vegan star trek recipes

Live Long And Prosper: Does Star Trek Carry Secret Vegan Messaging?

A number of star trek fans have pointed out apparent pro-animal messaging in the series.

By Amy Buxton

4 Minutes Read

A Reddit user recently posted a theory that sci-fi franchise Star Trek contains vegan messaging after watching the series for the first time since ditching animal products.

MattJohn02 posted in the r/vegan thread, referencing Vulcans being a vegetarian race and specific episodes that deliver anti-animal abuse themes. He then opened up the discussion, encouraging fellow Redditors to add their own observations and episodes that appear very vegan-friendly.

Multiple comments mention that Star Trek , as a franchise, centers around ethics and the nuances that come with them. As such, many claim that pro-vegan messaging is not a huge surprise. Moreover, one user, tenninjakittens, claims that Star Trek inspired them to “make the switch [to veganism] over 20 years ago.”

I’ve been rewatching Star Trek(First time since going vegan) and I’ve noticed that it’s VERY pro-Vegan. Let me explain. by u/MattJohno2 in vegan

A vegan future is predicted by Star Trek

According to the sci-fi franchise, when humanity reaches Stardate 41249.3 (April 1, 2364), animals will not be part of the food system anymore. 

The revelation came in a Next Generation episode, when the Enterprise spaceship’s first officer, Commander Riker, discussed the lack of animal protein at a dinner party. “We no longer enslave animals for food purposes,” the character states bluntly.

When questioned about the fact that humans have been seen eating meat, Riker clarifies that only “replicated” meat is eaten. This is an inorganic food, created by futuristic technology that duplicates the look and taste of animal meat.

A continual distaste for hunting

Later series Voyager also appears to revisit the notion that eating animals is wrong. The Enterprise crew, led by Captain Janeway, are shown to be visibly horrified by another species, called the Hirogen. Still hunting sentient creatures for food and sport, they are viewed negatively. Wanting to be culturally sensitive but also ethical, Janeway offers a “holodeck” (a 3D simulation room) where the Hirogen can “hunt.”

More recently, the Enterprise series (which, confusingly, is the first – chronologically – of the entire Star Trek franchise) included an episode that gave animals an actual voice. Albeit telepathically.

In “Rogue Planet,” the crew meets a species that travels to another planet to hunt the animals living there. Captain Archer communicates telepathically with one of the hunted creatures. They emphatically tell him that they do not want to die for sport.

Don’t forget about Vulcans

Arguably the most enduring vegan messaging Star Trek transmits is through one of its most beloved species: Vulcans.

As a society, Vulcans live by a no-harm ethical code. In fact, non-violence is a key part of their code and as such, most are vegetarian. And while hunting continues, to keep their survival skills honed, no animals are ever killed.

Moreover, Vulcans are predicated on logic. They see food as a necessary source of energy, not something that needs to titilate the tastebuds. This is another reason why they stick to non-animal sources.

In an Enterprise episode called Broken Bow , Vulcan crew member T’Pol finds her choice to be a vegetarian the topic of a dinner conversation with Captain Archer. Frustrated, she delivers the withering blow: “You humans claim to be enlightened, yet you still consume the flesh of animals.”

Live long and prosper

Despite no crew members in Star Trek revealing themselves to be vegan , there is a persistent theme that focuses on humans evolving to remove non-human animals from the food system. This also ties in neatly with one of the show’s most famous quotes.

A growing bank of research is finding that to “live long and prosper” – a Vulcan blessing said by Spock on multiple occasions – we need to ditch meat. Those eating a vegan or vegetarian diet have been found to have a greater life expectancy than meat-eaters. In addition, plant-based meals are deemed cheaper , globally, than their animal-based counterparts.

Given the current global rise of plant-based diets, it is not illogical (sorry Star Trek fans, but we had to get this in) to assume that at least one character might be a staunch vegan in a future series.

We plant a tree for every signup. You’ll receive our weekly news round-up and be the first to hear about, product launches, exclusive offers and more!

The Autho r

Amy enjoys reporting on vegan news and sustainability initiatives. She has a degree in English literature and language and is raising a next-gen vegan daughter.

More by Amy Buxton

Related Posts

6 minutes to read

3 minutes to read

5 minutes to read

© 2024 Plant Based News is a mission-led impact media platform focused on elevating the plant-based diet and its benefit to human health, the planet, and animals. | Plant Based News Ltd, PO Box 71173, London, SE20 9DQ, United Kingdom.

85 Best Vegan Recipes

With everything from creamy pastas to burgers and beyond, these 85 vegan recipes will get you excited to cook (and eat!) plant-based meals at home.

Most days in our house, Jack and I eat vegan recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course, there are exceptions, but the food I most enjoy cooking and eating often happens to be plant-based. I love putting vegetables at the center my plate – not only is it good for my health and for the world, but it’s also downright delicious.

To kick off the New Year, I’ve rounded up my top 85 easy vegan recipes. This list includes everything from hearty vegan dinner recipes (think creamy pastas, veggie burgers, tacos, etc.) to vegan basics that can serve as starting points for improvising satisfying plant-based meals. Whether you’re a longtime vegan, considering a plant-based diet for the first time, or just want to eat more veggies, you’re sure to love one (or more) of these delicious vegan recipes!

Pasta & Pizza Vegan Recipes

1. Creamy Broccoli Vegan Pasta

This luscious creamy vegan pasta will give any traditional mac and cheese a run for its money. Instead of containing dairy, the smooth, tangy sauce is a protein-packed blend of white beans, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice.

2. Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

This recipe is an all-time Love and Lemons fan favorite, and for good reason. Even the biggest cheese lovers will fall for its bright, creamy spinach “ricotta,” caramelized cubes of butternut squash , and rich cashew cream sauce.

3. Spaghetti Bolognese

You won’t miss the meat in this hearty vegan version of spaghetti bolognese! Walnuts and lentils pack it with protein, while sage, mushrooms, rosemary, and balsamic fill it with rich, savory flavor.

4. Creamy Pasta Pomodoro

This easy vegan pasta is basically everything I want to eat for dinner any night of the week! An easy creamy tomato sauce (just cashews+ marinara !) coats a 50/50 mix of fresh veggies and floppy rigatoni noodles.

5. Best Vegan Pizza

Who says you need cheese to make a crave-worthy pizza? This easy vegan pizza may be my all-time favorite! I top chewy homemade pizza dough with a lemony cashew cream sauce, a jumble of savory, spicy, crisp, and juicy veggies, and big handfuls of fresh basil .

6. Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad 7. Broccoli Pasta Salad 8. Creamy Shiitake & Kale Pasta 9. Creamy Pumpkin Penne

Taco & Tex Mex Vegan Recipes

10. Jerk Spiced Vegan Tacos

Saucy jackfruit mimics jerk-spiced chicken in these hearty vegan tacos. Topped with a fresh mango, cucumber, and avocado salsa, they’re a fun, filling, and delicious vegan meal.

11. Veggie Fajitas

Smoky grilled mushrooms take the place of meat in these easy vegan fajitas. The fajita veggies take minutes to make, so you can get straight to the good part: loading them into tortillas with guacamole , tomatillo salsa , and pickled jalapeños for pop!

12. Chipotle Cauliflower Nachos

There’s no cheese hiding in the oozy, gooey orange queso you see above. Instead, it’s a tangy, smoky blend of cauliflower, potatoes, and chipotles in adobo sauce. Add lots of tortilla chips, pineapple salsa , pico de gallo , and black beans into the mix, and you have absolute nacho heaven. We also love this vegan cheese recipe that’s super easy to make.

13. Portobello Steak Burrito Bowls 14. Stuffed Poblano Peppers 15. Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl 16. Vegetarian Tacos with Avocado Tomatillo Sauce 17. Portobello Mushroom Tacos with Jalapeño Ranch

Vegan Burger & Sandwich Recipes

18. Best Veggie Burger

When I say that this is  the best  veggie burger, I mean it. Made with wholesome plant-based ingredients like mushrooms and walnuts and seasoned with tamari and smoked paprika, these patties are hearty, satisfying, and packed with smoky umami flavor.

19. Easy Homemade Falafel

Falafel was the first food that showed me how flavorful vegan dinner recipes could be, and this crispy baked version is sure to do the same for you. Serve it with hummus , pickled red onions , and fresh veggies to really take it over the top.

20. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

This plant-based version of a classic BBQ sandwich is every bit as delicious as a traditional one! I simmer jackfruit with sautéed onions and a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce before piling it onto buns with a quick slaw and crunchy pickles.

21. Vegan Meatballs

Whether you stuff them into subs or pile them onto pasta, these savory, smoky vegan meatballs are guaranteed to be a hit.

