Vegan snacks growing more and more as the world moves forward to embracing more sustainable and plant-based lifestyles. Recent surveys report that more than 9.7 million people alone in the United States now identify themselves as vegan or plant-based, and this trend is not slowing down anytime soon. More and more people are turning towards vegan diets for all meals including satisfying snacks, for reasons such as ethics, health or the environment.
Vegan snacks form the essence of this movement and the options that have cropped are much more varied, scrumptious and reachable than ever. Easy-to-bite plant-based food items, novel ingredients, and innovative cooking methods are revolutionizing vegan snacking worldwide. Some of the top-rated vegan snack recipes popular globally and the latest trends and innovations in vegan snacks will be described.
vegan snacks
Before getting into the latest vegan snack trends, Plant-Based Snacks Vegan Snack Ideas Healthy Vegan Snacks Easy Vegan Recipes let’s first talk about why people are opting for plant-based snacks in the first place.
Health Benefits
Vegan snacks are often lower in saturated fat and free from animal by-products, which can contribute to better heart health, reduced cholesterol levels, and lower risk of certain diseases. Many plant-based snacks are packed with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Sustainability
Now that the world is becoming conscious of climate change and environmental impacts, shifting towards plant-based foods, such as snacks, helps lower your carbon footprint. Compared to animal agriculture, plant-based foods consume fewer resources in terms of water and land use.
Ethical Reasons
Many also choose vegan snacks for the reason of animal welfare. The act of snacking helps avoid contributing to factory farming and promotes cruelty-free practices.
Variety
The vegan snacks introduce new flavors and textures to the table. This explosion of creative recipes and ingredients allows you to try something different, making vegan snacks an exciting alternative to traditional snack foods.
Trending Vegan Snack Recipes
Brings an exciting new wave of vegan snack trends. Whether you’re craving something savory, sweet, or a bit of both, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the latest and most innovative vegan snack recipes.
Vegan Cheese-Based Snacks: Plant-Based Cheese Takes Over
Plant-based cheese is still one of the huge trends in vegan snacking. Gone are the days when vegan cheese was nothing but bland or rubbery alternatives. Today’s market boasts of cheeses made of  that exude rich creamy texture and strong flavors.
Vegan Cheese Board with Crackers and Fresh Fruits Recipe Idea
Ingredients
1 cup soaked cashews
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Salt to taste
Assorted crackers, nuts, fruits, and vegan deli meats
Instructions
Mix the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, turmeric, and salt until silky smooth.
Serve the cashew-based vegan cheese with crackers, fresh grapes and berries, and some choice of vegan deli meat or roasted vegetables.
This recipe showcases the amazing versatility of vegan cheese – an elegant and sophisticated snack that can be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans.
Vegan Energy Balls
Energy balls are not a new phenomenon, version offers something novel: interesting and exciting new ingredients. They are bite-sized no-bakes consisting of the best mix between sweet and savory, including protein and other nutrients.
Recipe concept Chocolate-chia energy balls
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
Combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a big bowl.
Fold the dark chocolate chips and sea salt into it.
Form the desired size of the ball and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
Energy balls are great for a snack to be taken before hitting the gym or to boost up at an afternoon slump. Chia seeds also provide a boost of omega-3 fatty acids and the almond butter offers protein with healthy fats.
Savory Vegan Snacks
The world of vegan chips and dips has far gone beyond guacamole and hummus. Kale chips, sweet potato fries and more bring the savory snacking experience to a whole new light, while innovative dips made from beans, seeds and vegetables take center stage.
Spicy Roasted Chickpea Snacks
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and dried
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
How to makeÂ
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss chickpeas with olive oil, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Spread chickpeas on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, until crispy and golden, shaking pan halfway through.
These roasted chickpeas are a snack packed with protein, crispy and savory, perfect for those who are craving something crunchy. They also may be tinkered with various spices according to individual tastes.
Vegan Snack Bars
With an increased awareness toward healthy plant-based diets, vegan protein bars seem to emerge as an interesting snack. There are innumerable flavors to choose from, or even to get customized at will. Plant-based proteins can be used with protein powder, seeds nuts, and dried fruits.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup plant-based protein powder (pea or hemp protein)
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup almond milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Combine oats, peanut butter, mashed banana, protein powder, maple syrup, almond milk and cinnamon in a bowl.
Transfer the mixture to a lined baking dish and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or until firm. Slice into bars and serve.
These protein bars are perfect for an on-the-go morning breakfast, a pre-workout snack, or for lunch. Best of all, they naturally contain banana and maple syrup and therefore are a healthier alternative when compared to store-bought bars.
Emerging Global Vegan Snacks
Fusion Flavors Coming from All Directions
One of the most exciting trends in the vegan snack space is global flavors. They want to find snacks that can satisfy their hunger and open up new tastes and culinary traditions for them.
Recipe Idea
Ingredients
1 cup sushi rice, cooked
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 avocado, sliced
1 small cucumber, julienned
1 sheet nori (seaweed)
Soy sauce for dipping
Instructions
Mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt with the cooked sushi rice.
Lay a sheet of nori on a sushi mat or parchment paper and spread a thin layer of rice across the nori, leaving a small border at the top.
Arrange avocado and cucumber in the center of the rice.
Roll the sushi tightly and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
Serve with soy sauce or tamari for dipping.
They are a refreshing healthy snack with clean flavors. Perfect for lunch boxes and parties, they offer an enjoyable snack experience with great flavors.
Conclusion
With the rise of veganism across the globe, exciting innovations in vegan snacks. From creative, plant-based cheeses to nutrient-packed energy balls and global fusion flavors, there’s no shortage of delicious and nutritious options. Not only is it better for your health, but also the planet so the trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Whether you’re a longtime vegan or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, these trending vegan snack recipes are the perfect way to satisfy your cravings while supporting a more sustainable and ethical lifestyle. Try these recipes at home and get creative with your snacking—your taste buds and the planet will thank you!
