If you miss the buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, and jalapeno poppers at your bar or restaurant, boy are you in for a treat. Wholly Veggie provides delicious alternatives to traditional appetizers. Wholly Veggie makes mozzarella-style sticks, cheddar-style jalapeno sticks, and buffalo cauliflower wings. The best part is that they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and contain cauliflower or chickpeas. In addition, their food is free of additives, preservatives, soy, nuts, and GMOs.

Wholly Veggies’ mission statement states they make healthy foods from plants. They don’t use food made in a lab, or synthesized from a protein, “just great quality vegetables, simple seasonings, and chef-inspired recipes.”

You can buy their appetizers on their website, and Target also carries them.

Mozzarella Style Sticks

The mozzarella sticks have a great taste with an authentic mozzarella flavor. The coating is crispy and the cheeze is even gooey and stretches like the real thing. And it comes with a tasty marinara sauce packet that you warm in water.

Ingredients: Plant based style mozzarella: Filtered water, Coconut oil, Potato starch, Modified starch (potato and tapioca), Chickpea protein, Sea salt, Potato protein, Natural flavour (vegan sources), Lactic acid, Beta carotene (colour).

In a coating of: Water, Panko bread crumb (rice flour, pea protein, dextrose, baking soda), Rice flour, Modified corn starch, Potato starch, Sunflower oil, Corn flour, Rice starch, Dehydrated cauliflower powder, Sea salt, Yeast extract, Sodium acid pyrophosphate, Baking soda, Spice, Xanthan gum, Garlic powder, Onion powder.

Sauce: Water, Tomato paste, Cane sugar, Vinegar, Salt, Dried garlic, Modified potato starch, Sunflower oil, Herbs, Spices, Xanthan gum.

Cheddar Style Jalapeno Sticks

Like their mozzarella sticks, the taste is authentic, with vegan cheddar and jalapenos in a crispy coating. And I didn’t even taste the veggies. The only thing I didn’t like was the crema dipping sauce, which was sour. I would recommend using Hidden Valley Plant Powered Ranch dressing instead (https://liveglutenanddairyfree.com/five-more-dairy-free-ranch-dressings/).

Ingredients: Plant based style cheddar: Filtered water, Coconut oil, Potato starch, Modified potato starch, Modified tapioca starch, Chickpea protein, Sea salt, Potato protein, Natural flavour (vegan sources), Beta carotene and paprika extracts (colour), Lactic acid. In a coating of: Water, Panko bread crumb (rice flour, pea protein, dextrose, baking soda), Rice flour, Modified corn starch, Potato starch, Sunflower oil, Corn flour, Rice starch, Dehydrated cauliflower powder, Sea salt, Yeast extract, Sodium acid pyrophosphate, Baking soda, Spice, Xanthan gum, Garlic powder, Onion powder.

Sauce: Water, Sunflower oil, Jalapeno peppers, Faba bean protein powder, Cane sugar, Vinegar, Salt, Concentrated lime juice, Rice starch, Modified tapioca starch, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Spices, Herbs, Yeast extract, Acacia gum, Sunflower lecithin, Xanthan gum, Lactic acid.

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

While these “wings” cannot technically pass for buffalo chicken wings, the cauliflower used to replace the chicken has a fleshy texture that can pass for meat. The gluten-free panko crust is the reason the wings are crispy and delicious. I was expecting a sulfuric taste and smell from the cauliflower, but that was not the case. And the buffalo sauce is so delicious, they need to bottle and sell it.

Ingredients: Cauliflower, Panko coating (water, rice flour, pea protein, non GMO canola oil, dextrose, baking soda, yellow corn flour, rice flour, potato starch, rice starch, sea salt, sunflower oil, spices, yeast extract, ancho pepper powder, xanthan gum).

Sauce: Water, Cayenne peppers, Distilled vinegar, Sunflower oil, Corn starch, Salt, Modified corn starch, Faba bean protein powder, Garlic powder, Spices, Paprika, Natural flavor, Sunflower lecithin, Xanthan gum, Acetic acid.

Other Flavors

Additional Wholly Veggie appetizers include Ranch Cauliflower Wings and Sweet Potato Popcorn.

They also have lunch and dinner options – Thai Curry Entrée, Southwest Chili Entrée, and Cheezy Cauliflower & Broccoli Entrée.

More Gluten and Dairy-Free Appetizers

Check out my review for more appetizers including onion rings, egg rolls, pot stickers, and taquitos at https://liveglutenanddairyfree.com/gluten-and-dairy-free-appetizers.

Conclusion

Wholly Veggie has delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan appetizers that taste just like the real thing. You don’t taste the veggies, but instead the cheese-like flavors and crunchy coating.

Fun Food Fact

Early in the third century B.C., Athenians introduced appetizers as a buffet.

Did You Know?

According to Parade Magazine, the number one food and drink trend in 2023 is plant-based protein.

Quote

“Yeah, the appetizer, that’s the food we eat before we have our food … No no you’re thinking of dessert, that’s the food we eat after we have our food.” ~ Jim Gaffigan