22. Tempeh BLT

If you’re thinking about switching to a plant-based diet, you don’t have to bid farewell to BLTs forever. Swap crispy marinated tempeh for the traditional “B,” and keep things simple by pairing it with the classic “L” and “T.” Otherwise, take your sandwich one step further and finish it with two creamy spreads, avocado, and (of course) extra veggies!

23. Egg Salad Sandwiches 24. Chickpea Salad Picnic Sandwiches 25. Black Bean Veggie Burger 26. Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Sushi & Noodle Vegan Recipes

27. Shiitake Maki Sushi

Who needs takeout when you can make delicious sushi at home? Savory roasted shiitake mushrooms and a vibrant carrot-ginger dipping sauce make this vegan sushi just as good as any you’d get at a restaurant.

28. Sesame Soba Noodles

These super fresh soba noodles are the perfect make-ahead lunch. I love this version with watermelon radishes and snap peas, but the light, tangy sesame dressing pairs well all sorts of veggies. Feel free to swap in your seasonal favorites!

29. Easy Vegetarian Pho

Mushrooms, bok choy, and a richly spiced homemade broth round out this vegan version of traditional Vietnamese pho.

30. Avocado Cucumber Sushi 31. Sesame Orange Noodle Bowls 32. Spiralized Daikon Noodle Bowls 33. Bok Choy Stir Fry

Creamy Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews

34. Creamy Tomato Soup with Vegan Grilled Cheese Croutons

There’s no reason that tomato soup shouldn’t be vegan-friendly! Instead of using dairy in this soup recipe, I blend in chickpeas to make it thick and creamy. It’s great on its own, but a big handful of toasty vegan grilled cheese croutons makes it completely irresistible.

35. Butternut Squash Soup

I have this butternut squash soup recipe on repeat from the first day of fall until the last day of winter. It’s light, comforting, and easy to make, and fresh rosemary, sage, and ginger fill it with robust, cozy flavor.

36. Cream of Mushroom Soup

This homemade cream of mushroom soup is too good to hide inside any casserole! Instead of nuts or dairy, its super creamy texture comes from blended cauliflower.

37. Best Lentil Soup

You likely have all the ingredients to this creamy curried lentil soup in your pantry already. That’s good news for you, because it’s so warming, nourishing, and flavorful that you’ll want to try it ASAP.

38. Easy Coconut Curry

This curry is one of my go-to easy vegan recipes for busy weeknights. Chock full of fresh veggies and warming spices, it’s bright, nourishing, and comforting.

39. Many Veggie Soup 40. Vegetarian Chili 41. Creamy Asparagus Soup 42. Golden Turmeric Noodle Miso Soup 43. Roasted Red Pepper Soup 44. Wild Rice Soup 45. Oyster Mushroom Soup 46. Split Pea Corn Chowder 47. Broccoli Cheese Soup 48. Creamy Cauliflower Soup 49. Corn Chowder 50. Miso Soup

Substantial Salad Vegan Recipes

51. Roasted Cauliflower Salad

This salad has everything: something briny, something bright, something nutty, something fresh. Whether you pack it for lunch or serve it as a dinner side dish, it’s a recipe you’re sure to love.

52. Best Broccoli Salad

Smoky roasted nuts take the place of bacon in this vegan riff on classic broccoli salad. It’s also naturally sweetened, as the lightly creamy, tangy dressing gets a pop of sweetness from maple syrup instead of sugar.

53. Kale Salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing

This recipe will shatter any pre-conceived notion that kale salads are boring and bland. Loaded up with crunchy veggies, toasted pumpkin seeds, crispy chickpeas, avocado, and a vibrant carrot ginger dressing, it’s one of my favorite vegan dishes to make for lunch. It never fails to keep me full till dinnertime, and with all its colors, textures, and tastes, it’s fun to eat, too!

54. Healthy Taco Salad 55. Broccoli Pesto Quinoa Salad

Sharable Vegan Side Dish Recipes

56. Mashed Potatoes

Even mashed potato purists will fall for these fluffy, light vegan mashed potatoes! Roasted garlic infuses them with rich, nutty flavor, and a generous glug of olive oil gives them their crave-worthy creamy texture.

57. Creamed Spinach

Coconut milk takes the place of heavy cream in this fresh, delicious 15-minute side dish.

58. Roasted Potatoes 59. Rosemary Focaccia 60. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Broccoli

Sauce & Dip Vegan Recipes

61. Tahini Sauces

If you’ve never tried tahini sauce, get ready to fall in love. Creamy, nutty, and lemony, there’s no limit on the ways to use it, especially when these 4 bold variations come into play!

62. Best Guacamole

Yep, it’s vegan. 🙂

63. Cashew Cream 64. Homemade Hummus 65. Vegan Seven Layer Dip 66. Vegan Pimento Cheese 67. Tomatillo Salsa Verde 

Vegetable Basics

68. How to Make Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles are such a fun way to add extra veggies to vegan pasta recipes! Try skipping regular noodles entirely, or use a 50/50 mix of zucchini noodles and pasta.

69. How to Cook Spaghetti Squash 

Skip the spaghetti, and make spaghetti squash instead! Serve it on its own as a healthy vegan side dish, toss it with pesto and roasted veggies, or go the classic spaghetti route and top it with a big scoop of marinara sauce .

70. How to Make Cauliflower Rice

Swapping cauliflower rice for regular rice is a great way to pack extra veggies into any stir fry, bowl, or curry dish. Fresh, light, and SUPER easy to make, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen!

71. Pickled Red Onions

Keep these quick and easy pickled onions on hand to add a bright pop of flavor to your favorite vegan recipes! They’re the perfect finishing touch for salads, bowls, tacos, and more.

72. Sweet Potato Fries

Whether you serve them as a snack, an appetizer, or a side dish with your favorite sandwich, you’re guaranteed to love these crispy baked sweet potato fries. Chipotle sauce for dipping is optional, but highly recommended.

73. Roasted Butternut Squash 74. Roasted Red Peppers 75. Pickled Jalapeños 76. Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Zest 77. Simple Roasted Beets 78. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Grain & Legume Basics

79. How to Cook Quinoa

Not only is quinoa loaded with protein and other nutrients, but it’s delicious, too! Its yummy nutty flavor works well in everything from cookies to grain bowls , and it cooks in just 15 minutes!

80. Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

Warning: it’s hard to resist eating these crunchy, salty little guys straight out of the oven! If you can, enjoy them as a snack or top them onto vegan dinner recipes for extra protein.

81. How to Cook Farro 82. Cilantro Lime Rice 83. How to Cook Couscous 84. How to Cook Lentils 85. Baked Crispy Tofu

Looking for more vegan recipes?

Check out my healthy breakfast ideas , healthy lunch ideas best salad recipes , healthy meal prep ideas , easy dinner recipes , or favorite soups !

Vegan Recipes: Creamy Vegan Pasta

Ingredients.

• Creamy vegan pasta sauce
• 2½ cups small shell pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion , chopped
• 5 cups broccoli florets , chopped stems, and leaves
• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
• lemon wedges , for serving
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Make the sauce.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package, cooking until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the chopped broccoli stems and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add the broccoli florets and leaves and a splash of water or vegetable broth. Cover and turn off the heat. Allow the broccoli to steam for 2 to 3 minutes or until tender but still bright green. Add the pasta, then stir in ¾ of the sauce, adding more broth if the sauce is too dry.
• Season to taste with more salt, pepper and lemon juice, as desired, and portion into bowls. Divide the remaining sauce onto each bowl. Top with the pine nuts and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
• 25 Easy Pasta Recipes
• 25 Best Bean Recipes
• 40 Easy Weeknight Dinners
• 25 Best Dutch Oven Recipes
• 50 Best Vegetarian Recipes
• 31 Easy Chickpea Recipes

31 comments

Leave a comment: cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How is no.23 vegan when it uses EGG?! 🤔 Look up the meaning of Vegan please. It means ONLY veggies, NO EGG.

Hi Melissa, if you click, though to the recipe, it’s a vegan egg salad recipe that’s made with tofu.

Is there egg in the pasta?

Thanks, A lot. I just turned Vegan and I really wanted to know all about these vegan recipes. And wow, there are so many and look so delicious.

Thanks for sharing the 85 best vegan recipes.

