60 Reader-Favorite Holiday Recipes

Photos of reader-favorite holiday recipes including mashed potatoes, vegan lasagna, and more

Looking for holiday recipes that will impress? You’re in the right place! We’ve gathered highly rated Minimalist Baker recipes that readers love to make during the holidays.

You’ll find crowd-pleasing breakfasts, soups and salads, appetizers, and sides, plus flavorful entrées, festive drinks, and decadent desserts to share with family and friends. Scroll through to kick off your holiday menu planning!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

Breakfast

Spreader knife coated in frosting on a pan of Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
VGVDF
1-Bowl Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Simple, fluffy vegan cinnamon rolls infused with banana bread flavor and made in just 1 bowl!
Make The Recipe
Two Vegan Sticky Buns on a piece of parchment paper
VGVDF
The World’s Easiest Sticky Buns
Easy, fool-proof sticky buns for the novice baker. 9 basic ingredients, no complicated methods, just straightforward, ooey-gooey sticky buns. And they’re vegan!
Make The Recipe
Pan of the World's Easiest homemade Cinnamon Rolls drizzled with icing
VGVDF
The World’s Easiest Cinnamon Rolls
Easy cinnamon rolls with just 7 ingredients and no complicated steps. Just proof, roll out, and bake! Plus, they’re vegan and SO delicious, fluffy, and gooey!
Make The Recipe
Plate with a stack of Blueberry Gluten Free Scones
GFVGVDF
Blueberry Gluten-Free Scones
Gluten-free scones that are tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, flaky, and infused with wild blueberries! Just 10 ingredients and simple methods required!
Make The Recipe
Parchment-lined baking sheet with homemade Rosemary Blueberry Scones and fresh rosemary sprigs
VGVDF
Coconut Oil Blueberry Scones with Rosemary
30-minute vegan blueberry scones made with coconut oil and infused with fresh rosemary. Savory, sweet, and perfectly tender.
Make The Recipe
Drizzling maple syrup on slices of vegan French toast with strawberries
VGVDFNS
Easy Vegan French Toast (10 Minutes!)
Vegan French toast that’s quick and easy, custardy, eggy, vanilla- and cinnamon-infused, and SO delicious! Ready in 10 minutes with simple methods.
Make The Recipe
Baking sheet filled with Toasted Coconut Pancakes, syrup, and shredded coconut
VGVDFNS
Toasted Coconut Pancakes
Fluffy, 10-ingredient toasted coconut vegan pancakes made with spelt flour, natural sweeteners, and toasted shredded coconut. So delicious you’ll think you’re dreaming, plus, just 30 minutes required.
Make The Recipe
Baking dish of Chocolate Chip Banana Baked Oatmeal made with pecans
GFVGVDFNS
1-Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Baked Oatmeal
Hearty, banana-infused baked oatmeal that’s naturally sweetened, satisfying, and requires just 1 bowl and 10 ingredients to prepare. The perfect cozy, comforting breakfast.
Make The Recipe
Vegan gluten-free latkes in a stack with toppings
GFVGVDFNS
Crispy Vegan Gluten-Free Latkes
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it’s the ultimate vegan and gluten-free latke! Just 1 bowl, 30 minutes, and 7 ingredients required!
Make The Recipe
Partially sliced tofu quiche in a pie pan
GFVGVDFNS
Simple Tofu Quiche
The simplest tofu quiche on the block with just 10 basic ingredients and no fancy methods required. A hash brown crust keeps this dish gluten-free as well as vegan! Perfect for lunch, brunch, and even brinner.
Make The Recipe
Pizza cutter resting on a skillet of our Vegan Frittata recipe
GFVGVDFNS
Easy Egg-Free Frittata
Easy vegan frittata made egg-free with split mung beans! Simple ingredients, vibrant color, fluffy texture, and perfect for brunch, breakfast, and beyond!
Make The Recipe
Large plate with two Vegan biscuits sliced open and topped with gravy
VGVDFNS
Vegan Biscuits and Gravy
Flaky vegan biscuits with thick, peppery mushroom gravy! A flavorful, healthy, satisfying 30-minute vegan breakfast.
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Crispy Vegan Breakfast Potatoes
GFVGVDFNS
Best Ever Vegan Breakfast Potatoes
Simple, 3-step vegan breakfast potatoes with the crispiest brown edges ever! Just 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes required.
Make The Recipe

