Vegan Cheddar & Apple Sandwich with Jalapeno Cranberry Spread

This vegan cheddar and apple sandwich is one of the easiest yet tastiest vegan sandwiches, ever! Vegan cheddar cheese, apple slices, crisp fresh lettuce and a spicy jalapeño cranberry spread.

It is currently 6:21AM on August, 3rd (hello to my fellow morning people) and there is a crisp, cool breeze rolling off the ocean. It's technically summer, but fall is in the air this morning and I am here for it. Especially since I'm sharing this delicious sandwich recipe that has a little fall flair to it.

This vegan cheddar and apple sandwich can be enjoyed year round, but it has been crafted as a subtle way to dip our taste buds into spooky season. I am officially ready for all things fall. Apples and cheese are a classic combination typically paired together on charcuterie boards so it only made sense to make a fall-inspired sandwich with them too!

Granny smith apples are typically in their prime from September to October (for us in the northern hemisphere). Their naturally tart, incredibly juicy and overall add balance to the sandwich. If you haven't experienced apple and cheese together yet, it is a salty and sweet experience that feels almost too simple yet slightly luxurious. Try it and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Jump to:

• Vegan cheddar & apple sandwich ingredients
• Ways to toast sandwich bread
• Cheddar & apple sandwich variations
• Storage tips
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Feedback

Vegan cheddar & apple sandwich ingredients

The two hero ingredients in this sandwich are of course apples and cheddar cheese:

• Granny smith apples are tart, making them the perfect pairing with the saltiness of cheese and savoriness of the spread. Swap with Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for a sweeter variation.
• Vegan cheddar cheese
  • Violife mature cheddar & standard cheddar slices
  • Follow Your Heart medium cheddar
  • Daiya cheddar style slices
  • Good Planet cheddar slices

Violife and Follow Your heart are my favorites! The cheese remaining as is (no melting) makes it a great option for new vegans or anyone new to using dairy-free cheese.

Chao creamy slices are also a great alternative if you cannot find cheddar. If you experiment with other flavors, let me know in the comments below!

BUT, favorite part of this apple cheddar sandwich (aside from the fact that it only takes a few minutes to throw together) is the jalapeño cranberry spread. Here are the ingredients you will need to make it:

• Vegan mayo (or substitute with mashed avocado)
• Spicy mustard (dijon, german, etc.)
• Pickled jalapeños
• Dried cranberries
• Walnuts (optional, omit if nut-free)

And finally, you will need a (gluten-free) bread to spread and stack the deliciousness on. I used Carbonaut seeded bread - this is one of the only vegan and gluten-free breads that I can find that actually tastes similar to a classic sandwich bread. It toasts quickly and is great when used in grilled cheeses as well!

Ways to toast sandwich bread

• Toaster or toaster oven: place bread into toaster or toaster oven on toast setting for 4-5 minutes.
• Skillet or griddle: butter each slice of bread and place onto a warm skillet for 2-3 minutes or until golden/charred to your liking. For a crispier bread, toast both sides. You can also do this method dry or with a splash of avocado oil in the warm skillet.
• Oven: preheat oven to 350F. Place bread (not buttered) onto a cookie sheet and bake for 3-5 minutes on each side.

Cheddar & apple sandwich variations

• Cheddar and apple grilled cheese or panini. Swap lettuce for spinach or kale and butter both sides of the bread before pressing on a warm skillet.
• Add grilled tofu or falafel
• For a sweeter sandwich, caramelize the apples with maple syrup before adding to the sandwich.

Storage tips

The jalapeño cranberry spread gets even better if left in the fridge, covered, for a few hours. Best if eaten within a day or so.

Thanks to the toasted bread, this sandwich is great to pack and take on the go. Best if eaten within 2-4 hours.

Apples are best if cut directly before adding to the sandwich.

📋 Recipe