Please give me the instructions for making creamy began pasta sauce. I cant find quantities listed…just ingredients

Hi Becky, you can find our creamy vegan pasta recipe here: https://www.loveandlemons.com/vegan-pasta/

I’m in the beginning of a 30 day vegan fast (actually it’s the Daniel Fast, but it basically comes down to being vegan and sober). I had used a recipe similar to the sauce as a kind of queso (it had a lot more spices) so I knew this would be good, but I had no idea HOW AMAZING THIS DISH IS!! Seriously, it’s wonderful. I know the author said not to compare it to a cream sauce, that it’s a healthy garlicy sauce good in its own right, but the mouth feels is incredible. This was a great way to use up way too much broccoli, and I topped it with sunflower feeds (not a fan of pine nuts). I’ll be making this again soon, as it was one of the best easy recipes I’ve had for my fast. Thank you!

I’m so glad you loved the recipe!

any way to see like an “index” of the items in this collection of recipes and others too? basically a list index, single spacing? i want to use it as a checklist for the family to choose their favorites….cheers!

Hi Max, if you click “Recipes” at the top of the page, you’ll go to our index: https://www.loveandlemons.com/recipes/

i guess im looking for a plain text list to print so we can make a menu plan.. cheers

Your vegetarian list is great, My husband and I eat vegetarian food twice per month, I will definitely follow some of them. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for all these wonderful recipes! Will be making this tonight!

Do you have a cookbook or a PDF version of all your recipes to help me shop for and prepare recipes. It will also help me to prep and choose the right kitchen appliances.

Love love the meals

Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!

These all look so delicious! And so many pasta options which are my favorite kind of dish!

Recipe fir creamy vegan sauce?

Hey you nice post

https://topfoodmane.blogspot.com/?m=1

What is trational yeast????

Nutritional yeast gives things a cheese-like flavor: https://www.bobsredmill.com/nutritional-yeast.html

making it easy to grasp the concepts. To delve deeper, click here .

These recipes look AMAZING. I’ve recently gone vegetarian and am now working towards cutting out all animal products. Having all these delicious vegan recipes will make that transition so much easier! Can’t wait to try them 🙂

Hi Gabi, I hope you enjoy them!

thank you for putting all of these in one place, much appreciated, sweet potato fries are my downfall, in a good way, so will start there

Really appreciate all the vegan recipes together in one place so I can bookmark and work my way through the list! Happy new Year!

I’m so glad it’s helpful! Happy New Year, Kate!

These recipes look fantastic. I’m a new vegan trying to keep it simple so I don’t give up from overload. Thans

Hi Julie, I hope you enjoy the recipes!

You and I are in the same boat. I am trying the 30 day vegan challenge (Veganuary) and I’ve been researching for 2 days, how to make simple vegan snacks and dishes.

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.

Rate This Recipe

The Best Vegan Backpacking Meals of 2024

When I go backpacking, I’m picky because I want something really good, really quality, that tastes great after hiking 20 miles. And it needs to be vegan.

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Dehydrated and prepackaged backpacking meals are typically the answer for anyone who wants to plan a no-frills backpacking trip. After all, you’re just trying to bring a Jetboil or PocketRocket , not the whole kitchen sink. Leading brands for these types of meals include Mountain House, Backpacker’s Pantry, Peak Refuel, Good2Go, and smaller and newer brands like ReadyWise, RightOn Trek , and LYO.

But sometimes backpacking meals can just be bland — and that applies to all of them. If I wanted something flavorless and simple, I probably could’ve made it myself instead of paying upward of $10 for freeze-dried food in a bag.

I love spice. And I love various international cuisines. I’ve traveled to 14 countries as a vegan. I’m an adventurous eater. But I’m also picky in the sense that I want something really good, truly high-quality, that tastes great after hiking 20 miles.

And, here’s the catch — it has to be vegan: no meat, no fish, no milk, no eggs, no problem.

With 11 years of veganism and nearly 10 years of serious backpacking experience under my belt, I set out once and for all to find the best of the best backpacking meals on market — sans meat and dairy, but full of flavor, and balanced weight-to-price-to-calorie ratios.

Vegan Backpacking Food: There Is Variety

Currently, there are over 80 different all-vegan backpacking meals on market. That’s probably at least a 30% increase compared to when I started out backpacking years ago. And, the market is only getting better. There’s a ton of variety. The same can be generally said for other dietary preferences like dairy-free and gluten-free .

On par with other meals from these same brands, the vegan meals we tested range from $6 to $16. Now, anything in the $12+ range is pretty high for a single one-serving meal — we get it. Vegan food is supposed to be approachable, economical, budget-friendly. Heck, it’s just rice, wheat, and vegetables, right, not filet mignon?

Still, a couple of these high-priced meals made our list, so be sure to read why below. It’s worth investing in a couple for more special nights out on trail.

How We Tested

First off, we scoured hundreds of online reviews on each company’s site, as well as REI and Backcountry, to whittle down the 80+ meals across 25 brands to the top 30-40 meals (from 16 brands) worth testing. This is on top of prior experience eating these vegan meals when backpacking in years past. Then, we cooked according to instructions (I tested largely all of these at or above altitude).

Now, if it was just me — the lone vegan — doing the taste test, I didn’t think that’d be fair. So I enlisted the help of my hiking partners, friends, and fellow editors to help rank the meals, too. We had a handful of editors put a large pile of these to the taste test: everyone from meat-eaters to vegetarians to vegans participated.

If you are wondering what qualifies me to review and rank food, above anyone else? I’ve been vegan for a long time, and have a background in food, simplified here:

• First job was working in a restaurant when I was 15
• Worked in the restaurant industry for 8+ years
• Vegan for 11 years and counting
• Am a total foodie: I cook with a variety of foods, spices, and ingredients at home
• Over 200 days backpacking experience
• Have both purchased prepackaged meals, and made by own backpacking food

Simply: I want to be your vegan backpacking food expert. This isn’t just a compilation of the options on market, or a summary of other reviews by other people — I taste-tested all of these. They had to live up to average backpacking-meal standards, as well as my own (fairly high) vegan standards.

The (Vegan) Backpacking Meal Contenders

Here’s the full list of brands we tried that currently make vegan backpacking meals, and the number of vegan meals they offer (#):

• MaryJane’s Farm (12)
• FIREPOT (11)
• LYO Expedition (8)
• LYO Bistro Menu (6)
• Backpacker’s Pantry (9)
• Trailtopia (9)
• ReadyWise and ReadyWise Pro (8)
• Nomad Nutrition (8)
• FERNWEH Food (7)
• Farm to Summit (7)
• Good To-Go (7)
• RightOn Trek (5)
• Heather’s Choice (5)
• TentMeals UK (5)

• REAL Turmat (6)
• Peak Refuel (3)
• Summit to Eat (3)
• Adventure Menu (3)
• GreenBelly Meals (3)
• Wild Zora (2)
• Pinnacle Foods (1)
• Gastro Gnome (1)
• Wayfarer (1)
• Harmony House Foods Backpacking Kit (BYO options)
• Outdoor Herbivore (40)

Editor’s note: We’ve listed both U.S. and U.K. companies, so some meals are only available in certain countries. But generally, you can find many of these meals across the U.S., Canada, and Europe — and readily available online.

The Best Vegan Backpacking Meals on Market, Ranked

Best Vegan Backpacking Entrées: The Top 10

1. Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai ★★★★★ 5 stars

Arguably, nothing is heartier or more welcome than a hot bowl of noodles. A strong lime flavor, good amount of veg, and crushed peanuts put this Pad Thai over the top. The balance between nutrition, weight, easy rehydrating, and price is also near perfect. You can’t go wrong.

2. Peak Refuel Three Bean Chili Mac ★★★★☆ 4.9 stars

This one is my favorite backpacking meals in fall and winter: it’s hearty and packs in a ton of calories. Two very different ingredients: dried beans and macaroni, and they both rehydrate perfectly. If you are expending a lot of energy day after day, you’ll appreciate this heavier meal.

3. FERNWEH Green Tamale Pie ★★★★☆ 4.8 stars

This is simply a flavorful, unique, slightly spicy meal. If you are bored with all the other options already, grab a few of these: the combo of peppers, zucchini, and jalapeño tomatillo sauce is to die for. It’s also one of the better and more delicious rehydrated cornbread attempts we’ve tried out of the lot. It is, however, expensive at $16.50.

4. Peak Refuel Butternut Dal Bhat ★★★★☆ 4.9 stars

The combo of lentils, chickpeas, rice, and curry spices is darn near perfect. It’s a subtle, mild but not bland flavor, and so creamy. Texture has just enough variety, too. The addition of butternut squash knocks it down for me a little bit in authenticity, but its still a superb meal. Definitely a winner among vegans and non-vegans alike.

