What do vegans put on toast instead of butter?

December 26, 2025 •

5 min read

Over 79 million people worldwide are vegan, many of whom have completely reimagined their breakfast rituals. If you've ever wondered what do vegans put on toast instead of butter, you'll be delighted to find a world of diverse and delicious options, ranging from creamy spreads to flavorful, savory toppings. This article explores the best plant-based alternatives to ensure your toast is never boring again.

Quick Summary

This guide provides an extensive list of vegan alternatives to butter for toast, detailing a variety of sweet and savory spreads and toppings. It covers popular options like avocado and hummus, creative choices like homemade vegan butter and seasoned beans, and offers complete recipe ideas for flavorful meals. The article also includes a comparison of different alternatives.

Key Points

Vegan Butter Alternatives: Commercial vegan butters made from plant oils offer a familiar taste and texture to dairy butter.
Savory Toast Toppings: Avocado toast is a classic, but other savory options include hummus, mashed beans, scrambled tofu, and various pestos.
Sweet Toast Toppings: Nut and seed butters like peanut, almond, or tahini provide a great base for sweet additions like fruits or vegan chocolate spreads.
Creative Combos: Experiment with flavor combinations like peanut butter and sriracha, vegan cream cheese with carrot lox, or hummus with roasted peppers.
High-Protein Options: Increase your toast's protein content by adding smashed chickpeas or white beans, scrambled tofu, or choosing a high-protein nut butter.
Nut-Free Alternatives: For those with nut allergies, sunflower seed butter, tahini, hummus, and mashed beans are excellent and safe choices.
Nutritional Benefits: Many vegan alternatives offer added nutritional benefits, including healthy fats from avocado and nut butters, and fiber and protein from legumes like chickpeas and beans.

Exploring Vegan Alternatives to Butter

When transitioning to a vegan diet, replacing staples like butter is one of the first and most delicious challenges. Fortunately, the market for vegan products has exploded, and home cooks are more creative than ever, making it simple to find or create a plant-based spread for your toast. Below, we break down some of the most popular and creative options.

Sweet Spreads and Toppings

For those who love a sweet start to their day, plenty of options are available to top a slice of warm toast without a drop of butter.

Nut and Seed Butters

Classic Peanut Butter: A timeless choice. For a healthier version, opt for natural peanut butter with no added sugar or oils. Combine with sliced bananas, strawberries, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
Almond Butter: Offers a richer, more complex flavor than peanut butter. Pairs beautifully with fresh fruits like berries or apples.
Cashew Butter: A creamier, milder option that works well with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Tahini (Sesame Seed Butter): A versatile seed butter with a slightly nutty flavor. Combine with a touch of maple syrup for a delicious 'halva' flavored toast.
Sunflower Seed Butter (Sunbutter): An excellent nut-free alternative that can be enjoyed with jam or fruit for a classic twist.

Fruit-Based Toppings

Fruit Jams and Preserves: A simple and sweet classic. Choose options with minimal added sugar and real fruit.
Mashed Bananas: A simple and naturally sweet spread, often paired with a dash of cinnamon or nut butter.
Sliced Figs: Fresh or dried figs on toast can be enhanced with a drizzle of agave nectar or a dollop of vegan ricotta.

Chocolate Spreads

Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: A delicious treat for a weekend breakfast. Try a homemade version for a richer taste.

Savory Spreads and Toppings

For those who prefer a more savory and protein-rich breakfast, these options offer a satisfying start to your day.

Avocado Toast Variations

Classic Avocado Smash: Mash ripe avocado with a fork and season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Spicy Avocado Toast: Add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to your avocado mash for a kick.
Protein-Packed Avocado Toast: Mix mashed chickpeas or white beans into your avocado for added protein and texture.
Gourmet Avocado Toast: Top with sliced radishes, sprouts, cherry tomatoes, or Everything Bagel seasoning.

Bean and Legume-Based Toppings

Hummus: A creamy and versatile spread. Try different flavors like roasted red pepper or garlic hummus, and top with roasted vegetables or olives.
Mashed White Beans: Mash with lemon juice, herbs like dill or chives, and a little garlic powder for a savory, creamy topping.
Scrambled Tofu: Crumble tofu and sauté with turmeric, nutritional yeast, and black salt for an 'eggy' scramble. Serve on toast with sautéed mushrooms.
Baked Beans: A classic British breakfast staple, veganized. Serve warm on toast for a hearty meal.

Creamy and Cheesy Alternatives

Vegan Cream Cheese: Several brands offer fantastic vegan cream cheese. Enjoy it on toast with fresh herbs, sliced tomatoes, or carrot 'lox'.
Homemade Vegan Ricotta: Made from cashews or soy, this spread offers a creamy, tangy flavor perfect for savory applications.

