Looking for a great vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free appetizer option for the holidays? Try my easy, fast, delicious "Cheesy" Vegan Tomato Pesto Bites!
Going dairy-free has been fairly easy. However, I've had the hardest time missing real cheese. Do you know how hard it is to be a food blogger and avoid cheese at all of these amazing food events, especially the wine events? There is always, always GOOD cheese! It's crazy difficult, and sometimes I do indulge and then pay for it for the days after.
One of my fave dairy-free cheeses
Luckily, there are brands like Daiya Foods, who work hard to constantly improve their plant-based products. Some pizza places even use their Shreds (similar to shredded cheese) as dairy-free cheese options. All Daiya products are dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and free of eggs, peanuts, fish, and shellfish. That's quite a feat to create products that are allergen-free!
Recently, I had the opportunity to try the new and improved Daiya Cheddar Style Slices and the Daiya Swiss Style Slices. I was admittedly impressed! They were more flavorful and had less of a processed factory taste than other vegan "cheese" alternatives.
I've enjoyed the slices to be delicious in grilled cheese sandwiches, and have used them to create some delicious party appetizers. I hope you enjoy the recipe I'm sharing today -- and that you enter to win today's Day 9 of my 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways: a panini press and a
Step-by-step instructions
These are SO super easy to make because I use a lot of shortcuts. You start with wheat bread slices, and you could definitely use gluten-free bread slices if you want.
Using a cookie cutter, cut out bread circles and then cut out Daiya slices with the same cookie cutter. Top the bread slices with one Daiya slice.
Look how cute the Daiya Swiss style slices are: they have holes in them just like regular ol' Swiss cheese slices do!
Then you top each bite with a small teaspoon of pesto. I use store-bought pesto, but you could also use your own homemade pesto made without any cheese. My creamy avocado pesto would be great for this appetizer - just make it without parmesan cheese for a 100% vegan dish!
Finally, top each bite with a spoonful of sun-dried tomatoes. Again, you can totally use jarred sun-dried tomatoes - or you can make your own.
Pop into a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes, just until the Daiya slices have melted. Serve and impress your guests!
“Cheesy” Vegan Tomato Pesto Bites
Ingredients
- 8 slices white or wheat bread
- 4 Daiya Cheddar Style Slices
- 4 Daiya Swiss Style Slices
- 1 jar pesto
- 1 jar sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Using a circle cookie cutter or pastry cutter, cut out 2 circles from each slice of bread
- Using the same circle cutter, cut out circles from the Daiya slices
- Top each slice of bread with one Daiya circle slice, then top with about a teaspoon of pesto sauce, followed by a teaspoon of sun-dried tomatoes.
- Place each appetizer bite onto a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, just until the slices have melted.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
Christi says
Ham and cheese!
Heather D says
I like a good grilled cheese.
Karen Hamberg says
My favorite sandwich is any meat & cheese with lettuce & a good mustard. The mustard must be between the meat & cheese!
Jayedee says
My very favorite sammie is coconut "bacon", lettuce and tomato on thick sliced sourdough bread!
Carrie McCarthy says
I want a panini press soooooo bad!!!
Brittnie says
Tempeh Reuben, yummm ??
Jessica miller says
Grilled Cheese Sand which!
Jessica miller says
Grilled Cheese
Jo Ricker says
Chicken (any kind) or steak with lots of provolone and veggies.
gina lopez says
My favorite kind of sandwich is toasted Tomato and Avocado with Daiya Cheese
Lori says
grilled cheese for sure!
linda says
i love chicken sandwiches
Tina W says
My absolute favorite is a BLT made with a perfectly ripe Black Krim tomato fresh from the garden.
Geoff says
I like a mozzarella grilled cheese with tomatoes and pesto.
Lauren H says
ham and cheese
christine lee says
My favorite sandwich right now is a tempeh bacon sandwich, with sauerkraut, cucumbers, a dollop of hummus!