Plant-Based Graduation Party Food Bar Ideas
It’s that time of year again, time for graduation parties! Food plays a big part of these events and I’m here to share some ideas on how you can keep your plant-based family’s healthy lifestyle on track to earn you the highest honor in grad party food achievements! This method of entertaining works incredibly well and it will allow you to actually enjoy your grad’s celebration!
Food bars are easy and a plant-based food bar is even better, it’s healthy and introduces your guests to this way of eating.
Select a theme
Gather all the ingredients
Set up your serving table
Theme Ideas
Appetizer Bar - For a fun change of pace to the typical grad party menu of ham sandwiches and potato salad, serve delicious finger foods Appetizers are alway a big hit so why not serve them at your grad’s party? Cauliflower Wings, Mushroom Bruschetta, Rustic Hummus, Olive Tapenade, or something more casual like chips, Salsa, Guacamole, Black Bean Hummus dip, and warm Nacho Sauce.
Buddha Bowl Bar - So what the heck is a Buddha Bowl you ask? It’s just a fun name for an Asian salad loaded with all kinds of good flavors and textures that can be customized any way your guests like it. All you need is a base of mixed greens, a protein, fruits, veggies, some crunchy seeds, and dressing. It’s as stunning as your grads cap and gown. This article on Building the Perfect Buddha Bowl in 5 Easy Steps will get you well on your way to giving your grad a party to remember long after that walk down the aisle to receive their diploma!
Brat Bar - A build-a-brat charcuterie board is A+ when it comes to presentation and flavor. Plant-based Brats, buns, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, and of course all your favorite brat toppings such as mustartd, ketchup, sauerkraut, onion and pickle relish. Who doesn’t love a flavorful brat hot off the grill?
Cocina Mexicana Bar - taco bout a party! A taco bar is a perfect idea for a grad party and is guaranteed to be a hit! Disposable food trays make the perfect serving dish to allow guests to make tacos or nachos. Offer hard and soft taco shells, tortilla chips, and plenty of toppings like Cauliflower Taco Filling, refried beans, Guacamole, Salsa, Sour Cream, lettuce and tomato.
Shish Kabob Bar - Everything tastes better on a stick, right? Even picky eaters may be willing to try something new when building their own Shish Kabob. Arrange marinated tofu or plant-based meatballs, bbq sauce and a rainbow of colorful vegetables on a platter and let the fun begin. Zucchini, mini bell pepper, red onion, mushrooms, cocktail tomatoes. Don’t forget to soak the bamboo skewers in water before threading. With a little bit of pre-planning, a hot grill, and some creative presentation, a shish kabob bar is sure be awarded top honors when it comes to grad party food!
Pro Tip: if there are a series of parties in one day, the first party is where most of the eating will happen. People tend to graze at the events that follow.
Don’t forget the beverage station!
No matter which food bar you go with, be sure to create an attractive drink station for guests using beverage containers of premade drinks. Have large water dispensers filled with an array of decaf iced teas, berry infused water, cucumber infused water, fresh squeezed lemonade or limeade. Include any garnishes and buckets of ice so you don't need to tend to guests' needs for drinks.
And don’t forget to set hand sanitizer nearby so guests can sanitize their hands before helping themselves to the buffet items.
