10 Healthy & Delicious Bread Alternatives for Sandwiches (2024)

There’s something about a lunchtime sandwich that is undeniably pleasing (my fave is turkey bacon with extra cheese!). However, if you’re looking to shed a few pounds or stay away from bread for another reason, you might think sandwiches are out of the question.

I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to nix sandwiches from your regular lunch schedule. Instead, I invite you to try one of the many bread alternatives for sandwiches, from tortillas to portobello mushrooms, cauliflower bread to pickle slices.

Hey, everyone! Welcome to the post. My name’s Michelle, and I’ve enjoyed baking for the past ten years. What I love even more than baking is eating – especially sandwiches! But to shake things up a bit, I decided to venture into the best alternatives to bread for sandwiches.

Let’s find out what ingredient you’ll swap bread for in your next sandwich!

10 Best Alternatives for Sandwiches

Sandwiches may typically come with two slabs of bread, but they don’t have to! You can create a delectable sandwich sans bread. You just need to be creative and, sometimes, willing to step out of the “sandwich box” entirely!

1. Tortillas

Tortillas – especially low-carb and whole-grain options – can be a quick and easy substitute for bread in sandwiches. In fact, I regularly use tortillas instead of bread. I think it allows for the “filling” flavors to be the star of the show, which is quite delightful.

2. Cauliflower Bread

You know what? They’ll make just about anything with cauliflower these days. Just the other day I was eating pizza made with a cauliflower crust. It was really good!

With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that cauliflower bread is on this list. You can purchase cauliflower bread in some stores. If you can’t find it, you can always make it yourself. Although it might sound a little challenging, it’s actually pretty simple.

Opting for cauliflower bread as opposed to traditional bread means you can enjoy a sandwich that’s lower in calories and higher in fiber. Plus, you get a considerable boost in the vitamin department, making it an excellent sub for bread.

3. Cucumber Slices

Plenty of people put cucumber slices in their sandwiches – myself included.

But why put the cucumbers inside when you can use them as a substitute for the bread?

Using cucumber slices instead of bread for your upcoming sandwich will provide you with an undeniably refreshing and crunchy twist you’re sure to enjoy. Not only that, but the extra cucumber will provide you with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Yes, please!

4. Pickle Slices

Cucumbers are not your thing? Are you more of a pickle fanatic?

While I personally can’t stand the smell of pickles (sorry, everyone), I have heard some incredible things from those who have alternated pickle slices for bread in their sandwiches.

So, if you consider yourself a pickle person, consider using them for your next sandwich!

5. Portobello Mushrooms

At three to six inches long, portobello mushrooms are certainly known for their size, making them a good choice for the “bread” in sandwiches. Plus, they come with a handy “pouch” for the toppings to slide into, leaving your workstation mess-free.

Aside from their convenience, portobello mushrooms are a great option because they’re delicious and will add a unique flavor to any sandwich they accompany. They also pack quite a Vitamin B2 punch and let’s face it, we could probably all use a bit more B2 in our lives.

6. Lettuce

Lettuce. Another common ingredient found in sandwiches. An element used for tacos to replace taco shells (I’m looking at you, mouthwatering Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps.) Need I say anymore?

If you don’t want to fuss with bread in your upcoming sandwich, just use lettuce instead. Sure, it’s a little less “robust” than some of the other options, so things might get messy. But the crispy, crunchy texture is definitely worth it.

And let’s not even get started on all of the health benefits, from improved bone strength to enhanced vision!

7. Bell Peppers

Is your sandwich begging for a bit of heat? Then let me introduce you to my seventh option for bread alternatives for sandwiches – bell peppers.

Whether you opt for the green, red, yellow, or orange varieties, you’ll enjoy giving your “typical” sandwich an added punch with every bite.

Simply slice a bell pepper in half and plop your fillings inside. Take a big bite and enjoy your new-and-improved sandwich!

8. Cloud Bread

Are you looking for something that tastes like regular bread but is keto-friendly, low carb, low fat, gluten-free, and free of grains? No, you’re not dreaming. This is a real thing, and it’s called “Cloud Bread.”

Have you ever heard of it?

Yeah, you probably have. It’s become the latest craze for those who want to pick up healthy eating habits without sacrificing flavor and texture.

But if you haven’t heard of it, you will be happy to discover that Cloud Bread is straightforward to make at home, and the texture and flavor are divine. Once you try this incredible “bread,” you’ll never return to your go-to loaves again.

9. Nori

If you’re a sushi connoisseur, you know exactly what nori is. If you have never tried sushi, let me present to you: nori – delicious, entirely edible dried seaweed.

I know this might sound a little odd. But the flavors are actually tremendous and will add a unique twist of flavors to any sandwich.

The best part is that nori is very nutrient-dense. It’s loaded with a slew of vitamins and also contains niacin, folic acid, and taurine. Basically, if you opt for nori, you’ll be giving your typical sandwich a major nutrient overhaul. (Your body will thank you!)

10. Rice Cakes

You might be used to consuming rice cakes as a low-calorie snack in the afternoon. But did you know that they make an excellent swap for bread in sandwiches?

It’s true!

Rice cakes are very low-cal, instantly shaving off several hundreds of calories from your fave sandwich. Not only that, but they have a desirable texture that will play well with the rest of your sandwich ingredients.

Opt for plain rice cakes to let your filling be the focal point – or rev things up with a flavor like tomato and basil, “everything,” or white cheddar. So yummy.

FAQs

I bet you didn’t know there were so many great options for substituting bread in sandwiches! However, I don’t want you to leave just yet. I have a couple of frequently asked questions I know you’ll be happy to read through.

What is the healthiest thing to put in a sandwich?

The healthiest thing to put in a sandwich would be lots and lots of vegetables. If you want meat to accompany your veggies, opt for roasted chicken, lean ham, tuna, roast beef, or turkey. If you want a vegetarian choice, consider mashed eggs, baked beans, or ricotta cheese.

Are wraps better than bread?

To most people’s surprise, wraps aren’t much different than bread. In fact, some people have found that certain wraps have more calories and carbs than their bread counterparts. So, before deciding on wraps, take a good look at the nutritional content and ingredient list before making a decision.

What should I eat when I crave bread?

If you’re craving bread, protein is the best thing to turn to. You can also try to snack on something crunchy but healthy, like carrot and cucumber sticks. If you really can’t kick the carb craving, try using an alternative, like zucchini noodles (zoodles).

There Are Many Great Alternatives for Bread in Sandwiches!

If you don’t want bread in your sandwich, don’t worry – you have plenty of choices! Go with a very healthy option, like cucumber slices or portobello mushrooms. Or, try out a new type of “bread” that will leave you guilt-free, like cauliflower or cloud bread.

What do you use as an alternative for bread in sandwiches? Share with us!

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