Best of 2021: My Personal Favorite Recipes

Whether you're into a strictly Vegan or Vegetarian diet or if you simply enjoy keeping things a bit more healthy by reducing dairy and/or gluten-----this Best of 2021 list of my personal favorite recipes has something just for you! Check out the recipes for dairy-free, gluten-free, sweets, breakfast, savory, drinks, vegan, and Jamaican-inspired. All eaters unite!

While 2021 has been a year with a ton of ups and downs for many of us, it has certainly taught me personally some of the greatest lessons. To be honest, I spent a majority of the year WORKING-------working on my craft, working on my cookbook, working on myself through therapy, and just working to be an overall better version of myself. To see a full list of what I learned in 2021, check out my IG Post where I get real.

Granted, the work wasn't and isn't easy----but looking back now, I am so glad that I started. Usually, I create a roundup of recipes based on your favorites throughout the year, BUT I did send out an email (hopefully you're subscribed to my email list) with the surprising top recipes for 2021.

Therefore, I wanted to do things a bit different and give you some great options from my perspective. I know that so many of you ask me which recipes are my ultimate favorite and it's such a hard answer. Haha. 

Even creating this list was HARD, but I managed to handpick my faves nevertheless. Take a look at my curated 5o+ Best of 2021: My Personal Favorite Recipes list for recipe inspiration! 

DAIRY-FREE:

#1 : Iced Maple Cinnamon Oat Latte

#2: Giant Pop Tart

What's more fun than a giant shareable pop tart? This adorable treat is filled with tangy orange marmalade.

 

 

#3: BBQ Cauliflower Wings

These spicy and crispy BBQ cauliflower wings are the perfect vegetarian treat for game day!

 

#4: Loaded BBQ Quinoa Nachos

Loaded BBQ Quinoa Taco Fries are a unique and totally delicious way to eat plant-based protein, colorful veggies and of course, melty cheese!

 

GLUTEN-FREE:

#1: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Porridge

Make a creamy, comforting oatmeal porridge for Fall breakfasts with sweet apples and spicy cinnamon.

#2: Cajun Sweet Potato Grits with Roasted Chickpeas

These creamy Cajun-spiced grits are full of flavor and nutrients from sweet potatoes and chickpeas.

 

#3: Lemon Brown Butter Pasta

This easy spaghetti dinner has a bright and savory lemon brown-butter sauce, umami-rich roasted tomatoes, and creamy feta for a family-friendly summertime meal.

 

 

#4: Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies N' Cream Cheesecake

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies N' Cream Brownie Cheesecake that comes with a jam-packed amount of flavor, creaminess, and right amount of sweetness.

 

 

#5 : Chickpea + Veggie Gluten-Free Pizza

This Chickpea + Veggie Gluten-Free Pesto Pizza is sure staple for any gluten-free kitchen. This recipe is an easy, no-knead pizza recipe that comes with bold flavors and heavily topped with roasted chickpeas, tomatoes, and broccoli. Perfect for the entire family for weeknights or weekends.

 

 

#6: Flourless Sweet Potato Oat Waffles

Made right in a blender, these waffles are naturally sweetened, fluffy, thick, airy, and full of sweet potato + oat flavors. The perfect breakfast or brunch dish with the perfect taste for your mornings!

 

SWEETS:

#1: Peanut Butter Banana Pudding

This creamy and sweet PB Banana Pudding is a fast Southern-style dessert with a shortcut: boxed pudding mix!

#2: Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls

These soft, gooey cinnamon rolls taste like freshly baked banana bread with a swirl of cream cheese frosting.

 

 

#3: Sweet Potato Bundt Cake

This sweet, moist and dense Sweet Potato Bundt Cake is the perfect treat to start your day this holiday season.

 

#4: Sweet Potato Caramel Cheesecake

 A buttery pecan graham cracker crust, creamy sweet potato cheesecake and a drool-worthy homemade caramel sauce makes the perfect trifecta of textures and flavors. 

 

 

#5: Peanut Butter Oreo Ice Cream

No-Churn Peanut Butter Oreo Ice Cream that requires no ice cream making machine and is made with just FIVE ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to whip together, before letting the freezer do the rest! An absolute family staple all summer long!

 

 

#6: Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Make a beautiful fall-spiced caramel apple cheesecake with a nutty crust, creamy caramel filling and sweet apple glaze on top.

 

BREAKFAST:

#1: Caramel Apple French Toast Trifle

This layered French toast trifle is the best way to serve French toast with a drizzle of sweet caramel sauce.

 

 

#2: Cinnamon Brown Butter French Toast Casserole

Cinnamon Brown Butter French Toast Casserole is the ultimate homemade brunch meal for a leisurely weekend!

 

 

#3: Raspberry Pecan Waffles

These fluffy and sweet vegan waffles are swirled with fresh raspberries for a family breakfast any time of year.

 

 

#4: Vegan Funfetti Pancakes

Make colorful Vegan Funfetti Pancakes that the entire family will love. Dairy-free, egg-free and a gluten-free option.

 

 

#5: Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Make the best banana peanut butter overnight oats for a healthy vegan breakfast that travels well.

 

 

#6: Vegan Blueberry Pop Tarts

These Homemade Blueberry Vegan Pop-Tarts are a great contender with their store-bought counterparts. A true family favorite that is super easy to make, comes with amazing tips for perfection, and makes for a fun baking experience with your little ones.

 

SAVORY:

#1: Cajun Veggie Pumpkin Pizza

Make this loaded Cajun-spiced vegetarian pizza at home for a family-friendly dinner!

