Vegan Bagel Sandwich with Pesto

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This vegan pesto bagel sandwich is full of fresh flavors and lots of veggies. Even better, making a vegan bagel sandwich isn’t complicated and takes less than 20 minutes. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even a light dinner!

completed Vegan Bagel Sandwich with Pesto on a white surface and another sandwich in the background

This recipe is one I come back to time and time again when I need a simple meal solution. Everyone loves it and it doesn’t require that much work to prepare.

It makes a healthy side dish for a bowl of soup or salad. I love it for dinner with some roasted pepper and tomato soup or vegan minestrone soup.

For lunch, it’s great to carry along with a yogurt parfait, crispy chickpeas, or piece of fruit and make the pesto bagel sandwich the main dish!

Why This Recipe Works
What Goes Into This Recipe
How To Make This Recipe
Expert Tips and FAQs
Variations
More Vegan Sandwich Recipes
Vegan Bagel Sandwich with Pesto Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

Great flavor. Pesto really packs a punch when it comes to the taste of this easy sandwich.
Quick and easy. This no-cook recipe is so easy – even kids can make it!
Healthy meal. Fresh veggies add so many nutrients to this pesto bagel sandwich.
Travels well. Make it ahead of time and carry it with you for a lunch on the go.

What Goes Into This Recipe

You don’t need much to make these vegan bagel sandwiches for a meal.

ingredients for Vegan Bagel Sandwich with Pesto measured out against a white surface

Bagels: Any flavor works! Bagels are generally vegan but check the ingredient labels of some flavors for non-vegan ingredients such as eggs, honey, or cheese.
Pesto: I prefer making my own Sunflower Seed Pesto but you can use store-bought vegan pesto or another pesto recipe as well.
Veggies: Baby spinach, avocado, tomatoes, and red onion! Use baby spinach leaves which are more tender and small cherry or grape tomatoes.

How To Make This Recipe

1) Cut the bagels in half and toast them.

2) On each bagel half, spread some sunflower seed pesto and then top with layers of spinach leaves, avocado slices, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion.

process shot of adding pesto to a bagel with ingredients on the side

process of adding spinach on top of pesto with ingredients on the side

Expert Tips and FAQs

Open face sandwich. This vegan bagel sandwich is meant to be eaten open-faced which means I can pile on the veggies, making it a heartier meal.
Eat immediately. I find for the best flavor these pesto sandwiches taste the best freshly made. If taking on the go, I recommend keeping the veggies separate and adding them at the last minute.
Get creative. Use this bagel sandwich recipe as a guide and on different combinations to make your own combinations and to use up ingredients you have in the fridge.

Are bagels dairy-free?

The basic recipe to make bagels doesn’t contain any dairy or animal products but sometimes flavored bagels may have ingredients made from dairy which makes them no longer dairy-free or vegan.

What do vegans eat on sandwiches?

There is a wide variety of plant-based sandwich toppings available for vegans to use! For protein ingredients, spreads such as hummus, bean spreads, marinated tofu, and tempeh are all great options! Then of course, all varieties of veggies are fair game. When it comes to sandwich spreads, you can use mustard or vinaigrettes which are often vegan, and/or use vegan mayo.

Is a bagel sandwich healthy?

In moderation, a bagel sandwich is a healthy option for meals, though it does depend on the toppings added to the sandwich. This vegan bagel sandwich is made meat-free without dairy and piles on the veggies for a healthy sandwich option you can enjoy!

Variations

Change up the pesto. If making your own, I love this sunflower seed pesto but you can also make it with pumpkin seeds too!
Add some vegan cheese. Not always budget-friendly, but it’s a great way to add some more flavor.
Add protein. Make this pesto bagel sandwich a bit heartier with a bit of classic hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, or white bean spread.
Add a sauce. It can be as simple as some vegan mayo or this creamy garlic sauce.
Use other veggies. This pesto bagel sandwich is a great way to use up ingredients you have on hand. Cucumber slices, avocado, lettuce, red bell pepper strips, and roasted veggies are just a few ideas!

More Vegan Sandwich Recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla