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41 Easy College Dorm Room-Friendly Vegan Recipes

41 fantastic easy vegan recipes that are suitable for a college dorm room! Minimal tools required while full of flavor and nutrients, these are the kind of recipes that are doable in a dorm room with a full day of classes. We've got a wide variety, including flavored waters, breakfast ideas including a latte, snack & dessert options, lunches/dinners, even a seasoning mix! All are vegan and some are gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free. Provided by a variety of food bloggers from around the world.

A collage of dishes that can be made in a dorm room, representing 41 vegan recipes.

Nutritious vegan options are becoming more prevalent in college dining halls - yay!  Still, it's not necessarily a wide variety of options available day to day, so I called on some of my fellow food bloggers to help me compile a resource for you college students to help you discover what you can cook on your own.  That's right, in your dorm room! A special thank you to each of these wonderful contributors.

Tools

All of these recipes can be made with just the following appliances:  

  • a mini-fridge
  • a microwave
  • coffee maker, milk frother

It would also be a good idea to have the following basics:

  • bowl
  • dish
  • cup
  • utensils
  • jar with a lid or other storage container
  • cutting board and knife (if not allowed, use one in the dorm kitchen or buy already-chopped fruit & veg from the dining hall)

Where to Find Ingredients

  • See what you can bring back to your room from the dining halls. Remember the on-campus market, too, where you can also (usually) use your dining card.
  • Most college towns have a farmers market nearby, which can add much-desired variety to your diet, even with a small amount of cash. And you get to support local, hard-working farmers! You can't beat the quality found at most markets, with their fresh-picked selections.
  • Check out the nearby grocery store. Some schools even have a shuttle that will take you on the weekends.
  • Try growing a few herbs on your windowsill! It's easy and adds so much to your dish. Think fresh mint in your water, basil in your salad.

Go solo or buddy system

Your roommate or someone else in your hall might want to go in on some groceries and use these recipes, too! They're bound to find something they like on this long list, whether or not they consider themselves "vegan." You'll be doing them a favor, introducing them to some delicious and nutritious food. More brain power for school! You could even start a group dinner club, with each person making a recipe from the list and eating them together, discovering your favorites. Have fun!

41 Easy Vegan College Dorm Room Recipes

compiled by Beautiful Ingredient

Flavored Water

Lemon Mint Flavored Water by Beautiful Ingredient

Cherry Vanilla Flavored Water by Beautiful Ingredient

Lemon and mint in a glass pitcher filling with water.
Lemon Mint Water by Beautiful Ingredient

Breakfast

Homemade Vegan Caramel Latte by Beautiful Ingredient

Vegan Caramel Steamer by Beautiful Ingredient

Quick Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal by Veggie Primer

Homemade Instant Oatmeal, 4 Flavors! by Veganosity

Almond Joy Chia Pudding by Dianne's Vegan Kitchen

Chocolate Chia Pudding by Yummy Mummy Kitchen

Pink Dragon Fruit Chia Pudding by Beautiful Ingredient

Tropical Chia Pudding by Beautiful Ingredient

Mini Microwave French Toast by Strength & Sunshine

Vegan Caramel Latte by Beautiful Ingredient

Snacks & Desserts

Vegan Peanut Butter Microwave Mug Cake (3 Ingredients) by Rhian's Recipes

Cookie Dough Protein Balls by V Nutrition & Wellness

Peanut Butter Chocolate Coconut Bites (no bake) by Delightful Adventures

Pistachio Chocolate Banana Sushi by The Petite Cook

Tahini Bon Bons by Fried Dandelions

Healthy Black Forest Bon Bons (gluten-free) by Sunnyside Hanne

Peach and Black Bean Salsa by Cadry's Kitchen

Mango Salsa by Beautiful Ingredient

Vegan Ceviche with Hearts of Palm by Cadry's Kitchen

Creamy Avocado Hummus by Yumsome

Favorite Guacamole by Beautiful Ingredient

A round glass jar filled with mango salsa with cherry tomatoes surrounding it.
Mango Salsa by Beautiful Ingredient

Lunch or Dinner

Sandwiches & Salads

Veggie Wrap with Apples & Spicy Hummus by Veggie Inspired

Quick & Easy White Bean Salad (salad or sandwich) by Veggie Inspired

Apple Walnut Chickpea Salad (salad or sandwich) by Where You Get Your Protein

Vegan Tuna Salad (salad or sandwich) by Veggies Save the Day

Chickpea Salad with Jalapeño Relish (salad or sandwich) by Beautiful Ingredient

Avocado Chickpea Lettuce Cups by Tasting Page

Cannellini Bean Salad with Basil & Sun-Dried Tomatoes by Food Pleasure & Health

Simple Black-Eyed Pea Salad by Delightful Adventures

Black Bean Mango Salad by Dianne's Vegan Kitchen

Healthy Vegan Greek Salad by Yummy Mummy Kitchen

White Bean Cherry Tomato Basil Salad by Veggies Save the Day

Balsamic Bean Salad by Fried Dandelions

Simple Vegan Panzanella by Yumsome

Avocado Artichoke Lentil Salad by Tasting Page

A salad bowl in the foreground with chickpea salad on top, a bagel sandwich filled with vegan chickpea salad behind, and a bowl of just vegan chickpea salad behind that.
Chickpea Salad with Jalapeño Relish by Beautiful Ingredient

