Jeffrey Trull

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Get your air-fry on! The best crunchy veggies, appetizers, and more.

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Air Fryer Recipes

Vegan KFC Fried Chicken (Copycat) from Sweet Simple Vegan

Vegan fried chicken definitely factored into my air fryer purchase. This recipe has all the spices and simply replaces chicken with tofu.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries (GF) from Vidhya’s Vegetarian Kitchen

A fun way to eat more veggies, these fries are ready in just 20 minutes with 5 ingredients.

Easy Vegan BBQ Cauliflower Wings from I Can You Can Vegan

Cauliflower wings have become one of my favorites appetizers/snacks. These are breaded for crispiness and served with BBQ sauce.

Air Fryer Fries from Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen

I couldn’t possibly make this list without fries. Just peel and slice potatoes, toss em in, and you have crispy fries in about 25 minutes.

Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon from kiipfit.com

Tempeh bacon is a delicious and protein-packed addition to your breakfast or a sandwich (like a BLT). Liquid smoke and maple syrup give it a smoky-sweet flavor.

Air-Fried Pickles (GF) from HealthyGirl Kitchen

Enjoy this app favorite at home with only 3 ingredients and ready in less than 20 minutes.

Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts from Glue & Glitter

Say goodbye to soggy brussels sprouts forever! If you love crispy brussels sprouts, you’ve gotta try them prepared in an air fryer.

Air Fryer Crispy Teriyaki Tofu Recipe (GF) from Rachna Cooks

Switch up the stir fry with crunchy tofu that’s the perfect protein to pair with some veggies.

Breakfast Sandwich With Eggy Tofu & Sausage from Cadry’s Kitchen

This recipe highlights an air fryer’s versatility with easy prep for Gardein breakfast patties for your breakfast sandwich.

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Stuff I love: Air Fryers

Most recipes that call for an air fryer are suggested to be made with this particular device. While it is another thing that needs needs to fit into your kitchen, it’s one of my favorites.

This Instant PotVortex Air Fryer sells for around $100.

There are plenty of cheaper options too, like this Chefman TurboFry for about $40. It’s smaller and more compact but holds a little less food.

Air fryers are everywhere, so be sure to shop around for the best deal.

Already have a convection toaster? You may not need an air fryer (more on that below)

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Why air fry?

The popularity of air fryers has taken off recently. A few years back, my dad got one and I thought: “Is this some kind of gimmick?” But several years later, I have to admit: air fryers are legit.

What I like most about air fryers:

• Crispiness – the strength of the air fryer is making foods crispy without the need to deep fry. As you might expect, the flavor and crunchiness aren’t exactly at the same level, but it’s close enough for me.
• Simple to use – some models come with various settings. But, I have a relatively simple model where I set the temperature and time and toss my food into the basket.
• Versatile – I love that I can toss just about any food that’s suitable for oven cooking straight into my air fryer basket with minimal preparation. Many veggies will do as well as frozen foods. The air fryer also reheats foods easily, even if they weren’t cooked initially in an air fryer.

One thing to keep in mind: an air fryer is basically a reconfigured convection oven. NYT’s Wirecutter recommends a convection oven instead of an air fryer for this reason and also because the oven performs better and holds more food. Air fryers are pretty bulky, too, so you can’t totally discount the space it takes up.

So, if you have a reliable convection oven, you can do most of the same cooking without buying an air fryer.

To air frying (nearly) everything!

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Your favorite pasta dishes, all with a plant-based twist!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Plant-based Pasta Recipes

5-Ingredient Vegan Spinach Lasagna (GF) from Simply Quinoa

Prep this easy lasagna in just 15 minutes. It’s an easy plant-based meal you can’t go wrong with.

Creamy Vegan Alfredo Sauce (WFPB) from NutritionStudies.org

Who doesn’t love a creamy alfredo? This recipe has 9 simple ingredients, including cauliflower for a veggie.

Pasta e Fagioli from Make It Dairy Free

This pasta soup cooks up in one pot with just 5 minutes of prep time. It’s got veggies plus fiber and protein from beans and vegan crumble.

