Ooey, gooey melted, cheesy goodness. That’s what you get when you bite into a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s that perfect blend of the toasty bread and the melted cheese hitting your tastebuds.
If you love a good grilled cheese sandwich, you’re not alone. In the U.S., around 2.3 billion grilled cheese sandwiches are consumed each year. White bread is the standard, but there are many other types of bread you can use to amp up your grilled cheese game.
What is the best bread for grilled cheese? Keep reading below to discover how to make a grilled cheese that truly wows.
Best Bread for Grilled Cheese – Sourdough
The humble grilled cheese traces its origins back to the 1920s. Since then, it has exploded in popularity and become the second-best thing to sliced bread.
Sourdough is often considered to be the best bread for grilled cheese among grilled cheese enthusiasts. For starters, it has that tangy sourdough flavor that complements the cheese. Using sharp cheddar cheese with sourdough bread will give your grilled cheese sandwich a real zing.
The thicker crust offers a satisfying crunch. The sturdiness of sourdough bread also provides nice crispy bread when toasted to a golden brown.
Sourdough has a wonderful thickness and a chewy texture that doesn’t get overly soggy, which means it is an ideal bread to dip into a bowl of tomato bisque on a cold day for that extra satisfying pairing.
So, make sure you enjoy one on National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, which occurs every year on April 12.
Multigrain Bread
Multigrain bread is the best bread for grilled cheese, as well as being a staple of a healthier diet. The diverse mixture of grains adds an interesting texture to the bread. Certain grains also add an earthy and nutty flavor that can complement the flavors of the cheese.
The sturdiness of multigrain bread allows it to hold up well during the grilling process. At the same time, the interior of the bread stays soft and light.
It’s a healthier alternative to other more heavily caloric types of bread. So, for individuals watching their weight, they can still indulge in a grilled cheese sandwich every now and then without feeling too guilty.
Whole Wheat Bread
Whole wheat bread is a hearty and slightly dense bread. Like multigrain bread, whole wheat bread also has a robust nutty taste due to its incorporation of whole grains.
The texture of whole wheat bread offers a pleasant chewiness on the outside. However, whole wheat bread has a soft and moist interior. These whole grains also complement a variety of different cheeses’ flavor profiles.
When grilled, whole wheat bread achieves a perfectly golden-brown texture on the outside while still maintaining its soft interior. Whole wheat bread is the best bread for grilled cheese because it is highly nutritional but it doesn’t skimp on taste. Try whole wheat pumpkin seed bread for even more flavor.
Rye Bread
Rye bread has a distinct mild bittersweet flavor that is earthy and nutty. Although this can be an acquired taste for some. Rye bread also offers more nutritional value because it contains high fiber and whole grains as well.
Rye bread is often used for heavily salted deli meats like corned beef and pastrami because it complements their strong flavors. With grilled cheese, the mildly sweet but earthy flavor of rye bread also complements a wide array of different cheese blends from sharp to mild.
Rye bread is much denser than other types of bread. This density allows it to hold up the weight of the melted cheese much longer without becoming soggy, making it the best bread for grilled cheese.
Challah
Challah is an enriched bread that is primarily made with an egg base. Challah bread is considered the best bread for grilled cheese by those who prefer its soft texture and tender crumb. Even when it is grilled, challah bread retains its moisture from its egg base.
Using challah bread gives an eggy flavor, which can complement the melty cheese. This offers a rich and slightly flavor profile that elevates the overall taste of a standard grilled cheese.
The braided exterior of challah bread is artfully done and adds to the visual appeal of the grilled cheese for presentation. This bread is soft and moist but still holds up to grilling and doesn’t fall apart or become overly mushy with the addition of the melted cheese.
Brioche
Brioche bread, like challah, has a high egg content, and it also has a rich, buttery taste. Brioche bread is a combination of a pastry and bread. This combination provides an indulgent flavor along with a soft and airy bread texture that melts in your mouth.
When grilled or toasted, Brioche’s dough beautifully crisps up to create a crispy bread exterior while still maintaining its soft interior. The sweet and airy interior of the bread allows it to effortlessly pair with a variety of different cheeses, making it the best bread for grilled cheese.
Brioche’s natural golden coloring and puffy texture make it appealing to the eye. This also helps enhance the overall presentation.
Ciabatta
Ciabatta bread has a chewier exterior that helps it stand up well to grilling and toasting. The large pores absorb the butter and seal in the flavor without making the bread soggy. The crustiness of the bread is also a plus for those who enjoy crispy bread.
