Inside-Out Grilled Cheese

This recipe flips the classic grilled cheese on its head, creating a sandwich with a crispy, lacy cheese crust on the outside and a gooey, cheesy interior. It’s a simple change that makes a big difference in flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 2 slices of your favorite bread (e.g., sourdough, brioche, or white bread)¹
• 2-3 slices of cheddar cheese
• 2-3 slices of provolone or Swiss cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened²

Tools

• Non-stick skillet or griddle³
• Spatula

Instructions

1. Prepare the bread. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
2. Melt the first layer. Place one slice of bread, butter-side down, in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Immediately place a few slices of your cheddar or provolone cheese directly onto the skillet, next to the bread.
3. Build the sandwich. Place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese that’s in the pan. Now, place another few slices of cheese on the buttered side of the second slice of bread.
4. Cook the first side. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese in the pan is melted and golden brown, forming a crispy crust on the bread. Use your spatula to help the cheese form a solid layer and to ensure it doesn’t stick to the pan.
5. Flip and cook the second side. Carefully flip the sandwich over. The crispy cheese crust should be attached to the bread. Add the remaining slices of cheese directly to the hot pan, next to the un-crispy side of the bread. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese on the other side is also a crispy, golden-brown crust.⁴
6. Serve. The key to the “inside-out” effect is getting the cheese on the outside to become a solid, crispy layer. Once both sides are golden and crispy, remove the sandwich from the skillet. Slice it in half and serve immediately while the inside is still gooey and the outside is still crunchy.