Jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwiches are everything you didn't know you wanted or needed in a delicious and rich dinner! They're simple and fun to make and don't take much time to whip up a big batch!
If you love grilled cheese and jalapeno poppers, then your mind's about to be blown with these tasty and simple sandwiches!
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
OMGoodness, you guys, I can't wait for you to try this out-of-this-world recipe. It'd be a solid contender for the big game, or you can make it any old time you want a comfort food grilled cheese with a snazzy jalapeno popper facelift. They are too darn good and filling to boot. I've had these grilled cheese sandwiches on the blog since 2012, and recently remade, rephotographed, and updated the post -- and reignited my deep-seeded love for these toasted beauties.
I mean, it just doesn't get much better than bacon, spicy jalapeno, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and a couple slices of toasty, buttery French bread. Let me tell you, though, these guys are rich! I only need to eat one, and Thomas has two and that's plenty for us. Although, you may be tempted to eat the whole batch. Don't say I didn't warn you.
I hope these bring you warmth and cheer as you make and enjoy them, whether it's at a football party, family gathering, or just a regular Saturday night! Enjoy!
What cheese is best for grilled cheese?
You can honestly use any cheese you love in grilled cheese! This one calls for cream cheese to give it that jalapeno popper creaminess, plus cheddar cheese to give it a melty, gooey component and bite of sharpness.
What can you add to a grilled cheese sandwich?
These have a lot going for them between the jalapeno, bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese, so they probably don't need much else added to them! You can add all kinds of good stuff to regular grilled cheese sandwiches, from veggies like tomatoes and onion to meat like ham or prosciutto. Sometimes a sweet element like honey or fig jam round out the rich and salty flavors really well, too.
How do you not burn grilled cheese?
The key is to keep the heat at a temperate level. I cook grilled cheese sandwiches over medium heat. It'll take several minutes (4 to 7 minutes) for the insides to melt and get gooey, but it's better than rushing it and burning the outside!
Is mayo or butter better for grilled cheese?
I use butter on the outside portions of grilled cheese because it melts well and gives the bread a crispy, crunchy toast! A friend of mine also told me he used bacon fat instead of butter for this recipe, which he said was awesome!
How to make jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwiches:
- Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat.
- While the griddle is warming, combine the bacon, jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder in a medium bowl, and mix to combine well.
- Butter one side of each piece of bread, and then spread a thin layer of the filling mixture on the unbuttered side of half of the slices.
- Top the filling with a second piece of bread, butter side up, to make a sandwich.
- Cook the sandwich on the hot griddle for 4 to 7 minutes per side, until the middle is hot and bubbly and each side of the bread is toasted.
- Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately.
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 small sandwiches 1x
Description
Jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwiches are everything you didn't know you wanted or needed in a delicious and rich dinner! They're simple and fun to make and don't take much time to whip up a big batch!
Ingredients
- ⅓ pound bacon, cooked crisp and roughly chopped (about 6 slices)
- ¼ cup pickled jalapenos, roughly chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 12 to 16 slices of bakery-style French bread, cut ½ to ¾-inch thick
- Room temperature butter
Instructions
- Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. While the griddle is warming, combine the bacon, jalapenos, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder in a medium bowl, and mix to combine well.
- Butter one side of each piece of bread, and then spread a thin layer of the filling mixture on the unbuttered side of half of the slices.
- Top the filling with a second piece of bread, butter side up, to make a sandwich.
- Cook the sandwich on the hot griddle for 4 to 7 minutes per side, until the middle is hot and bubbly and each side of the bread is toasted.
- Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Serve immediately.
Notes
- I used Mezzetta's tamed jalapenos, but regular heat would work great, too, if you like things hot.
- I thought these sandwiches were very rich, so even though they were small, I was satisfied with one and Thomas ate two. A little goes a long way here.
- I told a friend about this recipe, and he tried it. He used reserved bacon fat instead of butter to toast the sandwiches in! He said it was amazing!
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: main dish
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: grilled cheese, jalapeno poppers, jalapeno sandwich, spicy grilled cheese recipe
Other Quick Sandwich Recipes You Will Love
- Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- South of the Border Chipotle Grilled Cheese
- The Ultimate Turkey Sandwich
- Ultimate Hummus and Veggie Sandwich
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich
This recipe was originally published in 2012, and has been updated and rephotographed in January 2020.
Jalapeno popper grilled cheese is a super tasty and rich comfort meal that's cheesy, spicy, and salty and is the easiest to make for a group big or small!
Jasmyn
Yum! This sounds amazing! Did you feed these to your kids or just leave out the jalapenos?