What I've Been Trying and Loving Recently: Vegan Edition

For some reason I have been in the cooking spirit recently, possibly because I now have someone to cook for (shoutout to my boyfriend). Not only is it a great way to save money, but I also learn new skills, recipes, and have fun throughout the process. I wanted to share a mix of new and old vegan recipes I've recently made and enjoyed!

Vegan Apple Crisp

I wanted a simple dessert perfect for sharing that didn’t require any extensive prep or complicated instructions. This easy vegan apple crisp was a hit with me and my boyfriend, and it pairs beautifully with some vegan vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Ingredients

Filling

• 4-5 Gala apples, peeled & sliced (or diced)

• 2-3 tbsp agave

• 1.5 tsp apple pie spice

• 1 tsp lemon juice

  
  

Crisp Topping

• 3/4 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup brown sugar or 1/4 cup agave

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

• Pinch of salt

  
  

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC).

2. Toss apples with agave, apple pie spice, lemon juice, and flour.

3. Spread apples evenly in a baking dish.

4. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, sugar or agave, cinnamon, and salt.

5. Mix in the coconut oil with your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly.

6. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.

7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until bubbly and golden.

8. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

   
   

Tips:

• If you want the crisp to be less gooey, use a little more flour or less sugar/agave.

• If the topping browns too fast, cover it loosely with foil.

• If the apples seem watery, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes uncovered.

  
  

Simple Vegan Pancakes

Last week, I was in the mood for a more decadent and sweet breakfast. Since I had more time, I decided to whip up some pancakes. This recipe is super easy and will produce a steaming stack of 8-10 delicious pancakes in no time!

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup plant-based milk

• 1 tbsp oil (olive or coconut)

• 1 tsp vanilla

  
  

Instructions

1. Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. Add plant milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir until just combined.

3. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and lightly oil it.

4. Pour 1/2 cup batter per pancake (or 1/4 for smaller or thinner pancakes).

5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles form, flip, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

   
   

Tips:

• If you want a high-protein version, you can add 1/2 cup of protein powder and/or peanut butter.

  
  

Savory Dishes to Savor

Vegan Pesto Pasta

I absolutely love pesto! I’ve made a vegan version before, but it wasn’t made the "traditional" way. This time, I wanted to stick to the traditional recipe as much as possible while still keeping it vegan. I loved it so much that I’ll definitely be adding it to my regular rotation!

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil (packed)

• 1/4 cup pine nuts

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2-3 tsp nutritional yeast

• 1-2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp salt

• Pinch of black pepper

• 1/4 cup vegan Parmesan cheese

  
  

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

2. Blend all pesto ingredients until mostly smooth.

3. Toss hot pasta with pesto, adding pasta water a little at a time until glossy and saucy.

   
   

Tips

• For a high-protein boost, add pan-seared cubes of tofu, chickpeas, white beans, edamame, or tempeh crumbles.

• To increase the veggie content, toss in cherry tomatoes, spinach or arugula, roasted or sautéed broccoli, or mushrooms.

• For an extra flavor kick, add lemon zest, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil right before serving.

  
  

High-Protein Vegan Baked Oatmeal

I love oatmeal; it’s typically my go-to for breakfast. But sometimes, I get tired (or lazy) of the same old thing and want to switch it up! Baked oatmeal saves time and makes it easier to pack away or take on the go. Plus, I enjoy the texture after it’s been refrigerated much more than regular oatmeal or overnight oats.

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups rolled oats

• 2 cups sweetened almond milk

• 1/4 cup agave syrup

• 1/2 cup peanut butter

• 1 scoop of vegan protein powder of your choice

• 2 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil

• 1.5 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp apple pie spice or pumpkin spice

• 1 tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

  
  

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC).

2. Whisk almond milk, agave, peanut butter, and oil until smooth.

3. Stir in oats, spices, baking powder, and salt.

4. Pour into a greased 8x8 dish.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the center is set.

6. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

   
   

Tips:

1. Add 2 mashed ripe bananas in place of sugar for natural sweetness.

2. You can also add dried or fresh fruit for additional natural sweetness and flavor.

   
   

Quick and Easy Snacks

Chia Seed Pudding

If you need an easy-to-make and yummy to-go breakfast, try chia seed pudding! You can add yogurt and fresh berries or berry compote to create a delicious parfait. I like to make big batches and store them in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 cup sweetened almond milk

• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

  
  

Instructions

1. Whisk everything together well (this step is important!).

2. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then whisk again to prevent clumps.

3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

   
   

Tips

• If the texture is too thick, add 1-2 tbsp almond milk.

• If the texture is too thin, add 1 tsp chia seeds and wait 15 minutes.

• If the mixture is too clumpy, whisk again after 5 minutes.

• If you don’t like the texture of chia seeds, blend all the ingredients together.

• If you plan to meal prep for several days, a slightly thinner mixture is better because chia seed pudding thickens over time.

  
  

I hope you give these recipes a try and let me know what you think! As I experiment with new dishes, I’ll keep sharing more recipe posts to help you achieve a healthier, delicious, and balanced diet! Enjoy!

Part of the content in this post was created with help from artificial intelligence. It is recommended that readers verify the information and consult with experts as needed. The author and blog owner are not responsible for the correctness of AI-generated content.