Soup

Mason Jar Miso Soup by Sunnyside Hanne

Summer Rolls

Easy Green & Purple Summer Rolls by Beautiful Ingredient

An overhead view of 14 green and purple summer rolls on white parchment, with bowls of dipping sauce and limes next to them.
Easy Green & Purple Summer Rolls by Beautiful Ingredient

Comfort Food

Microwave Mac & Cheese for One (gluten-free) by Strength & Sunshine

5 Minute Easy Vegan Tacos by Happy Kitchen. Rocks

Seasoning

Smoky Hemp Heart Seasoning Mix by Beautiful Ingredient

seasoning mix with spices in a ramekin
Smoky Hemp Heart Seasoning Mix by Beautiful Ingredient

Hungry for more?

Check out this Make-Ahead Chia Pudding recipe and info on The College Vegan Cookbook by Heather Nicholds.

More year round

  • Vegan parmesan cheese that's nut-free on top of cooked greens.
    Vegan Parmesan Cheese (nut-free)
  • Quinoa Salad with Edamame
  • A small bowl of raw vegan gluten-free chocolate chip cookie dough with chocolate chips scattered around it.
    Vegan Gluten-free Cookie Dough
  • A plateful of golden sourdough croutons.
    Vegan Croutons (oil-free)

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    Recipe Rating





  1. shivrathor6375@gmail.com says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:32 am

    wow, I am always confused to make the food. I am always thought what I make but always fail and buy some food outside. but here is different food to make easy and simple way at the hostel.
    http://kitchentuts.com/

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 19, 2017 at 4:19 pm

      Yes, these are easy recipes to make with limited space, time, and/or tools. I hope you enjoy making something from the list!

      Reply
  2. shivrathor6375@gmail.com says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:32 am

    wow, I am always confused to make the food. I am always thought what I make but always fail and buy some food outside. but here is different food to make easy and simple way at the hostel.
    http://kitchentuts.com/

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 19, 2017 at 4:19 pm

      Yes, these are easy recipes to make with limited space, time, and/or tools. I hope you enjoy making something from the list!

      Reply
  3. best pressure cooker says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:32 am

    wow, I am always confused to make the food. I am always thought what I make but always fail and buy some food outside. but here is different food to make easy and simple way at the hostel.
    http://kitchentuts.com/

    Reply
    • Kari says

      September 19, 2017 at 4:19 pm

      Yes, these are easy recipes to make with limited space, time, and/or tools. I hope you enjoy making something from the list!

      Reply
  4. sarah.oliver@tufts.edu says

    September 16, 2017 at 2:18 am

    I can't wait to try some of these in my own dorm!

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 16, 2017 at 10:50 pm

      I hope you have fun making them, Sarah!

      Reply
  5. sarah.oliver@tufts.edu says

    September 16, 2017 at 2:18 am

    I can't wait to try some of these in my own dorm!

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 16, 2017 at 10:50 pm

      I hope you have fun making them, Sarah!

      Reply
  6. Sarah says

    September 16, 2017 at 2:18 am

    I can't wait to try some of these in my own dorm!

    Reply
    • Kari says

      September 16, 2017 at 10:50 pm

      I hope you have fun making them, Sarah!

      Reply
  7. dianne@diannesvegankitchen.com says

    September 07, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Such a yummy round up! Thank you for including my recipes.

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 16, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Happy to, Dianne!

      Reply
  8. dianne@diannesvegankitchen.com says

    September 07, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Such a yummy round up! Thank you for including my recipes.

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 16, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Happy to, Dianne!

      Reply
  9. Dianne Wenz says

    September 07, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Such a yummy round up! Thank you for including my recipes.

    Reply
    • Kari says

      September 16, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Happy to, Dianne!

      Reply
  10. cadryn@hotmail.com says

    September 04, 2017 at 12:43 am

    What an excellent round-up! I know this will be so useful to vegans in college. It's amazing what can be made with a few simple kitchen tools.

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 04, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      Thank you! I hope so - and I hope it's useful to anyone else who is only working with a few kitchen tools, for whatever reason.

      Reply
  11. cadryn@hotmail.com says

    September 04, 2017 at 12:43 am

    What an excellent round-up! I know this will be so useful to vegans in college. It's amazing what can be made with a few simple kitchen tools.

    Reply
    • kari@beautifulingredient.com says

      September 04, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      Thank you! I hope so - and I hope it's useful to anyone else who is only working with a few kitchen tools, for whatever reason.

      Reply
  12. Cadry's Kitchen says

    September 04, 2017 at 12:43 am

    What an excellent round-up! I know this will be so useful to vegans in college. It's amazing what can be made with a few simple kitchen tools.

    Reply
    • Kari says

      September 04, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      Thank you! I hope so - and I hope it's useful to anyone else who is only working with a few kitchen tools, for whatever reason.

      Reply
Kari smelling anise hyssop while standing behind her market basket and fresh produce.

Welcome to a world of beautiful food!

I'm Kari, and this is where I celebrate beautiful ingredients and focus on ways to make eating more plants easier. Recipes are centered around whole foods and are vegan, cooked without the need for oil, mostly refined sugar-free and gluten-free. And so delicious!


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