Apple Grilled Cheese With Bacon

Name: Apple Grilled Cheese With Bacon
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 slices thick cut bacon (cooked); 8 slices sourdough bread; 4 tablespoons butter (room temperature); 4 slices cheddar cheese; 1 large Granny Smith apple (thinly sliced); 1/4 cup honey; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; freshly cracked pepper

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Apple Grilled Cheese with Bacon is a unique twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of crispy bacon, melted cheese, and sweet, tart apple slices creates a flavor explosion in every bite, all nestled between two slices of your favorite bread and grilled or pressed to perfection. This fresh and flavorful take on the classic is perfect for a cozy lunch or a quick dinner.

Serve your grilled cheese with a bowl of ground turkey soup, healing chicken soup, or even chicken zoodle soup for a hearty lunch or cozy dinner.

What You’ll Love About this Recipe

The Flavor: The sweet and tangy combination of apples, honey mustard, and cheddar cheese and really yummy!
The Addition of Bacon: The crispy and salty addition of bacon adds a delightful crunch to every bite.
Melty Cheese: The warm, melty cheese that oozes out of the sandwich, making it irresistibly cheesy.
Ease of Cooking: This apple grilled cheese recipe is as easy to make as the original.

Ingredients

8 slices Farmland’s Hickory Smoked Thick Cut Bacon, cooked
8 slices sourdough bread
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
4 tablespoons honey mustard sauce
4 thin slices of cheddar cheese
1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
Panini maker

Hot to Make

STEP ONE: Heat the skillet or panini press. Heat the Panini press or large skillet over medium-high heat.

STEP TWO: Make the honey mustard. In a small mixing bowl, combine the honey, dijon mustard, and a little freshly cracked pepper. Stir well.

STEP THREE: Prep the sandwiches. Spread the outside of each slice of bread with butter. Spread the inside half of the slices of bread with honey mustard. Evenly layer the cheese, apple slices, and bacon. Top with the remaining slice of bread, butter side up.

STEP FOUR: Cook. Place the sandwiches, one at a time, into the Panini press or skillet and cook until the cheese is melted. The panini press takes 3-5 minutes to cook. If using a skillet, cook for 3-5 minutes, flip, and cook an additional 3-5 minutes.

STEP FIVE: Serve. Serve hot with honey mustard to dip with.

What to Serve With Grilled Cheese

This Apple Grilled Cheese sandwich is fantastic on its own, but you can also pair it with sides to make it a complete meal. Here are a few ideas:

Chicken soup: Soup always goes very well with the sweet crunch of the apples in the sandwich.
Mixed greens salad: A light and refreshing salad with vinaigrette dressing adds a fresh contrast to the richness of the sandwich.
Sweet potato fries: Crispy, oven-baked sweet potato fries make a delicious and slightly healthier alternative to regular fries.

Tips and Recipe Notes

Don’t let your skillet get too hot, or it will burn the butter before the cheese can melt. Keep the heat around medium for best results.
Resist the urge to press down on your grilled cheese, or you’ll end up with a smooshed sandwich that doesn’t cook evenly.
I like to butter right to the very edges of the bread, including the crust. Otherwise, I find the crust can burn instead of getting nicely grilled like the rest of the bread.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, you can! While Granny Smith apples provide a nice tartness, you can try Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples for a slightly sweeter taste.

Can I make this recipe in a regular skillet?

Definitely! If you don’t have a Panini press, a regular skillet works just fine. Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, flipping once.

Can I serve this sandwich cold?

While it’s best enjoyed hot and melty, you can try it cold if you prefer. However, heating it up will make it taste better. See above for reheating instructions.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze the leftover sandwiches. After your grilled cheese is fully cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. Keep them in the freezer for up to two months.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

I recommend eating these sandwiches while they’re hot. Reheated grilled cheese with apples is definitely not as good as fresh, but if you want to, here’s how to store them properly. First, allow the leftover sandwiches to cool completely. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container. Keep them in fridge for up to two days.

How to Reheat

When you’re ready to reheat your frozen or refrigerated Apple Grilled Cheese sandwich, follow these steps:

From the refrigerator:

Preheat a skillet over medium heat.
Unwrap the sandwich and place it in the skillet.
Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the cheese is melty and the bread is crispy.

From the freezer:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Remove the plastic wrap from the frozen sandwich.
Place the sandwich on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free or dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the sourdough bread with your favorite gluten-free bread. Make sure to select a gluten-free bacon as well. You can also use dairy-free cheese substitute for a dairy-free alternative.

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