 

 

#2: Chipotle BBQ Butternut Squash Tacos

These loaded vegan Chipotle BBQ Tacos are a treat for taco Tuesday or any weeknight.

 

 

#3: Creamy Garlic Pasta with Cauliflower

Get into this rich, indulgent Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta w/ Roasted Cauliflower, perfect for feeding a crowd!

 

 

#4: Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

This comforting meatless dish features ricotta, butternut squash and quinoa in a savory tomato sauce stuffed in jumbo shells and baked to crispy perfection.

 

 

#5: Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta

A light and healthy weeknight meal is always a necessity, and my Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta w/ Parmesan Garlic Sauce is a tasty dinner delight!

 

 

#6: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This one-pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a deeply savory and comforting wintertime dinner recipe.

 

 

#7: Cajun Pumpkin Tortellini Soup

Creamy Cajun Pumpkin Tortellini Soup-----a silky smooth texture and rich umami flavor makes this the perfect vegetarian soup for chilly Fall/winter nights or for meal prepping lunches!

 

 

#8: Pesto Pasta Bake

This creamy and herby pesto pasta bake is a crowd-pleasing comfort food dinner for a crowd.

 

 

#9: Garlic Herb Pizza

This cheesy and savory garlic herb pizza is an over-the-top delicious recipe for your next pizza night at home!

 

 

#10: Garlic Lemon Pasta with Shrimp

This lemon garlic shrimp pasta is savory, bright, summer and full of plump colossal shrimp. What's not to love?

 

JAMAICAN-INSPIRED:

#1: Jerk Veggie Faro Bowl

This Farro bowl is the ultimate plant-based dish for the entire family. Notes of spicy and sweet, which create a beautiful balance of texture and flavor.

 

 

#2: Jerk Turkey Burgers

Add some spice to your BBQ with a juicy turkey burger topped with candied bacon and creamy garlic sauce.

 

 

#3: Jerk BBQ Lobster Rolls

This is the best way to up your lobster roll game: with a sweet and spicy BBQ jerk dressing perfect for summer.

 

 

#4: Jamaican Shrimp Pasta (Rasta Pasta)

This Creamy Jamaican Shrimp Pasta is a one-skillet dinner with spicy jerk flavors and a rich, silky sauce.

 

 

#5: Jerk Chicken + Dumplings

This recipe for Spicy One-Pot Jerk Chicken and Dumplings is comfort food at its finest. Tender chicken breasts, warming jerk seasoning, onion, carrots, bell peppers and fluffy homemade dumplings make the perfect dinner for a chilly night. 

#6: Rum Raisin Bread

This Homemade Rum Raisin Bread is fluffy and soft with deep flavors of cinnamon, naturally sweetened, and 100% vegan! It takes less than 10 minutes to make and offers a healthy and nutritious breakfast option with just the right amount of sweetness. 

VEGAN:

#1: Vegan Cheesy Carrot Soup

This creamy, cheesy apple carrot soup is totally plant-based but has a rich, cheddar-like flavor!

 

 

#2: Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

This vegan mashed sweet potato casserole is a dairy-free version of the classic holiday side dish that everyone loves.

 

 

#3: Vegan Banana Cake

This light and fluffy vegan banana cake with sweet maple buttercream frosting is a stunning layer cake for fall birthdays and holidays.

 

 

#4: Vegan Fudgy Brownies

Fudgy brownies are a requirement in my house, and these Easy Extra Fudgy Vegan Brownies use no animal products while being the most delicious brownies ever!

 

 

#5: Vegan Chocolate Cake

This dense, fudgy and moist chocolate cake happens to be dairy-free, egg-free and perfect for your next celebration.

 

 

#6: Vegan Sweet Potato Bread

This sweet potato bread has a crunchy crumble topping that's perfect for fall breakfast, snacks or dessert.

 

 

#7: Vegan Sweet Potato Pasta

This Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Pasta Skillet dinner recipe features thick rigatoni noodles, silky-smooth sweet potato-coconut cream sauce, and cheesy flavors without any dairy!

 

DRINKS:

#1: Vegan Caramel Eggnog Mocktail

This creamy dairy-free holiday mocktail has the perfect amount of sweetness from homemade caramel.

 

 

#2: Grapefruit Thyme Holiday Mocktail

A delightful festive holiday drink that's alcohol-free and full of fruity flavor.

 

 

#3: Iced Chai Tea Latte

Start your morning off on the right note with this delicious Iced Chai Tea Latte.

 

 

#4: Dairy-Free Caramel Apple Cider

This dreamy dairy-free apple cider drink is the perfect sweet sip for fall.

 

 

#5: Homemade Cashew Milk

Buying store-bought nut milk is great, but making it at home is best with this Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk using your blender in less than 5 minutes!

 

 

#6: Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Lemonade

Made from lemons, apple cider vinegar, Agave, topped with rosemary leaves, this lemonade is bursting with a delicious flavors along with amazing health benefits which include a boost in digestion, cleansing/detoxing properties, metabolic aide, and more.

 

 

#7: Roasted Dandelion Strawberry Tea (Hot or Cold)

Chill out with a refreshing dandelion tea sweetened with fresh strawberries and agave.

 

As you can see, there a lot of options to choose from when it comes to this list and everything caters to everyone---regardless of your diet or restrictions or lack thereof.

Choose one or more of these 50+ dishes for your table this year or for 2022! Cheers!

If you're looking to eat seasonally this fall/winter, this list of fall ingredients is a great place to start. You'll find some of my favorite nutrient-rich and anti-inflammatory fall ingredients plus some fall recipes filled with these seasonal superfoods!

 

Best of 2021: My Personal Favorite Recipes.

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