12 Delicious Dairy-Free Appetisers You Need to Try

Whether you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply looking to reduce your dairy consumption, finding tasty and satisfying dairy-free appetisers can be a challenge. But there’s no need to worry; we’ve got you covered. 

Below is a range of tasty dairy-free appetisers loaded with nutrients and flavours and so satisfying that you’ll want seconds. From zesty guacamole to crispy zucchini fries, we’ve got an appetiser for every taste bud. 

So, let’s awaken your culinary curiosity with these 12 dairy-free appetiser recipes that are perfect for any occasion!

Guacamole

Guacamole is a dip made primarily from mashed avocado along with additional ingredients. It’s a great starter to any meal or snack that can be enjoyed with corn chips or vegetable sticks.

Here’s a simple guacamole recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Half the avocados, then remove the pit and scoop the flesh out into a bowl.
2. Using a fork, mash the avocado until it reaches your desired texture.
3. Add the finely chopped red onion, tomato, garlic, and lime juice to the bowl and stir until well combined.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately. 

Sweet Potato Rounds

Sweet Potato Rounds are delicious and healthy dairy-free appetisers perfect for any occasion. They are made from roasted sweet potato slices topped with various tasty toppings.

Here’s how to make Sweet Potato Rounds:

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Toppings of your choice (such as chopped herbs, diced tomatoes, avocado, or hummus)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Slice the sweet potatoes into small rounds.
3. Toss the sweet potato rounds in olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
4. Arrange the sweet potato rounds on a baking sheet in a single layer.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven, top with your desired toppings, and serve immediately.

Ceviche

Originating from Latin America, ceviche is one of the top seafood dairy-free appetisers. The process of making it involves marinating raw fish or shellfish in acidic juices that cook the fish, giving it a slightly firm texture and tangy flavour.

Here’s a simple recipe for dairy-free ceviche:

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg fresh white fish (such as cod or tilapia)
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 red onion, finely diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 avocado, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Dice the fish into bite-sized pieces. 
2. Combine the diced fish, lime juice and orange juice in a large bowl and mix well until all the fish is coated in the juices. 
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Once the fish is “cooked” in the citrus juices, drain off any excess liquid.
5. Add the red onion, jalapeño pepper, cilantro and diced avocado, and toss gently to combine.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve the ceviche chilled.

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetiser that consists of grilled or toasted bread infused with garlic and topped with various toppings. It is a versatile, simple dairy-free appetiser that is both light and refreshing.

Here’s a recipe for a dairy-free version of bruschetta:

Ingredients

• 4-6 slices of crusty Italian bread
• 3-4 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Handful of fresh basil leaves torn into small pieces
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Toast the bread in the oven at 180°C or using a toaster or grill.
2. Mix the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, basil leaves, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.
3. Let the tomato mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.
4. Once the bread is toasted, rub each slice with a clove of garlic for extra flavour.
5. Spoon a portion of the tomato mixture onto each slice of bread.
6. Garnish with additional basil leaves and serve immediately. 

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Grilled shrimp skewers are a great appetiser for any occasion. They are easy to make, full of flavour, and sure to delight everyone.

Here’s a recipe for dairy-free grilled shrimp skewers:

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wooden skewers

Instructions

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes.
2. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, honey, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Arrange the shrimp onto the skewers, leaving some space between each one.
4. Brush the shrimp with the marinade, making sure to coat them evenly.
5. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. 
6. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
7. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a popular and delicious appetiser that can be customised to different taste preferences. So, it can easily be a dairy-free appetiser that’s tasty, healthy, and packed with flavour. 

Here’s a dairy-free stuffed mushroom recipe:

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg fresh mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth and remove the stems.
2. Chop the mushroom stems finely and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté the chopped onions and garlic until they are soft and translucent.
4. Add the chopped mushroom stems to the pan and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes until tender.
5. Remove the pan from the heat, add the breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, and stir until well combined.
6. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
7. Stuff the mushroom caps with the filling and place them on a baking sheet.
8. Bake the stuffed mushrooms for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and tender.
9. Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Bacon-wrapped dates are a delicious combination of the sweetness of dates with the savoury bacon flavour. They’re one of the best dairy-free appetisers that can be conveniently made in advance and refrigerated until it’s time to bake them.

