Yup, it’s Vegan: Top Recipes of 2016

2016 was a year that FLEW by for me. All things career, personal life, home ownership, and more kept me on a busy schedule throughout the year. I juggled a full-time job and part-time job for most of the year but somehow managed to also post new recipes on a usually-regular basis. Sometimes I get tired just thinking about it! Hah. (Insert obligatory comment about how I cannot imagine how hard this would be if I had children).

Most popular recipes of 2016

Instead of dwelling on some other, less than savory world events that happened in 2016, let’s look back on something a lot more fun and delicious: my 10 most popular new recipes! In reverse order of popularity…

10. Baked Almond Feta

After baking this almond feta, you can slice it, crumble it, or (I won’t judge) just enjoy it with a fork or spoon. I was loving it this year on salad, pasta, and more.

9. Thai Peanut Cauliflower Wings

I’ll be the first to admit that these ‘wings’ are just a little bit more complicated than basic cauliflower wings, due to having a seasoned batter and a separate sauce, but they are so worth it for the fantastic flavor and the crispy texture. Omnivore-approved!

8. Vegan Cake Batter Blondies

I somewhat-secretly published this blondie recipe because it uses boxed cake mix and I knew that would invite judgment. But I covertly mentioned it here and there, and it did not go unnoticed. These crackly-topped blondies made with the magic of aquafaba were a hit in the category of ‘lazy desserts’.

7. Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup

Readers loved this wintery twist on tortilla soup, noting that it has an unexpected depth of flavor and that the sweet potatoes are nicely highlighted without being overly sweet. I happen to agree 🙂

6. One Pot Moroccan Quinoa with Red Lentils

A Moroccan twist on another Yup, it’s Vegan classic, One Pot Tandoori Quinoa, this quinoa dish is full of carrots, lentils, and warm spices. Fresh citrus juice, fresh herbs, and toasted almonds are mixed in at the end for a flavor explosion.

5. Avocado Garden Wraps

If you want to do something a bit less guacamole-esque with your mashed avocado, mix it with lemon and pepper and wrap it up with roasted vegetables to make these delicious wraps.

4. Brussels Sprout Tater Tots

Just in time for Super Bowl season, I’m reminding you about these delicious little baked tater tots, which you loved this year. Only 4 ingredients needed! They have the flavor of roasted Brussels sprouts but the texture of tater tots, which is a wonderful thing.

3. Spinach Pesto Pasta

I’m SO glad that y’all loved this recipe as much as I do. Packed with fresh spinach, this is one of those “how is it possible that this is healthy?” type of recipes. It’s so flavorful and so very easy!

2. Rice Paper Bacon

This homemade vegan bacon has a seriously crazy textural resemblance to the “real thing”. I love the smoky, savory flavor as well. I used it to top my loaded crispy potatoes, sandwiches, and more in 2016.

1. One Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta

You made it, you Instagrammed it, you loved it. This one pot creamy garlic pasta was a big hit with almost everyone. Be sure to check the comments section for more reader tips on what worked and what didn’t with this basic blueprint recipe.

Honorable Mentions

Due to being published late in the year, or just flying under the radar, this handful of recipes didn’t make the reader top 10, but were still standouts to me 🙂

Creamy Broccoli Soup

I didn’t get this recipe on the blog until late December, but since then it has a mainstay of the top 5-or-so viewed recipes. I’m actually making it again tonight 😀

Pumpkin Garlic Knots

These were seriously one of the best things I’ve ever made.

Wild Rice Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

A healthy, delicious ode to summer produce.

Fudgy Walnut Brownies

The BEST gluten-free brownies I’ve had, plus they’re oil-free and naturally-sweetened too.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I’m already salivating again just thinking about these potatoes. I ate multiple meals that consisted of only mashed potatoes and nothing else. I’m a monster.

So there you have it, my top recipes of 2016! See you 365 days from now for this year’s roundup 🙂 and before you go, here are my:

Top Recipes of 2015

Top Recipes of 2014

Cheers!