5. FIREPOT Vegan Orzo Bolognese ★★★★☆ 4.75 stars

You cannot have a list of best backpacking foods without at least one pasta item on menu. For vegans, pastas sans meat and cheese tend to be a bit boring, with pesto if you are lucky, or just chopped up veggies and not enough flavor. This meal from FIREPOT crushes all the other pastas we tried: it’s a take on Bolognese, a traditional Italian meat-and-tomato-based sauce. It’s packed with flavor and uses orzo (smaller noodles that rehydrate well). The spices, quality, and overall taste is incredible.

6. Good To-Go Kale and White Bean Stew ★★★★☆ 4.7 stars

This is one of the highest rated meals on the shelves, and we have to agree. I find it to have a much better mix of both texture and flavor than Good2Go’s other meals. It packs in a great amount of protein, and the strong smell of thyme and herbs reminds me of cooking soup at home.

7. RightOn Trek General Tsoy’s Mountain Rice ★★★★☆ 4.7 stars

For anyone who is worried about getting protein or the hearty, filling texture of meat, look no further. The textures of the pepper, soy, and rice is fantastic, and this meal is easy to rehydrate. The medium hint of chili pepper spice is perfect, although I still like adding a few other seasonings on-trail. Calorie, flavor and texture, packaging, and value-wise, this meal is amazing.

8. Good To-Go Mexican Quinoa Bowl ★★★★☆ 4.6 stars

Honestly, this bowl is a welcome difference to most rice and bean meals on market — it’s not a salt bomb, not too dense, and the poblano and squash give it a hint of sweetness. Even at altitude (the cook time takes a little longer), the meal soaks up water and rehydrates well. It’s not missing flavor or sauce, and pairs great with tortillas for a trail lunch. Bonus: it’s gluten free too.

9. Lyo Foods Chili Sin Carne with Polenta ★★★★☆ 4.6 stars

A unique and different flavor, though a pretty common combination of peppers and veg; what shines here is the spice profile and Lyo’s great success with freeze-dried polenta. The serving size is also spot on. Overall, it’s a good and balanced meal.

10. Backpacker’s Pantry Kathmandu Curry ★★★★☆ 4.5 stars

I have had better curry, but that was in Nepal. Out of all the curries on market, this one still tops my list. If you are looking for a more unique replacement to the typical Nepalese/Indian Curry meals, try Nomad Nutrition’s Caribbean Curry — still a fairly recognizable coconut milk, ginger, and curry spice base, but with the addition of yams.

We really wanted to keep our list to the top 10 best overall entrées, but would be remiss if we didn’t mention the other category of vegan meals: breakfast. Honestly, for backpacking meals overall, breakfasts are still lacking in variety. It’s usually one of two things: an egg scramble spinoff, or fill-in-the-blank oatmeal.

Maybe you’ll get a savory breakfast veggie hash if you are lucky ( Nomad does make a pretty good yam, quinoa, and tofu breakfast bowl ). By and large, the breakfasts on market are all pretty similar, which is why we focused our top 10 on entrée and core meals.

That being said, our top three vegan breakfast meals are Heather’s Choice Blueberry Cinnamon (or Apple Pie) Buckwheat , Backpacker’s Pantry Blueberry and Oats, and Outdoor Herbivore’s incredibly unique CinnaMonkey Chomps (which you can add to oats if you wish). Breakfast, snack, dessert? These fried plantains coated in cinnamon sugar are really anything you want them to be — and pack in a great nutritious value with over 800 calories per bag.

Finally, Backpacker’s Mango Sticky Rice takes the cake (literally) for best backpacking dessert on market. If you want something sweet for the trail, this sticky rice is the one to beat.

I Packed Nothing for Backpacking and Still Had Everything I Needed: RightOnTrek Gear Rental Review

I used RightOnTrek's new gear rental system, the Wilderness Edge, for a backpacking trip near the Canadian border and was thoroughly impressed. Read more…

Nutrition, Calories, and More

For anyone who backpacks, getting the sufficient amount of calories can be tough. Now, I won’t tell you what’s right for you, since nutrition is highly dependent on your diet, lifestyle, amount of activity, type of trip, etc. It’s also worth noting many people prefer the nutritional benefits and taste of dehydrated over freeze-dried methods (this is another way meals slightly differ in preparation, nutrition, and rehydrating).

Here are some nitty-gritty rules I like to use and are worth considering when you are shopping for vegan backpacking meals.

• For shorter backpacking trips: don’t be fooled by that 300-calorie meal. It won’t cut it if you are hiking with weight on your back, even on easier terrain or shorter mileage — you will need to consume more calories. I still aim for anywhere between 400 and 600 calories per “meal.” Bring plenty of trail snacks to supplement with or in-between meals.
• For longer trips/more mileage per day: I aim for ideally 600+ or more calories per meal. Typically, this means one person can easily eat a “two-serving” bag. The 2.5-serving or double-serving bags are also great if you want to share meals. So, often when I am backpacking with a partner, we will bring a couple of two-serving meals. Then you have enough calories, a variety of food, and the option to share.

Serving Sizes: Best Bang for Your Buck?

Aside from calories-to-weight ratio, the next biggest consideration for me for backpacking meals is the ratio of volume (aka serving size) to price. A $6 meal might be a stellar price on paper, but it won’t offer enough calories or enough food for the type of eater you are when hiking and recreating outdoors.

Same goes for the opposite. It may be just the right amount of calories, and filling enough, but maybe the serving size is way to much, or too pricey.

You’ll want to consider the nutrition information, serving portion, but also the size and weight of the packaging and meal itself.

Packability and Weight

The packed size of meals is worth a quick mention here.

There are some meals I really, really love, but they don’t have the best packaging. I actually don’t mind opting for and using the compostable paper meal packages that you can’t cook in, but that’s not for everyone, since you need to bring a camp mug or bowl along with you.

I’ve also stumbled across some meals that are stiffer and tough to stuff into bear canisters when you are tight on space. But ultimately, so many of these meals are made from similar packaging across the board.

If you are really trying to cut weight, you can also buy these meals and transfer to smaller Ziploc sealed bags. (Just don’t forget to jot down how to rehydrate and the cook time!)

I’ve also used Stasher bags before for rehydrating homemade or store-bought meals. You can cook them in boiling water with Stashers — making them a great thing to carry on trail!

When I am meal organizing, I take this moment to decide what spices I’ll want to bring on the trail based on meal selection. My typical spice kit is a wicked small MSR salt and pepper shaker , a mini bottle of tajín chili lime seasoning , and some sort of herb or herbed salt mix (I love Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up Salt ).

From one vegan backpacker to another, I really hope this list helps you get outside and enjoy the best of the best foods on trail! There are a ton of options out there, but these meals are truly the best of the best — no inaccurate cooking times, no funny tastes, good seasoning and flavors overall, and balanced in terms of nutrition to weight to value.

Even if you aren’t vegan, some of these newer brands’ — ahem , LYO foods and Readywise Pro — meals are really worth trying. And if you are a guide or the menu planner for a group trip, consider these options! There’s something for everyone nowadays. Yes, even the vegans. And I truly believe the vegan backpacking food options will only get better.

The Best Camping Stoves of 2024

We tested the best camping stoves from Coleman, Camp Chef, Primus, and more for this review. Check it out to see how each performs and which stove came out on top. Read more…

A Portable Pizza Oven Anyone Can Use: Solo Stove Pi Prime Review

There are already plenty of pizza ovens on market — but none as affordable and easy to use as the Solo Stove Pi Prime. Read more…

Mary Murphy is the Managing Editor of GearJunkie. She has been writing about hiking, running, climbing, camping, skiing, and more for eight years, and has been on staff at GearJunkie since 2019. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and mountain biking. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder.

Follow Us On

Subscribe Now

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!

Join Our GearJunkie Newsletter

Gear Top Stories Deals

Try our #1 Rated MEAL PLANNER for FREE!

• BEGINNER’S GUIDE
• Health Topics
• Meal Planner
• Cooking Courses
• Vegan Menus & Collections

28 Mouthwatering Vegan Mediterranean Recipes

By Megan Edwards ,

Bask in the flavors of the Mediterranean coastline with these outrageously delicious recipes that use only healthy, plant-based ingredients. Figs, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, dates, artichokes, chickpeas, and basil feature prominently in these tasty dishes, which bring a bit of international flair into your kitchen. Whether you’re in the mood for Greek-inspired stuffed tomatoes or hearty Italian gnocchi, these vegan Mediterranean recipes will satisfy both your taste buds and the travel bug.

