Craving melted cheese but want to avoid the hassle of grilling on the stovetop? This easy toaster oven method is the solution. Perfectly golden and crispy grilled cheese sandwiches can be yours, without the bother of handling a skillet. Let your toaster oven work its magic for the ultimate effortless comfort food in 20 minutes.
This easy Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese has only 3 quick ingredients. And you can have one on your plate in just 20 short minutes. Getting the perfect combo of melted cheese and toasted bread can be tricky on the stovetop, but the toaster oven was practically made for grilled cheese.
With controllable heat from both sides and compact space, you’ll make a perfect sandwich every time. Discover just how effortless and delicious grilled cheese in a toaster oven can be. This article will walk through a foolproof method for your new go-to grilled cheese.
Before You Start
- Test and Adjust
Monitor your first grilled cheese sandwich carefully to determine ideal cook times for your toaster oven. Cook times vary based on oven temp and personal preference for toastiness. Decrease cook time for light crispness or increase for well-done crunch.
- Position Strategically
Place sandwiches on the middle rack of your toaster oven. Use multiple racks to make more than one grilled cheese at once. Tweak cook times as needed.
- Adjust for Thick Bread
Lower the oven temp by 25°F and toast 3-4 minutes longer per side for thick-cut bakery bread. Sturdy loaves take longer to crisp than fluffy white bread.
- Choose Bread Wisely
For fast, consistent results, use regular sliced bread over artisan loaves. Airy white bread toasts quicker than dense, whole-grain varieties.
Grilled Cheese Topping Ideas
- Sliced Tomato: Fresh juicy tomatoes add a tangy note and extra moisture
- Avocado: Creamy, smooth avocado gives a lush mouthfeel and nutty flavor
- Arugula: Pepper arugula leaves provide a spicy kick and crisp texture
- Apple Slices: Sweet, tart apple slivers contribute fruity flavor and pleasant crunch
- Bacon: Smoky, salty crumbled bacon boosts heartiness for a meal-worthy sandwich
- Deli Meat: Turkey, ham, or roast beef lend meaty richness and tasty protein
- Sautéed Vegetables: Onions, mushrooms, etc. add sweet caramelized notes
- Fried Egg: A runny yolk takes the sandwich to breakfast-worthy new heights
- Berry Jam: Sweet fruit jam contributes fruity flavor and sticky spreadability
- Sriracha: Spicy sriracha infuses heat and garlic pungency for a fiery flair
How to Make Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese
Crispy toasted bread enveloping stretchy, melted cheese; hot, gooey, nostalgic comfort in every bite.
Equipment Needed for Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese
- Toaster Oven
- Aluminum foil
- Butter knife
- Wire Cheese Slicer
Ingredients Needed for Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese
- 4 slices bread
- cheese slices enough to cover two pieces of bread
- 2 tablespoon butter
Step-by-Step Direction with Photos
Step One: Prepare the Toaster Oven
Cut a sheet of aluminum foil to fit the interior of your toaster oven. This will catch any cheese drips during cooking.
Step Two: Assemble the First Side
Butter one side of two bread slices and place them buttered-side down on the foil. Completely cover the bread with cheese slices.
Step Three: Toast the First Side
Place sandwiches in the preheated toaster oven and toast for 3-5 minutes, until cheese starts to melt.
Step Four: Assemble the Second Side
Butter one side of two more bread slices and place them buttered-side up on top of the cheese.
Step Five: Toast the Second Side
Toast sandwiches for 5-7 minutes, until the top bread is lightly browned.
Step Six: Finish Toasting
Use tongs to carefully flip sandwiches then toast for another 5-7 minutes, until the second side browns.
Step Seven: Serve and Enjoy
When both bread sides are crispy and brown, remove the sandwiches from the toaster oven. Let cool slightly, cut in half, and enjoy your grilled cheese!
What to Serve with Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese
A perfectly golden, melty grilled cheese from the toaster oven begs for some tasty accompaniments.
For a classic combo, pair your crispy, gooey sandwich with tomato soup for dipping. Or offer pickle spears, cold sliced ham, or crispy bacon strips on the side. Loaded baked potato salad, pasta salad, or fresh fruit make nice lightweight sides. And you can never go wrong with hot soup, a refreshing green salad, or crusty bread for sopping up any leftover cheese drippings. With options like these, your toaster oven grilled cheese becomes a quick, balanced meal.
How to Store Grilled Cheese
Refrigerator
Keep grilled cheese fresh for up to 3 days by wrapping sandwiches individually in parchment paper or foil before refrigerating. The barrier prevents the bread from getting soggy.
Freezer
To freeze, first place assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Transfer the solid grilled cheese to an airtight freezer bag or container. Properly frozen, the sandwiches will last for 2 months.
Reheating from Frozen
An easy way to reheat straight from the freezer is to use a toaster oven, which mimics the initial crisping process. You can also reuse toaster bags. For stovetop reheating, lightly coat a skillet with nonstick spray and gently warm over medium-low heat. For oven reheating, loosely wrap frozen sandwiches in foil and bake at 425°F for 10 minutes.
No matter how you store or reheat them, these easy, 3-ingredient grilled cheese sandwiches retain their hot, melty appeal.
Nutrition of Grilled Cheese
Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 351IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 2mg
Conclusion
Between its effortless preparation and irresistible results, grilled cheese in the toaster oven rises to new heights as everyone’s favorite comfort food, anytime. Achieving gloriously melted cheese encased in crispy bread is easier than ever using this foolproof toaster oven technique, which perfectly captures the spirit of the classic grilled cheese sandwich in sandwich form.
With up to four golden, gooey sandwiches ready from start to finish in under 20 minutes, the toaster oven takes center stage as the appliance for putting crave-worthy grilled cheese moments within reach.
So whether enjoying this easiest of grilled cheese recipes as a quick breakfast on the go, a lunchtime office indulgence, or a late-night cravings fix, the toaster oven sets you up for grilled cheese success. For perfect grilled cheese results accessible to all skill levels, it doesn’t get better than grilled cheese in the toaster oven.
FAQs about Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese
Can you use shredded cheese instead of slices?
Answer: Shredded cheese melts faster than the bread will toast, so it’s best to stick to uniform cheese slices that melt in sync with the bread toasting.
What cooked meats make tasty additions?
Answer: Grilled cheese can accommodate any leftover cooked meats – bacon, deli slices, roast beef, pork, poultry, etc. Get creative with the proteins!
What kind of vegetables works well?
Answer: From tomato slices to sautéed mushrooms, onions, or peppers, almost any vegetable provides a nice contrast and extra flavor. Other tasty options include spinach, zucchini, avocado/guacamole, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Should you cover the sandwich while it cooks?
Answer: For even melting, it’s best to cook the grilled cheese uncovered so the tops and bottoms toast at the same rate. Covering can make the interior overly steamy.
Can you prepare more than one at a time?
Answer: Yes, multiple grilled cheese sandwiches can bake simultaneously if your toaster oven accommodates it. Just tweak cook times as needed.
What bread makes the best grilled cheese?
Answer: Opinions vary, but basic white bread offers quick, consistent results. Heartier artisan bread works too but requires more cooking time and attention. Ultimately choose your personal favorite!
Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese in 20 Minutes
Equipment
- Toaster oven
- Aluminum foil
- Butter knife
- Wire Cheese Slicer
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- cheese slices enough to cover two pieces of bread
- 2 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Cut a sheet of aluminum foil to fit the interior of your toaster oven. This will catch any cheese drips during cooking.
- Butter one side of two bread slices and place them buttered-side down on the foil. Completely cover the bread with cheese slices.
- Place sandwiches in the preheated toaster oven and toast for 3-5 minutes, until cheese starts to melt.
- Butter one side of two more bread slices and place them buttered-side up on top of the cheese.
- Toast sandwiches for 5-7 minutes, until the top bread is lightly browned.
- Use tongs to carefully flip sandwiches then toast for another 5-7 minutes, until the second side browns.
- When both bread sides are crispy and brown, remove the sandwiches from the toaster oven. Let cool slightly, cut in half, and enjoy your grilled cheese!
At Bridge House Tavern, we’re more than a team of food enthusiasts; we’re a culinary journey waiting to be savored. Our five-member crew is on a relentless quest to explore, create, and share the wonders of the gastronomic world.
