This fried cheese sandwich is crispy, delicious, has perfectly melted slices of cheese and doesn’t need a second slice of bread.
I always laughed at my brother when he would tell me that the best grilled cheese sandwich only has one piece of bread.
But then I tried his fried cheese melt sandwich, and it is my new favorite recipe. It is the best way to eat it.
It’s not a cheese frenchee, or a deep fried grilled cheese sandwich.
Instead it is the best part of a cheese sandwich. It gives you crispy brown pan fried cheese with gooey melted cheese inside and a perfect fried sandwich bread.
It is a fried cheese melt from heaven. Or as my kids call it, just regular fried cheese bread please.
When you try these fried cheese sandwiches you will understand and come back to this version again and again.
What ingredients are in a fried cheese sandwich?
- High Quality Cheddar Cheese: you want one with great flavor and good texture to hold up to the pan frying
- High Quality Bread: no cheap loaves; you want homemade bakery quality bread here
- Butter: this fries the bread to a perfect golden color every time.
How to make a fried cheese sandwich:
- Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Turn down to low heat and place slices of bread in hot oil, swirling to coat completely in butter.
- Place cheese slices on top and cook until bread is golden with melty cheese on top.
- Flip the sandwich so the slices of cheese are touching the pan and cook until the edges of the cheese are a dark golden color.
- Remove and place the bread side down on a plate and serve!
Pro Tip: The sandwich is perfectly cooked when your bread and cheese are a perfect golden brown. The cheese should be crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
What is the best cheese to use in a fried cheese sandwich?
The best cheese to use in a fried cheese sandwich is a really great quality cheddar. My personal preference is Tillamook sharp cheddar because it has great flavor and gives you a nice melt without completely disappearing on the pan.
I have experimented with different types of cheese, and while I do like american cheese in a regular grilled cheese recipe, it is not a great cheese to use in this cheese sandwich recipe. Fried cheddar cheese is my go to every time, though sometimes a pepper jack hits the spot.
Pro Tip: You can use mozzarella sticks (or string cheese) to make this recipe. If you do use fresh mozzarella, do not cook it as long as cheddar. Cooking mozzarella cheese too long will make it tough, and not crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
What is the best bread to use in a fried cheese sandwich?
My brother thinks the best bread to use in a fried cheese sandwich is Italian; I really love sourdough bread in this dish. Whatever bread slices you use, pick a type of bread that is a great quality that will hold up to the melted butter frying and heavy cheese melt.
Is a fried cheese sandwich healthy?
Fried cheese sandwich is not very healthy for you. But by using great quality bread and eating it in moderation, it has a place as a special meal in a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy recipes will include a whole grain bread and thinner slices of cheese. You could adapt it, but also it’s a good idea to eat the real thing in moderation to balance your diet.
How to store leftover fried cheese sandwich:
I have never had to store leftover fried cheese sandwich because we usually eat it all at once. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
For best results, reheat in a pan with just a touch of butter until heated through and crispy.
What to serve with fried cheese sandwich:
While I could eat it plain and be very happy, here are some of my favorite things to serve with a fried cheese sandwich:
- Salad: Caesar salad, green salad, fruit salad, jello salad
- Dips: a side of marinara sauce, chopped heirloom tomatoes, pesto, or even ketchup if the mood hits are great dips to serve with this sandwich
- Soup: tomato soup, chowder, broccoli cheddar soup, and taco soup are some of my favorites to eat with this sandwich
- Meat: try an easy roasted chicken, grilled kabobs, crockpot pulled pork, or any of your favorite meats and use this as a second side to complete the meal
- A Sandwich: sometimes if I’m feeling it, I will use this as the bread on the outside of a regular sandwich. Try it as a burger bun or as the outside of a classic italian cheese sandwich with a variety of deli meat, lettuce, tomato, peppers, and whatever you love to eat on a sandwich.
Can dogs eat fried cheese sandwich?
No you should not let your dogs eat this fried cheese sandwich. Many dogs have problems digesting dairy, and with the butter and rich cheese in this dish, it is not great for your pup.
More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love…
- Pork Slaw Sandwiches
- Polynesian Chicken Recipe
- Disney Grilled Cheese
- Unique Breakfast Sandwiches
- Pot Roast Grilled Cheese
- Ham Salad Sandwich Recipe
- Salami Sandwich
- Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
- Brie and Pear Sandwich
- Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
- Barbacoa Sandwich
- Egg Salad
- Frozen BBQ Chicken in Crock Pot
- Leftover Pulled Pork Sandwich
A fried cheese sandwich is one of those simple recipes you will come back to again and again; with its gooey cheese middle and crispy bread and cheese outside, it is the perfect way to eat this classic comfort food.
Fried Cheese Sandwich
This fried cheese sandwich is crispy, delicious, has perfectly melted slices of cheese and doesn't need a second slice of bread.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat a frying pan on Medium heat.
- Melt butter in pan.
- Turn pan to low heat (setting 2 works best for us, however you decided on what is best for your stove)
- Place slice of bread into pan and swirl it around until it is thoroughly coated in butter.
- Place two slices of cheddar cheese on top.
- Cook until bread is a nice golden color.
- Flip sandwich over so that cheese is now touching the pan with the bread on top.
- Allow cheese to melt. When the edges of the cheese turn a dark golden color it is ready. This may take 3 or 4 minutes.
- Remove from pan and place on plate bread side down.
- Cheese should be crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 416mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 9g
Photos & Text Updated: March 11, 2023
IJ
Saturday 17th of July 2021
Would this recipe work with two halves of croissant (but only to use their flat surfaces instead of flipping them over like the sliced bread)? Should I even attempt it at all or will the recipe get ruined?
Janelle
Sunday 18th of July 2021
My brother, the creator of the recipe is a big fan of using a large croissant for this! Simply cut your croissant in half, and then treat them like bread! Just remember you'll need a nonstick pan for this recipe. Enjoy!
L. G. Cassity
Sunday 1st of July 2018
Love the idea! Always put extra cheese on cheeseburgers just to make that crunchy skirt! But, you might want to warn people to use a good "non-stick" pan to do this in. Otherwise they may have to use a chisel to get it out of the pan!! 😆
Janelle
Monday 9th of July 2018
Yes you are right. A nonstick pan is essential in a recipe that has you grilling straight onto the pan!
Carol Groves
Friday 15th of April 2016
My grandmother and mum beginning of the 80s. When he died no-one had thought to get the recipt from her, especially as my grandsons liked cheese. They grated the cheese and somewhere a bit of water was included, but your brothers fried cheese does taste the same. Thanks for passing it on.
Janelle
Friday 22nd of April 2016
Welcome to the fried cheese club Carol! We are a small group but a group with great taste! I'm so glad this recipe could bring back memories for you and that you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for your comment. You've made my day!
April
Monday 2nd of June 2014
I'm not sure about this either! It looks interesting but scary!!!!
Janelle
Monday 2nd of June 2014
April your comment made me laugh! Scary as in you might have a massive heart attack if you bite into it? Scary as in HOLY GREASE! I agree. Which is why I was so against trying it for so long. However, that grease is being consumed whether fried or not fried as it's just the oils in the cheese coming out and in all reality, if I am going to die of a massive heart attack it will happen and frying my cheese or melting my cheese really wont make a difference.
Either way, it's worth a try. Really whats the worst that can happen, you wasted 5 minutes of life and didn't like it. OR you try it and realize that it's amazing and looks aren't everything! LOL! I hope you give it a shot. It took me a long time before I did and I am glad I did!
LydiaF
Monday 2nd of June 2014
Now that's interesting. I've always liked the bits of cheese that squeeze out from the bread.
Janelle
Monday 2nd of June 2014
Lydia, that was always his favorite part too, so he decided to just make the whole sandwich that way! There is something to be said for those tasty crispy parts!