Mushroom & Lentil Vegan Meatballs (GF) from Alphafoodie

Enjoy these meatballs with spaghetti, as a sub, or any other way you’d like. They pack 12g protein and 7g fiber per serving, thanks to that lentil goodness.

15-Minute Roasted Red Pepper Chickpea Pasta (WFPB, GF) from A Simple Palate

Chickpea pasta is my favorite pasta option these days. It cooks like everyday pasta, and this recipe has 18g of protein and 5g of fiber per serving.

The Ultimate Vegan Lasagna from This Savory Vegan

If you want to go all out with your lasagna, this is the recipe for you. It has vegan sausage, vegan ricotta, and spinach, plus a cheesy topping.

Zucchini Noodles with Pesto & Tempeh from Green Evi

Zucchini noodles can be a fun way to incorporate more veggies into your meal. Plus, they’re a gluten-free alternative to pasta. This recipe has tempeh for plant-based protein included.

Vegan One Pot Pasta from Eat With Clarity

For a simple, creamy pasta in one pot, this recipe with pantry staple ingredients is for you.

Stuff I love: Chickpea pasta

If you want more protein and fiber in your plant-based pasta dishes, chickpea pasta is a delicious option. You cook and use it in recipes just like pasta made from wheat. It’s also generally gluten free.

Banza Chickpea Pasta is one of the most popular brands, but there are many more out there these days.

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Perfect plant-based pasta

I love cooking pasta because plant-based versions of all the ingredients are easily made or purchased. Here are some of my faves:

• Pasta – Most dried pasta is 100% plant-based. I often go for chickpea pasta since it’s high in protein and fiber. It’s usually gluten-free as well. Whole wheat pasta has a lot of great nutritional benefits too.
• Red sauce – Make your own with tomatoes and whatever ingredients you like. There are tons of sauce options that are dairy-free, though many store varieties have milk or cheese.
• Creamy sauces – Many homemade varieties use cashews for a creamy texture. Nutritional yeast gives it a cheesy flavor.
• Meatballs – Most grocery stores have meatless meatballs now, such as the Gardein brand. Making your own, like using the lentil meatball recipe above, is easy too.

Most all pasta dishes can include a wide variety of added veggies, too, like spinach, broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, and more. Don’t be afraid to toss some cooked veggies and experiment with different flavors.

To some serious pasta power!

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Cook up a fantastic dinner with easy prep in just 3 to 5 steps. Just put it all in the pot!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Quinoa Veggie Soup (GF) from Orchids + Sweet Tea

This soup is effortless to make. It’s a solid source of veggies with protein and fiber, thanks to beans and quinoa.

Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos (WFPB) from The Natural Nurturer

Toss everything in and cook during the workday, if you’d like. Your taco filling will be ready to go by dinner. Just scoop into tortillas.

Slow Cooker Veggie Loaf from Healthy Slow Cooking

This recipe is excellent for incorporating leftovers as you can add any veggie ingredients you want. A homemade ketchup recipe is also included if you’re into that.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Pot Pie Stew (WFPB, GF) from The Healthy Kitchen

All your favorites like potatoes, carrots, peas, and more from vegetable pot pie, but in stew form. The perfect stew to warm you up if you’re feeling a chill.

Slow Cooker Cacciatore (WFPB) from Veggies Save the Day

You’ll love this dish that has potatoes and chickpeas instead of chicken. Just prep everything the night before and slow cook the next day for an easy dinner.

Easy Southern Collard Greens with Fire Roasted Tomatoes (WFPB) from I Can You Can Vegan

For a tasty side dish, just toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker, give it a stir, and you have the perfect collard greens in a few hours.

Crockpot Oatmeal (GF) from Healthier Steps

This simple breakfast includes rolled oats. Make one batch, and you have breakfast for the week.

Slow Cooker Red Lentil Chili (WFPB, GF) from Running on Real Food

What’s not to love about a recipe with only 3 steps?! Get your fiber and protein from the lentils along with several veggies.

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Stuff I love: Slow Cookers

It’s likely obvious, but these recipes all call for slow cookers. Any slow cooker that’s the right size will do.

You can use a traditional slow cooker such as the Hamilton Beach 6-quart model found here. Or if you have an Instant Pot, that works too. Just be sure to read the instructions carefully.

