9 viral vegetarian recipes that actually live up to the TikTok hype

I’ll admit it: I’m guilty of letting TikTok influence my dinner plans. 

More than once, I’ve scrolled past a bubbling, golden skillet or a perfectly crisped fritter and thought, Okay, fine, I’ll try it. 

Sometimes I regret it (hello, overhyped pasta chips), but once in a while, the internet delivers magic. 

These nine vegetarian recipes? They’re the real deal.

They’re not just flashy in a 60-second clip—they taste incredible, come together with everyday ingredients, and yes, they’re actually doable on a weeknight. 

No food stylist required. 

Just real food, done really well.

Here are nine viral vegetarian TikTok recipes that passed my personal test—and earned a permanent spot in my rotation.

1. Baked feta pasta

The hype: With over a billion views across variations, this one broke the internet. Originally made viral by Finnish blogger Jenni Hayrinen, the baked feta pasta took off for a reason.

Why it works: It’s creamy, tangy, and loaded with roasted tomato flavor. Minimal chopping, max flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 block of feta cheese (200g)
  
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• 250g pasta of your choice
  
• Fresh basil, for serving
  

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
   
2. In a baking dish, add tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Place the feta block in the center.
   
3. Bake for 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta softens.
   
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions.
   
5. Stir the feta and tomatoes into a creamy sauce, toss with pasta, top with basil.
   

Personal tip: Add spinach or chopped kale to the baking dish for a veggie boost.

2. Crispy rice paper dumplings

The hype: This one popped off thanks to creator Lisa Kitahara (@okonomikitchen). Rice paper usually shows up in fresh spring rolls, but crisped in a pan? Total game-changer.

Why it works: Crispy on the outside, savory and chewy inside. Plus, no need to make dough from scratch.

Ingredients:

• Rice paper wrappers (6–8)
  
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
  
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
  
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  
• 1/2 cup tofu, crumbled
  
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
  
• 1 tsp sesame oil
  
• Oil for frying
  

Steps:

1. Mix all the filling ingredients in a bowl.
   
2. Soak one rice paper wrapper in warm water until soft. Place on a flat surface.
   
3. Add 2 tbsp of filling, fold like a mini burrito.
   
4. Pan-fry in a little oil until both sides are golden and crispy.
   

Personal tip: Make a dipping sauce with soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and chili oil. Thank me later.

3. Green goddess salad

The hype: Brought to fame by Baked by Melissa, this isn’t your average chopped salad. It became a staple for those wanting something crunchy, tangy, and borderline addictive.

Why it works: It’s all about the dressing. Think creamy, herby, tangy magic that makes even cabbage exciting.

Ingredients:
Salad:

• 1/2 small green cabbage, finely chopped
  
• 1 cucumber, finely chopped
  
• 1/4 cup chives, finely chopped
  
• 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
  

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  
• Juice of 1 lemon
  
• 2 cloves garlic
  
• 1 small shallot
  
• 1/4 cup nuts (cashews or walnuts)
  
• 1 cup fresh basil
  
• 1/2 cup spinach
  
• Salt to taste
  

Steps:

1. Blend all dressing ingredients until smooth.
   
2. Toss salad ingredients in a bowl.
   
3. Pour over dressing and mix well. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to absorb flavors.
   

Personal tip: Serve it with tortilla chips like a chunky salsa or use it as a sandwich filler.

4. Gigi Hadid’s spicy vodka pasta (without the vodka)

The hype: Gigi’s version made creamy tomato pasta trendy again—creamy, spicy, and rich without being heavy.

Why it works: It’s indulgent but still simple enough to whip up in 20 minutes. And yes, you can skip the vodka.

Ingredients:

• 250g pasta
  
• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
• 1 small shallot, chopped
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
  
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes
  
• 1/2 cup plant-based cream (or coconut milk)
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• Fresh basil and nutritional yeast for topping
  

Steps:

1. Cook pasta and set aside.
   
2. In a pan, sauté shallot and garlic in olive oil.
   
3. Add tomato paste and chili flakes, cook until darkened.
   
4. Stir in cream, season to taste.
   
5. Toss in cooked pasta and mix well.
   

Personal tip: Add a splash of pasta water for extra creaminess.