Appetizers

Skillet of Vegan GF Spinach and Artichoke Dip
GFVGVDFNS
Kale & White Bean Artichoke Dip
A creamy, savory artichoke dip with sautéed kale, white beans, and nutritional yeast for a cheesy kick. A protein-rich plant-based appetizer that requires just 10 ingredients!
Make The Recipe
Snapping a seed cracker into two pieces
GFVGVDFNS
Easy Seed Crackers with Everything Bagel Seasoning
Crispy, light, toasty, gluten-free crackers made with flax, chia, hemp, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. Perfect with dips, spreads, cheeses, and beyond. Just 8 ingredients and 1 bowl required!
Make The Recipe
Cultured Vegan Cheese Wheels on a wood cutting board
GFVGVDFNS
Easy Probiotic-Cultured Vegan Cheese
Easy-to-make vegan cheese with probiotics for an extra tangy, cheesy flavor! Just 6 ingredients and simple methods required. The perfect party appetizer, snack, or spread!
Make The Recipe
Baking sheet with a scoop of coconut sugar and batch of Candied Spiced Nuts
GFVGVDFNS
15-Minute Candied Spiced Nuts (1 Pan!)
Amazing 15-minute roasted candied nuts made all on 1 pan! No bowl required, so spicy-sweet. The perfect holiday snack or homemade gift!
Make The Recipe

Sides

Cast-iron skillet of Vegan Scalloped Potatoes topped with chopped parsley
GFVGVDFNS
Easy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
Delicious, cheesy, tender scalloped potatoes made vegan thanks to almond milk and nutritional yeast! Just 10 ingredients required for this classic holiday side dish!
Make The Recipe
Pan of Garlicky Green Beans with Almonds
GFVGVDFNS
1-Pan Garlicky Green Beans with Slivered Almonds
Easy, delicious green beans made in 1 pan with 6 simple ingredients! Big flavor, infused with garlic, and garnished with toasted almonds. Perfect for Thanksgiving and beyond!
Make The Recipe
Wooden spoon in a glass baking dish filled with our Easy Vegan Stuffing recipe
VGVDFNS
Simple Vegan Stuffing
My family’s prized stuffing recipe veganized! A hearty, healthy side dish that requires just 9 ingredients and is loaded with protein and fiber from lentils and whole-grain bread!
Make The Recipe
Plate of Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad made with coconut bacon and a cashew butter dressing
GFVGVDFNS
Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad (Mayo-Free!)
An EASY, plant-based take on classic broccoli salad with coconut bacon, sunflower seeds, and a simple cashew dressing! Just 10 simple ingredients and 20 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Wood bowl filled with a bowl of The Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
GFVGVDFNS
The Best Damn Vegan Mashed Potatoes
5-ingredient vegan mashed potatoes that are fluffy, creamy, buttery, and loaded with roasted garlic and chives. Perfect as is, with gravy, or with a giant scoop of vegan butter.
Make The Recipe
Vintage spoon in a bowl of Instant Pot mashed potatoes
GFVGVDFNS
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (No Drain, 20 Minutes!)
Incredibly fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes made entirely in the Instant Pot in just 20 minutes! Just 3 ingredients required for these fuss-free mashed potatoes, perfect for the holidays and beyond!
Make The Recipe
Plate of Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole topped with crispy onions
VGVDFNS
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
10-ingredient, 30-minute green bean casserole from scratch! Creamy, flavorful, delicious, and entirely vegan. Perfect for the holidays and beyond.
Make The Recipe
Slice of the best vegan cornbread with a bite taken out
VGVDF
Perfect Vegan Cornbread
Easy-to-make, fluffy, perfectly sweet vegan cornbread made with 10 ingredients. The perfect comforting side for soups and chilis, or to bake into croutons for salads or stuffing.
Make The Recipe
Batch of homemade Dinner Rolls with one having vegan butter and jam in the middle
VGVDF
Simple Vegan Dinner Rolls
7-ingredient vegan dinner rolls that are fluffy, buttery, and so simple to make. Perfect for weeknight meals and holiday gatherings! No one would guess they’re dairy-free.
Make The Recipe
Baking sheet with six freshly baked Vegan Biscuits
VGVDFNS
The Best Damn Vegan Biscuits
Fluffy, buttery vegan biscuits that require just 30 minutes, 7 ingredients, and 1 bowl! Perfect for breakfast as is or smothered with jam!
Make The Recipe

