Gooey and delicious grilled cheese sandwiches are a timeless comfort food. Here is a twist on this classic sandwich with the Waffle Maker Grilled Cheese. This method is a fun way to make a grilled cheese sandwich that is deliciously crispy and cheesy. The waffle maker pattern adds a unique texture to the toasted bread, perfect for pairing with a big bowl of warm tomato soup.
Start with some thick-cut, fresh sourdough bread, add some melted butter, a lot of grated cheese, and a big fat piece of bacon, then put the whole thing in a waffle maker. That's how we make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
The Cheese is the Key
Forget the slice of American cheese, that's for kids. This is an adult grilled cheese sandwich. This sandwich starts with a combination of cheeses that include fontina cheese, asiago cheese and parmesan cheese, all freshly grated. Grated cheeses melt better that sliced cheese. There is a lot more surface area on grated cheese to come into contact with all that hot air inside a waffle maker so it melts faster and that helps make gooey cheese.
Grated Cheese vs. Shredded Cheese
You might be wondering about the difference between grated and shredded cheese. Grated cheese is freshly grated by you on a box grater. Pre-shredded cheese comes in a bag from the grocery store and is usually coated in an anti-caking agent like potato starch. They are different in taste, texture and the way they melt. Use fresh cheeses and grate them yourself.
This recipe was inspired by my recipe for The Best Smoked Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
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Ingredients
- Thick-cut fresh sourdough bread
- Butter
- Fontina cheese
- Asiago cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Bacon
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat your waffle maker to medium heat (325°F). Cooking at this temperature allows the cheese to fully melt without burning the bread.
Thick Cut Sourdough
Start with two slices of bread. Thick-cut, good sourdough bread works best. It’s the best bread for standing up to the high heat and press of the waffle maker. It also forms a perfect golden-brown crust with a satisfying crunch. White bread does not work well because it's too soft. It will smash down and all the cheese will leak out and make a mess.
Look for an uncut loaf of sourdough bread at your local market or bakery. Cut thick slices (½" - ¾") and brush melted butter on both sides. Add enough butter on the outside of the bread to get that golden exterior.
Next, add lots of cheese. Pile it high. Grate the cheese when it's cold. Room temperature cheese is harder to grate.
Bacon Makes Everything Better
Sorry, did I forget to mention the bacon? Yes, put a big thick piece of bacon in that sandwich (cooked of course). You will be glad that you did.
Add a piece of cooked, thick cut bacon on top of the grated cheese.
Add the top piece of sourdough bread and more cheese on the outside of the sandwich. It will brown a bit and create a wonderful crusty goodness.
Spray the waffle iron with a little bit of cooking spray to help keep the cheese from sticking. Place the sandwich in the middle of the waffle maker and close the lid.
Cook until the cheese has melted and the outside of the bread is light golden brown. Serve it hot.
Variations
There is no "best cheese" for a grilled cheese sandwich, they can me made with all kinds of different cheeses. Mix it up with a generous amount of your favorite cheeses. Think about Monterey jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, medium cheddar cheese or Swiss cheese. For a real creamy grilled cheese, add some semi-soft cheeses like sliced brie cheese or crumbled goat cheese. Also add a little green onion.
Some folks like to add a little garlic powder to the inside of the grilled cheese sandwich before cooking.
Equipment
This sandwich in this recipe was made in a small waffle maker. A similar result could be obtained in a panini press or sandwich maker.
Storage
Store leftover grilled cheese sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven at 275°F until warm.
Top Tip
Don't trust the temperature setting on your waffle iron to be accurate. My waffle maker is 85°F HIGHER that what it is set to. Get an inexpensive laser temperature gun to measure the temperature of the waffle maker grid plates.
Final Thoughts
The next time you think about grilled cheese, remember this easy recipe straight from the heart of Texas. Just a few ingredients and a waffle maker are all you need to make a delicious Waffle Maker Grilled Cheese that will have everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy!
Related
Looking for other comfort food recipes like this? Try these:
- How to Make the Best Smoked Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Crispy Golden Brown Hash Browns in a Waffle Iron
- The Perfect Crispy Belgian Waffle
- Homemade Patty Melt - A Classic Burger From the Past
- Brioche French Toast
- Savor the Season: Chicken Pot Pie with Morel Mushrooms
- Short Rib Ravioli with Creamy Mushroom Ragù
- Smoked Mac and Cheese on the BBQ: A Texas Favorite
📖 Recipe
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich Made in a Waffle Maker Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Waffle maker
Ingredients
- 1 slice sourdough bread cut in half
- 1 tbs butter
- ¼ cup fontina cheese grated
- ⅛ cup asiago cheese grated
- 2 teaspoon parmesan cheese grated
- 1 slice bacon cooked
Instructions
- Preheat waffle iron to 325F. Butter both sides of two pieces of sourdough bread.
- Add grated fontina, asiago and a little parmesan to one piece of bread. Add a slice of cooked bacon.
- Cover the bacon and cheese with the other piece of bread. Add a small amount of parmesan to the outside of the sandwich.
- Place in the waffle iron and grill until the cheese is melted and the outside is golden brown, about 4 minutes.
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