Vegan Shawarma with Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas

Mediterranean Farro Salad

Vegan Stuffed Peppers with Lentils and Herbed Rice

White Bean Fettuccine Alfredo with Peas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Homemade Vegan Pesto

Mediterranean Style Pita Pizzas with Quick-Pickled Onions

Greek Salad with Air-Fryer Falafel

Mediterranean Shaved Asparagus Salad

Gluten-Free Fig Bars

Vegan Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Greens

Mediterranean Chickpea Burgers

Easy Homemade Pita Bread

Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Tartines

Polenta and Sweet Potato Mash with Mushroom Sauce

Mediterranean Lentil and Spinach Soup

Greek-Style Stuffed Tomatoes

Sun-Dried Tomato and Chickpea Sliders

Pistachio-Orange Stuffed Dates

Mediterranean Green Beans and Potato Toss

Farmers Market Couscous Salad

Freekeh Tabbouleh with Grapefruit

Summer Squash Soup with White Beans and Kale

Harissa Hummus

Sicilian Rice Balls with Mushrooms and Peas

Sweet Fig Flatbreads

Sun-Dried Tomato and Caramelized-Onion Focaccia

Garden Chickpea Tomato Soup

Comments ( 0 ).

Recipe Rating

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About the Author

Megan Edwards

Free Download

Free 5-day meal plan!

Get a taste for healthy, fuss-free meal planning with this free five-day meal plan from Forks Meal Planner!

By providing your email address, you consent to receive newsletter emails from Forks Over Knives. We value your privacy and will keep your email address safe. You may unsubscribe from our emails at any time.

MORE FROM FORKS OVER KNIVES

Grilled Tofu Kabobs with Rhubarb-Balsamic Glaze and Quinoa Pilaf

Vegan Mushroom Scallops with Spanish-Style Olive-Herb Sauce

Quiche Florentine with Artichoke Hearts and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Join our mailing list.

Get free recipes and the latest info on living a happy, healthy plant-based lifestyle.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

• Free E-Books
• Meal Planning Printables
• Dinner Entrées

Quick & Easy Vegan Meals

• Kid-Friendly Vegan Recipes
• Tofu Recipes

Air Fryer Recipes

• Italian Recipes
• Mexican Recipes
• Asian Recipes
• Indian Recipes
• Salads & Salad Dressings
• Side Dishes
• Appetizers & Snacks
• Condiments & Sauces
• Lunch Recipes
• Holiday & Seasonal Recipes
• Recipe Collections

Simple & Healthy Plant-Based Recipes

Whether you're new to plant-based eating or you've been vegan for a decade, you'll find what you need here. I'm a mom, so I prefer food that's quick, simple, and budget-friendly. Most of my recipes are whole-foods plant-based (WFPB) and free from refined sugars or oils. All of them are delicious!

Trending Recipes

Check out my favorite and most popular vegan recipes!

Vegan Spring Recipes!

Spring is in the air! Time to start bringing out seasonal favorites to welcome the warmer weather!

Brand New Recipes!

I'm always cooking up something new. Check out the latest recipes from No Sweat Vegan !

See more new recipes →

Search for your favorites!

Search recipes by type.

While it’s fun to experiment, we also need quick and easy go-to recipes that we can throw together on a busy weeknight. All of these meals can be made in 30 minutes or less!

See more quick & easy vegan meals →

Salads & Salad Dressings

If you’re looking for quick, easy, and delicious vegan salads and salad dressings, you’ve come to the right place. All of the salad dressings are oil-free, with nut-free or soy-free substitution suggestions to help each recipe fit with any diet. Enjoy!

See more salads & salad dressing recipes →

About Julianne

Welcome to No Sweat Vegan!  I've been a dedicated home chef for over 20 years and a vegan recipe developer since 2020. I love creating simple and comforting vegan food for the whole family. Most of my recipes are quick, Whole-Foods Plant-Based, and easy on the budget. Have a look around and find a new favorite recipe!

You can also find me at  AirFryerVeg.com .

Learn more about me →

Vegan Resources

Whether you're trying vegan recipes for the first time or you need additional support, here are some resources that can help you on your journey!

See more vegan resources →

Healthy Vegan Desserts

Who said vegan desserts have to be boring? These sweet treats are low in refined sugars and oils, but high in flavor!

See more healthy vegan desserts →

From vegetable sides to appetizers to main dishes, all of these vegan recipes are perfect for air frying.

See more vegan air fryer recipes →

Vegan Recipe Collections

Not sure what you're looking for? Vegan Recipe Collections are a great place to start when you've got a certain ingredient or occasion in mind, but just want to browse for ideas.

See more vegan recipe collections →

Recently Updated

There's always room for improvement, right? Take a look at the recipes I've recently updated!

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Healthy Recipes
• Healthy Lifestyle Diets
• Vegan Recipes

You Just Started a Vegan Diet—Here Are the Recipes to Make First

Whether you've decided to go vegan for ethical, health, environmental or other reasons, eating a strictly plant-based diet can be a pretty big change. Thankfully you can still enjoy all your favorite foods from before with a little creativity. As you transition to a plant-based diet, try recipes like Vegan Mac & Cheese and Vegan Lasagna for a meal that's free of animal products and full of flavor.

Curried Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup

In this flavorful soup recipe, sweet potatoes simmer in a quick coconut curry, resulting in a creamy, thick broth punctuated by notes of garlic and ginger. We love peanuts for their inexpensive price and versatile flavor. They're also a great source of protein--1 ounce has 7 grams.

Beefless Vegan Tacos

Take taco night in a new direction with these healthy vegan tacos. We've swapped crumbled tofu for the ground beef, without sacrificing any of the savory seasonings you expect in a taco. You can also use the filling in burritos, bowls, taco salads and to top nachos.

Mushroom-Quinoa Veggie Burgers with Special Sauce

These hearty mushroom, black bean and quinoa veggie burgers are a healthy and satisfying homemade alternative to store-bought veggie burgers. And they take just 25 minutes of active time to prep, so while they're special enough for entertaining, they're quick enough for weeknight dinners.

Vegan Mac & Cheese

Mac and cheese no longer has to be off the menu if you don't do dairy. A blend of hearty cauliflower, butternut squash, cashews and nutritional yeast gives this vegan macaroni and cheese the gooey, cheesy texture and flavor of traditional mac, without a bit of dairy!

Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Deep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe--canned chickpeas add too much moisture.

Vegan Freezer Breakfast Burritos

Having a stash of flavorful bean burritos in your freezer means you'll always have a satisfying plant-based meal ready for a grab-and-go breakfast on a busy morning or to take to the campsite for an easy campfire meal. Our vegan breakfast filling--made with tofu and prepared to mimic scrambled eggs--is tossed with beans, veggies and salsa for a delicious and ultra-satisfying meal.

Vegetarian Lo Mein with Shiitakes, Carrots & Bean Sprouts

A hit of Sriracha gives a sweet and spicy edge to this healthy vegetarian recipe. Traditional lo mein is made with fresh lo mein noodles, which can be found in Asian markets. You can also use fresh or dried linguine noodles--fresh linguine is in the refrigerated section of some grocery stores. This easy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes, so it's perfect for weeknights.

Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl

Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.

Vegan Lasagna

Silken tofu seasoned with cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast makes a flavorful vegan substitute for ricotta and Parmesan. Whole-wheat noodles and lots of veggies make this version healthier than a typical lasagna.

Vegan Pancakes

Make classic light and fluffy pancakes vegan with this easy recipe. Try them topped with your favorite nut butter, maple syrup and fresh berries for a satisfying breakfast.

Falafel Burgers

Pureed chickpeas, seasoned with the characteristic flavors of falafel, make excellent veggie burgers. We use a two-stage method for cooking the patties, first browning them in a skillet and then finishing them in the oven. Garnish the burgers with tzatziki or tahini sauce (see associated recipes), pickled red onions, lettuce and tomatoes.

Four-Bean & Pumpkin Chili

This healthy vegetarian chili has a fragrant touch of cinnamon for added flavor. Let diners top it with whatever suits their taste.

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons

Swapping tofu for the bread in these meal-prep Caesar salad bowls bumps up the satiety factor with 18 grams of protein. These crispy tofu croutons originally appeared in Lauren Grant's recipe for Diabetic Living magazine (see Associated Recipes). Lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, has flat, dark green-blue leaves--and its tenderness makes it perfect for eating raw, like in this salad.

Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans

Taco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets.

Vegan Minestrone Soup

Is minestrone soup vegan? It can be, with the right ingredients! This vegan minestrone soup is heavy on the green vegetables (it has peas, zucchini and kale, to name a few!), setting this quick healthy soup recipe apart from the rest. If you miss the tomatoes, feel free to add them to the mix. Last but not least, enjoy the crispy garlic croutons that float on top and soak up the flavorful broth.

Vegan BLATs (BLTs with Avocado)

Roasted shiitake mushrooms doused in soy sauce with a dash of smoked paprika become a natural, vegan alternative to bacon. Try them in this vegan version of a classic BLT with creamy avocado and eggless mayonnaise or on top of a salad as a substitute for bacon bits.

Vegan Mushroom Bolognese

This Bolognese sauce recipe is adapted from Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. We swap out the beef and pork for button mushrooms to keep this traditional comfort food vegan yet weighty with umami flavor. And while some recipes call for red wine, this recipe sticks with Hazan's white wine selection.

Vegan Smoothie Bowl

Eat this thick and creamy smoothie bowl with a spoon! Banana and frozen berries whip together with a little nut milk for a toppable vegan breakfast. We use fruit, nuts and seeds for topping, but feel free to experiment with whatever you like.

Vegan Coconut Chickpea Curry

To make this 20-minute vegan curry even faster, buy precut veggies from the salad bar at the grocery store. To make it a full, satisfying dinner, serve over cooked brown rice. When shopping for simmer sauce, look for one with 400 mg of sodium or less and check the ingredient list for cream or fish sauce if you want to keep this vegan. If you like a spicy kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce at the end.

Jackfruit Sloppy Joes

Meaty jackfruit makes these vegan sloppy Joes rich and filling. Jackfruit, a starchy tropical fruit, is mildly nutty and sweet, a blank canvas for a warm and spicy sauce like the one for this quick meat-free sandwich.

Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Carbonara

Carbonara, traditionally bathed in eggs, gets a vegan makeover using roasted and pureed butternut squash instead to make it ultra-creamy. A topping of ground almonds, garlic and sage gives it texture and an herby, savory flavor in place of the cheese and bacon.

Edamame Hummus Wrap

Made with protein-rich edamame instead of chickpeas, this easy hummus recipe is the perfect vegetarian filling for a grab-and-go wrap. Or double the recipe and use the hummus for a healthy snack with cut-up vegetables.

Sweet Potato, Corn & Black Bean Hash

Quick and easy hashes are fabulous one-pot meals for those nights when getting dinner on the table fast is a priority.

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.

Vegan White Bean Chili

Fresh Anaheim (or poblano) chiles add mild heat to this classic white bean chili and contribute lots of smoky flavor. Quinoa adds body to the chili, while diced zucchini provides pretty flecks of green and increases the veggie content.

Barbecue Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches

In this vegan copycat recipe of barbecue pulled pork, we swap out meat for jackfruit, a tropical fruit that, when not fully ripe, has a texture similar to shredded pork. The mild-flavored fruit soaks up the delicious homemade barbecue sauce for a finger-licking-good sandwich filling. Top the sandwiches with a fresh slaw for a satisfying meal.

Related Articles

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Cinnamon Stars | Vegan Christmas Cookies

Published on 28. November 2021 6 Comments

With this simple homemade cookie recipe you can bake the best vegan cinnamon stars (German Zimtsterne) for the Christmas holiday season! These cookies are perfect not only as a holiday snack, but also for decorating Christmas cakes and pies! They are flour-less, naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and made without eggs and butter.

What are Cinnamon Stars?

These delightful star-shaped cookies are one of Germany’s traditional Christmas cookies called “Zimtsterne“. Every time the holiday season rolls in, you will see plenty of these in bakeries and grocery stores, among other Christmas treats, or in German “Weihnachtsgebäck”.

However, nothing beats the aroma of Grandma‘s freshly baked homemade cinnamon cookies! It will fill your home with warmth and cheer that one can only associate with the merriest time of the year!

A Vegan Christmas Cookie Recipe

Most of the Christmas cookies you will find require either the use of eggs or dairy to make them. Not to be left out of enjoying my favorite holiday cookies, I made this eggless and dairy-free version of Grandma’s Zimtsterne. They are sweet, nutty, and filled with cinnamon goodness in every bite! The lemon glaze adds a touch of brightness and tart that makes it even more addicting!

This recipe makes about 40 cute star cookies, depending on size of your cookie cutter. However, that is plenty enough to use some to decorate a Chocolate Cookie Butter Cake to serve on a cozy afternoon party and place the rest in your cookie jar to enjoy every time you are craving a sweet snack. Enjoy them with your favorite tea and coffee.

Ingredients Used

For the cookies.

• Ground hazelnuts and ground almonds: also known as hazelnut flour and almond flour – using this instead of wheat flour makes these cookies gluten-free and gives them a nutty flavor.
• Ground cinnamon: nothing brings the taste and aroma of Christmas better than this spice with its warm, woodsy, and citrusy blend of flavors.
• Powdered sugar: sweetens the cookies and gives them a tender and chewy texture.
• Sea salt: a sprinkling of salt will intensify the flavors of nuts and cinnamon.
• Lemon juice: adds a bright and citrusy flavor.
• Water: to bring the dough together.

For the Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice

How to make Cinnamon Stars

As always, I recommend checking out this step-by-step instruction and the recipe video first. Then you‘ll find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below!

Step 1: Make the cookie dough

Start by whisking together ground hazelnuts, ground almonds, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Then add the lemon juice, and water and knead with your hands (or use a food processor) into a sticky cookie dough. Form the dough to a disc, wrap tightly in cling foil and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 2: Cut out cinnamon stars

On a piece of cling foil, roll out the dough to be about ¼ -inch (0,6 cm) thick. Use a star cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 °F (200 °C) for about 6-8 minutes, or until slightly crisp on the edges. Then allow to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Glaze

In a measuring cup, stir together the powdered sugar, lemon juice and water to form a thick paste. Brush the cookies with the glaze and allow it to harden. Dust with powdered sugar or sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon as desired and enjoy!

Tips when Making Cinnamon Stars

• If you can’t find ground hazelnuts or almonds, simply grind whole nuts in a food processor (or pulse the nuts in a blender) until you get the right consistency. Please take care not to over-blend the nuts, or you may end up with nut butter.
• Flatten the dough evenly as much as possible. Use a rolling pin to achieve this. You do not want cookies that are unevenly baked.
• The baking time depends on the power of your oven and the sizes of your stars. Make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly. You will know that they are done when the edges turn brown and crisp.
• Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a cooling rack. They will still be soft and pliant right after baking. Moving might cause them to tear or be deformed.
• Make sure that the cookies are completely cooled before adding the glaze. Adding glaze to warm cookies will melt into the cookie instead of forming a layer on top.
• Decorate your vegan Christmas cookies with a sprinkling of cinnamon or some colorful sprinkles if you like.

How to store cookies

Homemade cinnamon stars will keep for up to a month! Once the cookies have cooled after baking, you can put them in an airtight jar or cookie jar and store them at room temperature. If they get too hard, you can do the “apple trick” by placing a piece of apple in the cookie tin. This will release moisture into the cookies, making them softer again. You can also freeze the cookies for 3 months.

These Cinnamon Star Cookies are:

• Naturally gluten-free
• Warm-spiced
• Soft and chewy with crispy edges
• Easy to make
• Perfect for gift giving
• Perfect for cake decorating!

More easy vegan cookie recipe to try

• Vanilla Crescent Cookies
• Vegan Linzer Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookies
• Pecan Pie Bars
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Apple Hand Pies
• Vegan Almond Horns
• Vegan Nut Bars
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookie Dough Pretzel Bites

If you try this easy vegan cinnamon stars cookie recipe, feel free to leave me a comment and a star rating! And if you share a photo of your yummy Christmas cookies on Instagram, please tag me @biancazapatka and use the hashtag #biancazapatka because I love seeing your creations! Happy baking! 🙂

Vegan Cinnamon Star Cookies

You do not have a fitting cake pan at hand right now? Try my Cake Pan Conversion Calculator !

Ingredients

Cinnamon stars.

• 1 cup ( 100 g ) ground hazelnuts hazelnut flour
• ¾ cup ( 75 g ) ground almonds almond flour
• ½ cup ( 60 g ) powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of sea salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp of water

Lemon Glaze

• 1 tbsp lemon juice or water

Instructions 

*note: check out the recipe video + step-by-step pictures as well as tips in the post above.