Soups & Salads

Tossing a shaved brussel sprout kale salad with dressing
GFVGVDFNS
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples and Dates
Crunchy, sweet, and savory shaved Brussels sprout salad with apples, dates, and hazelnuts! Oh-so versatile and super fresh. Just 10 ingredients and 20 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Platter filled with our French-Style Potato Salad recipe
GFVGVDFNS
Simple French-Style Potato Salad
A simple take on potato salad with fresh herbs, onion, and a light mustard vinaigrette. The perfect plant-based side for cookouts, sandwiches, and more!
Make The Recipe
Holding a bowl of vegan potato leek soup
GFVGVDFNS
Creamy Vegan Potato Leek Soup
Creamy, comforting, flavorful potato leek soup that’s plant-based, gluten-free, and easy to make. Made in 1 pot with just 9 simple ingredients!
Make The Recipe
Skillet of Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Miso Glaze
GFVGVDFNS
Miso-Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Quick and delicious roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic and a savory-sweet miso glaze. Crispy edges, tender center, and BIG flavor! Just 30 minutes and 8 ingredients required.
Make The Recipe
Coconut milk swirled in a pot of roasted butternut squash soup
GFVGVDFNS
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
The PERFECT butternut squash soup with plenty of natural sweetness, a bit of spice, and unbelievably creamy texture. Simple methods and just 10 ingredients required for this dreamy soup perfect for the holidays and beyond!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of creamy cauliflower soup
GFVGVDFNS
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Incredibly rich, creamy roasted cauliflower soup with plenty of garlic, white beans, and a hint of ground nutmeg. Just 10 simple ingredients required!
Make The Recipe
Using salad tongs to grab a scoop of Roasted Squash Salad with Nut Cheese and Balsamic Reduction
GFVGVDFNS
Roasted Squash Arugula Salad with Crispy Shallot and Balsamic Reduction
An incredibly flavorful fall roasted squash salad with macadamia nut cheese, crispy shallot, and balsamic reduction! A hearty side or main. Just 30 minutes and 10 ingredients required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Creamy Red Pepper Tomato Soup with fresh dill, roasted cherry tomatoes, and coconut milk
GFVGVDFNS
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup
Creamy roasted red pepper tomato soup made in 30 minutes! Savory, flavorful, and so easy to make. The perfect side for sandwiches, salads, and more!
Make The Recipe

Entrées

Plate of Crispy Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan alongside fettucine noodles and marinara
GFVGVDFNS
Crispy Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan
Crispy, vegan, gluten-free eggplant parmesan made with 10 simple ingredients! The perfect flavorful, plant-based entrée for Italian night!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Vegan Leek Mushroom Risotto topped with chopped parsley
GFVGVDFNS
Mushroom and Leek Risotto (Vegan + GF)
A 30-minute, 8-ingredient Vegan Risotto with leeks and mushrooms. Creamy, savory, and the ultimate plant-based comfort food.
Make The Recipe
Two Stuffed Butternut Squash halves on a platter
GFVGVDFNS
Roasted Stuffed Butternut Squash
Roasted stuffed butternut squash makes the perfect plant-based entrée or side for the holiday season (and beyond). Stuffed with quinoa, kale, and mushrooms; 10 ingredients required; and incredibly flavorful!
Make The Recipe
Glass baking dish of Vegan Shepherds Pie with a couple servings removed
GFVGVDFNS
1-Hour Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
A hearty, 10-ingredient Vegan Shepherd's Pie that's loaded with veggies and savory lentils and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. So flavorful and satisfying that you won't miss the meat!
Make The Recipe
Baking dish of Easy Vegan Lasagna topped with chopped parsley
GFVGVDFNS
Easy Vegan Lasagna
Incredibly flavorful, hearty vegan lasagna made with 10 ingredients! Tender lasagna noodles are layered with Macadamia Nut Ricotta and tempeh-infused marinara sauce! Swoon.
Make The Recipe
Top view of a slice of Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Lasagna topped with fresh basil
GFDFNS
Easy Gluten-Free Lasagna (Dairy-Free!)
AMAZING Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Lasagna! Made with a hearty sauce, easy nut cheese, and no-boil noodles. Just 10 ingredients required!
Make The Recipe
Fork resting on a plate of vegan moussaka
GFVGVDFNS
The BEST Vegan Moussaka
Incredibly delicious vegan moussaka with layers of roasted eggplant, hearty tomato lentil sauce, and roasted garlic cashew bechamel! Just 10 ingredients and simple methods required.
Make The Recipe
Slice of butternut squash lasagna topped with vegan parmesan and fresh basil
GFVGVDFNS
Butternut Squash Lasagna (Vegan, GF Optional)
Creamy butternut squash sauce meets pasta, kale, and mushrooms in a delicious twist on classic lasagna. Bursting with fall flavor and just 10 ingredients required!
Make The Recipe
Bowls of homemade 1-Hour Vegan Pot Pies
VGVDFNS
1-Hour Vegan Pot Pies
Easy, 1-hour vegan pot pies loaded with veggies and topped with flaky, from-scratch vegan biscuits!
Make The Recipe
Using a fork and knife to cut into a Cashew Cauliflower Steak topped with dates and mint
GFVGVDFNS
Cashew-Crusted Cauliflower “Steak”
INCREDIBLE Cashew-Crusted Cauliflower “Steak”! 10 ingredients, flavorful, crisp on the outside, tender on the inside. A delicious side or entrée with plenty of protein!
Make The Recipe
Gold spoon in a bowl of creamy tuscan soup with white beans and kale
GFVGVDFNS
Creamy Tuscan White Bean & Kale Soup (1 Pot!)
Comforting, creamy Tuscan-inspired soup with white beans, kale, tomatoes, and herbs! Warming, savory, hearty, and full of nourishing veggies and fiber-rich beans. Just 1 pot required!
Make The Recipe
Platter of Oven Roasted Chicken and Roasted Root Vegetables with rosemary
GFNS
Lemon & Herb Roasted Chicken
A simple, fool-proof recipe for roasted chicken made in 1 pan with 6 ingredients. Infused with melted butter, rosemary, and fresh lemon. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Perfect for the holidays and beyond.
Make The Recipe