Other Savory Ideas

Pesto: A vibrant and herby spread. Pair with sliced tomatoes or avocado.
Olive Tapenade: For a Mediterranean flair, spread olive tapenade and top with crumbled vegan feta.
Mushroom Toast: Sautéed mushrooms with garlic and thyme offer a flavorful, umami-rich topping.

Comparison of Vegan Toast Spreads

To help you choose the best vegan toast topping for your needs, here is a comparison table focusing on flavor, texture, and nutritional profile.


Topping	Flavor Profile	Texture	Best For	Nutritional Benefit
Vegan Butter	Neutral, rich, salty	Creamy, melts	Versatility, traditional taste	Often fortified with vitamins
Avocado	Mild, creamy, nutty	Smooth or chunky	Simple, savory dishes	Healthy fats, fiber
Hummus	Savory, garlicky, herby	Smooth, thick	High-protein meals	Protein, fiber, minerals
Nut/Seed Butters	Nutty, sweet or savory	Smooth or crunchy	Sweet toppings, energy boost	Protein, healthy fats
Fruit Jam	Sweet, fruity	Gel-like	Quick sweet breakfast	Vitamin C, natural sugars
Vegan Cream Cheese	Tangy, creamy	Smooth, spreadable	Bagels, savory toppings	Probiotics (in some varieties)
Olive Oil	Rich, peppery	Liquid	Drizzles, savory toast	Healthy monounsaturated fats

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Toast Toppings

Is store-bought vegan butter a good option for toast?

Yes, vegan butter is a great option for a familiar taste and texture, especially if you miss traditional butter. Most brands are made from a blend of plant-based oils and are designed to spread and melt just like dairy butter.

Can I make my own vegan butter at home?

Absolutely. Homemade vegan butter recipes often use a combination of coconut oil, nuts (like cashews), and nutritional yeast to create a creamy and savory spread. The advantage is controlling the ingredients and avoiding additives.

What can I use for a quick and easy sweet toast?

For a fast sweet toast, simply spread a nut butter like peanut or almond butter, top with sliced bananas, and add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Jam or preserves are also a classic, quick option.

How can I add more protein to my vegan toast?

To boost the protein, try mashing chickpeas or white beans into your avocado or creating a quick scrambled tofu. A generous spread of hummus or a high-protein nut butter will also do the trick.

Is avocado toast always vegan?

Traditional avocado toast is inherently vegan, consisting of mashed avocado on bread. However, some restaurants or recipes may add non-vegan toppings, so it's always best to check for additions like cheese or eggs.

Are there any nut-free alternatives for toast?

Yes. Tahini (sesame seed butter) and sunflower seed butter are excellent choices for a nut-free diet. Hummus and mashed beans are also savory, nut-free spreads.

How can I make my savory toast more gourmet?

Elevate your savory toast by adding fresh herbs like basil or dill, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, or some toasted seeds like hemp or pumpkin seeds.

Conclusion

Moving beyond butter on toast is not a sacrifice but an opportunity to explore a vast and delicious world of vegan spreads and toppings. From the creamy simplicity of avocado to the sweet indulgence of homemade chocolate spread, the options are plentiful and exciting. Embracing these plant-based alternatives means you can enjoy a nutritious and flavorful meal every time, proving that going vegan doesn't mean compromising on taste.

Visit this resource for more inspiration on homemade vegan butters.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a flavor-neutral, all-purpose option that mimics dairy butter, a quality store-bought vegan butter spread is best. It works well for both sweet and savory applications, including cooking and baking, and spreads just like the real thing.

Yes, coconut oil can be used on toast. It is solid at room temperature but will melt quickly on warm toast, offering a delicate coconut flavor. For a more neutral taste, opt for refined coconut oil over unrefined varieties.

Elevate your avocado toast by adding various toppings. Try seasoning with Everything Bagel seasoning, red pepper flakes for heat, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze. For extra protein, mix in some mashed chickpeas.

Beyond jam, consider spreading a nut or seed butter, homemade vegan chocolate hazelnut spread, or simply mashing a ripe banana with a dash of cinnamon. Drizzling maple syrup over tahini also creates a delicious sweet treat.

You can use a store-bought vegan cream cheese, which is widely available, or try making your own cashew-based or tofu-based version for a tangy, creamy spread. Top it with fresh herbs, chives, or tomato slices.

For an easy homemade savory spread, mash white beans with lemon juice, garlic powder, and fresh herbs. Another simple option is hummus, which you can easily customize with roasted vegetables, spices, or olives.

To make 'eggy' scrambled tofu, crumble firm tofu and sauté it with a little olive oil. Season with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, turmeric for color, and black salt (kala namak) to achieve a distinct eggy taste and smell.