Here’s how to simply make bacon-wrapped dates:

Ingredients

• 20 pitted Medjool dates (because they are large, sweet, and have a soft texture)
• 20 whole almonds
• 10 bacon slices, cut in half
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Stuff each date with one almond.
2. Wrap each stuffed date with a half slice of bacon, and hold it together securely with a toothpick.
3. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
4. Place the dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching.
5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the dates are soft.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Falafel Bites

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkdQw60bnSI

Falafel bites are a Middle Eastern-inspired vegan and dairy-free appetiser made of chickpeas, herbs, and spices. They’re a great plant-based protein source and one of the tastiest one-bite appetisers. 

Here’s a simple falafel bites recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Blend the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper in a food processor until well combined but still slightly chunky.
2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the flour and baking powder and stir. 
3. Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls.
4. Heat a small amount of oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
5. Fry the falafel bites on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
6. Serve hot with hummus, tahini sauce, or your favourite dipping sauce.

Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are a delicious and versatile dish that can be easily modified to serve as a dairy-free appetiser. They’re a popular Asian appetiser made of a fried pastry shell rolled around with various ingredients. 

Here’s a dairy-free spring rolls recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 pack of spring roll wrappers
• 2 cups of shredded cabbage
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1/4 cup of water
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Combine the shredded cabbage, grated carrot, sliced red bell pepper, green onion, and minced garlic in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water in a separate bowl until well combined.
3. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the vegetable mixture and toss to coat evenly.
4. Lay out a spring roll wrapper and place a small amount of the vegetable mixture in the centre.
5. Roll up the wrapper tightly, tucking in the sides as you go.
6. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and vegetable mixture.
7. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
8. Fry the spring rolls for about 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
9. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
10. Serve warm with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as sweet chilli sauce or soy sauce.

Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Ever heard of a tasty, nutritious, easy-to-prepare, and visually stunning appetiser? Grilled vegetable skewers have got them all! It is a delicious and versatile dairy-free appetiser made by threading various vegetables onto wooden skewers and grilling them. The choice of vegetables to include is entirely up to your preferences. The key is to choose firm vegetables that can hold up well on the skewer.

Here’s a simple recipe for grilled vegetable skewers:

Ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, cut into chunks
• 2 zucchinis, sliced
• 8-10 button mushrooms
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wooden skewers

Instructions

1. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
2. Thread the vegetables onto the skewers, alternating colours and shapes.
3. Brush the vegetable skewers with the marinade and let them sit for at least 30 minutes to let the flavours meld.
4. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
5. Grill the skewers for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
6. Remove from the grill and serve hot.

Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail is a classic appetiser that has been enjoyed for decades. It is a refreshing dish featuring juicy, cooked shrimp served chilled with a tangy, zesty cocktail sauce rich in flavour.

Here’s a recipe for a dairy-free shrimp cocktail: 

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat a large pot of salted water to boiling.
2. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until pink and opaque.
3. Drain and let the shrimp cool in the refrigerator.
4. Mix the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
5. Serve the chilled shrimp with the cocktail sauce, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

Zucchini Fries

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD4ilaFukpw

Zucchini fries are similar to but healthier than traditional French fries as zucchini is lower in calories and fats. These delicious appetisers feature fried or baked zucchini strips, boasting a crispy exterior and a tender interior.

Here’s a simple recipe for dairy-free zucchini fries:

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

1. Cut the zucchini into strips, similar to French fries. 
2. Mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Pour the almond milk into another small bowl.
4. Put the breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
5. Dip a zucchini strip into the flour mixture, then into the almond milk, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Make sure it is well coated with the breadcrumbs.
6. Repeat with the remaining zucchini strips.
7. Preheat the oven to 220°C, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Place the coated zucchini fries on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
10. Remove from the oven and serve hot with a dipping sauce of your choice. 

Discover Your New Favourite Dairy-Free Appetiser

Don’t stop here! These dairy-free appetiser recipes are just a few examples. There are endless other possibilities, and with some simple substitutes and creative twists, you can easily transform traditional appetisers into dairy-free options that are just as tasty.

If you need more dairy-free recipes, you can explore our website for other resources. We’ve got plenty of healthy recipes for different dietary preferences, such as healthy snacks, egg-free cookies, and gluten-free dishes.

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