Frederic Melton
Melting cheese on bread is a quick, easy meal for any time of day. The type of bread and cheese you use, as well as your cooking method, can make a big difference to the final result. For example, a sandwich press or toastie maker will deliver different results than a grill or oven. The same goes for the cheese—grated cheese will melt differently than sliced cheese. If you're using a grill, you'll want to make sure you don't burn the crusts while getting the cheese to melt.
Characteristics of melting cheese on bread
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of bread | Sourdough, ciabatta, white sandwich bread, or any sliced bread |
| Type of cheese | Cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, Red Leicester, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Feta, Provolone |
| Type of oven | Regular oven, toaster oven, or microwave |
| Temperature | 250ºC (480ºF) |
| Baking time | 2-5 minutes |
| Broil setting | On high heat |
| Baking sheet | Rimmed and lined with aluminium foil |
| Baking rack | Wired and placed 4-6 inches below the broiler |
| Bread preparation | Buttered on one or both sides |
| Cheese preparation | Grated or sliced |
| Add-ons | Mustard, Worcestershire sauce, ham, smoked ham, egg yolk, mayonnaise |
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What You'll Learn
Using a grill or oven
If you want to use a grill or oven to melt cheese on bread, there are several methods you can try. One popular method is to first butter the bread on both sides and place it in a pre-heated skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. After about a minute, flip the bread and add the cheese. Place the other slice of bread on top, with the toasted side touching the cheese, and cook for about 3 minutes, until the underside is golden brown.
Another option is to grate your own cheese and mix it with mustard and mayonnaise. Spread this mixture on the bread, and bake in the oven for about 5 minutes at 250°C (480°F) or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
If you're using a grill, you can try placing the bread in the grill without any cheese, and heating it until it's lightly toasted. Then, remove it from the grill, add the cheese, and return it to the grill until the cheese is melted. This method can help prevent burning or uneven melting that sometimes occurs when grilling with the cheese already on the bread.
For an oven-baked option, try this: preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F). Butter the bread and place it on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper. Bake for about 3 minutes, or until the butter has melted and the bread is lightly toasted. Then, remove the bread from the oven, add the cheese, and return it to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Additionally, if you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, you can try grilling each slice of bread separately with a slice of cheese on top. This method can help the cheese melt more evenly and quickly since you've doubled the surface area exposed to the heat.
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Grated vs sliced cheese
When it comes to melting cheese on bread, there are two main approaches: using grated cheese or sliced cheese. Both have their own advantages and loyal followers. Here's a detailed look at the grated versus sliced cheese debate:
Grated Cheese
Grating your own cheese from a block is recommended by many for melting on bread. Grated cheese creates tiny pockets of air, resulting in a lighter, less dense texture. It also melts more evenly and quickly than sliced cheese, reducing the chances of ending up with unmelted cheese in the centre of your sandwich. This method is ideal for achieving that perfect balance of toasted bread and melted cheese. It is also a good option when using harder cheeses, such as mature English cheddar, as grating makes it easier to melt. Additionally, grating your own cheese allows you to avoid the preservatives found in pre-shredded cheese, which can hinder melting.
Sliced Cheese
Sliced cheese has its own advantages. Firstly, it is convenient, especially when using softer cheeses that are challenging to grate. Sliced cheese also allows for better control over portion size, ensuring a consistent amount of cheese on each slice of bread. When using sliced cheese, it is important to opt for thinner slices, as thicker slices may not melt evenly and can result in a sandwich with unmelted cheese in the middle.
Tips for Melting Cheese on Bread
Regardless of whether you choose grated or sliced cheese, there are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Use a good melting cheese such as American, Swiss, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or fontina.
- Cook your sandwich on medium-low heat to avoid burning the bread before the cheese melts.
- Butter the bread generously to add flavour and help achieve the desired crispness.
- Cover the pan with a lid to trap steam and help melt the cheese evenly.
- Lean the toasts against each other to crisp both sides and prevent sogginess.
