Easy Trader Joe’s Vegan Appetizers

Looking for quick and delicious starters to throw together for an upcoming gathering? These Easy Trader Joe’s Vegan Appetizers are for you!

As a self-proclaimed vegan Trader Joe’s junkie, I visit TJ’s weekly and never miss discovering and trying a new vegan item. I love to experiment with quick and easy dishes using Trader Joe’s vegan items, and this post is all about easy appetizers using 1-5 Trader Joe’s ingredients! Noshing has never been easier!

Pesto Rolls

This is one of easiest Trader Joe’s vegan appetizers to impress a crowd! (Also on the list of Vegan Party Finger Foods!)

Inspired by our favorite Oakland bakery, Timeless Cafe, I created a quick and easy semi-homemade version of our favorite pastry there. With just 3-4 simple ingredients, these tasty rolls are as adorable as they are delicious. My kids love ’em too!

Base Ingredients:

• Vegan Pesto
• Vegan Parmesan
• Organic Crescent Rolls

Optional Ingredients:

• Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
• hot sauce of choice (like Zhoug Sauce or Sriracha)

Method:

• I prefer smaller crescent rolls, so I cut the pre-cut triangles from the package in half.
• Then simply add a slathering of Trader Joe’s vegan pesto and a sprinkle of Trader Joe’s vegan parmesan onto the dough (+ option hot sauce), roll ’em up, and top some (or all) with Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning!
• Pop in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 and they are ready to go!

Vegan Caramelized Onion Dip & Kettle Chips

This is one of those Trader Joe’s vegan snacks that I serve at almost every gathering! TJ’s vegan caramelized onion dip is full of oniony flavor! In fact, it tastes so similar to the dairy version that people assume it is!

I serve the onion dip with these ridge cut potato chips because they are the perfect thickness for dipping. Also, these chips are less salty than other ridged potato chip brands, which allows the dip flavor to shine.

Lentil or White Bean Bruschetta Toasts

This Trader Joe’s bruschetta sauce is delicious all by itself, but can easily be made into a variety of healthy vegan appetizers by adding legumes like lentils or white beans. Mix in vegan feta for an extra savory kick.

This mix on toast is also one of my Easy Vegan Trader Joe’s Meals!

Base Ingredients:

• Trader Joe’s steamed lentils or Great Northern white beans
• Trader Joe’s Fresh Bruschetta sauce
• toast or crackers
• salt and pepper to taste

Optional Added Ingredients:

• arugula or other green
• Trader Joe’s Vegan Feta Cheese Alternative

Method:

• Proportions of bruschetta to legumes are personal preference. I typically start with about 1 cup of sauce to about 1/2 cup of legumes, season with salt and pepper, and then taste and alter.
• Stir in about 1/4 cup crumbled Vegan Feta, if using.
• Serve in bowl with crackers, toast, or crostini on side.

Dill Pickle Mini Falafel with Tzatziki

Trader Joe’s Dill Pickle falafel are the perfect appetizer size. Paired with Trader Joe’s vegan tzatziki, you have an appetizer to impress a crowd, and no one will ever think it’s vegan!

The falafel are easy to heat in the oven, and even crispier in the air fryer!

Vegan Poke with Seaweed or Rice Crackers

Have you tried Trader Joe’s Vegan Poke yet? Made with beets and a whole lot of seeds, herbs, and other seasonings, it is so flavorful! Serve with seaweed and rice crackers for an easy vegan appetizer!

Trader Joe’s Pepita Salsa & Plantain Crisps

With so many salsas on the market, it is tough for any one to stand out, but this one sure does. With an undeniable depth of flavor from the pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and an 8 on the spice scale (to 10), this salsa is just hard to top. Of course, or favorite combo is along with our favorite chips, Trader Joe’s plantain crisps!.

Trader Joe’s Thai Vegetable Gyoza

These veggie gyoza are full of flavor, like ginger, garlic, and green onion. They make a fabulous quick appetizer, meal, or soup!

Trader Joe’s Vegetable Spring Rolls

These vegetable spring rolls are one of the only frozen items we buy regularly. Not only perfectly crispy, the filling is unique (with kale and edamame) and delicious (even my son loves them!). We eat them as an appetizer, snack, or side dish on Chinese food night!

Trader Joe’s Mini Vegetable Samosas

These Indian samosas are absolutely delicious: perfectly crispy and flavorful with a touch of heat. Enjoy them as an appetizer, snack, or side dish on Indian curry night!

Perhaps I have introduced you to something new?! Or, maybe I am missing your favorite Trader Joe’s vegan appetizers?! Please, tell me what you think in comments below.

For more quick and easy Trader Joe’s vegan dishes, check out:

• Trader Joe’s Air Fryer Vegan Food
• 8 Easy Vegan Trader Joe’s Meals
• Best Trader Joe’s Vegan Frozen Meals
• Trader Joe’s Salad Recipes & Ideas
• Trader Joe’s Vegan Breakfast Ideas

Or check out all my Trader Joe’s posts!

Cheers!

–Jenn

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