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Slow cookin’ with veggies

Slow cooking meat is common, but why do it with veggies and plant-based ingredients? There are a bunch of benefits.

The most clear one to me is that I don’t have to continually watch and tending to my recipe. It’s hard for me to walk away from something on a stove, so using a slow cooker allows me to do something else.

Slow cookers allow for the melding of flavors, just like simmering on a stove would.

I’m also a fan of dried foods like lentils, which work well with slow cooker recipes.

There’s also the ease of cleanup compared to using lots of pots and pans.

And when I’m on the go, I like the ability to just pack up the slow cooker and take it with me to somewhere else rather than trying to transfer it to another container (messy!)

What do you like most about slow cooking?

To cooking it slow and steady!

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All your fave recipes with plant-based cheese! Don’t believe me? There’s virtually nothing we can’t make vegan, so let’s go!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Cheesy Recipes

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese from Jessica in the Kitchen

An all-time favorite, this baked mac and cheese uses cashews and plant-based milk for its creaminess.

Easy Vegan Poutine (GF) from Vancouver with Love

Debatably one of the world’s best snacks, this dish comes with everything you’d expect: fries, gravy, and yes, cheese curds.

Ultimate Fully Loaded Vegan Nachos from Nora Cooks

You can’t just use any cheese on nachos. This recipe includes a homemade nacho cheese sauce and includes plant-based “beef” and all your fave toppings.

Double Premium Vegan Pizza from Violife

Vegan pizza is so easy. Just prepare as usual and top with vegan cheese, like the Violife Mozzarella Shreds in this recipe.

Grilled Cheese from Two Spoons

Simple yet delicious, this grilled cheese pairs well with tomato soup or whatever side you’d like.

Mac and Cheese With Broccoli from Munchmeals by Janet

Here’s a different take on make and cheese cooked on the stovetop and includes some broccoli for built-in veggies.

The Best Vegan Lasagna from The Hidden Veggies

Lasagna is another recipe that screams “cheese!” This recipe includes not only vegan mozzarella but also ricotta with spinach.

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Stuff I love: Chao Cheese

There are dozens of plant-based cheeses to choose from (more on that below). But if I had to pick one, I’d go with Field Roast Chao Cheese.

It’s perfect for grilled cheese, on a burger, and even on pizza.

Find Chao Cheese on Amazon here.

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Soft Flour Quesadillas with Creamy Chao and Apple from Field Roast

Made just like you’d expect, these quesadillas also pack some plant protein with Field Roast Plant-Based Sausages.

Cheezy Baked Vodka Rigatoni from Daiya Foods

Try this easy baked pasta recipe topped with Daiya Mozzarella shreds for some easy cheesy goodness.

Cheesy Cauliflower Potato Casserole (WFPB) from HealthyGirl Kitchen

I’m biased because I love potatoes so much. Still, this recipe combination with cauliflower just feels like you can’t go wrong.

Miyoko’s Phenomenally Vegan New York Style Cheesecake from Miyoko’s Creamery

Vegan cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. Try this one with Miyoko’s Cream Cheese that bakes in less than an hour.

Best Vegan Mozzarella Cheese (No Oil!) from The Vegan 8

Whether you’re craving a grilled cheese or any recipe with mozzarella, try this recipe with only 7 ingredients.

Impossible™ Philly Cheeseburger from Impossible Foods

A simple recipe using plant-based Impossible Burgers topped with plant-based cheese of your choosing. Ready in 14 minutes.

Creamy Vegan Queso from Kite Hill

Kite Hill Plain Unsweetened Yogurt is the secret ingredient to creating this plant-based queso for dipping tortilla chips or topping a dish.

The best vegan cheeses

I’m not going to lie to you: vegan cheese used to taste terrible. And sadly, some of it still does. But the good news is there are plenty of tasty cheese options out there now. This includes both homemade and store-bought kinds of cheese.

The recipes above use a mix of these options. For some recipes that call for homemade cheese in the recipe, it may be possible to substitute store-bought cheeses.

If you’re wondering what cheeses are tastiest, you can read about the best vegan cheeses here in a post by PlantProteins writer Lacey Bourassa.