Desserts

Overhead photo showing crispy pecans on pecan pie bars
GFVGVDF
Pecan Pie Bars (Vegan + GF)
Rich, buttery, decadent pecan pie made vegan, gluten-free, and in bar form! All the classic flavors without the corn syrup. Simple methods and just 9 ingredients required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl with a serving of the best Vegan Apple Crisp with a Pecan-Oat Topping
GFVGVDFNS
The Best Vegan Apple Crisp
The best vegan apple crisp, naturally sweetened and made in 1 bowl! Tender, caramelized apples under a crispy pecan-oat topping. Fall dessert perfection.
Make The Recipe
Dessert cup and spoonful of our vegan tiramisu pudding recipe
GFVGVDFNS
Vegan Tiramisu Pudding Cups
Creamy, rich vegan pudding infused with the flavors of tiramisu! An easy, decadent, no-bake dessert made with just 7 simple ingredients.
Make The Recipe
Two bowls and a baking pan of Grain-Free Berry Crisp served with vegan ice cream
GFVGVDFNS
Grain-Free Berry Crisp
Vegan berry crisp with 3 types of berries. It's naturally sweetened with crispy, grain-free topping! The perfect plant-based, gluten-free summer dessert!
Make The Recipe
Plate with a slice of Pumpkin Spiced Apple Pie topped with vegan whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice
VGVDF
Pumpkin-Spiced Apple Pie
8-ingredient vegan apple pie with subtle pumpkin flavor from both pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin butter (or purée). The perfect simple fall dessert.
Make The Recipe
Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Pie in a pie pan with a couple slices removed
GFVGVDF
Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Pie
Vegan peanut butter cup no-bake pie with a graham cracker crust and chocolate ganache top! 8 ingredients, simple to prepare, and SO delicious you won’t be able to have just 1 slice.
Make The Recipe
Plate of gluten-free vegan flan
GFVGVDFNS
Easy Vegan Flan (No-Bake!)
Creamy, luxurious vegan flan with salted caramel sauce, no baking required! Surprisingly easy to make with just 7 simple ingredients.
Make The Recipe

Drinks

Two glasses of our Chili Cinnamon Hot Toddy recipe topped with lemon slices
GFVGVDFNS
Spiced Cinnamon Bourbon Hot Toddy
A simple, 7-ingredient hot toddy with chili cinnamon-infused maple simple syrup. Tart from lemon and sweet from the simple syrup and bourbon. A naturally sweetened, warming cocktail for the colder months.
Make The Recipe
Side view of glasses of our whiskey ginger recipe
VGVDFNS
Orange-Infused Whiskey Ginger
Orange-infused whiskey ginger with fresh lemon and ginger juice. Naturally sweetened, zesty, citrusy, and perfect for the holidays and beyond!
Make The Recipe
Glass of our perfect Old Fashioned recipe
DF
Best Bourbon Old Fashioned
The perfected recipe for how to make a bar-quality Old Fashioned cocktail at home, every time. Just 6 ingredients and simple methods required.
Make The Recipe
Glasses of our winter bourbon smash recipe on a wood cutting board
GFVGVDF
Winter Bourbon Smash
A winter bourbon smash made with raspberry preserves instead of fresh fruit to keep it seasonal and simple. Fresh and citrusy, not too sweet, and perfect for New Year’s Eve and other cold weather special occasions.
Make The Recipe
Lemon slice and fresh rosemary in glasses of blueberry ginger mocktails
GFVGVDFNS
Sparkling Blueberry Ginger Mocktail
Vibrant, bubbly blueberry mocktail with ginger, lemon, and rosemary. A celebratory, sparkling, non-alcoholic drink for everything from parties to poolsides. Naturally sweetened and just 6 ingredients required!
Make The Recipe
Small glass of Vegan Hot Chocolate topped with coconut whipped cream
GFVGVDFNS
5-Minute Vegan Hot Cocoa
My go-to, 5-minute vegan hot chocolate made with simple ingredients you always have on hand. Creamy, luxurious, and surprisingly healthy.
Make The Recipe

If you give any of these holiday recipes a try, let us know! Leave a comment, or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating!

Have a question? Use ctrl+f or ⌘+f on your computer or the "find on page" function on your phone browser to search existing comments! Need help? Check out this tutorial!