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–+ servings

Apple Grilled Cheese with Cheddar, Fontina, and Chili Crisp

The perfect fall lunch or dinner!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch, Sandwich
Keyword: apple grilled cheese
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Calories: 409kcal
Author: Teri Turner

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bread
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise for spreading
  • 1-2 ounces cheddar cheese about ½ cup grated*
  • 1-2 ounces Fontina cheese about ½ cup grated*
  • 1 apple thinly sliced (I prefer a sweeter apple like a Honeycrisp as opposed to a Granny Smith)
  • Handful of arugula
  • Chili crisp to taste

Instructions

  • Prep the Bread: Spread mayonnaise on the outside of each bread slice, making sure to cover it completely from edge to edge — this will help the bread toast beautifully.
  • Assemble the Sandwich: “Type B” method: Place the bread mayo-side down on a work surface then split half the grated cheese between the two slices. Top the cheese with apple slices then top with remaining cheese. Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices with the mayo-covered sides facing out.
  • “Type A” method: Place two pieces of bread in a cold skillet, mayo-side down. Top each slide with a handful of cheese, then a layer of apples. Top the apples with the remaining cheese and then close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices, making sure the mayo side of the bread is facing up.
  • Toast: Place the sandwiches in a skillet over medium-low heat, mayo side down. Cover the pan and cook until the bread turns golden brown, about 5 minutes, then carefully flip and toast the other side. You can toggle between medium and low heat if the bread starts to brown before the cheese starts to melt. Covering the pan will speed up the melting process.
  • Optional – Oven Finish: If you're using an oven-safe pan, after the sandwich is toasted on both sides, transfer the pan to a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes to ensure the cheese melts thoroughly.
  • Add Fresh Ingredients: Remove the sandwich from heat. Carefully open it up and add a handful of arugula and a spoonful of chili crisp to each sandwich
  • Serve: Close the sandwich, slice in half, and enjoy warm!

Notes

  • Grate the cheese yourself for the best results.
  • Slice the apples thin so you get the perfect texture in every bite. 
  • Cook low and slow so you don't burn the bread and allow time to let the cheese melt.
BACON & APRICOT VARIATION: 
  • All ingredients above
  • 2-3 slices Oven Bacon
  • Apricot Jam Sauce (2 tablespoons mayo, 1 tablespoon apricot jam, and a squirt of dijon mustard)
  • Marinated Onions
After you have prepped the cheese and apples, build a sauce of 2 tablespoons mayo, 1 tablespoon apricot jam, and a squirt of dijon mustard. Toast two slices of bread. On the first side place cheddar, 6 thin slices of apple, and bacon. On the other side, spread some plain apricot jam, chicken, cheddar and fontina. 
Broil as an open faced sandwich until the cheese is melty. Add arugula, the mayo sauce, and marinated onions, close and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 561mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 331IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 255mg | Iron: 2mg