Avocado Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
These tiny bites are fresh, colorful, and loaded with healthy fats.
Ingredients:
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1 pint cherry tomatoes
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1 avocado
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1 tsp lime juice
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Slice tops off tomatoes and scoop out seeds.
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Mash avocado with lime juice, salt, and pepper.
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Spoon avocado mix into each tomato.
A fun finger food that disappears fast!
5. Sweet Potato Rounds with Walnut Pesto
Sweet potatoes make the perfect base for this gluten-free, flavor-packed bite.
Ingredients:
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2 medium sweet potatoes
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½ cup walnuts
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1 cup basil leaves
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Salt to taste
Instructions:
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Slice sweet potatoes into ½-inch rounds and roast or air fry until tender.
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Blend walnuts, basil, olive oil, and salt into a chunky pesto.
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Spoon pesto on top of each round.
They’re colorful, satisfying, and a great gluten-free option.
6. Cucumber Hummus Cups
Light and refreshing, these make a crisp counterpoint to heavier holiday dishes.
Ingredients:
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1 cucumber
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1 cup hummus
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Paprika or dill for garnish
Instructions:
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Slice cucumber into ½-inch rounds and scoop a small divot in the center.
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Spoon or pipe hummus into each cup.
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Sprinkle with paprika or dill for color.
No cooking required — just chill and serve.
7. Mini Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
Classic party food — and these take only minutes to assemble.
Ingredients:
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1 package button mushrooms
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½ cup vegan cream cheese
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2 tbsp breadcrumbs
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1 tsp garlic powder
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Parsley for garnish
Instructions:
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Remove mushroom stems and fill caps with cream cheese.
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Sprinkle breadcrumbs and garlic powder.
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Air fry or bake for 10 minutes until golden.
Creamy, savory, and totally addictive.
8. Spiced Nuts Mix
A 5-minute, 4-ingredient snack that your guests will munch all evening.
Ingredients:
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2 cups mixed nuts
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1 tbsp maple syrup
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½ tsp cinnamon
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¼ tsp salt
Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients in a skillet over medium heat.
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Stir until nuts are coated and slightly caramelized.
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Cool before serving.
Package extras for guests — they make great take-home favors.
9. Vegan Spinach Dip
Creamy and garlicky, this dip pairs perfectly with crackers or veggies.
Ingredients:
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1 cup vegan sour cream
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½ cup cooked spinach (squeezed dry)
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1 garlic clove, minced
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
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Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Serve in a bread bowl or with carrot sticks for a simple but impressive snack.
10. Apple Slices with Almond Butter and Cinnamon
Sweet, crunchy, and healthy — this snack doubles as a dessert.
Ingredients:
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2 apples, sliced
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3 tbsp almond butter
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½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
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Arrange apple slices on a platter.
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Drizzle with almond butter.
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Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Great for kids and adults alike — simple and allergen-friendly.
11. Vegan Cheese Platter (Minimalist Style)
A cheeseboard doesn’t need to be elaborate to impress.
Ingredients:
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1 vegan cheese (store-bought or homemade)
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Crackers or bread
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Grapes or dried fruit
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Nuts (optional)
Instructions:
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Arrange all components on a wooden board.
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Garnish with rosemary sprigs or sliced figs.
Minimal effort, maximum visual appeal.
12. Roasted Chickpeas Snack Cups
Crispy, protein-packed, and ridiculously easy.
Ingredients:
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1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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½ tsp smoked paprika
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½ tsp salt
Instructions:
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Toss chickpeas with oil and seasonings.
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Air fry or roast until crispy (about 20 minutes).
Serve warm or at room temperature for the perfect crunchy bite.
13. Vegan Caprese Skewers
Classic Italian flavors in a mini, vegan-friendly form.
Ingredients:
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Cherry tomatoes
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Vegan mozzarella balls
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Fresh basil leaves
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Balsamic glaze
Instructions:
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Thread tomato, basil, and cheese onto toothpicks.
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Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
A simple yet elegant appetizer that’s perfect for potlucks or dinner parties.
14. Cranberry-Pecan Pinwheels
These little bites are sweet, savory, and totally addictive — plus, they look impressive.
Ingredients:
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Vegan puff pastry
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½ cup cranberry sauce
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¼ cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
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Spread cranberry sauce and sprinkle pecans on pastry.
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Roll up, slice, and bake per package instructions.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
15. Tahini-Stuffed Dates
Sweet and satisfying, these are a perfect finger food to round out your appetizer spread.
Ingredients:
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Medjool dates, pitted
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Tahini or almond butter
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Sea salt or crushed pistachios (optional)
Instructions:
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Slice dates open and fill with a small spoon of tahini.
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Sprinkle with salt or nuts if desired.
They taste decadent but take only 5 minutes to make.
Tips for Building a Low-Ingredient Appetizer Spread
If you’re hosting, mixing and matching a few of these simple dishes creates a complete spread without extra effort.
Example Vegan Appetizer Menu:
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Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Pita Chips
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Maple Glazed Vegan Sausage Bites
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Cucumber Hummus Cups
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Spiced Nuts Mix
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Tahini-Stuffed Dates
Together, these offer creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory elements — all made in under an hour total.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
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Dips & spreads: Can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in airtight containers.
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Bite-sized items: Assemble the morning of Thanksgiving for best texture.
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Roasted or air-fried snacks: Re-crisp in the air fryer before serving.
You can prep most of these dishes in advance, so you’re not scrambling when guests arrive.
Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Hosting
The best part about sticking to 5 ingredients or fewer? It’s incredibly affordable. You’ll save money on specialty ingredients while still offering a range of flavorful, colorful appetizers.
And if you’re planning an eco-friendly or minimalist Thanksgiving, you can extend that theme beyond food. Check out The Dharma Store — they offer vegan-themed t-shirts made from organic cotton, perfect for comfy, sustainable holiday style or gifting to your favorite plant-based host.
SEO Optimization Breakdown
The keyword “vegan Thanksgiving appetizers under 5 ingredients” is a long-tail, low-difficulty term (~16) with strong seasonal search intent. This blog post is designed to rank highly by:
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Providing comprehensive, actionable information (multiple recipes).
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Using semantic variations like “easy vegan appetizers” and “5-ingredient Thanksgiving snacks.”
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Targeting featured snippet potential with concise ingredient lists and instructions.
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Including high-value supporting content (make-ahead tips, menu ideas, and budget advice).
Combined, these elements boost visibility and help your post reach first-page rankings during Thanksgiving season.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean chaos in the kitchen. With these vegan Thanksgiving appetizers under 5 ingredients, you can serve quick, crowd-pleasing bites that look elegant and taste amazing — all while keeping your prep time (and ingredient list) to a minimum.
From creamy dips to crispy snacks and sweet bites, every one of these dishes proves that simplicity and flavor go hand in hand.
And while you’re planning your easy, plant-based holiday, remember that thoughtful hosting extends beyond the menu. Visit The Dharma Store for sustainably made vegan t-shirts that let you celebrate compassion and style all season long.