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16 Vegan Recipes in a Jar
November 28, 2016
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year, you’ve probably come across Mason jar recipes.
Mason jars have become all the rage. Whether it’s as a crafty-looking container to hold your breakfast or small Mason jar wedding decorations, it seems we can’t get away from the things.
But when it comes to cooking, that’s not a bad thing. Mason jars have become a staple because they’re super convenient. Not only do they act as a safe way to store food, but they make every dish look Instagram-worthy. And if that makes people eat more veggies, I’m all for it!
But if you follow a vegan diet, there aren’t always a ton of options. After all, there are only so many Mason jar salads someone can eat!
So I’ve rounded up some of my favorite vegan recipes in a jar. There are some Mason jar salads, of course, but there are also some unexpected treats. Get ready to enjoy mason jars in a whole new way!
16 Vegan Recipes in a Jar
1. Arugula and Watermelon Salad in a Jar
Arugula and watermelon are two ingredients you wouldn’t necessarily consider putting together, but they work really well in this refreshing, Mason jar salad. Leafy green arugula adds a peppery taste to sweet watermelon. This recipe adds a tiny bit of feta; you can omit or use vegan cheese instead.
Photo: Sweet Peas and Saffron
2. Banana Bread Overnight Oatmeal
Overnight oatmeal is a busy person’s dream. After mixing rolled oats with milk and your sweetener of choice, the oats will chill overnight. This combo, which uses almond milk, ripe bananas, honey and vanilla seriously tastes like banana bread. Top with your favorite nuts or almond butter for an extra protein boost.
3. Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats
Another of my favorite Mason jar recipes, these chocolate coconut mix tastes decadent but is good for you. With rolled oats, cocoa powder, chia seeds and coconut flakes, this easy-to-make breakfast tastes decadent, but will keep you full for hours.
Photo: Wholefully
Now this is one tasty vegan recipe in a jar! This parfait requires just five ingredients to create this light and fruity dessert that’s healthy enough to enjoy as dessert. While using fresh mangoes in this one makes it extra delightful, when they aren’t in season, frozen will suffice.
This vegan Mason jar recipe is meant to be given as a gift — but it’s so good, I think you should treat yourself to it! Made with brown rice flour, carob chips, walnuts and coffee, these brownies are fudgy, gooey and, most importantly, delicious.
If you’re looking for some authentic Kansas City-style BBQ sauce, this is the one. With molasses, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar and honey, it’s sweet, tangy and totally vegan. Use it on veggies before barbecuing, try it with fruit or just slather it on any food that needs a pick-me-up. Mason jars: not just for mason jar salads!
6. Maple, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Overnight Oats
These overnight oats are like pancakes in a mason jar. They’re made with gluten-free oats and combined with vanilla, almond milk, maple syrup and brown sugar, though I’d substitute coconut sugar instead. Topped with pecans and a sprinkling of cinnamon, these are definitely the lazy person’s (healthier) substitute for pancakes or French toast!
Photo: Gluten-Free with LB
7. Mason Jar Quinoa Salad with Green Thai-Style Dressing
This is a hearty Mason jar salad with a to-die-for homemade Thai dressing which, bonus!, makes more than you need, so you can use the extra for other salads. It’s made with coconut milk, chili, cilantro and miso paste, so it’s packed with flavor. When served over quinoa, sweet potato, spinach and carrots, this quinoa salad will keep you satisfied.
8. Mexican Vegan Burrito Bowl Mason Jar Salad
Forget Chipotle: this Mexican burrito jar is where it’s at. You won’t miss the meat here, as this salad in a jar is layered with brown rice, sautéed onions and peppers, avocados, lime and salsa. Best of all, this lasts up to five days, so you can make a week’s worth of lunches over the weekend. Easy!
If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s cookie butter, get excited. This recipe is inspired by it, but better: it’s vegan, Paleo and contains all-natural ingredients. The main ingredients are nut butter and sunflower seed butter. They’ll mix with coconut butter browned in ghee, lending a just-baked cookie flavor to the recipe. With honey, cocoa butter, cinnamon and coconut flour, you won’t believe how yummy this cookie butter is.
10. Portable Chocolate Olive Oil Cakes
When it comes to vegan recipes in a jar, this one takes the cake because, let’s face it, who doesn’t want a dessert that travels well? With ingredients like vinegar, non-dairy milk, vanilla extract and cocoa powder, you probably can make it right away. Don’t skip the ganache topping, either. Made from canned coconut milk and chocolate, it takes these cakes to the next level.
Photo: Cake Merchant
11. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is one of my favorite foods for increasing probiotics, the good bacteria, in our digestive systems. This vegan mason jar recipe makes it super simple. You need just two ingredients to prepare the sauerkraut, but plan ahead; it needs to sit for four weeks!
12. Strawberry Chia Overnight Oats
Sweet, creamy and filling, you won’t know whether this is a sinful breakfast or a good-for-you dessert — let’s just call it both! The chia seeds in these oats add a ton of staying power, while adding Greek yogurt means this mason jar recipe gets a healthy dose of protein, too. Top with sliced strawberries before serving.
13. Sweet Potato Overnight Oatmeal Parfait
Kickstart your morning and your vegetable intake with this parfait. Made from mashed sweet potato, chia seeds, oats and all of the “cozy” spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, this pie is a great breakfast or heavy-duty snack for those long workout days. Top with maple syrup and your favorite nuts for the best experience!
Photo: Fo Reals Life
15. Ultimate Superfood Detox Mason Jar Salad
When you’ve indulged a little too much, this vegan mason jar salad will help set you straight again. It’s loaded with goodies: kale, quinoa, radishes, broccoli, carrots, goji berries and seeds all make an appearance, and they’re drizzled with a homemade blueberry hemp dressing made from pantry staples. Have this for lunch and feel better instantly!
16. Vegan Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
You’re not going to believe this crème brûlée is vegan. Non-dairy milk, raw cashews and canned pumpkin make this dessert rich and creamy, while vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger add a ton of flavor. Can’t be bothered with the brûlée part of the dessert (it involves fire!)? Skip it and serve this delightful dessert as a custard instead.
