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
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.
Natalie S says
I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches like any kid ha ha
Christina A. says
I love roasted vegetable sandwiches...sometimes with grilled chicken!
David says
My favorite sandwich is grilled cheese with ham, with some garlic powder added to the butter.
manda says
I like grill cheese.
Dana Esker says
Grilled Cheese with tomato
Mary says
Perhaps it's because you mentioned cheese, but I love love love me a good grilled cheese. Ooey, delicious, warm, toasty, grilled cheese. I don't eat too many sandwiches, but when I do I go big (and they usually involve lots of melted cheese) ;)
Though I'm all about real cheese. These look quite interesting though. And if they melt the way they seem to look on the packaging I'd be all over trying them.
Heather Denniston says
These would look so pretty on a table at a party. How fun. I love bite size food!
Krista Evans says
Those apps looks so good! I've never tried vegan cheese, but this looks great. Love pesto/cheese/tomato combo....I make a great brie with pesto in puff pastry.
Julie says
Croque monsieur of course :)
Pech says
Wow I've never seen the Swiss before - this is indeed perfect for my vegan friends and I like the way you put this together with even some red and green holiday color for holiday appetizers this time of year!!
betsy says
I love a good ham sandwich.
Krista P. says
So excited to see a vegan holiday appetizer recipe! love it!
Jodi M says
I would love a panini press!
Have you ever tried dairy free Heidi Ho cheeses? Delicious!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Laura - so sorry about that! Was having technical difficulties this morning. The contest widget is now up! Thank you for entering!
Courtney H says
Can't find the rafflecopter, but this looks delicious. I've made a panini at home before, but kind of rigged it myself using a regular, ridged pan.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Courtney - so sorry about that! Was having some technical difficulties this morning, but the Rafflecopter widget is back up. Thank you for entering the giveaway! :)
Laura says
This recipe looks amazing! Great for the upcoming holiday season. I didn't see the link ...is it up yet?