41 Easy College Dorm Room-Friendly Vegan Recipes (2024)

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.

41 Easy College Dorm Room-Friendly Vegan Recipes (1)

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.

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

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

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 Hummusby Yumsome

Favorite Guacamole 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 Cupsby 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

Soup

Mason Jar Miso Soup by Sunnyside Hanne

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

Hungry for more?

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

41 Easy College Dorm Room-Friendly Vegan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook for yourself in college dorm? ›

“If your dorm allows desktop appliances, Instant Pot makes a tiny 3-quart dorm version, and air fryers come in super small 1.1-quart sizes,” he explains, “Both are way more versatile than a microwave.” If you have the space and they're allowed, a rice cooker can be huge for preparing one-pot meals, too.

What is healthy food for college students in dorms? ›

We love sliced apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Whole grain crackers (like Wasa) / rice cakes / or toast topped with flaked tuna mashed with chickpeas, avocado, or hummus and Dijon mustard.

What should I prepare for a vegan guest? ›

Your houseguest would most likely be happy with oatmeal or granola with almond milk and fruit for breakfast, nut butters, hummus, salads with beans, fruits and vegetables, and nuts for lunch, and grilled or sautéed veggies with a whole grain like quinoa are for dinner.

How to eat vegan without cooking? ›

Things like tofu and tempeh don't have to be cooked, which makes preparing them for a sandwich super easy.
  1. Marinated White Bean Salad.
  2. Caesar Salad.
  3. Mediterranean Salad.
  4. Cucumber and Avocado Salad.
  5. Peach White Bean Salad.
  6. Watermelon & Peach Salad.
  7. Bbq Collard Wraps. ...
  8. Chickpea Tuna.
Jul 15, 2022

Why are air fryers not allowed in dorms? ›

In order to prevent fire risk, many dorms do not allow appliances that have an exposed heating element.

What cooking appliances can you have in a dorm? ›

10 Game-Changing Dorm Room Appliances
  • Microwave. A microwave is one of the most useful appliances, but unfortunately microwaves aren't always provided. ...
  • Microwave Pasta Cooker. Pasta cookers are life changing. ...
  • Mini Egg Cooker. ...
  • Electric Pot. ...
  • Mini Pancake or Waffle Maker. ...
  • Aroma Diffuser. ...
  • Travel Steam Iron. ...
  • Water Filter.

What is the most eaten food by college students? ›

Dish Preference – College Students:
  • Burgers.
  • Pizza.
  • Tacos.
  • Pasta.
  • Hand-helds (sandwiches, wraps, etc)
  • Stir fry.
  • Power bowls/salads.
  • Soup.

What are good dorm foods? ›

14 Dorm Food Essentials I'm Stocking in My Room This Fall
  • Greek Yogurt. Single-serving yogurt cups are easy to store in your fridge and eat without needing to dirty a dish. ...
  • Granola. ...
  • Baby Carrots. ...
  • Hummus. ...
  • Apples. ...
  • Nut Butter. ...
  • Protein Bars. ...
  • Ready-Made Salads.
Aug 21, 2023

How can I eat healthy and cheap in college? ›

20 tips for eating healthy-ish on a college budget
  1. Make a food budget — and try to stick to it. ...
  2. Stop buying junk food. ...
  3. Cook healthy food at home. ...
  4. Cook in large batches, so you have leftovers. ...
  5. Do the math on the meal plan options. ...
  6. If you have a meal plan, take advantage of it. ...
  7. Choose the right grocery store for you.
Mar 15, 2024

What snack foods can vegans eat? ›

Try These Popular Vegan Snacks (Chips, Cookies, and More)
  • Vegan Rob's Chips.
  • Rivalz Extra Chedda' Mac.
  • Outstanding Foods PigOut Pigless Pork Rinds.
  • Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars—Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate.
  • Trader Joe's Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets.

How to eat vegan for beginners? ›

  1. Make Vegetables the Stars of Your Meals. ...
  2. Eat a Variety of Foods. ...
  3. Choose Whole Grains. ...
  4. Discover New Plant-Based Proteins. ...
  5. Don't Assume Vegan Food Products Are Healthier. ...
  6. Focus On Fish-Free Omega-3s. ...
  7. Don't Forget About Vitamin D. ...
  8. Pump Up Your Iron.
Sep 30, 2022

What are filling foods for vegans? ›

Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds. Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber.

What are the 5 most important rules of a vegan diet? ›

For a healthy vegan diet:
  • eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.
  • base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible)
  • have some fortified dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks and yoghurts (choose lower-fat and lower-sugar options)

What not to eat when going vegan? ›

Vegans don't eat any foods made from animals, including:
  • Beef, pork, lamb, and other red meat.
  • Chicken, duck, and other poultry.
  • Fish or shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels.
  • Eggs.
  • Cheese.
  • Butter.
  • Milk, cream, ice cream, and other dairy products.
  • Mayonnaise (because it includes egg yolks)
Nov 3, 2023

How do people cook in dorms? ›

The items you will need to cook in your dorm room will depend on the types of food you plan to eat. Items like rice cookers, microwaves, blenders, pots and pans, griddles, and panini presses are all standard pieces of cookware that can be used to make food in a dorm.

Do college students cook their own food? ›

For college students, cooking a fresh meal is not necessarily a top priority. Convenience and cost are usually the first two factors that dictate what the next meal will be. Since most universities require that students have meal plans, many naturally gravitate toward the dining hall.

What percent of college students cook for themselves? ›

Most college students reported often (45.7%) or sometimes (40.3%) cooking.

How do you plan a meal in a dorm? ›

How to Meal Prep: 5 Essential Tips for Students
  1. Organize Your Groceries. After you've done your grocery shopping or had your groceries delivered, organize your groceries and put them in the refrigerator. ...
  2. Plan Ahead. ...
  3. Use Clear Containers or Baggies. ...
  4. Use the Same Meat in Different Recipes. ...
  5. Always Have Staple Foods on Hand.

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