Chilli Cheese Toast just got a delicious plant-based upgrade! 🔥🧀
Looking for a quick, satisfying snack that’s ready in just 15 minutes? This Chilli Cheese Corn Toast is an Indian-style open sandwich that's spicy, cheesy, and 100% vegan. Whether you're craving something for breakfast, a tea-time treat, or a party starter, this easy recipe hits the spot every single time. No fancy ingredients, no fuss—just pure flavor and comfort in every bite!
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What is Chilli Cheese Toast
Chilli Cheese Toast is exactly what it sounds like—a spicy, cheesy, and flavor-packed open sandwich! Made with a mix of cheese, sweet corn, bell peppers, chopped green chillies, herbs, and spices, this Indian-style toast is toasted, air fried or baked until golden and bubbly. It’s crunchy, gooey, and incredibly satisfying—basically everything you want in a quick snack!
This Indian corn cheese toast has always been one of my go-to recipes, especially on busy days. I first fell in love with it during my college days when I’d often grab a slice from a local street food vendor. It was my comfort food then—and it still is today!
Now I’ve given it a delicious plant-based twist by turning it into a vegan chilli cheese toast recipe, without losing any of that nostalgic flavor. Whether you're new to Indian street food or craving a spicy toast recipe with a twist, this one is sure to hit the spot.
Street food is my favorite cuisine
If I had to choose a favorite cuisine, it would hands-down be street food—yes, I’m calling it a cuisine! Every region has its own iconic street eats, and they often have a cult following. I grew up in Bombay, where the street food scene is vibrant, flavorful, and deeply nostalgic.
Some of my fondest memories are tied to dishes like Bombay Sandwich, Vada Pav, Ragda Pattice, Bhel Puri, Misal Pav, or Pav Bhaji - —our days felt incomplete without them! During the monsoons, my dad and I had Masala Corn/Bhutta almost every evening. It was our little rainy-day ritual.
My love for Indian street food also inspires the fusion recipes I create—think Mexican Pani Puri, Puff Pastry Samosa, Dabeli Pizza, Indian Curry Pasta, Matar Kachori Pinwheels, and Tandoori Cheese Quesadillas. These fun twists combine nostalgia with creativity, and they always bring a smile!
Why make this
- 🧀 100% Vegan – A delicious plant-based take on a classic cheesy toast recipe.
- ⏱ Ready in Just 10 Minutes – The perfect quick fix for busy mornings or evening cravings.
- 🍞 Great Use for Leftover Bread – Don’t let those extra slices go to waste!
- 🧂 Made with Basic Pantry Ingredients – No fancy stuff needed—just everyday staples.
- 🥪 Versatile Meal Option – Enjoy it for breakfast, snack, lunch, or even dinner!
- 🎉 Crowd-Pleaser – Ideal for parties, potlucks, or game nights—easy to make for a large group.
- 👨👩👧 Kid-Friendly & Adult-Approved – Cheesy, spicy, crunchy... it’s De-li-ci-ous for everyone!
Ingredients needed 🧾
Bread
Use white, brown, multigrain, or sourdough—any variety of bread works for this recipe. It’s also a great way to use up leftover bread that’s starting to go stale. Use gluten-free bread if you are on a no-gluten diet.
Vegan Cream Cheese
I use Kite Hill dairy-free cream cheese, but you can substitute it with vegan butter (plain or flavored) for a similar creamy base.
Vegan Cheese
The cheesier, the better! Use any vegan cheese that melts well—shredded, sliced, or grated. Choose a brand you enjoy for the best results.
Vegetables
The key veggies in this Indian snack recipe are bell peppers and frozen yellow corn. You’ll also need finely chopped onions for added crunch and flavor.
Spices
A bold mix of chaat masala, paprika or red chilly powder, cumin powder, and freshly crushed black pepper gives this toast its signature tangy, spicy flavor.
Flavorings
Chopped cilantro (or parsley), green chillies, or jalapeños/serrano peppers, and garlic, take the flavor up a notch.
How to make it 🔪
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- In a mixing bowl, combine finely chopped bell peppers and thawed sweet corn.
- Add chopped cilantro, minced green chilies (reserve 1–2 tablespoons for garnish), finely chopped onions, and minced garlic.
- Stir in the shredded vegan cheese, followed by chaat masala, paprika, cumin powder, and crushed black pepper.
- Season with salt to taste and mix everything well until evenly combined.
- Toast the bread slices by first spreading a thin layer of vegan cream cheese over each one. Then, either use a toaster or place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and broil at 400°F for 2–3 minutes, until lightly crisp and golden. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Spoon the prepared corn and cheese mixture generously over each toasted bread slice, spreading it evenly to cover the surface.
- Top with an extra layer of shredded vegan cheese for that perfectly melty, cheesy finish.
- Garnish with the reserved cilantro and green chilies, then return to the oven and broil at 400°F for another 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serving suggestions 🍽
Serve this hot and melty Chilli Cheese Toast straight out of the oven for the best flavor and texture. For an extra kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or oregano on top. You can also drizzle ketchup, vegan mayo, or green chutney over it—or serve them on the side as dips.