Remember that certain vegan cheeses will lend themselves better to specific uses, just like dairy cheese. With so many different dairy-free cheeses available now, there are some for nearly every use.

Here are some of Lacey’s favorite cheese brands and types:

• Shreds: Follow Your Heart Shreds
• Slices: Field Roast CHAO Slices
• Cream Cheese: Miyoko’s Vegan Cream Cheese
• Mac N’ Cheese: Daiya Deluxe Cheezy Mac
• Pizza: So Delicious Mozzarella Shreds

To makin’ it easy being vegan cheesy,

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This week, it’s Valentine’s recipes! I decided to flip the script this week and put desserts first — why not?! I’ve got your menu covered with appetizer, side, and dinner ideas that you can mix and match with love.

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Desserts

Heart-shaped Churros Coated with Strawberry Sugar from Elephantastic Vegan

A tasty, festive treat with surprisingly simple ingredients makes these churros with chocolate sauce the perfect dessert.

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies from I Can You Can Vegan

If red foods get you in Valentine’s spirit, these soft and chewy red velvet cookies with white chips will surely do the trick.

Conversation Heart Cookies from Eat Figs, Not Pigs

What’s not to love about these heart cookies, complete with your own sweet messages to share with someone you care about.

Vegan Strawberry Cake with Oatmeal from Orchids + Sweet Tea

This beautiful cake, featuring fresh (or frozen) fruit, is perfect for the strawberry lovers out there.

Appetizers and Sides

Garlic Knots from Vegan Travel Eats

An easy and fan-favorite appetizer made from pizza dough with some red color from a marinara sauce side.

Vegan Appetizer Board | Vegan Mezze from Spoonabilities

The only limit is your imagination with this vegan appetizer board featuring nuts, fruits, vegetables, and anything else your heart desires.

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms from Vegan Blueberry

If you’re feeling a little cheesy, these stuffed mushrooms include vegan parmesan AND cream cheese.

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Stuff I love: Heart Cookie Cutter Set

I’m not always one for romantic, heart-shared type stuff. But putting together this edition of the Weekly has done it to me this time, so here we are.

This Heart Cookie Cutter Set from Amazon provides the perfect shape for a few recipes in this Weekly. It’s a fun way to add some pizazz to your Valentine’s Day creations.

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Rainbow Chickpea Salad from Running in a Skirt

You’ll love the colors on this rainbow salad that makes for a hearty side with chickpeas.

Easy Tomato Pasta Soup from ElaVegan

Side or entree, this tomato pasta soup will warm your heart no matter how cold it is outside.

Braised Red Cabbage and Apples with Maple and Thyme from Jessica Levinson

This red recipe adds plenty of color to your plate with a sweet and savory fruit/veggie combo.

Entrees

Heart-Shaped Pastry with Sweet Piccolo Tomato & Fragrant Basil from Life Without Meat

If you’re loving the heart theme, here’s another fun way to incorporate it with puff pastry and tomato-basil sauce.

Homemade Ravioli Hearts from Bianca Zapatka

Okay, last heart-shaped recipe (I promise!) These ravioli use homemade dough cut into heart shapes and then cooked in minutes on the stove.

Sausage & Spinach Skillet Lasagna from This Savory Vegan

This recipe (and photos) won’t stop making my mouth water. The vegan ricotta on red sauce in a skillet makes for one tasty combination.

Gnocchi Tomato Cream Sauce from Short Girl Tall Order

Something about pasta just feels right for Valentine’s Day. Here’s one more with vegan gnocchi in a simple red sauce you can’t go wrong with.

Enjoying the sweet stuff

Eating sweets and desserts feel like a significant part of enjoying Valentine’s Day. And as you can see, there are plenty of plant-based options for doing just that.

Strawberries, chocolate, and cake — I’ll take all of it! And ingredients like maple syrup is perfect for sweetening up entrees too.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission. See my terms here. Thanks.

This week, I’ve rounded up 14 sheet pan recipes– meals and sides you can throw onto a single pan and bake. All it takes is easy prep and a hot oven. Here we go!

