Do you ever dream up weird, wacky, wonderful flavour combos and wonder what they'd be like? Maybe go so far as to put them together? And every once in awhile discover you actually made a good thing?
Us too... Read on for our favourite (pretty weird) quick, easy, cheap, niche vegan snacks. And let us know yours if you have any masterpieces worth sharing, we would love to know. Get ready to open your tastebuds to some new flavour pairing combinations we bet you've never sampled...
1) Nooch toast
Wait wait, hold on a second — don't knock this one 'til you've tried it. If you don't like coconut oil, read on, but other folks, trust me, I know it sounds completely whack, but you have to go with me on this; live a little. Alright, now that you're sitting down - spread some coconut oil on toast, don't be shy with that badness. Next, sprinkle on a heavy coating of nooch (nutritional yeast for the rookies out there), and top with a little sprinkling of salt. If you like it, and you wanna level up, add a final layer of coconut oil on top of all this.
Yeah yeah, sounds crazy. Sickening. Whack. Just listen, try it, you might be surprised. To me, this was a self-made invention that blew my mind, because, imo, it tastes like a delicious salty cheesy crunchy marmite hug.
2) Rice paper bacon
Photo & recipe via Yup It's Vegan!
Whoa, whoa whoa! You've heard of tempeh bacon, coconut bacon, seitan, eggplant (/aubergine), heck, even mushroom bacon. But you came this far and hadn't crossed paths with this mind-blowing lovechild? Wild! Look, we tried all the other stuff, and sure, it's nice, but nothing comes close to the perfect balance of crisp, sweet, chewy, salty, and smokiness that's achieved with this method. Trust, I've fed this to a non-vegan whose mind was blown.
3) Candied or roast sweet potato, with peanut butter, maple syrup & jam (PBJ sweet potato)
Photo via Healthier Steps & recipe suggestion here
For all our sweet tooths out there, this could be a two-part journey, if you want it to be. Candied or roast sweet potato, with PBJ (peanut butter + jelly). Top with cinnamon or whatever you feel!
4) Spaghetti & hummus
Photo via Feel Good Foodie and recipe suggestion here
Pasta pasta! Belissimo. For the most simple palettes, the time poor and the straight up lazy. This is a versatile easy snack OR meal to whip up - just add water and season at your preference!
5) Suman
Photo via Kawaling Pinoy, recipe here
For my coconut lovers. Suman — a Filipino streetfood delicacy and type of rice cake made from sticky sweet rice cooked in coconut milk or coconut cream, and is then wrapped in banana or palm leaves before being steamed. Topped with a sprinkle of coconut sugar, vegan coconut caramel sauce and shredded coconut, optionally served with mango; this simple yet satisfying snack will cure your afternoon hunger and sweet cravings.
6) Cauliflower pops
Word to this — easier than it sounds and looks, with only 4 ingredients and a small amount of labour. Try these and let us know how good they are! You could even get creative experimenting with different vegetables/potatoes/orrrr a mac & cheez edition. YUM 👅
7) Flatbread crisps
Photo via Pinch Of Yum
OK OK, maybe this one isn't so niche, maybe some of you have tried it, maybe not.. But it's so delicious and easy we had to throw this in. Flatbread with olive oil, salt, pepper (lots of pepper). Just use your choice of flatbread, thin wrap, pita bread, etc, drizzle in some oil and the aforementioned, bake in the oven until crisp... That's it! Your own restaurant-style crisps. Promise these will impress with some wine and vegan cheese as an appetiser at any dinner party.
