Bagels are delicious, but finding great vegan bagel topping ideas can be tricky. Fortunately, this guide collects easy, tasty options so you can enjoy a vegan bagel anytime.
This post gathers simple savory and sweet vegan bagel toppings, a selection of assembled bagel sandwich ideas, and recommended recipes for homemade toppings like vegan cream cheese, hummus, and nut butters.
If you have a bagel and want a quick vegan meal, this list is a one-stop resource for topping inspiration. For information on which store-bought bagels are vegan, bagel bread recipes, or where to find vegan bagels when you’re out, see the separate “Are bagels vegan?” guide.
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- Simple savory topping ideas
- Simple sweet topping ideas
- Toppings recipes
- Vegan bagel sandwich recipes
Simple savory topping ideas
These savory combinations are quick to assemble and perfect for a snack or light meal.
- Vegan cream cheese topped with avocado slices, tomato, and thinly sliced onion
- Smashed avocado seasoned with lime and a sprinkle of Tajín or flaky salt
- Vegan cream cheese with sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick
- Hummus with tomato and red onion for extra brightness
- Vegan aioli or vegan mayo with sliced tomatoes and a pinch of salt
- Vegan cheddar melted on a toasted bagel, finished with fresh salsa
- Vegan mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and a smear of vegan pesto
- Bagel “burger”: use a toasted bagel as a bun with a vegan burger, pickles, tomato, onion, and sauce
- Vegan egg salad made with crumbled tofu or chickpeas
- Vegan pastrami with sauerkraut and mustard for a deli-style treat
Simple sweet topping ideas
Best on plain, cinnamon sugar, or cinnamon raisin bagels, these sweet spreads are quick and satisfying.
- Fresh berries with a smear of vegan hazelnut spread
- Vegan chocolate spread topped with sprinkles
- Classic peanut butter and jelly
- Peanut butter with sliced banana and cacao nibs for crunch
- Apple butter with vegan chocolate chips and flaked almonds
- Tahini with sliced banana, cinnamon, and desiccated coconut
Toppings recipes
Some vegan spreads and cheeses can be expensive or hard to find. Also, packaged products may sometimes include non-vegan ingredients unexpectedly. To avoid surprises and keep costs down, homemade toppings are an excellent option. Below is a curated list of reliable, tasty recipes you can make at home to top your bagels.
Use these spreads on their own, combine them with fresh vegetables or fruit, or layer multiple toppings to create your ideal bagel.
Vegan Bagel Toppings Recipes
Recipes to make vegan cream cheese, nut butters, jams, hummus, and other spreads that are perfect on bagels.
How to Make Pecan Butter [So Easy!]
Pecan butter is ultra creamy and rich, lightly sweetened with a touch of salt and cinnamon. It’s smooth, flavorful, and excellent on bagels.
How to Make Homemade Almond Butter
Silky, nutty homemade almond butter made with a single ingredient—almonds. A versatile spread for sweet or savory bagel toppings.
Sugar-Free Strawberry Jam
A simple, low-sugar strawberry jam that’s perfect paired with nut butter or vegan cream cheese.
5-minute Tofu Cream Cheese (plus flavors)
An easy, versatile tofu-based cream cheese you can flavor with garlic & herbs, tomato & basil, or scallion & chives.
Homemade Peanut Butter
Peanut butter made from roasted peanuts in a food processor: simple, affordable, and ideal on bagels.
Vegan Mushroom Pâté
A meaty, flavorful mushroom pâté ready in under 30 minutes—excellent spread generously on bagels.
Easy One-hour Vegan Goat Cheese
A quick, creamy vegan goat-style cheese that softens and bubbles when toasted—great for bagel toasts.
Homemade Chunky Salsa
Fresh chunky salsa pairs beautifully with melted vegan cheddar on a toasted bagel.
Homemade Vegan Feta
A salty, crumbly vegan feta made from almonds and tofu—quick to prep and excellent crumbled over bagel sandwiches.
Raw Raspberry Fig Chia Jam
A naturally sweet jam packed with chia seeds—great on toast or paired with nut butter on a bagel.
Roasted Red Pepper & Tahini Hummus
A flavorful hummus with tahini, garlic, and lemon—an easy way to add plant protein to your bagel.
Cultured Sunflower Seed Cheese
A spreadable cultured cheese made from sunflower seeds and cashews—delicious plain or with mix-ins like sun-dried tomato.
Vegan Dark Chocolate Dessert Hummus
A creamy, fudgy spreadable dessert hummus that works as a sweet bagel topping or dip.
Boursin-Copycat Cashew Cheese
A garlicky, herby cashew cheese that mimics Boursin—creamy and perfect on bagels.
Vegan “Smoked Salmon” Carrot Lox
Smoky carrot lox that pairs beautifully with vegan cream cheese for a classic bagel & lox experience without fish.
Easy AIP Pesto (Nut Free)
A bright, zesty pesto that works as a unique bagel spread—nut-free and flavorful.
Vegan bagel sandwich recipes
If you want more inspiration for assembled bagel meals, here are some creative sandwich recipes and combos to try. They show how simple toppings can be combined into a satisfying meal.
Vegan Bagel Sandwich Recipes
Original recipe combinations that turn simple bagel toppings into hearty, delicious vegan sandwiches.
Gluten-Free Bagel with Vegan Carrot Lox & Cream Cheese
A gluten-free, allergy-friendly take on bagel & lox using carrot lox and vegan cream cheese—classic and satisfying.
Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Pizza Bagel Bites
Mini pizza bagel bites made vegan and allergy-friendly—great for snacks or parties.
The Ultimate Vegan Bagel Sandwich
A Mediterranean-inspired bagel with baba ganoush, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula—nutritious and flavorful.
The Ultimate Vegan Bagel Topping (BBQ Tofu Sandwich)
Smoky BBQ tofu, avocado, creamy dill sauce, and plenty of vegetables—hearty and packed with flavor.
Bagel Thin Pesto Sandwich
A no-cook, versatile pesto sandwich that works for breakfast, lunch, or a snack.
“I Can’t Believe It’s Vegan” Breakfast Bagel Sandwich
A filling vegan breakfast sandwich using store-bought substitutes for a portable, hearty start to the day.
I hope this collection of vegan bagel toppings and recipes gives you plenty of ideas. If you have favorite recipes or suggestions to add, please reach out or leave a comment and this resource can be updated.
Enjoy your bagels and all the delicious vegan toppings you create!