5. Tofu katsu sandwich

The hype: This crunchy Japanese-style sando went viral for its satisfying texture and aesthetic cut-in-half look. It’s the veggie version of a comfort classic.

Why it works: Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, layered with sweet-savory sauce and soft bread. 10/10.

Ingredients:

• 1 block firm tofu, pressed and sliced
  
• 1/2 cup flour
  
• 1/2 cup plant milk
  
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• Neutral oil for frying
  
• 4 slices soft white bread
  
• Shredded cabbage
  
• Tonkatsu sauce or a mix of ketchup, soy sauce, and Worcestershire
  

Steps:

1. Dip tofu slices in flour, then milk, then panko.
   
2. Fry until golden brown.
   
3. Layer bread with sauce, tofu, and cabbage.
   
4. Press together and slice in half.
   

Personal tip: Toast the bread lightly to avoid sogginess.

6. Sweet potato gnocchi

The hype: People love to watch dough come together on TikTok. This one went viral for turning just 2 ingredients into pillowy gnocchi.

Why it works: It’s simpler than it looks, naturally gluten-free, and surprisingly fun to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato
  
• 1 cup flour (or more, as needed)
  
• Salt
  
• Olive oil or butter for sautéing
  

Steps:

1. Roast sweet potato until soft, peel, and mash.
   
2. Add flour and a pinch of salt, knead into a soft dough.
   
3. Roll into ropes, cut into bite-sized pieces, press with a fork.
   
4. Boil gnocchi until they float, then pan-fry until crisp.
   

Personal tip: Serve with sage butter or a dollop of pesto.

7. Avocado pesto zoodles

The hype: Low-carb meets creamy green goodness. These zucchini noodles with avocado pesto made waves as a fast, fresh, and summery option.

Why it works: It’s light, vibrant, and comes together in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini, spiralized
  
• 1 ripe avocado
  
• 1 clove garlic
  
• Juice of 1 lemon
  
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
  
• Salt and pepper
  

Steps:

1. Blend avocado, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper.
   
2. Toss with raw or lightly sautéed zucchini noodles.
   
3. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan.
   

Personal tip: Add cherry tomatoes for extra color and bite.

8. Cottage cheese pancakes

The hype: High-protein and fluffy? Yes please. These pancakes made the rounds as a satisfying breakfast alternative.

Why it works: Cottage cheese makes them rich but not heavy. TikTok wins again.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1/2 cup flour (oat or all-purpose)
  
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
  
• Pinch of salt
  
• Oil or butter for cooking
  

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until just combined.
   
2. Heat a nonstick pan with a little oil.
   
3. Drop batter by spoonfuls and cook until golden on both sides.
   

Personal tip: Top with berries, nut butter, or maple syrup.

9. Cheesy corn ribs

The hype: Corn sliced into rib-like strips and baked until crispy-chewy, then smothered in cheese? Sign us up.

Why it works: It’s smoky, salty, sweet—and perfect for sharing.

Ingredients:

• 2 ears of corn, quartered lengthwise
  
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese (vegan or regular)
  

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
   
2. Rub corn with oil and seasoning.
   
3. Bake for 25 minutes, sprinkle with cheese, bake another 5 minutes.
   

Personal tip: Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce.

Final thoughts

TikTok may be a mixed bag of air fryer fails and trending chaos, but sometimes, it absolutely nails it. These nine vegetarian recipes aren’t just trending—they’re tasty, practical, and fun to make.

Whether you’re baking feta or crisping up corn ribs, there’s something satisfying about taking a viral dish from screen to plate and realizing: yep, the internet got it right this time.

Now, excuse me while I scroll for the next food obsession. If you find one first, send it my way.