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A Virtual Vegan by Melanie McDonald

Satisfy your comfort food cravings with my trusted and delicious vegan recipes. There's a spot waiting in the AVV community just for you and I'll even send you a free e-cookbook!

Featured Post

The 5 Most Popular Recipes of 2026 πŸ†

Hi there, Reader We are halfway through the year, and I thought it would be fun to look at what new recipes of 2026 have been most popular so far. Count down with me in reverse order! #5 Brothy Rice Bowls πŸ“Œ PIN FOR LATER Flavour-packed creamy broth, fluffy rice, protein from the caramelized "beef", and vibrance and crunch from the fresh toppings. Ready in less than 30 minutes! MAKE ME TONIGHT! #4 Nutritional Yeast Tempeh πŸ“Œ PIN FOR LATER Crispy, crunchy, savoury, healthy, 30 grams of protein...

Hi there, Reader These healthy cookies have quietly become my most popular recipe for the last few weeks and have officially entered reader-favourite territory. Meet my Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies: Soft, chewy, naturally sweetened, ridiculously quick and easy, made with wholesome everyday ingredients, and they can be baked in your oven or air fryer. No fancy ingredients. No complicated steps. No "wait, I need what?" moments. Just peanut butter + banana + oats + chocolate chips....

Hi there, Reader Allow me to introduce your new grab-it-and-feel-like-you-have-your-life-together recipe: Marinated Chickpeas! The best part? They take minutes to make! Mix up the easy and very tasty marinade. Add the chickpeas. Let them hang out for at least 30 minutes (or up to 5 days), and they become next-level delicious. Bright, zippy, garlicky, and dangerously scoopable! Keep a big jar in the fridge ready for:β˜€οΈ Lazy lunches - I love them poured over some baby spinach or arugula for a...

Hi there, Reader Perfectly golden Vegan Crab Cakes that are tender, moist, and full of "meaty, flaky crab-like" texture. They are packed with lots of delicious flavour-givers, which makes them anything but bland, and although they feel a little fancy, they are secretly pretty easy to make! Reader Lucie says: "Just made this and it was an absolute winner! Loved the flavours, and when pan-frying, they held their shape perfectly. Thanks so much for an awesome recipe!" GET THE RECIPE πŸ“Œ PIN FOR...

Hi there, Reader Peak produce season is here, and I've rounded up 30 seasonal vegan recipes for June. One for every day of the month! Whether you're planning picnics, firing up the grill, feeding a crowd, or just trying to figure out a weeknight dinner, you'll find plenty of fresh, flavour-packed ideas to keep you inspired all month long. Here's to a delicious June! (And eating our weight in local strawberries 🀭) Mel x GET THE RECIPES πŸ“Œ PIN FOR LATER More Recipe Collections: Vegan Overnight...

Friends, hello. It's that time again! How are we wrapping up May already? Charlie turned 7 last week and very much approved of his birthday cake: I've just finished photographing a very tasty and easy no-cook recipe that's going to become such a summer staple. It will be winging its way to you very soon. Make sure you've got some canned chickpeas ready to go! πŸ˜‰ I also made my No-Bake Biscoff Cheesecake for the first time in ages and totally forgot how amazing it is. If you've never made it,...

Hi there, Reader A generous tumble of crispy, crunchy croutons makes any soup or salad better, and by using up odds and ends of stale bread, you also reduce food waste. A win-win situation! I've had a crouton recipe on my website for a while, but I've recently added an air fryer version. It's perfect for the warmer summer months when you don't want to turn on the oven, and you can have them prepped and ready in under 10 minutes! I'll be honest and say that usually when I make these, the vast...

Hi there, Reader Thank you to all of you who left reviews on those recipes I shared recently that needed a little love! I really appreciate it. I thought it might be fun to take a look at the recipes on my website with the most five-star reviews. Not 4.5's or 4.9's. Straight up five stars! I don’t take your reviews lightly. I’m so grateful I get to bring recipes to your table, and hearing how they turn out in your kitchens is the best part. If you’ve been on the fence about trying something...

Hi there, Reader A few days ago, I was tidying my hard drive and came across an old recipe I once shared (years ago) exclusively on Instagram. Crispy golden Greek-Style Fries! I made them for our dinner that night, and they were really delicious, so I thought I'd get the recipe up on my website. These delicious seasoned fries can be made in your oven or air fryer; however, when using an air fryer, be cautious of overcrowding. I recommend either halving the recipe or cooking in 2 batches to...

Hi there, Reader Spring said "sunshine," but the evening forecast said, "absolutely not." Luckily, these fresh yet cozy spring soup recipes are here to handle the seasonal identity crisis one delicious spoonful at a time! GET THE RECIPES πŸ“Œ PIN FOR LATER More Cozy Springy Dinners: Skillet Tofu with Zucchini "Like magic in a pot! Such a low-stress weekday dinner with beyond delicious results." - Tania GET THE RECIPE Chili Garlic Eggplant "This is my new favorite recipe! The subtle sweet...