Frederic Melton
Cheese on toast is a beloved snack in the United Kingdom, and for good reason. It's a simple, comforting dish that hits the spot every time. While there are no hard and fast rules on how to make the best cheese on toast, there are certainly some tips and tricks to elevate your simple snack into something truly special. Whether you're a traditionalist or like to experiment with different cheeses, toppings, and cooking methods, there's no denying that cheese on toast is the ultimate comfort food.
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What You'll Learn
Bread: buttered, white, toasted on both sides
For the best cheese on toast, you'll want to use white bread. A thicker style of white bread, such as Texas Toast, is a good option as it holds up well to the cheese. You could also use Italian bread or French bread.
It's important to toast the bread on both sides to make it sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese and give it a firmer texture and bite. To do this, you can place the bread under a grill or in a toaster until both sides are golden brown. Once toasted, let the bread stand upright for a couple of minutes to cool down slightly and create a crisper, less soggy base.
Before adding the cheese, spread butter on the bread. You can use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. If using unsalted butter, add a light sprinkle of salt. Butter both sides of the bread generously, as this will create a crispy, salty, and buttery exterior.
Now you're ready to add the cheese!
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Cheese: grated cheddar, mixed with mayo, mustard, or egg
Cheese on toast is a quick, easy meal that can be made in a variety of ways. Here are some tips and recipes for making cheese on toast with grated cheddar, mixed with mayo, mustard, or egg:
Grated Cheddar
Grating the cheddar creates layers and tiny pockets of air, making the dish feel lighter and less stodgy. It is recommended to grate the cheese yourself as pre-grated cheese may not melt as well due to additives.
Buttered Bread
Some recipes recommend buttering the bread first, as this adds flavour. You can skip this step if you prefer, but if you choose to butter the bread, simply preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F), place the buttered bread on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper, and bake for about 3 minutes or until the butter is melted.
Mayo
Mayo can be mixed with the grated cheddar and mustard to create a moist, oozy, golden, bubbling cheese extravaganza.
Mustard
Mustard can be added to the cheese and mayo mixture to create a decadent flavour profile. It can also be spread on the untoasted side of the bread before grilling, although some purists believe this steps into Welsh rarebit territory.
Egg
For a "puffy" cheese on toast, mix a lightly whisked egg with the grated cheddar, and add salt and pepper to taste. This mixture can then be piled onto the untoasted side of half-toasted bread and grilled until golden. The egg helps to puff up the cheese, creating a savoury treat.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce can be added to the cheese on toast for extra flavour. It can be drizzled on top of the cheese before broiling, or the grated cheese can be tossed in the sauce before being placed on the bread.
Overall Cooking Instructions
After adding your desired toppings to the untoasted side of the bread, grill or bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden brown patches. If using an oven, preheat to 250°C (480°F) and bake for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted to your liking. If grilling, grill until the cheese is golden and puffed.
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Sauce: Worcestershire, BBQ, or chutney
While there are no hard-and-fast rules for making cheese on toast, some people are quite particular about the "correct" way to make it.
If you're using Worcestershire sauce, there are different ways to incorporate it into your cheese on toast. Some people drizzle the sauce on top of the cheese before broiling/grilling, while others toss the grated cheese in the sauce before placing it on the bread. If you're using sliced cheese, it's better to add the sauce after broiling, as it may otherwise pool or slide off. Some people even add the sauce before and after broiling!
You can also use BBQ sauce, which goes especially well with cheddar. A small amount is all you need to add a smokey-sweet flavour to your cheese on toast.
Chutney is another option for a savoury addition to your cheese on toast. A dollop of chutney mixed with coarse grated cheddar, a lightly whisked egg, salt, and pepper can be piled onto half-toasted bread and grilled until golden.
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Extras: jalapeños, anchovies, olives, or pickles
While cheese on toast is a simple dish, there are endless ways to elevate it. One way to do this is by adding extras such as jalapeños, anchovies, olives, or pickles.
Jalapeños are a great choice if you like your food spicy and savoury. They can be added to the cheese on toast before grilling or broiling, or they can be used as a topping afterwards. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try pickling your own jalapeños to add a tangy twist.
Anchovies and olives go incredibly well together on cheese on toast. The saltiness of the anchovies and the brininess of the olives create a savoury, umami flavour that pairs perfectly with melted cheese. This combination is especially good with a sharp cheddar or gruyere.
Pickles are another classic addition to cheese on toast. The sourness of the pickle cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a balanced and satisfying bite. Branston Pickle is a popular choice, but any type of pickle will work, such as Pataks Brinjal Pickle.
When adding extras to your cheese on toast, it's important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. You don't want to overwhelm the dish with too many strong flavours or make it soggy with wet toppings. Experiment with different combinations and amounts to find your perfect cheese on toast!
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Cooking: broil, grill, oven, toaster, or skillet
Broil
Arrange an oven rack 4 to 6 inches below the broiler, then set the oven to broil on high heat. Some people like to broil one side of the bread, add the cheese to the uncooked side, and broil again. Others broil both sides of the bread before adding the cheese and broiling once more.
Grill
A simple method is to place sliced cheese on untoasted bread and grill until golden. For a more decadent version, mix coarse grated cheddar with a dollop of chutney, a lightly whisked egg, and salt and pepper, and pile it on half-toasted bread before grilling.
Oven
Generously butter bread and place on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper. Bake for 2-3 minutes or until the butter has melted and the bread is lightly toasted. Top with slices of cheese and bake for another 3-5 minutes, until the cheese has melted and started to bubble and brown.
Toaster
Set your toaster oven to the "broil" setting if it has one. This will give the cheese an extra crisp.
Skillet
Butter both sides of the bread and quickly brown both sides in a hot skillet. Top with grated cheese and heat for about 3 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
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Frequently asked questions
A good melting cheese like cheddar, gruyere or muenster is best.
Thick-sliced bread is best as it stops the bread from burning. Try white sandwich bread or Texas toast. You can also experiment with flavours and textures by using alternatives like sourdough, ciabatta or rye.
Grating the cheese creates layers and pockets of air, making the dish feel lighter. However, some people prefer to slice the cheese.
You can add a variety of condiments to your cheese on toast, including mustard, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, chutney, BBQ sauce or ketchup. You can also add a soft cheese like Tunworth underneath the cheddar, or top with Branston pickle.
