Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a lovely, heart-healthy feast? Treat your sweetie (or yourself!) to one of these festivevegan recipes for Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re lavishing on the love with a luxurious breakfast in bed, romantic pasta dinner, decadent dessert, or all of the above, these plant-based dishes are sure to make the day extra special.
Vegan Palacinky (Czech Sweet Crepes)
Perfect for a romantic brunch or after-dinner treat, this vegan take on the famous Czech dessert skips the oil, milk, and eggs found in traditional versions while still achieving melt-in-your-mouth pillow-like pancakes. The secret to getting thin and fluffy pancakes? Sparkling water! To serve, fill them with berries, banana slices, or other fresh fruits. Drizzle with maple syrup or a dollop of date-sweetened chocolate sauce.
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Sicilian Rice Balls with Mushrooms and Peas
These crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside vegan arancini are the perfect special occasion appetizer. Or as one happy fan puts it, “Absolutely the best!!” For the full Italian experience, serve with a bowl of homemade marinara for dipping. Be sure to have cooked brown rice ready before starting, and note that these can be made gluten-free if you use gluten-free bread crumbs. Another reviewer shares, “Very tasty and easier than expected to make! I made coconut cucumber Tzatziki instead of marinara for dipping.”
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Spicy Cajun Hash on Grits
Wake your special someone with the warming aroma of spicy Cajun cooking. This recipe delivers maximum results with minimal prep time; for instance, you can prepare the hash while the grits cook. Canned kidney (or red) beans, frozen green beans, and cherry tomatoes heat through in record time, while Cajun seasoning brings bayou flair to the plate. A commenter shares, “We love this dish—easy to make and so delicious!”
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Individual Broccoli and Wild Rice Casseroles
These creamy individual casseroles are the best of wholesome home cooking. Nutty chickpeas, fork-tender broccoli, umami-rich mushrooms, and chewy wild rice are nestled in a luscious sauce. Serve with a green salad and a smile! Note: If you don’t have portion-sized ramekins, we think using a standard 9x13-inch casserole pan and cooking for a bit longer until bubbling and golden brown on top would work well, too. A reviewer shares, “The flavor and texture were amazing! Makes a huge batch. We loved every bite!”
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Incredible Chocolate Sweet Potato Cake
This luscious chocolate cake from Dreena Burton has become a popular go-to cake for special occasions. Pureed sweet potato is the secret ingredient, offering moisture and sweetness in one hit, while cocoa powder and vegan chocolate chips double down on the rich chocolate flavor. Sweet potato also appears in the frosting. Is there nothing these tasty tubers can't do? (The answer is no) Note: Feel free to leave out the frosting and top with berries, banana slices, or light sugar dusting. A fan raves, "Wow! Made it for our New Year's Eve dessert. My husband isn't plant-based and couldn't believe how good it was. Very moist and delicious."
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Cornucopia Kale Salad
This festive salad uses just a handful of ingredients and has a special-occasion feel. (Don’t tell anyone it’s easy!) Cubes of roasted sweet potato contrast well with earthy kale, tangy pomegranate arils, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. A golden sweet-tangy dressing coats every bite with deliciousness. A satisfied reader notes, “Just made this, and every mouthful was divine! This will be one of my staples. I even doubled up on the dressing for my salads this week; it was so good.”
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The Great Purple Sweet Potato Pie
This delicious purple pie screams “Look at me, look at me,” while also delivering outstanding flavor. An earthy cinnamon-infused walnut-oat crust perfectly balances the creamy sweet potato filling, and a zesty blueberry sauce drizzled over the top finishes it in style. “Delicious!” writes a happy fan. “I took it to a standard American diet get-together, and even the kids loved it.”
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Crispy French Toast Cups with Bananas Foster Topping
Break out the muffin tin for a fun twist on a breakfast-in-bed classic. A bananas foster topping adds extra decadence to these already-delicious French toast cups that can be garnished with your sweetheart's favorite flavors for extra flair.
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Oatmeal Breakfast Bake with Berries and Almonds
You can assemble this beautiful breakfast casserole two days in advance and stash it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and serve it; then it’s just a matter of popping it into the oven for 40 minutes and letting it fill your home with the delicious scent of cinnamon and maple syrup. No fresh berries? No problem: Frozen will work just as well.
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Berry-Licious Overnight Oatmeal
These bowls feature three layers: creamy overnight oats, a strawberry-raspberry smoothie, and fresh fruit toppings. You're bound to get brownie points from your loved one when you serve up this delightful dish full of sweet flavors and tasty textures.
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Chocolate Pancakes
A mixture of almond milk and vinegar creates vegan buttermilk for these luscious double-chocolate pancakes. Pockets of gooey chocolate chips make this breakfast treat extra decadent, and you can easily top them with your Valentine's favorite fruit for an extra sweet gesture.
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Kale and Sweet Potato–Stuffed Vegan Ravioli
Create a fine-dining experience right in your own home with made-from-scratch ravioli, which feature a succulent filling of mashed sweet potato, wilted kale, and nutritional yeast. Although these take about an hour and a half to prepare, they’re well worth the effort.
