Bushra Griffith
There are many different types of cheese that can be used to make a toastie, also known as a grilled cheese sandwich. The best cheese for a toastie is one that melts well, such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or sharp cheddar. Using a combination of two different cheeses can give the sandwich a richer taste. For example, combining sharp cheddar with Gruyère or raclette creates a sandwich with a gooey texture and a nutty flavour. To achieve the perfect grilled cheese, it is recommended to grate the cheese yourself as pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that hinder melting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread type | Sourdough, white bread, loaf, sandwich bread, bloomer, rustic bread, hearty white bread |
| Bread texture | Not too thick, thin, soft, holey |
| Cheese type | American, cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, havarti, Swiss, gruyere, gouda, fontina, blue cheese, taleggio |
| Cheese texture | Semi-hard, grated, shredded, sliced |
| Add-ons | Butter, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, vegetables (sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, chopped steamed broccoli, roasted red peppers, roasted tomatoes) |
| Cooking method | Pan, skillet, griddle, sandwich press, toastie maker, broiler/grill, jaffle maker, oven, microwave |
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What You'll Learn
Grated cheese melts faster and more evenly
When making a cheese toastie, the ultimate goal is to achieve a perfect combination of crispy, golden-brown bread and a molten, gooey cheese centre. One way to ensure this is by grating the cheese. Grated cheese melts faster and more evenly than slices of cheese, resulting in a toastie where the bread and cheese are cooked in perfect harmony.
While pre-sliced cheese is convenient, grating the cheese yourself gives a better result. This is because pre-sliced cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents, which can prevent it from melting properly. By grating the cheese yourself, you can avoid these additives and achieve a faster, more even melt. It is recommended to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself using a standard box grater.
Some cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and cheddar, are known for their superior melting abilities and are excellent choices for a toastie. However, dry, crumbly, or overly aged cheeses like Parmesan or hard pecorino may not melt properly. Additionally, if using a softer cheese, it is best to use thin slices rather than grated cheese.
When making a toastie, it is also important to consider the type of bread and cooking method. Sourdough, white sandwich bread, and rustic or hearty white bread are all popular choices, but it is crucial to ensure the bread is not too thick, thin, soft, or holey, as this can affect the melting of the cheese. Cooking the toastie at a low heat in a cast iron skillet, non-stick pan, or sandwich press can help ensure the cheese melts evenly without burning the bread.
By grating the cheese, using the right type of bread, and cooking at a low heat, you can create a delicious cheese toastie with a crispy exterior and a molten, gooey cheese centre.
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Use a semi-hard cheese
When making a toastie, it's important to use a cheese that melts well. While you can use just about any semi-hard cheese, some will work better than others to achieve the perfect gooey cheese pull.
A good melting cheese should have just the right amount of moisture. Dry, crumbly, fresh cheeses like goat's cheese won't melt properly, and overly aged cheeses like Parmesan or hard pecorino are also unsuitable.
Semi-hard cheeses that work well for toasties include cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and Swiss cheese. These cheeses have a good balance of moisture and fat content, allowing them to melt evenly and create a gooey texture.
Cheddar, in particular, is a popular choice for toasties due to its sharp, nutty flavour and excellent melting abilities. Combining cheddar with another cheese, such as Gruyère or raclette, can add a salty and funky twist to your toastie.
When using a semi-hard cheese for your toastie, it's best to grate it yourself rather than using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can hinder melting. Grating your own cheese ensures a better melt and allows you to control the size of the shreds for an even melt.
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Try a blend of two cheeses
While a toastie can be made with just one type of cheese, blending two cheeses can add a richer taste and texture to your sandwich.
The key to a good cheese blend is to use one cheese with a high fat content that will melt through the bread and another that will retain a gooey, piquant centre. For example, you could use a combination of a sharp cheddar, which has a sharp, nutty flavour and melts beautifully, with Gruyère or raclette, both of which are unparalleled melters with a salty, nutty flavour.
Another option is to use a blend of American cheese and cheddar. American cheese has a superior melting ability and gooey texture, while cheddar adds a sharper flavour. If you want to get really fancy, you could try using a blend of two different types of cheddar, such as Sussex Charmer and Singleton, or extra-sharp cheddar and mild, creamy Monterey Jack.
When blending cheeses, it's important to choose cheeses that melt well and complement each other. Dry, crumbly, fresh cheeses like goat cheese and overly aged cheeses like Parmesan or hard pecorino won't melt properly and are best avoided.
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Avoid dry, crumbly, fresh cheeses
When making a toastie, it's important to choose the right type of cheese to ensure that it melts well and creates the desired gooey texture. While a wide range of cheeses can be used, it's best to avoid dry, crumbly, fresh cheeses like goat cheese, as they don't melt properly and can hinder the desired outcome. Similarly, aged cheeses like Parmesan or hard pecorino should be avoided, as they won't melt effectively and can negatively impact the texture of the toastie.
The key to a successful toastie is achieving a balance between a crispy exterior and a molten, gooey interior. This means selecting cheeses that have good melting characteristics. Cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and American cheese are all excellent options, as they melt beautifully and create the desired gooey texture. These cheeses also have a range of flavours, from sharp and nutty to mild and creamy, allowing for a variety of flavour combinations.
Additionally, it's important to consider the preparation of the cheese. Grating the cheese yourself is preferable to using pre-shredded cheese, as store-bought shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting properly. Grated cheese melts more evenly and quickly, ensuring that the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted in perfect synchrony. This technique is especially useful for softer cheeses that may be challenging to slice.
When creating a signature cheese pull, it's recommended to use shredded cheese or thin slices of softer cheese, as they melt faster. Combining different cheeses can also enhance the flavour and texture of the toastie. For example, using a blend of cheeses with different fat contents can create a unique and desirable effect, such as one cheese melting through the bread and "frying" it in delicious cheese oil, while leaving a gooey, piquant centre.
In summary, when crafting the perfect toastie, it's crucial to avoid dry, crumbly, fresh cheeses like goat cheese and aged cheeses like Parmesan. Instead, opt for cheeses with excellent melting characteristics, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or American cheese. Grating the cheese yourself and combining different cheeses can also elevate the flavour and texture of your toastie, creating a delicious, gooey treat.
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Bread type and thickness matter
Bread type can also depend on the type of toastie you're making. For example, if you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, you might want something more robust, like a white bloomer, whereas toasties are better suited to softer breads like white sliced bread.
Bread thickness is also important. If the bread is too thick, the cheese may not melt properly. On the other hand, if it's too thin, the bread may get squished by the cheese or become too crispy.
To get the perfect melt, it's recommended to shred or grate the cheese yourself, as pre-shredded cheese can contain additives that hinder melting. You can also try combining two different types of cheese, such as a high-fat cheese that will melt into the bread and a gooey cheese that will remain inside the toastie.
Finally, don't forget to butter your bread! This will give your toastie a crispy, golden exterior. You can also try spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for an even crispier result.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single best cheese for a toastie, but some popular options include cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese, Gruyère, and American cheese.
White bread is a popular choice for toasties, but other options include sourdough, bloomer, and rustic bread.
Grating the cheese yourself is recommended, as pre-shredded cheese can contain additives that hinder melting.
Besides cheese and bread, you will need butter, and possibly mayonnaise. You can also add vegetables like spinach, onions, broccoli, or tomatoes.
Toasties can be cooked in a sandwich press, toaster, or on a skillet/frying pan. Cooking at low heat ensures the cheese melts as the bread browns.
