Last year I did the top recipes according to blog traffic, but this year I decided to take a look at Instagram! Building a community on Instagram has been such a fun part of running Eating by Elaine. I get to share more of my day to day, see what you're making in your kitchen, and give a peek behind the scenes in my kitchen as I make and develop recipes. It feels like such a party! These Top 10 Vegan Recipes are the ones that got the most interaction on the 'gram, which is always so much fun for me. If you keep scrolling, I also shared the blog posts with the highest traffic at the bottom of the post!
Favorite Recipes of 2021: Desserts
I wasn't surprised to see several desserts in the top 10! One of the trickiest things about eating gluten- and dairy-free is navigating sweets, so having recipes like these is a real game changer. David's Birthday Ice Cream Cake was such a labor of love, but I can confidently say it was 100% worth it. He LOVED this cake! Sharing it was also so much fun because everyone was shocked it was vegan, and I loved seeing so many readers excited to make their own versions.
Top 10 Vegan Recipes of 2021: Fruity Favorites
The only smoothie in the top 10 is totally deserving of the spot (and perfect for this time of year)! My Sunshine Smoothie is bright, zesty, sweet, and tangy. It's satisfying all year round, even in the winter, because it gives that much-needed vitamin C boost! Blueberry Crumble Bars are surprisingly easy to make and while they're tasty enough for a dessert, they also have the nutrition you'd want in a breakfast.
- Sunshine Smoothie
- Blueberry Crumble Bars (here is a 1 minute video of me making them)
If you love (or want to love!) smoothies, you have to check out my cookbook Rock Your Blender. It's filled with smoothies exclusive to the book that taste like treats!
Top Recipes of 2021: Snacks
My go-to snack this year was these BBQ Roasted Chickpeas. They're crunchy, zesty, and have awesome plant-based protein! I was so happy that my online friends were excited about the recipe, too. Sweet Potato Fries are my entire family's favorite side dish. You can make them on the grill for the very best results, but I make them in the oven in the winter!
- Actually Crispy BBQ Roasted Chickpeas
- Grilled Sweet Potato Fries (Oven-Baked Crispy Sweet Potato Fries)
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Top 10 Vegan Recipes of 2021: Dinners
Baked Feta Pasta went viral on TikTok and I knew immediately I could make a delicious vegan and gluten-free version. VioLife Feta Cheese to the rescue! So many of my vegan and gluten-free friends were excited to be able to try this recipe. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is filled with flavorful onion and roasted garlic, which make it feel like a restaurant dish you can make at home. Finally, Cauliflower Steaks! I love having a crispy-on-the-outside, flavorful cauliflower steak. It's delicious!
If you like easy dinners that are also vegan and gluten-free, be sure to sign up for my newsletter! Subscribers get sent a FREE download with quick weeknight dinners, and I think you'll love them.
If you're curious about the top posts according to blog traffic, I was totally surprised because it's a whole different list with the exception of one recipe: Vegan Baked Feta Pasta! Here are the 2021 recipes everyone was visiting on the blog:
- Easy Paleo Zucchini Hummus (no chickpeas!)
- Mediterranean House Dressing
- Vegan Creamy Pasta Primavera
- Strawberry Shortcake Cake
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins with Vegan Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- Easy Vegan Mozzarella Cheese (I recently made a 1-minute reel video on Instagram showing how to make it...it's easier than you think!)
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