Calling all bacon lovers! This Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich is packed with apple, bacon, cheese and honey for a sweet and smoky combo. Ready in about 20 minutes and simple to make!
Bacon plus cheese equals magic! This Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese packs a big flavor and features apple, bacon, honey, herbs and two types of cheeses. This sandwich makes the perfect quick and easy dinner or lunch for both kids and adults.
The bacon grilled cheese comes together fast in about 20 minutes and uses under 10 basic ingredients. I love whipping this up only days when I am feeling a bit lazy, but still want to feed my family something very tasty.
Ingredient Notes
Bread: I like to use a thick crusty bread like French Bread. I usually get some fresh from the bakery section of my local grocery store. This type of bread toasts great and is sturdy, therefore works well for this grilled cheese since there are several elements. Of course your standard loaf bread can work as well, but you may need to use to hands when eating it.
Cheese: I used a combination of mozzarella cheese and Havarti cheese. Both of these cheeses are soft and melt very well. Two other cheese options that work well are brie cheese or Gouda cheese for some more flavor on the cheese front.
Apple: I used a small sized Gala apple and thought the crispness and flavor worked very well in the grilled sandwich. Other apple options you could go with are a Honeycrisp, Granny Smith or Fuji Apple. You will not use the entire apple unless you are making more than two sandwiches. So have a snack while your toasted cheeses are in the skillet lol.
Why You Will LOVE This Sandwich!
Under 10 Ingredients Needed
Quick & Easy: Ready in About 20 Minutes
Crowd Pleaser: Everyone's Favorite Sandwich Taken Up a Notch
Instructions
- Slice crusty bread in four slices ¾-1 inch thick. On one side spread butter and sprinkle with dried herbs and spices. Repeat this on the other three slices of bread.
- Flip all the slices of bread over and lay sliced mozzarella on one slice and Havarti on the other side. Repeat this for the second sandwich.
- Place cooked bacon on top of mozzarella cheese. Depending on the size of your bread (and love for bacon) you will use between 1-3 strips per sandwich.
- Slice half of a small apple into thin slices using a pairing knife or mandoline slicer. Place sliced apple in a single layer on the opposite slice of bread you put the bacon on.
- Drizzle honey over top of the bacon and apples, and bring the two slices together forming your sandwich. Repeat with the second sandwich.
- Add your prepared apple grilled cheese sandwiches to a greased warm skillet. I like to cook mine on low heat for 5 minutes then flip and cook an additional 5 minutes on low. For the last minute on each side I crank the heat up and cook each side just until the outside of each slice of bread is crispy. If your cheese is not melted after 10 minutes, slowly increase the heat and watch it until melted.
- Once sandwiches are finished, remove from skillet, slice and serve with additional honey (optional) and enjoy!
Leftover Storage Instructions
If you have leftover apple bacon grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches you can wrap each one tightly in foil and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat place in the oven (still wrapped in the foil) and warm for 10-15 at 300 degrees F until cheese has re-melted.
FAQS
I really like to use a creamy and white cheese in my grilled sandwich recipes. For this sandwich I used mozzarella cheese and Havarti cheese. Both melt well and compliment the bacon, apple and honey. Other good options include Monterey Jack, White Cheddar, Brie Cheese or Gouda.
Honestly, pretty much anything goes! I added bacon, honey and apples to this variety, but have done Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese and Pesto Arugula Grilled Cheese in the past. Other great add-ins include avocado, tomato, peppers, mushrooms, pears, or spinach. I think sticking to 2-3 add-ins is best or the sandwich will get too heavy and fall apart.
Some great side ideas for grilled cheese include some chips, a side salad, fruit, raw chopped veggies, or some roasted vegetables.
Pro Tips
Slice Thin
I recommend slicing you apples very thin (¼ inch or thinner) for this grilled sandwich recipe. When sliced thin, the apples stay put in the sandwich better and stick to the cheese. They are less likely to squish out the side as well. You can use a mandoline or use a pairing knife to get nice thin slices.
Start Low
When grilled the sandwich I find it best to start the heat on low. This will help the cheese in the middle melt before the outside has a chance to burn. Once the cheese is getting melting you can bump the heat up to medium heat to finish melting the cheese and get the outside of the bread crisp and golden.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Using a mondoline for slicing the apple will make prep go fast and entire you get nice thin slices.
My favorite pans to use for grilled cheese sandwiches are a stainless steal, ceramic, or a stone skillet. Of course a non-stick pan will work as well I just think you get crispier bread with one of the other options.
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Happy Eating!
Bacon Grilled Cheese with Apple Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Slices Thick Crusty Bread I like French Bread
- 2 tablespoon Butter Softened
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- ⅛ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ Small Apple Gala, Fuji or Honeycrisp work well
- 4 Stripes Bacon Cooked
- 3 Ounces Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 Slices Havarti Cheese
Instructions
- Combine thyme, rosemary and salt into a small bowl and set aside.
- On one side of bread spread butter and sprinkle with dried herbs and spices. Repeat this on the other three slices of bread.
- Flip all the slices of bread over and lay sliced mozzarella on one slice and Havarti on the other side. Repeat this for the second sandwich.
- Place cooked bacon on top of mozzarella cheese. I use two slices per sandwich, but you could add more if you wish.
- Slice half of a small apple into thin slices using a pairing knife or mandoline slicer. I like to try and get mine ⅛-1/4 of an inch thick. Place sliced apple in a single layer on the opposite slice of bread you put the bacon on.
- Drizzle honey over top of the bacon and apples, and bring the two slices together forming your sandwich. Repeat with the second sandwich.
- Add your prepared sandwiches to a greased warm skillet. I like to cook mine on low heat for 5 minutes then flip and cook an additional 5 minutes on low. For the last minute on each side I crank the heat up and cook each side just until the outside of each slice of bread is crispy. If your cheese is not melted after 10 minutes, slowly increase the heat and watch it until melted.
- Once sandwiches are finished, remove from skillet, slice and serve with additional honey (optional) and enjoy!
Beth
My husband enjoyed this for his lunch the other day and he’s begging for this sandwich again! Definitely, making this this again for lunch and it was so TASTY! I loved the addition of apple slices and bacon combined, such a great combination!
Caitlyn Erhardt
YAY! This is always a hit for lunch with us as well.
Joan
This sandwich is so good! My family keeps asking for more. hehe so addicting!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Glad its a hit!
Eliza Cross
I want this NOW! I am always looking for delicious new ways to enjoy bacon, and this sandwich looks DIVINE! Definitely on our dinner menu for this week.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Bacon makes everything better! Enjoy!
Biana
Apples and bacon is such a great combination. Perfect for fall dinner.
Caitlyn Erhardt
I love the combination as well!
Sharon
This sandwich hits all the right notes. Sweet and crispy apple, crunchy and salty bacon, then gooey cheese. Delicious!!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Totally agree, glad you liked it!