• In a bowl, whisk together ground hazelnuts, ground almonds, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the lemon juice, and water. Knead with your hands (or use a food processor) to form a sticky cookie dough.
• Form the dough to a disc, wrap tightly in cling film and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm enough to work with.
• Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
• On a piece of cling film, roll out the dough to be about ¼-inch (0,6 cm) thick.
• Use a star cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 6-8 minutes, or until slightly crisp on the edges.
• Once the cookies are done baking, allow to cool completely before adding the glaze.
• In a measuring cup, stir together the powdered sugar, lemon juice and water to form a thick paste.
• Brush the cookies with the glaze and allow it to harden. Dust with powdered sugar or sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon as desired and enjoy!
• If you can’t find hazelnut and almond flour at a store, you can grind whole nuts in a food processor (or blender) into flour. However, please be careful not to over-blend the nuts or you may create nut butter.
• Depending on the size of your cookie cutter ,you get more or less cookies. I used a star cookie cutter with a diameter of 1.7-inch (4.2 cm) and got 40 cookies from the quantity.
• This recipe was first published here:  Chocolate Cookie Butter Cake .
• More information about the recipe, including tips for storing and freezing are mentioned in the blog post above!

IF YOU HAVE PINTEREST, YOU CAN FIND ME HERE AND PIN THE FOLLOWING PICTURE, IF YOU LIKE! 🙂

You may also like:

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

I have read and accepted the Privacy Policy *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

20. December 2022 at 21:12

31. December 2022 at 23:10

Nice, that makes me happy. I wish you a happy new year! 🥳

17. December 2022 at 16:36

31. December 2022 at 23:11

Great, thank you. ☺️

1. December 2021 at 8:42

8. December 2021 at 10:26

That’s awesome! Thank you so much. 🙂

My Favorites

• Legal Notice
• Privacy Policy

Bianca Zapatka

Rate This Recipe

• Search the site Please fill out this field.
• Saved Items & Collections
• Add a Recipe
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Everyday Cooking

18 Vegan Appetizers That Everyone Will Love

Get your plant-based goodness on with one of these flavor-packed appetizer options. Ranging from Bruschetta with Shallots to a roasted pepper and walnut spread, each starter has seriously amazing flavor. Make your first course the best course with one of these delicious vegan appetizer recipes that even dedicated carnivores will devour.

Pico de Gallo

"Excellent," says Debbie Hinds. "Growing up in Central California, I was fortunate enough to eat authentic Mexican food on a regular basis. This is what pico de gallo should taste like."

Roasted Chickpeas

A smoky, garlicky snack that's also filling. Just toss drained chickpeas with olive oil, cayenne, and garlic salt and you have a beautifully roasted starter that is high in protein.

This top-rated guac has all of the fresh, fiery goodness that we've come to expect of this trusty dip. Ready in just 10 minutes, all you'll need are blue corn chips to dive in and enjoy.

Keto Zucchini Chips

"For those that are carb and calorie-conscious, these spicy keto zucchini chips are the most perfect snack to enjoy any time of the day," says recipe creator Fioa.

Bruschetta With Shallots

The perfect make-ahead appetizer that will be the first to disappear. Minced shallots bring added richness to the tomato-herb mixture while fresh lemon juice adds a kiss of acidity. Serve on crusty bread and enjoy.

Chef John's Eggplant Escabeche

"This spicy preserved eggplant is a refreshing and vibrantly-flavored side dish or appetizer served on grilled bread," says Chef John. The sweet heat of this dish makes it the perfect first course.

Candied Almonds

Walk on the sweet side with this simple appetizer. Almonds are coated with with a cinnamon-sugar mixture on the stovetop then cooled on wax paper. The result is a crunchy, spiced delight.

Black Bean Hummus

Get ready for rich, complex flavor. Lemon juice, tahini, and cumin join black beans in a food processor to make this hummus super silky.

Byrdhouse Marinated Tomatoes and Mushrooms

A bright, acidic blend of delicious veggies. "Wow!" says Polly. "A perfect balance of ingredients. I have nothing to add as this recipe is perfect as written."

Carrot Chile and Cilantro Soup

"This is fantastic!" raves SWOODYUT. "I use some extra cilantro because I love it but it's just fine as is. Nice and light —great as first course."

Vegan Spinach Bites

These delicious fried potato and spinach bites are heavenly served straight from the skillet. Each bite has rich, garlicky flavor with flaxseed meal adding substantial fiber.

Spicy Bean Salsa

An addictive mixture of diced jalapeños, whole kernel corn, black-eyed peas, and tomatoes. Season with Italian dressing and refrigerate to let the flavors marry.

Roasted Bell Peppers with Sunflower Seeds

Balsamic vinegar and toasted sunflower seeds play well with the natural sweetness of roasted peppers. Broil until a smoky char is achieved.

Jicama Appetizer

Crisp, tart, and perfectly seasoned with chili powder. "Great for adding fiber to your diet," says P Yackimec. "In many areas of Central and Southern Mexico you'll find this as a traditional restaurant mainstay served at the table like the bread basket when you first sit down."

Basque Salad

"This smelled great, looked beautiful, and tasted fantastic," says reviewer foodelicious. "The sweetness of the peppers and the acid of the vinegar were balanced beautifully. This is a keeper."

Tofu Nuggets with Maple-Mustard Dipping Sauce

"Extra firm tofu and breading give these nuggets the texture of real chicken, and the sauce is just a yummy bonus," explains recipe creator isachandra. Dip these pan-fried nuggets into a silky mixture of Dijon mustard and maple syrup for a pleasantly balanced bite.

Vegan Jalapeno Poppers

"These savory jalapeño poppers are a great plant-based party or game day appetizer," says fabeveryday. "Diced mushrooms add a 'meaty' addition with the absence of bacon, and vegan cheese substitutes keep this appetizer vegan."

Muhammara (Roasted Pepper & Walnut Spread)

Toasted walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and fire-roasted red bell peppers all play a part in creating this tantalizing spread. Chill for at least two hours to allow flavors to meld, then serve garnished with pepper flakes and chopped parsley.

• See our entire collection of Vegan Recipes here

You’ll Also Love

Plant-Based Food + Lifestyle

Get the world's #1 plant‑based magazine

Vote in the VegNews Cheese Awards

Become a VegNews VIP

This Week’s Vegan Deal of the Week

Recipe Finder

• All Appetizers
• Batter-Fried
• Lettuce Wraps
• Miscellaneous
• Spring Rolls
• Stuffed Vegetables
• Fruit Snacks
• Granola Bars
• Bean Snacks
• Easy Snacks
• Healthy Snacks
• Miscellaneous Snacks
• All Breakfast + Brunch
• Breads & Pastries
• Breakfast Bars
• Breakfast Burritos
• Breakfast Potatoes
• Breakfast Wraps
• Cold Cereal
• French Toast
• Miscellaneous Breakfast
• Dinner Pies
• Easy Dinners
• Healthy Dinners
• All Desserts
• Bars, Balls, & Squares
• Miscellaneous Desserts
• Cocktails (Alcoholic)
• Cocktails (Non-Alcoholic)
• Juice & Punch
• Miscellaneous Drinks
• All Beans + Legumes
• Adzuki Beans
• Assorted Beans
• Baked Beans
• Bean Sprouts
• Beans & Rice
• Black Beans
• Black-Eyed Peas
• Butter Beans
• Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Miscellaneous Beans
• Navy/White Beans
• Pinto Beans
• Refried Beans
• Split Beans
• Tofu Burgers
• All Rice + Grains
• Basmati Rice
• Jasmin Rice
• Long-Grain Rice
• Miscellaneous Rice & Grains
• Rice Pudding
• Spanish Rice
• All Vegetables
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Green Beans
• Miscellaneous Vegetables
• Yams & Sweet Potatoes
• All Vegan Beef
• Soups & Stews
• All Vegan Chicken
• All Vegan Pork
• All Aquafaba
• All Gluten-free
• All Nut-free
• All Soy-free
• All Sugar-free
• All Wheat-free
• All Heart-healthy
• All Low-calorie
• Dressings & Sauces
• Crackers & Crusts
• Fermented Foods
• Sandwiches & Wraps
• Shakes & Smoothies
• All Valentine’s Day
• All St. Patrick’s Day
• All Fourth of July
• All Halloween
• All Thanksgiving
• Side Dishes
• All Hanukkah
• All Christmas
• Holiday Cookies
• Under 20-Minute Meals
• Easy Weeknight Meals
• No-Cook Meals
• 5-Ingredient Meals
• All Sandwiches
• Avocado Sandwiches
• BBQ Sandwiches
• Cheese Sandwiches
• Cucumber Sandwiches
• Miscellaneous Sandwiches
• Peanut Butter Sandwiches
• Pita Sandwiches
• Reuben Sandwiches
• Sloppy Joes
• Tempeh Sandwiches
• Tofu Sandwiches
• Veggie Sandwiches
• Banana Bread
• Biscuits, Rolls, & Buns
• Bread Machine
• Dessert Bread
• Miscellaneous Breads
• Pumpkin Bread
• Quick Breads
• Whole Wheat Bread
• Yeast Breads
• Zucchini Bread
• Birthday Cake
• Carrot Cake
• Chocolate Cake
• Red Velvet Cake
• Vanilla Cake
• Caesar Salad
• Coleslaw & Cabbage Salad
• Cucumber Salad
• Chicken Salad
• Fruit Salad
• Miscellaneous Salads
• Pasta Salad
• Potato Salad
• Spinach Salad
• All Smoothies
• Breakfast Smoothies
• Dessert Smoothies
• Fruit Smoothies
• Green Smoothies
• Protein Smoothies
• Vegetable Smoothies
• All Soups, Stews + Chili
• Lentil Soup
• Miscellaneous Soup
• Mushroom Soup
• Noodle Soup
• Tomato Soup
• Vegetable Soup
• All Dips + Dressings
• Alfredo Sauce
• Barbeque Sauce
• Cranberry Sauce
• Curry Sauce
• Jam & Jelly
• Marinara Sauce
• Miscellaneous Dips
• Miscellaneous Salad Dressing
• Miscellaneous Sauces
• Miscellaneous Spreads
• Pasta Sauce
• Peanut Sauce
• Salad Dressing
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Spinach Dips
• Stuffing & Dressing
• Tomato Sauce
• Vinaigrette
• Conchiglie, Cavatelli, & Conchiglioni (Sea Shell Shapes)
• Farfalle (Bow Ties)
• Manicotti & Cannelloni (Tubes)
• Miscellaneous Pasta
• Pasta Dough
• Pasta Primavera
• Pesto Pasta
• Rotini (Spirals)
• Soba Noodles
• Zoodles (Raw vegetables)
• Fruit Pizza
• Mexican Pizza
• Miscellaneous Pizza
• Mushroom Pizza
• Pizza Dough
• All Stir-Fry
• Noodle Stir-Fries
• Tofu Stir-Fries
• Vegan Meat Stir-Fries
• Vegetable Stir-Fries
• Miscellaneous Stir-Fries
• All Chinese
• All Italian
• All Mexican
• All Japanese
• All Southern

