Who doesn’t love snacking on appetizers while lounging by the pool? There’s no better way to spend the summer than indulging in some healthy, refreshing food while taking in the sun and enjoying some good company. If you’re planning a pool party and are at a loss while trying to come up with appetizer ideas, not to worry. Consider this your definitive guide to appetizers. Not only are the following ideas delicious, but they are also completely vegan, perfect for those health-conscious friends of yours, and completely modifiable. Stick to the basics or let your creativity fly free as you have some fun mixing and matching your favorite summer food staples.
Our favorite vegan appetizers
Summer is a great time to go back to basics: fresh, seasonal veggies and fruit. Not only are they refreshing on a hot summer's day, but they are also easy to prepare without cooking, saving you the time you spend sweating over a hot oven when it’s already blazing outside.
Dips
There’s nothing like a cold, creamy dip on a summer day. From hummus to guacamole to onion dips, the possibilities are endless. Best of all, there are a number of vegan options. Try making your own hummus dip from scratch by blending some cooked chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt. If you’re feeling adventurous, throw in some of your favorite veggies to make a variation like beet or red pepper hummus. Or mash some avocado with lime juice and veggies like red onions and tomatoes to make your own guacamole. Homemade is so much better than store-bought and much healthier, completely free of additives and made only from nutritious whole foods. Set out a plate of crackers, pretzel sticks or chopped, raw veggies like carrots, celery or red peppers to scoop up these delicious dips and watch them disappear.
Vegan sliders
These mini burgers are a summer favorite. There’s no reason why they can’t be made vegan. Try making mini falafel patties and sticking them between slider buns with some lettuce and tomatoes to put a vegan spin on this classic. Or make veggie versions by stuffing them with your favorite salad, drizzled with your favorite vegan vinaigrette and topped with nuts like almonds, cashews or walnuts.
Stuffed veggies
Seasonal summer veggies are delicious as is. Add a little embellishment to pair up some of your favorite flavors and you’ve got a pool day powerhouse in a small package. Slice some cherry tomatoes in half, scoop out some of the inside to create a tiny bowl and fill it with a bit of vegan cheese and fresh basil for a bite-sized twist on this Italian favorite. Or try this using some baked potato halves, filling them with some chopped red peppers, onions and a dollop of homemade salsa. Use any veggies you might have in your fridge and stuff them to your liking.
Grilled veggie skewers
It’s finally time for those summer barbecues we’ve been waiting for all year long. Chop some of your favorite veggies, throw them on the grill and cook them up to perfection with just a touch of sea salt. Then string a couple of pieces up with toothpicks to create mini veggie skewers. Mix and match your combinations so that your guests can get a taste of each.
Mini parfaits
For those with a sweet tooth, make some refreshing fruit parfaits topped with granola. Scoop some plant-based yogurt into small cups, add some chopped fruits like pineapple, peaches, cherries and whatever other summer favorites you have on hand and sprinkle some crushed nuts or homemade granola on top. These tiny parfaits also work as bite-sized desserts.
The Vegan Experience by Ayuna
Anyone dedicated to conscious living knows that veganism isn’t only about what you eat; it’s about caring for your body and mind holistically with responsibly sourced, natural ingredients. If you’re craving some healthy mind-body pampering, head over to AIRE Ancient Baths for The Vegan Experience, a 100% vegan relaxation session sponsored by Ayuna, a brand devoted to conscious living and natural products. Start off with a 15-minute body scrub with an all-natural luffa sponge, which will gently exfoliate your skin without the irritation that harsh chemicals or synthetic sponges may cause. This scrub is followed by a 45-minute massage with Ayuna’s special moisturizing creme, made from olives, sweet almonds and their “Beautifulness Cocktail,” an essential oil blend of rosemary, chamomile, myrrh, buchu, guaiacum and gurjum, which will nourish your skin in the most natural way possible. As with any AIRE experience, you will also be able to tour the various thermal baths and enjoy the healing powers of water. Cold-water baths, warm-water baths, jet-powered baths, salt-water baths… you name it, AIRE’s got it.
When booking your experience, you will also be able to add an Experience Enhancer to your package: fresh, locally sourced fruit juice from The Butcher’s Daughter in NYC, a restaurant that makes some of the most wholesome, delicious vegan food around. It’s also a great place to indulge in some vegan appetizers and get some ideas for your next pool party.
Book now this 100% vegan ritual experience in AIRE New York or AIRE Chicago.
