Ladybug Appetizer
Get ready to make the cutest, yummiest ladybug appetizer ever! These little treats are perfect for parties, picnics, or just a fun snack. All you need are some crisp crackers, vegan cream cheese, colorful cherry tomatoes, savory olives, and some bright green herbs.
Ladybug appetizers are the ultimate party pleaser, bringing a touch of whimsy to any gathering. These tiny treats are not only incredibly charming but also really easy to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients. Packed with fresh flavors and offering a fun twist on traditional vegan appetizers, they are sure to delight guests of all ages. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party (featuring a delicious birthday cake), a picnic, or just looking for a fun snack to enjoy, this ladybug appetizer is a fantastic choice!
If you’re as fluttery and excited as we are about this super cute snack, let’s get started!
Why This Lady Bug Appetizer is So Awesome
These little ladybug appetizers are not only attractive and fun, but they’re also delicious and healthy! Extra veggies added to your day is a definite bonus. Plus, they’re easy to customize—try using different types of vegan cheese or adding herbs for extra flavor. Kids and adults alike will love these dainty snacks, making them the perfect addition to any tea party, social gathering, or birthday celebration!
- Cuteness Overload: These ladybug appetizers are adorable and will make everyone smile.
- Easy to Make: You only need a few ingredients and simple steps to create these little critters.
- Healthy and Fresh: With tomatoes and olives, they’re a nutritious snack option.
- Great for Parties: They’re perfect for adding a fun touch to any gathering or celebration.
- Kid-Friendly: Children will love helping to make these and enjoy eating them too!
Ingredient Notes
Here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to make these ladybug appetizers plus our recommended substitutions.
Whole Wheat Crackers: Opt for sturdy crackers that can hold the weight of the toppings without breaking. However, feel free to choose any crackers you prefer for the base of your ladybug appetizers.
Plant-Based Cream Cheese: This creamy spread acts as the glue to hold the toppings in place. You can use plant-based cream cheese, cheese slices, or hummus as a delicious and nutritious base.
Cherry Tomatoes: Choose firm and ripe cherry tomatoes for the ladybug bodies. Halve them carefully to create the perfect shape.
Black Sesame Seeds: These tiny seeds add the distinctive black spots to the ladybug’s wings. They also provide a subtle nutty flavor and a pleasing crunch.
Basil Leaves or Dill Sprigs: Fresh basil leaves or fluffy dill sprigs serve as the ladybugs’ wings. Tip: If you’ve got any leftover basil, use it to make refreshing basil water!
Black Olives: Quartered black olives are used for the ladybugs’ heads. Make sure to choose olives without pits and slice them carefully to create small, round heads.
Rosemary: Use rosemary sprigs or chive pieces to create the ladybugs’ antennae.
How To Make This Adorable Ladybug Appetizer
Making a plate full of precious ladybug appetizers can be a fun family activity or a treat for a special someone (including yourself!) Simply set out your ingredients, construct the captivating colorful bugs, and arrange on a suitable serving platter.
- First, spread a bit of vegan cream cheese on each cracker. This will be the base of your ladybug. Add herb leaves for wings.
- Next, slice a cherry tomato in half. Place one tomato slice on each cracker to create the ladybug’s body.
- Then, for the spots, spritz the tomato with a little oil and sprinkle on the black sesame seeds.
- Finally, quarter some black olives to make the ladybug’s head. Place an olive wedge at one end of the tomato slice for the head, and add a few herb sprigs for antennae.
That’s it—you’ve got yourself the cutest, cruelty-free snack you’ve ever seen!
Tasty Tips and More Ladybug Snack Ideas
There are endless ways to customize this darling recipe! The more creative you are, the more enjoyable (and delicious!) they will be. If you have little ones in your life, they’re a great source of silly and out-of-the-box ideas. Look through your fridge and pantry for additional inspiration. Here are some helpful suggestions to get you started:
- Choose the Best Crackers: Feel free to use any shaped flat cracker for this recipe. The more unique the shape is, the better! Anything will work as long as there’s a place to put the ladybug herself. If you would rather make your own homemade crackers, how about these Easy Almond Flour Crackers? They’re gluten-free and you can cut them in any size you wish before baking. Win, win!
- Don’t Forget the Cheese, Please!: Vegan cream cheese is the perfect base for sticking on the ladybug body, but there are other yummy options, too. How about hummus, vegan cheese slices, vegan butter, or vegan mayonnaise.
- Lovely LadyBug Dessert: If savory foods are not your favorite (or you just don’t like tomatoes or olives), how about a sweet version of this appealing appetizer? Simply replace the cherry tomatoes with little scoops of watermelon or cantaloupe and use quartered dark sweet cherries for the head instead of olives. Sprinkle with mini vegan chocolate chips, dark vegan sprinkles, or keep the black sesame seeds (which have a neutral taste). Use vegan frosting as the base or use a fruit-flavored vegan cream cheese instead of plain. Substitute mint leaves for the basil, chamomile sprigs for the dill, and tiny bits of black licorice (or other vegan candy) for the rosemary antennae. Dee-lish!
- Eye-Pleasing Platter: To make the most out of this delightful dish, find a plate, platter, or cutting board that will set them off to their best advantage. A dark wood cutting board with a few clean branches laid around the outside would enhance the fantasy aspect. This amazing mushroom cake stand is just calling out for some ladybug appetizers. Kids would also love these bright green leaf plates full of ladybug crackers!
Recipe FAQs
Definitely! Simply use your favorite gluten-free cracker instead of whole wheat crackers in this recipe. Easy-peasy 🙂
Any pre-made little ladybugs can be stored in a sealed container or bag in the fridge for a day or two. If possible, it’s best to make less rather than more of these appetizers because the crackers tend to get soggy in the fridge. You an always make more and they taste much better when eaten fresh. Not recommended for freezing.
Great question! You can swap out the olives for dark sweet cherries and the tomatoes for a tiny scoop of watermelon or cantaloupe. More of a sweet and savory mix instead, but still super yummy.
Ladybug Appetizer
Ingredients
- 10 whole wheat crackers, or crackers of choice
- Plant-based cream cheese, you can also use cheese slices or hummus
- 5 cherry tomatoes, halved
- Black sesame seeds
- Basil leaves, or fluffy dill sprigs
- 9 black olives, quartered
- Rosemary, or chive
Instructions
- Spread a layer of cream cheese onto your crackers. Set aside.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, lay them face down, and spritz with spray oil.
- Sprinkle black sesame seeds over the oiled tomatoes and adjust the seed positions with your finger to create a speckled ladybug effect.
- Lay down two basil leaves (or dill sprigs) on the crackers as the wings, top with the seeded tomato half.
- Lastly, add a quartered olive for the head and two sprigs of rosemary or chive for the antennae. Your darling ladybug crackers are ready to delight!
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Nutrition
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I made these for a picnic with friends and everyone LOVED these! They’re easy and quick, and super tasty.
So cute for a little spring picnic!
The perfect appetizer! Love it!
These are so cute, and delicious to eat!
So super cute! These little ladybug appetizers are not only deelicious, but healthy and so much fun to make. I love them!
Absolutely adorable and fun to make. A crowd pleaser for a summertime gathering.
So fun to make!