When you need to feed a large crowd, party bars are a fuss-free and trendy way to go. Party bars are also the perfect solution when you’re trying to entertain both omnivores and vegetarians. Each guest gets to customize his or her own meal, which means you can accommodate any kind of special diet or taste preference, no problemo!

Taco Bar

taco “meat”*

lettuce

tomato

onions

Vegan Sour Cream (p. 171)

pico de gallo

rice

refried beans

taco shells/nacho chips/Adobo Tostados (p. 76)

Quick Queso Sauce from Nachos Grande (p. 76) or commercial vegan cheese

guacamole/avocado

black beans

salsa

cabbage

pineapple salsa

Portobello Steaks (p. 86)

* To make your own, see Lentil Taco Meat, Happy Herbivore Abroad, p. 43.

Hot Dog Bar

Perfect during summer barbecues! You can find vegan hot dogs at most stores (even Target and Walmart) for an easy buffet, or make your own Carrot Hot Dogs (p. 148).

TOPPINGS:

ketchup

mustard (variety)

relish

chili

vegan cheese

Veggie Slaw (p. 132)

Thai Slaw (p. 133)

Sweet Slaw (p. 132)

Vegan Mayo (p. 170)

peperoncini

jalapeño (pickled)

pickles (slices and long spears)

banana peppers

sauerkraut

red bell peppers (roasted, in water not oil)

onions (red and white)

caramelized onions (p. 143)

green bell peppers

tomatoes (“dragged-through-the-garden” style!)

celery salt

salsa/pico de gallo

Rémoulade Sauce (p. 53)

oyster crackers

barbecue sauce

hot sauce

vegan cream cheese (Seattle style)

cabbage

Sriracha

pinto beans

vegan bacon

guacamole

salsa verde

crushed corn chips

Tip: You can do a “hamburger” bar, too—serving up commercial veggie burgers like Boca burgers or homemade burgers, such as Quick Burgers (p. 136).

Oatmeal Bar

Perfect for business conferences, outdoor events, and big brunch parties, an oatmeal bar is a fuss-free, healthy, and budget-friendly way to tackle breakfast for a large crowd.

Cook the oatmeal ahead and keep it warm in a slow cooker or pressure cooker (using the “warm” setting). Depending on your slow cooker or pressure cooker, you might even be able to cook the oatmeal directly in it. (This also makes oatmeal very easy for transport if you’ve having an off-site picnic or event.)

P.S. Muffin tins make great trays for holding all the different toppings!

TOPPINGS:

peanut butter

almond butter

sliced bananas

blueberries

brown sugar

pure maple syrup (or honey)

nuts (peanuts, pecans, walnuts)

raisins

chocolate chips (for kids!)

CHEF’S NOTE:

Most catering services offer the oatmeal option. Tell them you only want oats and water—no butter or milk mixed in.

Sweet Potato Bar

Sweet potato bars are a lot of fun when you’re camping or any time you want an easier breakfast bar.

You’ll need sweet potatoes (pre-baked in foil), of course, plus a variety of toppings!

TOPPINGS:

vegan yogurt

applesauce

dried fruit

pecans

peanuts

peanut butter

cinnamon

pure maple syrup

pumpkin pie spice

bananas

chocolate

Waffle Bar

Waffles (p. 105) are a lot of fun with kids for sleepovers (mostly because kids turn the waffles into a makeshift sundae).

TOPPINGS:

sliced strawberries

sliced bananas

Coconut Whipped Cream (p. 98)

melted chocolate

chocolate syrup

powdered sugar

blueberry sauce

pecans

walnuts

sprinkles

peaches

blueberries

raspberries

blackberries

chocolate chips

Breakfast Taco Bar

You can also turn your taco bar (p. 164) into a breakfast or brunch taco bar by adding steamed kale, Tofu Scramble (p. 102), and sweet potatoes to the menu and lineup. Everyone loves a breakfast burrito!

Another option (kids love this!) is breakfast nachos. Pile warmed refried beans (or black beans) on corn chips, with salsa, guacamole, Tofu Scramble (p. 102; optional), green onion, and a sprinkling of nutritional yeast or vegan cheese. You can also put all this goodness over a baked potato (or baked sweet potato) and crumble the corn chips over top.