Description
Say goodbye to boring sandwiches with this Hangry Apple Grilled Cheese! Crispy sourdough layered with sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, sweet caramelized onions, and tender sautéed honeycrisp apples, all kissed with garlic & thyme butter. Drizzled with a touch of honey, this melt is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and buttery bliss. Trust me, you’re going to crave this all day long! #GrilledCheeseGoals #AppleCheeseMagic #SavorySweetMelt
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic & Thyme Butter
- 1 stick salted butter, room temperature
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Hangry Apple Grilled Cheese
- 6 slices sourdough bread
- Garlic & Thyme Butter (from above)
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar, freshly shredded (plus extra if needed)
- 1½ cups smoked gouda, freshly shredded (plus extra if needed)
- 3 medium honeycrisp apples, cored and sliced
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 2 large onions, slivered
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- Honey, for garnish
Instructions
Make Garlic & Thyme Butter
- In a bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, and pepper until well combined.
Caramelize the Onions
- Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add slivered onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized, about 20-25 minutes.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar and cook for another 3-5 minutes until reduced and glossy. Set aside.
Sauté the Apples
- In another pan, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
- Add apple slices and sauté until tender and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
Assemble & Cook the Sandwiches
- Butter one side of each sourdough slice generously with the garlic & thyme butter.
- Layer cheese, caramelized onions, and sautéed apples between two slices of bread, buttered sides facing out.
- Cook sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side. Flip carefully.
Serve
- Drizzle warm sandwiches with honey before serving for that perfect sweet-savory finish.
Notes
- Use a mix of sharp cheddar and smoked gouda for the perfect melty, flavorful cheese blend.
- Slow caramelizing onions is key—don’t rush to get that rich, sweet flavor.
- Honeycrisp apples add sweetness and a slight crunch; Granny Smith can work for more tartness.
- Try adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for a subtle heat kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 110mg