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Buttering the bread
When buttering the bread, it is best to use salted butter. If you only have unsalted butter, you can add a light sprinkle of salt to the bread or the pan. You can also melt the butter in a pan and add a pinch of salt to it before spreading it on the bread.
There are differing opinions on how much butter to use and how to apply it. Some sources suggest that you should butter both sides of the bread, while others recommend buttering just one side. Ultimately, it is up to personal preference. If you want a richer flavour and a moister texture, buttering both sides is the way to go. This will also create a golden crust. However, if you prefer your sandwich less greasy, you can butter just one side.
When it comes to the amount of butter, be generous. You want to ensure that the edges of the bread are well-coated, as this will help prevent the crusts from burning.
If you are making a grilled cheese sandwich, you can spread butter on the bread and then place it in a pre-heated skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. This will give the bread a more toasted flavour and give the cheese a head start on melting.
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Bread type
The bread type you choose for your melted cheese on toast is important. It can make or break your grilled cheese experience.
For a classic British cheese on toast, a mature English cheddar is the traditional choice, but you can use any good-melting cheese, such as Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Red Leicester. If you want to experiment with your favourite cheese, go for it! Just make sure it's a good melter.
The bread you choose should be sliced sandwich bread, not too thick, thin, soft, or holey. Sourdough is a great option for a tangy flavour, and its tough crust will stand up to the cheese. Ciabatta is a good choice if you like your cheese extra-gooey, as it will ooze through the holes. If you're feeling fancy, a nice airy bread like ciabatta can be a great choice, but avoid the super-fancy sourdoughs with thick, tough crusts.
Butter is essential to getting a golden brown colour and slightly moist texture. You can use salted or unsalted butter, but if you choose the latter, add a pinch of salt to the pan for extra flavour. Butter one or both sides of the bread, then place it in a cold oven at the minimum temperature setting. Check on it every few minutes until it reaches your desired level of toastiness.
Now you've got the bread and butter sorted, it's time to get cheesy!
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Temperature and timing
When melting cheese on a stovetop, start with a preheated skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Place the bread in the pan and let it toast for about a minute. This step gives the bread a head start in cooking and a more toasted flavour. Then, flip the bread and add the cheese. Place the other slice of bread on top, with the toasted side touching the cheese. Cook for about three minutes, or until the underside is golden brown. If the bread is browning too quickly, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down slightly before reducing the heat.
When using an oven, preheat it to 250°C (480°F). Place the bread on a baking tray lined with foil or baking paper. Bake for about three minutes, or until the butter has melted and the bread is lightly toasted. Remove the tray from the oven and cover the bread with cheese. Return the tray to the oven and bake for another three to five minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden brown patches.
The timing for melting cheese on bread can vary depending on the type of cheese and the heat source. For stovetop methods, it typically takes around four minutes to melt cheese, including the initial toasting of the bread. For oven-baked methods, it usually takes around six to eight minutes, including the initial toasting of the bread. It's important to keep a close eye on the bread and cheese while cooking, as the difference between melted cheese and burnt bread can be just a minute.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any sliced bread, but avoid slices that are too thick, thin, soft, or holey. Sourdough or ciabatta are good options for a tangy flavor or a more airy texture, respectively.
Good melting cheeses include Cheddar, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, and Red Leicester. Avoid poor melting cheeses like mozzarella, feta, and provolone.
Grated cheese melts better than sliced cheese because it creates pockets of air, making it feel lighter. However, some people prefer slicing the cheese. If you grate the cheese, make sure to do it yourself instead of buying pre-grated cheese, as it tends to have additives that prevent it from melting properly.
Yes, buttering the bread will make it golden brown and slightly moist. You can butter just one side of the bread or both sides for a golden crust and a moist interior.
There are several ways to melt cheese on bread, including using a pan, oven, toaster oven, or grill. Using a pan on medium-low heat is a good option because it gives you more control over the cooking process and helps prevent the bread from burning before the cheese melts.