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Butternut Squash Risotto
What’s more comforting and indulgent than a bowl of creamy risotto? Cubes of butternut squash melt in your mouth while the tender rice bursts with the robust flavors of balsamic vinegar and fresh sage. Treat your loved one to an Italian feast for two!
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Hearty Kale Salad with Warm Citrus and Wheat Berries
This isn’t your ordinary kale salad. Sweet baked citrus, hearty grains, crunchy walnuts, and a zesty dressing upgrade this dish to a restaurant-quality starter. Light some candles, pick up a bouquet, and impress your Valentine with this colorful and scrumptious salad.
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Air-Fryer Eggplant Parmezzan with Pasta
A classic Italian trattoria dish gets a healthy upgrade that will delight your Valentine. Sliced eggplant is coated in a crunchy bread crumb mixture and crisped to perfection in an oil-free air fryer. Stack a few slices on top of spaghetti with a veggie-laden marinara sauce, and enjoy!
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Provençal Stuffed Onions with Lentils, Quinoa, and Kale
These sweet, juicy, and oh-so-tender stuffed red onions, filled with a delicious savory lentil-veggie mix, have "special occasion" written all over them. The pink color of the onions is on theme, too! Serve this magnificent main over a bed of baby greens and the remaining lentil mix, with a drizzle of parsley-infused Dijon mustard dressing to tie it all together.
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Creamy Celeriac Pasta Alfredo
Experience the miracle of cholesterol-free Alfredo sauce with this heart-healthy take on a Valentine's Day favorite. Celeriac, aka celery root, is the secret ingredient that will satisfy all your date-night cravings.
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Vegan Kale Caesar Salad
Ideal for a romantic multicourse meal, this vegan Caesar salad uses white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard to mimic the dressing’s classic tang. Sweet cherry tomatoes, chewy chickpeas, and crunchy croutons add substance while still ensuring your loved one has room for dessert.
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Vegan Spaghetti Marinara with Lentil Balls
Spread out a checker tablecloth, light some candles, and bring home the Italian-restaurant experience with this special occasion–worthy recipe. Savory lentil "meatballs" add hearty substance to the spaghetti while a fresh herb garnish elevates this dish to a five-star meal.
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Vegan Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Greens
Show your date how much you care by taking the time to cook homemade gnocchi! These pillow-soft dumplings are sautéed with mushrooms and spinach and drizzled with a delicious parsley-tahini sauce. A sprinkling of crushed red pepper adds a delightful spicy kick.
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Lasagna Verde
Creamy cashew sauce, sautéed mushrooms, tender-cooked chard, and whole wheat lasagna noodles come together for a seriously satisfying, memorable meal. Finish off a day of romantic deeds with this impressive dinner!
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Spinach, Pineapple, and Strawberry Salad
A sweet and tangy strawberry vinaigrette dials up the wow factor in this stunning dish. Your sweetie will love the flavor combo of tangy pineapple chunks, crunchy almonds, and hearty edamame.
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Vegan Strawberry Cupcakes
The pink-and-red palette is perfect for Valentine’s Day. This recipe is gluten-free; just ensure that you use oat flour that is specifically labelled as such, since cross-contamination is a risk with oats.
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Date-Sweetened Chocolate Panna Cotta
End your evening on a sweet note with this simple and scrumptious vegan panna cotta. Dates add a caramel-like complexity to the chocolatey pudding while the fresh raspberry topping adds a delicious tartness. Chocolate and berries truly are the perfect combo—just like you and your sweetheart!
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Chocolate Raspberry Parfaits
Tofu is the secret ingredient for the creamy chocolate base in these pretty parfaits. This lovely two-layered dessert is best served with a side of fresh fruit (and maybe a bouquet of a dozen red roses!)
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Blueberry Tartlets
Pull out all the stops for the person you love with these luscious vanilla-filled blueberry tartlets. The saucy topping is infused with lavender and lemon juice for a delectable dessert reminiscent of springtime flowers.
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Raw Chocolate Caramel Dip
This creamy dip comes together in just 10 minutes and is wonderful with apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, pears, and bananas. Enjoy this healthy treat as you wind down with your loved one after a day full of romantic feelings.
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Chocolate Cherry Vegan Cobbler
A reader favorite, this cobbler is extra delicious when topped with our easy-to-make Aquafaba Whipped Cream. The decadent chocolate biscuits perfectly complement the saucy cherry base for a Valentine's Day treat your sweetheart won't soon forget.
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Mint and Blueberry Nice Cream
The deep purple hue of this vegan ice cream is bound to inspire passion—or at least compliments to the chef! Refreshing mint and juicy blueberries are the stars of this frosty treat, which uses just three ingredients. Bon appétit!
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Raspberry Truffle Brownies
These super-fudgy brownies will melt in your mouth. Frozen berries actually will work better here because the dough is very stiff, and frozen berries are easier to fold in. Finish your day of love on a sweet note!
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Forks Over Knives Printable Valentines
It’s the little touches that show you care: Adorn the top of any dessert or festive dish with these mini cards from Forks Over Knives (downloadable, printable PDF).
Editor’s Note: Lisa Esile contributed to the writing of this article.
