Bored with your usual midday sandwich? One of the best ways to liven up your lunch is to put it in the toasted sandwich maker. If you don’t have one, just pop it under the grill or into the frying pan to get the same effect; the idea is that you get the bread crunchy and crisp, and the filling all warm and melty—all hallmarks of the best vegan toastie.
How to Make the Best Vegan Toasties
The classic vegan toasted sandwich filling is, of course, dairy-free cheese, but if you’re feeling adventurous, here are 13 different toastie recipe ideas to try out.
1. Cheese and Spinach
Gooey melted vegan cheese goes well with many different ingredients but spinach is one of the best vegetables you can pair it with. It works on pizza, in pasta, and it works just as well in a toasted sandwich. It’s a healthy addition too; spinach is packed with nutrients, including iron, calcium, and magnesium. If you feel like experimenting, you could make spinach spread for an ultra-creamy filling.
Get the recipe here.
2. Pumpkin and Roasted Onion
This pumpkin and roasted onion recipe will take a little longer to make than your average toastie, but you won’t regret it. To get the perfect texture, allow around 20 minutes to roast the pumpkin and the onion in the oven first. Next, layer up the dairy-free cheese and add spread to the sides for a golden crispy crust.
Get the recipe here.
3. Grilled Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
Again, this filling takes a little bit more time than your average grilled cheese but it’s worth it. The key ingredient is a kind-of curry-hummus. Mix together curry paste, chickpeas, and coconut milk for the best results. Instead of butter, this recipe recommends spreading softened coconut oil around the sides for a good crunch.
Get the recipe here.
4. Nutella and Banana
Who says toasties have to be savory? Make your own vegan Nutella for this sweet recipe using just four ingredients. If you don’t have time for that, try Vego’s Fine Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, Organic Rawnella Vegan Hazelnut Spread, Hey Boo, or Biona’s Chocolate Spead. For extra sweetness, add cinnamon, sliced strawberries, or coconut sugar.
Get the recipe here.
5. Butternut Squash and Hummus
This recipe is completely cheese-free, but you won’t miss it. Recipe maker Rhian’s Recipes says: “the combination of sweet and smoky butternut squash, tangy hummus, creamy avocado, and crisp, peppery rocket makes this sandwich so delicious you won’t even notice the lack of cheese.”
Get the recipe here.
6. Cranberry Pecan Provolone
Peas and Crayons has developed three unique vegan cheese toastie recipes. To make this cranberry and pecan provolone creation, you’ll need Daiya’s provolone slices, cranberry sauce, and some finely chopped pecans. The recipe list also includes a vegan spinach pesto Swiss grilled cheese and a spicy vegan jalapeño popper grilled cheese.
Get the recipe here.
7. ‘Tuna’ Melt
Instead of chickpeas, a popular ingredient for vegan tuna alternatives, this recipe calls for textured vegetable protein (TVP), a dehydrated soy protein that soaks up flavors. To make the tuna melt, mix the TVP crumbles with kelp flakes, salt, mayonnaise, and cheese.
Get the recipe here.
8. Cheese, Carrot, and Spinach
If you’re a vegan cheese-a-holic, you’ll love this recipe. Load on as many slices of dairy-free cheese as you like (to make it extra gooey). For a bit of texture and extra flavor, add spinach, onions, and carrot slices.
Get the recipe here.
9. Tempeh Bacon and Cheese
To create the perfect vegan toastie, the blog I Love Vegan says you should mix a few together. The recipe maker advises mixing Daiya Mozzarella and Cheddar-Style shreds. If you miss bacon sandwiches, add a little bacon-flavored tempeh into the mix. This recipe uses smoky tempeh strips.
Get the recipe here.
10. Pizza-Style
Pizza + toastie = the dream lunch. Recipe maker Rabbit and Wolves says this vegan pizza toastie “legit tastes just like pizza on the inside.” Add your favorite vegan pizza ingredients, but this recipe calls for marinara sauce, vegan ricotta, and basil.
Get the recipe here.
11. Caramelized Onion and Thyme
Again, My Darling Vegan has created three different tasty vegan toastie recipes. If you don’t fancy caramelized onion and thyme, try classic plant-based ham and cheese, or even grilled apple and cheese. My Darling Vegan says: “each one is rich, creamy, buttery, filled with flavor, and made with a variety of delicious and melty plant-based cheeses.”
Get the recipe here.
12. Jackfruit and Cheese
Jackfruit is a versatile vegan ingredient. When it’s pulled or shredded, it has a similar texture to chicken or pork. This recipe makes it three different ways, so you can choose what suits you. Try chipotle, green chili jackfruit, or Buffalo depending on your mood.
Get the recipe here.
13. Vegan Mozzarella and Zucchini
If you want to add a healthy ingredient to your lunchtime go-to, try zucchini. It’s rich in a number of minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. For extra flavor, add a dash of Dijon mustard. If mustard isn’t your thing, try pesto, tomatoes, chipotle, or kimchi mayo. It’s completely customizable.
Get the recipe here.
