Take your favorite sandwich to a whole new level with this easy Cheese Toast. Savory bites of crisp bacon, gooey cheese, and fresh, juicy tomatoes are portioned onto thick slices of toast for the ultimate meal.
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Who knew grilled cheese could be better…and easier? But this Cheese Toast Recipe definitely is. Instead of a plain sandwich with packaged cheese slices and double the bread, you have a complete meal with layers of melted cheese, healthy vegetables, and crunchy bacon all on top of a thick slice of toast.
Top the cheesy toast with a poached egg or soft boiled eggs in the air fryer, and you’ll have a balanced snack, light lunch, or even an easy breakfast, just like this best ever breakfast croissant.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With only a handful of ingredients, this recipe for cheese toast comes together in just 20 minutes.
- Comforting: A delicious, savory flavor from the cheese and bacon makes this open-faced sandwich one you want to curl up with.
- Complete Meal: Thanks to the poached egg on top, this cheesy toast recipe is more than a quick lunch; it's a complete, nourishing meal.
Ingredients
All the ingredients you need for this recipe are basic kitchen staples you probably have on hand. This makes it simple to whip up the best cheese toast when you’re short on time.
- Cheddar Cheese: Any cheddar cheese is fine, but aged cheddar gives a more intense, comfort-food flavor. You can mix and match your cheeses, though, to use what you have on hand.
- Vegetables: For pops of color, you’ll want sliced tomatoes and purple onion to mix in. Feel free to swap it with any vegetables you enjoy.
- Eggs: Poached eggs taste delicious on top of the cheese Texas toast, but you can cook your eggs anyway you enjoy.
- Bacon: Opt for crispy bacon to give an added crunch to the meal. If you’re short on time and don’t have any made, you can use air fried bacon to whip it up in a pinch.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
This cheese on toast recipe is pretty simple to make, but that doesn’t mean it’s not easy to adjust the flavors. Below are some easy ways to vary the recipe to create something new.
- Spicy: For a kick of heat, sprinkle on a pinch of cayenne pepper or add minced jalapenos to the vegetables.
- Avocado Toast: After spreading butter on the toast, mash some ripe avocados on top and then add the melted cheese. This makes a delicious cheese toast breakfast kind of like this bacon avocado toast.
- Mix and Match the Cheese: Don’t limit yourself to one blend of cheese; use something more tangy, like Gruyere cheese, or add some flavor with a Tex-Mex blend. Adding some cottage cheese into the mix is a great way to get a bit more protein, too.
- Protein: Swap out the typical bacon for something Canadian bacon or cooked and sliced sausages, for a heartier meal.
How to Make Cheese Toast
The steps to make this cheese on toast recipe are pretty simple, which is why it’s such a handy one to have. Plus, if you already have hard-boiled eggs and cooked bacon in the fridge, topping the toast is even easier.
Step 1: Cook the cheese. Heat your pan with some butter. Layer your cheese one slice at a time. Don’t stir it, just move it around and keep layering as the cheese melts.
Step 2: Add the vegetables. Drain off most of the extra oil from the cheese. Then add the vegetables and cooked bacon.
Step 3: Stir. Stir it frequently as it cooks until it is completely blended.
Step 4: Assemble. Spoon your cheese mixture onto freshly toasted bread and top it with a poached egg or any other toppings before enjoying it fresh.
Recipe Tips
- Silicone spatula: To keep the layers of cheese on top of one another, use a silicone spatula to move everything around.
- Draining the oil: After the cheese is malted, drain off some of the oil but leave enough in the pan that nothing sticks.
- Time your toast: Try to toast the bread as the cheese and vegetables are cooking so that when you assemble it, it’s ready and warm.
If you love recipes like these cheese toasties, you may also enjoy this mac and cheese meatloaf, which is packed with savory, cheesy flavor too.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Prepared toasted bread with cheese are best enjoyed freshly prepared. If possible keep the cheese separate from the toast, and store in the refrigerator for up to five days. If already assembled, you can store 2-3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat prepared cheese toast in the air fryer or oven on low until the cheese is melted again and everything is heated through. To reheat the cheese mixture stored separately, return it to a skillet and heat over low until it's fully melted.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is amazing because it pairs well with just about any side dish to make a main course. We personally love it with any of these grilled cheese sides! Some of our favorite tasty ideas are listed below!
- Pair it with fluffy cloud eggs for a comforting breakfast.
- Make it for lunch and enjoy it with a chilled asparagus salad or bell pepper salad.
- Drizzle it with avocado hot sauce for a dose of healthy fats and a new flavor.
Recipe FAQs
You want thicker bread so that it doesn’t fall under the weight of the cheese. While lots of bread can work, Texas toast is the most popular.
Yes, however, you’ll want to toast your bread beforehand. Then, add the cheese and vegetables on top in layers and air fry them until the cheese is bubbling.
How to Make Cheese Toasties Video
More Delicious Cheesy Recipes
Do you like cheesy dishes for meals? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Easy Cheese Toast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound cheddar old, thinly sliced
- 1 large tomato diced, seeds removed, just the flesh (optional)
- ½ cup purple onion diced - more or less to taste
- 4 slices bread sliced, toasted, buttered if desired
- 1-2 tablespoons butter plus more for the toast, if desired
- 4 large eggs fried or poached (optional)
- ½ pound bacon chopped, cooked until crisp- optional)
Instructions
- In a medium sized saucepan, over low heat, add 1-2 tablespoons butter. Allow to melt.
- Add thinly sliced cheese, one layer at a time. As each layer starts to melt add another and stir gently until melted. Actually you don't really stir the cheese, you are just adjusting it. Gently keep cheese moving around in the pot until fully melted. Then stir.
- Drain off any excess oil but not all of it.
- Add tomato, crisp bacon or onion and stir continuously until well blended.
- Remove from heat.
- Toast bread, butter if desired, and place on your plate for serving. Try to toast your bread while cheese is melting so toast is ready when cheese is melted.
- Spoon cheese mixture on top of toast.
- Serve with a fried or poached egg on top if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Take care not to drain all the oil after cooking the cheese. You want some left in so that you can easily stir the vegetables around.
- Try to time it so that your toast and cheese are done at the same time. This way, you’re not placing the melted cheese onto cold toast.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in September 2017. It's been updated with new content and images.
Diane says
I just love your version of grilled cheese. The onion and tomatoes are a great touch but i also love your scotch bonnet sauce recipe with it. It’s so easy to make. I just love that heat too. I look for ways to use it all the time. Great combination! You guys are the best!
Karin and Ken says
So happy to hear you’re enjoying this easy recipe! The scotch bonnet sauce definitely adds wonderful heat! All the best. Karin
Millie says
Great idea! Tasted great. Thank you.
Karin and Ken says
It is so good! Glad you enjoyed it as well! Thanks for letting me know! All the best. Karin