Top 10 Recipes of 2021

A look at the top 10 recipes of 2021 on Nourished by Caroline.

It’s that time of year again. The time to look at the top 10 recipes from the blog over the past 12 months.

Once again, the top 10 recipes this year are a 50/50 mix of sweet and savory. Some are a pleasant surprise and others I expected to be in the top.

As usual, I like to note that the recipes that were shared earlier in the year do have an unfair advantage. I do think a few of my fall and holiday recipes would rank higher if more time had passed before making this list. After all, fall and winter recipes are always the best if you ask me.

That being said, here are the top recipes this year…

Top 10 Recipes of 2021:

10. Vegan Funfetti Birthday Mug Cake

A quick and easy cake made in the microwave in less than 5 minutes. I’m not surprised that this recipe made it in the top 10. I’m just surprised that this one made it higher than the Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake, though the Funfetti is my favorite too.

9. Lentil Quinoa Salad with Nutritional Yeast Dressing

This dressing is the absolute best. It’s the salad dressing that I make the most (you can find it in this recipe as well) and I’m happy to see that it made it to the top 10. This nutritious salad is made with quinoa, lentils, leafy greens, carrots, cucumbers and the nutritional yeast dressing.

8. Lentil Lasagna Soup (Vegan)

One of my all-time favorite soups. This easy and comforting recipe is packed with flavor and requires less than 30 minutes of work. It’s hearty, nutritious and made mostly from pantry ingredients.

7. Vegan Avocado Pesto Pasta

This recipe is so easy, yet it looks beautiful and tastes delicious. It’s my favorite way to use avocadoes and fresh basil. All you need is 15 minutes of active prep time and a few simple ingredients. I love to top it with crispy chickpeas and vegan parmesan.

6. Chickpea Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pops

I created this recipe last summer, inspired by my chickpea-nut butter ice cream – Still one of the most popular recipes on the blog. These popsicles are high in fiber, protein and healthy fats thanks to the chickpeas (yes, chickpeas!), dates and peanut butter. Simply blend the ice cream mixture, freeze it in popsicle molds, then dip the pops in chocolate. Easy, healthy and delicious!

5. Creamy Chickpea Noodle Soup (Vegan)

This is easily the recipe that I make the most often from this list. Ever since I created this recipe earlier this year, it’s been a regular in our house – I make it at least once a month for an easy and comforting meal. It’s my vegan version of a creamy chicken noodle soup.

4. The Best Vegan Oatmeal Cookies (Nut-Free)

One of my favorite cookie recipes and my personal favorite dessert recipe of the year. These cookies are made with simple ingredients you likely already have at home. They’re crispy around the edges and perfectly chewy in the center. I love these as they are, but you can also add chocolate chips or raisins!

3. Vegan Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Another cookie recipe in the top 10. These delicious cookies are vegan, gluten-free AND nut-free. They’re soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. This is the perfect cookie recipe for chocolate lovers!

2. Vegan Mushroom Black Bean Burgers

This one is a pleasant surprise! I didn’t expect these burgers to be so close to the top (a spot usually reserved for sweet recipes), but here we are. These veggie burgers are hearty, nutritious and delicious. If you love mushrooms, this is the veggie burger recipe for you.

1. Vegan Almond Breakfast Cookies (Gluten-Free)

And the third cookie recipe on this list and our number one recipe this year: vegan almond breakfast cookies. These cookies are made with nutritious ingredients, including almond flour, oats, almond butter and flax seeds. They’re lightly sweetened with maple syrup and you have the option to add chopped almonds and chocolate chips for more crunch and sweetness. They’re great for a nutritious and sweet snack on breakfast on-the-go.

Finally, these are the top 10 recipes that I shared this year. Overall, my banana bran muffins, fruit-sweetened banana bread, blender oat milk matcha latte, blueberry banana almond flour muffins and chickpea-nut butter ice cream are still the most popular on the blog.

These older recipes, which got a refresh this year, also made it to the top: No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread, No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars (Nut-Free!), Date-Sweetened Chai Granola

Curious to see what the top 10 recipes were in previous years? Check out my top 2020 recipes, 2019 recipes, 2018 recipes and 2017 recipes.