Vegan and Gluten-Free Chocolate Churro Waffles With Strawberry Sauce Vegan and Gluten-Free Chocolate Churro Waffles With Strawberry Sauce

by Bailey Ruskus | May 7, 2024

Vegan Baked Cranberry Citrus Doughnuts Vegan Baked Cranberry Citrus Doughnuts

by Gabrielle St. Claire | May 7, 2024

Vegan Irish Stout Stew With Fluffy Potato Biscuits Vegan Irish Stout Stew With Fluffy Potato Biscuits

by Isa Chandra Moskowitz | May 7, 2024

Shiitake Mushroom Lettuce Cups With Ginger-Lime Dressing Shiitake Mushroom Lettuce Cups With Ginger-Lime Dressing

by Tess Masters | May 6, 2024

Easy Vegan Chilled Asparagus Soup Easy Vegan Chilled Asparagus Soup

by Holly V. Gray | May 6, 2024

Easy Vegan Lentil Bolognese Spaghetti Squash Boats Easy Vegan Lentil Bolognese Spaghetti Squash Boats

by Mia Syn | May 6, 2024

Loaded Southwestern Sweet Potato Boats Loaded Southwestern Sweet Potato Boats

by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee | May 5, 2024

Salty, Yeasted Vegan Pretzel Focaccia Salty, Yeasted Vegan Pretzel Focaccia

by Hannah Kaminsky | May 5, 2024

Lemon Capellini With Homemade Almond Parmesan Lemon Capellini With Homemade Almond Parmesan

by Holly V. Gray | May 5, 2024

Get the Newsletter

Never miss out on breaking stories, recipes, and deals

Get the Magazine

All things plant‑based, in your mailbox and inbox

Vegan Pesto Kelp Noodles With Sun-Dried Tomatoes Vegan Pesto Kelp Noodles With Sun-Dried Tomatoes

by Sepsenahki Aahkhu | May 5, 2024

Sweet and Spicy Noodle Salad With Peanut Sauce Sweet and Spicy Noodle Salad With Peanut Sauce

by Crissie Mergogey | May 4, 2024

Classic Vegan Sugar Cookie Dough Classic Vegan Sugar Cookie Dough

by Beverly Lynn Bennett | May 4, 2024

Simple Cool Cucumber Salad With Red Onions Simple Cool Cucumber Salad With Red Onions

by Holly V. Gray | May 4, 2024

Vegan Fresh Mango Pavlova With Vanilla Cream Vegan Fresh Mango Pavlova With Vanilla Cream

by Denai Moore | May 4, 2024

Spicy Grilled Cauliflower Skewers With Adobo Dipping Sauce Spicy Grilled Cauliflower Skewers With Adobo Dipping Sauce

by Holly V. Gray | May 3, 2024

Walnut Basil Pesto With Zucchini Noodles Walnut Basil Pesto With Zucchini Noodles

by Natalie Norman | May 3, 2024

Vegan Caribbean Callaloo and Plantain Phyllo Pie Vegan Caribbean Callaloo and Plantain Phyllo Pie

by Denai Moore | May 3, 2024

Garlicky Brussels Sprout Tacos Garlicky Brussels Sprout Tacos

by Cassandra Bodzak

Lemon Chili Bucatini With Asparagus Lemon Chili Bucatini With Asparagus

by Michelle Siriani

Vegan Lemon Ube Cheesecake Vegan Lemon Ube Cheesecake

by Deborah Gleason

Classic Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Classic Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

by Dunja Gulin

Smothered Vegan Cabbage Rolls Smothered Vegan Cabbage Rolls

by Elena Shifrina

Vegan Protein Pancakes With Spinach and Chia Vegan Protein Pancakes With Spinach and Chia

by Marisa Miller Wolfson & Laura Delhauer

Vegan Orange Creamsicle Custard Vegan Orange Creamsicle Custard

by Hannah Kaminsky

Raspberry-Vanilla Chia Jam Raspberry-Vanilla Chia Jam

by Melissa King

Vegan Tortilla-Crusted Avocado Tacos Vegan Tortilla-Crusted Avocado Tacos

by Hollan Hawaii

Vegan Strawberry Basil Shortcakes With Cashew Whipped Cream Vegan Strawberry Basil Shortcakes With Cashew Whipped Cream

by Dustin Harder

Baked Vegan Spinach Noodle Kugel Baked Vegan Spinach Noodle Kugel

by Holly V. Gray

Dreamy Vegan Cherry Rose Vanilla Iced Latte Dreamy Vegan Cherry Rose Vanilla Iced Latte

by Harriett Porterfield

Vegan Ginger Udon Noodle Bowl Vegan Ginger Udon Noodle Bowl

by Emily von Euw

Vegan Mushroom Wontons in Sichuan Chili Oil Vegan Mushroom Wontons in Sichuan Chili Oil

by Shannon Martinez

Sweet Vegan Korean-Inspired Lentils Sweet Vegan Korean-Inspired Lentils

by Sam Turnbull

Vegan Dulce Date Leche Popsicles Vegan Dulce Date Leche Popsicles

by Sarah Bond

Crispy, Golden, Baked Vegan Chickpea Nuggets Crispy, Golden, Baked Vegan Chickpea Nuggets

Vegan Indian Sweet Corn (Makai No Chevdo) Vegan Indian Sweet Corn (Makai No Chevdo)

by Sheil Shukla, MD

This Vegan Hummus Tastes Like Holiday Stuffing This Vegan Hummus Tastes Like Holiday Stuffing

by Ilene Godofsky Moreno

The Perfect Vegan Amaretto Sour With Aquafaba The Perfect Vegan Amaretto Sour With Aquafaba

by Chelsey Johns

Vegan Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls Vegan Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

by Brian Watson

Vegan Pabellon Criollo Jackfruit Shredded Beef Vegan Pabellon Criollo Jackfruit Shredded Beef

by Happea's

Vegan Pineapple Ginger Macadamia Tart Vegan Pineapple Ginger Macadamia Tart

by Desiree Nielsen

Riced Cauliflower Bowl With Chickpeas and Pistachio Dukkah Riced Cauliflower Bowl With Chickpeas and Pistachio Dukkah

by Julie Morris

Vegan Heart-Shaped Tomato Tart With Spiced Red Pesto Vegan Heart-Shaped Tomato Tart With Spiced Red Pesto

Loaded Vegan Queso Dip Loaded Vegan Queso Dip

Creamy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Stuffed Shells Creamy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Stuffed Shells

by Kirsten Nunez

Vegan Smoked Teriyaki Salmon Fillet Vegan Smoked Teriyaki Salmon Fillet

by Terry Sargent

Shop with us

Connect with us

Travel with us.

Get the Mag