A comfort food classic with a fall twist! This Apple and Bacon Grilled Cheese is the perfect combination of melty sharp cheddar, salty bacon and crisp apples, all sandwiched between crispy buttery sourdough bread. It’s leveled up even further with a smear of caramelized onion jam to satisfy all your sweet and savory cravings!
I’m absolutely obsessed with the combination of bacon, apple and cheddar cheese…ESPECIALLY during the fall months. It works so perfectly in all sorts of contexts, but definitely in the form of a panini or grilled cheese! It’s kind of the same vibe as when you have a charcuterie board and put a slice of salami, cheddar and apple all on your cracker. Stunning, fantastic, no notes.
Although this recipe may seem a bit basic and intuitive, there are a few added ingredients and tips that will help you level up your grilled cheese into the best one you’ve ever eaten. Definitely don’t skip the caramelized onion jam!! It’s perfectly sweet and savory, and the ultimate life hack for achieving that delicious flavor without any extra work.
My husband loved these apple and bacon grilled cheeses so much that he requested them multiple nights in a row. It was a bit of an ego boost, I’m not going to lie. I hope you also turn to this recipe when you need some good ole fashioned comfort food with a fall twist! Promise you won’t regret 😉
Why You’ll Love this Apple and Bacon Grilled Cheese
- It’s a fun fall twist on the classic grilled cheese!
- This grilled cheese marries the salty flavors of bacon, with sweet crisp apples and sharp cheddar.
- It’s easy to make and ready in just 15 minutes.
- You will love this paired with soup for the ultimate cozy season dinner.
- It has perfectly golden, crispy edges.
What You Need to Make this Apple and Bacon Grilled Cheese
- Salted Butter: All good grilled cheeses start with a layer of butter on the bread. This will help it get golden and crispy! Salted is best, but if you only have unsalted, just sprinkle a bit of salt on after spreading the butter.
- Sourdough Bread: Sourdough bread is elite for many reasons, including it’s health benefits and the fact that it’s sturdy and gets perfectly crispy.
- Caramelized Onion Jam: Do not skip this…it adds SO much fall flavor! I have this one that I ordered on Amazon, but I also love the Stonewall Kitchen brand.
- Bacon: Salty, crispy bacon is the best addition to this grilled cheese. I like cooking mine in the oven – see the note in the recipe card for instructions.
- Honeycrisp Apple: You can technically use whatever type of apple you prefer, but honey crisp is my go-to for that sweet, juicy flavor and crunchy texture. Totally fine to keep the peel on.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese pairs so well with apple and bacon. I used Land O Lake’s Sharp White Cheddar Farmstyle Cut Shredded Cheese but feel free to shred it yourself instead!
- Hot Honey: Optional, but a little hot honey drizzled on top is the perfect finishing touch to this apple and bacon grilled cheese.
- Fresh Thyme: Also optional and mostly for the aesthetic, but brings in the fall vibes even further!
How To Make this Apple and Bacon Grilled Cheese
Cook Bacon (If Necessary)
If your bacon is not already cooked, here’s my favorite method! First, preheat your oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Then, add your sliced bacon to the baking sheet, making sure there’s no overlap. Transfer it to the oven to bake for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s reached your desired crispiness level. Finally, transfer the cooked bacon over to a paper towel lined plate and blot off the excess grease.
Preheat Pan:
Next, preheat a large heavy-bottomed pan (such as cast iron) to medium-low heat. Make sure that it’s thoroughly preheated – this will take at least 5-10 minutes for a cast iron.
Spread Butter & Onion Jam onto Bread:
While the pan is preheating, butter one side of each of the sourdough slices. Then, flip over one piece and spread on the caramelized onion jam.
Sandwich it Together & Let Cook:
Now, place the slice of bread with the jam on top. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, pressing down on it occasionally with your spatula. Then, carefully flip the sandwich and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted.
Top, Slice & Enjoy:
Optionally, top with a drizzle of hot honey and a few fresh thyme leaves. Slice in half and enjoy! Best enjoyed fresh, but check out the last section of this blog post for tips on how to re-heat leftovers.
What Should I Serve with this Apple and Bacon Grilled Cheese?
Although this apple and bacon grilled cheese is delicious and filling as a standalone dinner, you might also try serving it with a side salad or some soup! Check out my butternut squash and carrot soup or quinoa lentil kale salad with hot honey vinaigrette – both of these channel those same fall vibes as the grilled cheese!
How Should I Store & Reheat Leftovers?
If you happen to have leftovers (which is unlikely), I would recommend storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to eat, add the apple and bacon grilled cheese to a small baking sheet and broil in the oven for about 4 minutes per side – keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t burn…every oven is different!
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for More Comfort Food Recipes?
- French Onion Chicken
- Butternut Squash Feta Pasta
- Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Pasta
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Twice-Baked Potatoes
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Pasta
- Curry Chicken Pot Pie
Apple and Bacon Grilled Cheese
Equipment
- heavy-bottomed pan
- spatula
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp salted butter softened
- 1-2 tbsp caramelized onion jam *
- 2 slices of sourdough bread
- 2.5 slices of bacon cut in half **
- 7-8 thin slices of honeycrisp apple
- ⅔ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- hot honey optional, for topping
- fresh thyme leaves optional, for topping
Instructions
- First, preheat a large heavy-bottomed pan (such as cast iron) to medium-low heat. Make sure that it's thoroughly preheated – this will take at least 5-10 minutes for a cast iron.
- While the pan is preheating, butter one side of each of the sourdough slices. Then, flip over one piece and spread on the caramelized onion jam.1 tbsp salted butter, 1-2 tbsp caramelized onion jam, 2 slices of sourdough bread
- Once the pan is hot, add the sourdough to the pan with the buttered sides down. Allow it to warm up and toast for about 2 minutes.2.5 slices of bacon, 7-8 thin slices of honeycrisp apple, ⅔ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Then, on the side without the jam, layer on half of the shredded cheddar, followed by the apple slices, bacon strips, and remaining cheddar.
- Place the slice of bread with the jam on top. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, pressing down on it occasionally with your spatula. Then, carefully flip the sandwich and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted.
- Optionally, top with a drizzle of hot honey and a few fresh thyme leaves. Enjoy!hot honey, fresh thyme leaves
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.
This was delicious. I made it with some pre-made tomato soup. I had to eat the sandwich separate instead of dipping it because it was that good on its own!
Aww thank you Jacey!!