How to Cook Grilled Cheese in Toaster Oven

Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese

You may be surprised to learn that this small counter kitchen appliance can also be a fantastic tool for making a scrumptious toasted sandwiches. First we thought that air fryer sandwiches were the end to all end.

In this post we’ll explore the art of crafting the perfect bites this way. From selecting the best ingredients to mastering the cooking process, you’ll be set after this. Compare it to our air fryer grilled cheese and see which you prefer, maybe one every other day?

No matter whether you make one of these in the oven like our pizza grilled cheese we shared with you last week, or in a pan there are 3 ingredients used as the base. You can add more from there of course which we will talk more about later but butter, bread and cheeses are a must. There are differences in those though too.

Grilled Cheese Ingredients

1. The foundation of any grilled cheese sandwich is the bread.
   • Opt for a high-quality slices with a good balance of softness and firmness.
   • Classic choices include white, whole wheat, or sourdough bread, but feel free to experiment with different varieties to suit your taste.
   • You can use puff pastry too for out of the box thinking to make all sorts of Savory Hand Pies
2. Cheese is the star of the show, so choose wisely. Cheddar, Swiss, American, mozzarella, and provolone are all popular choices. Combining two or more can add complexity to the flavor.
   • Daiya has great dairy free shredded cheese that we buy for my husband
   • You can use packaged Kraft slices as well which melt the fastest but are processed
3. Butter is the traditional choice for spreading on the bread’s exterior, providing that delicious golden-brown crust.

Can you make this dairy free?

Margarine, vegan plant based dairy free sticks or olive oil can be used as a substitute for a lighter option. Personally if I had to choose the best option it would be Kerrigold salted butter all the way! Spread it on softened so it doesn’t rip a hole in it, with the crust with very thin slices of sharp cheddar.

Now this method is not for serving a crowd, you’d want to make oven grilled cheese sandwiches for that. Perfect for just one or two people though so you don’t have to heat up your whole house or dirty a pan to get it done.

Let’s talk about how the basics are done and how you can tweak it a number of different ways!! I have a few pictures here to show you a couple of ideas but literally you should use your imagination because anything goes in the middle friends. 😉 Easiest add is a slice of tomato or toaster oven bacon jammed in there. OMG

Garlic Cheese Bread in Toaster Oven

1. You can leave it open faced with just one slice and slices on top.
2. Preheat your machine to 375 degrees F.
3. Set buttered slice with dry side facing up on your metal tray with shredded or slices on top.
4. Slide into the machine on middle rack for 3 minutes or until top is melted and crust is browned

With two slices and a filling inside you will need a bit longer to brown both slices top and bottom. You do not need to flip it but if you want it totally evenly crispy on both sides then you will want to do so.

How to Make Grilled Cheese in a Toaster Oven

1. To ensure even cooking, allow your cheese and butter (or margarine) to come to room temperature before assembling the sandwich.
2. Lay slices of cheese evenly over one slice of bread, ensuring complete coverage to maximize that melt in your mouth experience. Add any optional ingredients like sliced tomatoes, onions, or bacon if desired. Top with the second slice of bread.
3. Spread a thin layer of butter on the exterior of the sandwich. Don’t forget the corners; they tend to crisp up beautifully.
4. Set your toaster oven to the “toast” or “bake” function at around 375° F
5. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Preheating ensures even cooking and a nicely toasted exterior so don’t skip that step, 5 minutes is all you need to get that step done. Start simple with just the three ingredients to begin with and then let your imagination run wild y’all!

Here are a few tips and tricks for toasting sandwiches in this handy toaster oven recipe here. First off you don’t want to crowd your food. Most of these are great for 1-2 people. Overlapping will inhibit the food from getting crispy on all sides as you want it to get.

How to Toast a Sandwich in Toaster Oven

1. Place your two pieces of white bread with buttered side facing outward and cheese inside on the solid metal tray it came with to prevent the melted cheese from dripping onto the heating elements.
2. Place the baking sheet on the center rack to ensure there’s enough space for the heat to circulate around all sides.
3. The cooking time will vary depending on your oven’s temperature and the thickness of your sandwich.
4. Keep a close eye on it, and when the bread turns a beautiful golden brown and the cheese melts, it’s time to flip.

Gently flip using a spatula to flip piece of bread on bottom to the other side so bread is golden brown and the cheese is perfectly grilled, gooey and inviting. Served with Crockpot creamy tomato soup this is what we make for dinnertime when we have little to no time.

How long to cook grilled cheese in toaster oven

The beauty of making grilled cheese in a toaster oven lies in its simplicity and versatility. With the right ingredients, careful assembly, and a little practice, you can master the art. Create the perfect bite in about 10 minutes but timing will vary depending on what or how much is inside. Tuna melt will take longer than just 1 slice in the center.

• Mixing different cheeses can take yours to new heights. Sharp cheddar with creamy havarti, or tangy Swiss with smoky Gouda, the options are endless.
• Elevate by adding flavor enhancing extras like sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or rotisserie chicken salad. Or a spread of pesto or mustard for added zing.
• The key to achieving a crispy exterior and melty interior is patience. Rushing the cooking process can result in burnt bread or under melted cheese.
• Consider cutting into smaller portions or using smaller slices of bread for easy flipping and handling.
• This is at its best when served hot off the toaster oven tray. Enjoy it immediately for that irresistible cheesy goodness.

Whether you’re making it for a quick lunch, a late night snack, or a comforting meal, we love it. This machine may become your new best friend in the kitchen. Go ahead, jump to recipe and experiment with different fillings. Let us know below which are your favorite new goodies to include. 😉