(All recipes 100% plant-based. “WFPB” = Whole-food, plant-based, “GF” = gluten free)

Sheet Pan Recipes

Easy Cheesy Garlic Potatoes and Broccoli from VegNews

This recipe’s very straightforward: potatoes, broccoli, and some seasonings on a pan. In 20 minutes you have a tasty veggie side dish.

20-minute Sheet Pan Portobello Mushroom Fajitas (WFPB) from Eat Figs, Not Pigs

Roast up some mushrooms and other veggies in 20 minutes and serve on some tortillas. Super simple, and everyone will love it.

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetable Turmeric Tahini Bowls from Okonomi Kitchen

This one-pan recipe turns into veggie bowls with chickpeas topped with a tasty tahini sauce.

Dijon Rosemary Sheet Pan Dinner (with tofu) from Rabbit & Wolves

Another main course that includes veggies plus tofu, so there’s no need to make anything on the side.

Tahini Ranch Tofu Sheet Pan from Plant-Based RD

This recipe features homemade dairy-free ranch dressing to top off the sheet pan ingredients of red potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and tofu (with 14g of protein per serving)

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Stuff I love: Nordic Ware Naturals Baker’s Half Sheet

You can make a sheet pan dinner on any pan, but having a better pan makes for the job makes cooking even easier (more on this below).

This Nordic Ware Naturals Delight Set is available from Amazon, and it’s all you need for sheet pan dinners.

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Sheet Pan Recipes (cont.)

Veggie Loaded Tempeh Sheetpan Dinner with Tahini and Turmeric Sauce from May I Have That Recipe

Tempeh gives this recipe some substance and 19g of protein per serving.

Cherry and Almond Sheet Pan Pancakes from Minimalist Vegan

Sheet pan recipes can work for breakfast too! This recipe uses dairy-free buttermilk to make tasty pancakes topped with cherries.

Sheet Pan Tofu Scramble from Vegan Yack Attack

This single pan breakfast can be prepped and prepared ahead of time for a whole week of meals.

Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner with Pesto from Munchmeals by Janet

For a recipe with more variety, this recipe includes a pistachio pesto to top the veggies and tofu that’ll fill your plate with color.

Maple Mustard Roasted Vegetable Sheet Pan Supper from Bad to the Bowl

Combine broccoli, carrots, peppers and onions and top with a maple mustard sauce for a delicious bowl.

Tandoori Sheet Pan Dinner (GF) from The Curious Chickpea

Combining veggies plus garam masala, turmeric, and yogurt gives this dish a nice balance of spice and flavor.

Sheet Pan Oven Roasted Vegetables from Vegan in the Freezer

If you’re looking for a simple side, toss some asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, or whatever you have available onto your pan and roast this way.

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables and Beans With Za’atar (GF) from Sharon Palmer

This recipe includes fresh veggies topped with simple, household spices plus za’atar, a traditional Lebanese seasoning blend.

Secrets of the sheet pan dinner

Sheet pan dinners are designed to be simple. Once you’re cooking, it’s mostly a “set it and forget it” endeavor. But if you want to level up your sheet pan game, there are a few things you can do.

First off, having and using the right sheet pan makes it easier. Melissa Clark from NYT Cooking has a few recommendations:

• Use a “half sheet” pan, which is 18-by-13 inches with a 1-inch rim, so long as that fits in your oven. You can go down to a “quarter sheet” pan that’s 9-by-13 inches if needed.
• Use an aluminum or stainless steel pan, if possible.
• A pan with a heavy-duty or higher gauge is better. Clark recommends a gauge of 13 to 18.

Obviously, you don’t have to have the perfect sheet pan to make this work. Just about any pan will do.

A few more tips:

• Many sheet pan dinners call for flipping or rotating during cooking. Using a cookie sheet makes it easy for things to slide or roll-off.
• Use parchment paper or a silicone sheet to help crisp up ingredients and keep them from sticking.
• Add ingredients in stages, as necessary. Some ingredients have different cook times. Recipes will generally have instructions for this, but it’s helpful to know if you’re making your own recipe. While throwing everything in at once is ideal, it’s not a big deal to add things in a few different stages to accommodate varying cook times.

To sheet pan success!