Enjoy it as-is, or get creative by cutting the toast into triangles, breadsticks, or even making a closed sandwich instead of an open-faced one.
This vegan open sandwich recipe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even a quick evening snack. It’s also a guaranteed party hit—great for kids and adults alike. Plus, it’s an easy way to sneak in extra veggies!
Pair it with a fresh salad, a warm soup, or one of these seasonal non-alcoholic drinks: Masala Chai, Dalgona Coffee, Raspberry Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Coffee Latte, Cherry Lemon Iced Tea, or Filter Coffee.
Top recipe tips 💭
This vegan Indian-style Chilli Cheese Toast is highly customizable, so feel free to tweak it based on your taste and pantry! Instead of vegan cream cheese, you can use vegan butter, whipped vegan ricotta, Tofutti, dairy-free sour cream, pesto, or even green chutney as the base spread. For a cheesy, umami boost, mix nutritional yeast with vegan butter and spread it on the bread. Since ingredients like chaat masala, lemon juice, and vegan cheese already add saltiness, always taste the mixture before adding extra salt.
Recipe FAQs 📖
You can use white, brown, multigrain, or any type of bread for this Chilli Cheese Toast recipe. It’s also a great way to repurpose leftover or slightly stale bread.
For a twist, try it with sourdough bread, bagels, or even artisan sandwich rolls. If you're following a gluten-free diet, simply use your favorite gluten-free bread.
The key is to choose a bread that toasts well and holds the cheesy topping without getting soggy.
Don’t have an oven? No problem! You can easily make this Vegan Chilli Cheese Toast using alternate methods.
Stovetop Method:
Place the assembled toast on a heated skillet or tawa. Cover it with a lid to help the vegan cheese melt evenly. Cook on low to medium heat until the base is crisp and the topping is hot and melty.
Air Fryer Method:
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the toasts in the basket and cook for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the edges are crispy.
These methods work just as well when you want to skip the oven and still enjoy this delicious Indian-style vegan toast!
This Chilli Cheese Corn Toast is best enjoyed fresh, while the bread is still crisp and the cheese is melty. However, you can prep ahead or store leftovers with a few tips:
Corn Mixture: You can prepare the corn-veggie filling in advance (without adding the cheese) and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. It can also be frozen for longer storage.
Leftover Toast: If you do happen to have leftover assembled toasts (rare, but possible!), store them in the fridge. Reheat on a skillet, in the oven, or air fryer until warm and slightly crisp.
Repurpose It: The leftover corn mixture is versatile—use it in parathas, quesadillas, wraps, tortillas, or even a Potato Sandwich for a quick meal idea.
For best results, always assemble and toast just before serving to enjoy maximum flavor and texture.
Absolutely! This vegan Chilli Cheese Toast is very customizable, and you can easily add more vegetables to boost both flavor and nutrition.
Try mixing in chopped mushrooms, mashed potatoes, broccoli, olives, or even zucchini. For a nutrient-rich twist, toss in some greens like spinach, kale, or fenugreek leaves (methi). These additions work great in the corn-cheese mixture and make this Indian-style toast even more wholesome.
Feel free to get creative with what you have on hand—this recipe is perfect for using up extra veggies from your fridge!
If you’re not following a vegan diet, you can easily adapt this recipe for a richer, dairy-filled version:
Use salted or unsalted butter instead of vegan cream cheese to spread on the bread. You can also use Thecha Butter.
Add grated paneer (Indian cottage cheese) to the corn mixture for extra creaminess and texture.
Top the toast with shredded Amul cheese, mozzarella, or any processed cheese of your choice to get that classic, melty cheese pull.
For a Jain-friendly version, simply skip the onion and garlic while keeping all other ingredients the same.
This non-vegan variation delivers the ultimate cheesy, spicy, and comforting toast experience!
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Recipe 📖
Chilli Cheese Toast (Indian-Style) – 15-Minute Vegan Snack!
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow corn
- 1 bell pepper
- 3 tablespoon cilantro
- 2 green chillies
- ½ onion
- 8-10 cloves garlic
- ½ cup vegan shredded cheese
- 1 tablespoon chaat masala
- ½ tablespoon cumin powder
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper
- salt
- 8 slices bread
- ¼ cup vegan cream cheese
- 2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 2 teaspoon oregano optional
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine finely chopped bell peppers and thawed sweet corn.
- Add chopped cilantro, minced green chilies (reserve 1–2 tablespoons for garnish), finely chopped onions, and minced garlic.
- Stir in the shredded vegan cheese, followed by chaat masala, paprika, cumin powder, and crushed black pepper.
- Season with salt to taste and mix everything well until evenly combined.
- Toast the bread slices by first spreading a thin layer of vegan cream cheese over each one. Then, either use a toaster or place them on a parchment-lined baking tray and broil at 400°F for 2–3 minutes, until lightly crisp and golden. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Spoon the prepared corn and cheese mixture generously over each toasted bread slice, spreading it evenly to cover the surface.
- Top with an extra layer of shredded vegan cheese for that perfectly melty, cheesy finish.
- Garnish with the reserved cilantro and green chilies, then return to the oven and broil at 400°F for another 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve this hot and melty Chilli Cheese Toast straight out of the oven for the best flavor and texture.
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