On the interior, Ciabatta bread has a very porous texture with many large air bubble pockets. It is similar to the consistency of a baguette, but it is baked with a higher hydration level, so the holes are much larger. This makes it the best bread for grilled cheese because all of these pores absorb the cheese even better for a more flavorful sandwich.
French Baguette
The French have their own word for Grilled Cheese. They call it a Croque Monsieur or a French cheese toasty. It’s essentially a grilled cheese with ham, and the bread is dipped in lightly beaten eggs before toasting for a crispy bread.
To make a Croque Monsieur, or just plain grilled cheese, of your own, a French baguette may be the best bread for a grilled cheese. This is because it has a crispy crust with a soft interior. It can also be cut to make smaller-sized grilled cheese sandwiches instead.
If you don’t have a French baguette, you can also use sourdough.
English Muffin
Though it may seem unconventional, an English Muffin can be the best bread for grilled cheese as well. All those nooks and crannies that are normally used for soaking up butter, honey, and jam are also perfect for soaking in that melty, grilled cheese action as well.
A lightly toasted English Muffin is crusty on the outside and soft interior. English Muffins have a mild taste. This is ideal if you don’t like your bread to overpower the cheese and other ingredients in your grilled cheese.
Add items like bacon, ham, and vegetables to expand your grilled cheese options. The small, round shape of an English muffin also makes it well-suited as a handheld sandwich you can take on the go.
Focaccia Bread
Focaccia bread is a flatter leavened Italian yeast bread. It is traditionally flavored with olive oil and herbs. This makes it a mildly salty and chewy bread that still has a pillowy interior full of air holes.
Why is it the best bread for grilled cheese? Aside from its spongy texture and olive oil-infused construction, it has a dimpled outer surface that crisps up nicely while being grilled or toasted.
Despite its thinness, Focaccia is also surprisingly sturdy and can hold up grilling and retaining the melted cheese without turning soggy.
Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Hawaiian bread is a unique choice as the best bread for grilled cheese. It already goes well with food options like pulled pork sliders. So, if you’re an adventurous eater, why not try it with your grilled cheese?
The interior of Hawaiian bread often has a soft and tender texture. It has a sweet flavor due to the addition of elements like pineapple juice and granulated white sugar.
This can be a plus for those who like a sweet contrast in their bread to the savory flavors of the melted cheese. It also goes well with both mild and sharp cheese varieties.
Potato Bread
Unlike some of the other types of bread, the mild flavor of potato bread isn’t overpowering. This is the best bread for grilled cheese if you want the cheese itself to be the star attraction. It can also complement a variety of different cheeses for a distinct flavor profile.
Potato bread is sturdy enough to withstand grilling without being too dense, so it won’t get overly soggy. Some types of potato bread have a little bit of added sweetness that is subtle. This could provide a happy medium over Hawaiian bread’s more intentional sweetness.
Pretzel Bun
The pretzel bun has gained momentum and popularity in recent years. It is often used for burgers and sandwiches, so it only makes sense to give it a try for grilled cheese too.
With a savory and salty taste all its own, you’ll see why it’s in the running for the best bread for grilled cheese in just one bite. Pretzel buns have a salty kick with a chewy texture. The crust also toasts well when grilled for a crunchy and crispy bread.
Pretzel buns are sturdy, so you won’t lose any of that grilled cheesy goodness as you may with crumblier or soggy bread options. You also don’t need to be afraid to load up your grilled cheese with other toppings like tomato and bacon.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Though it may sound strange, don’t knock it until you try it. Cinnamon raisin bread may end up becoming the best bread for grilled cheese if you’re willing to have an open mind about it. Grilled cheese with cinnamon raisin bread is a sweet and savory experience.
The sweet notes of the brown and white sugar and raisins paired with the spicy notes of the cinnamon can turn an ordinary grilled cheese into a delicacy. Cinnamon raisin bread also works well with creamier cheese. You can even use sweet cheeses like cream cheese and mascarpone to turn it into a dessert sandwich.
Garlic Bread
If you haven’t used garlic bread to make a grilled cheese sandwich before, you’ve been seriously missing out. Is it the best bread for grilled cheese? That all depends on whether you enjoy the interplay of smooth, buttery garlic bread mixed with tangy and salty melted cheese.
Garlic bread may quickly become your go-to bread for future grilled cheese sandwiches. The garlic bread itself already lends itself to a flavorful and savory base for a sandwich. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your cheeses for even more punch.
You can use a blend of different cheeses like American, Romano, Parmesan, and Pecorino cheese to really enhance your flavor profile. Pecorino cheese pairs especially well with garlic bread’s salty and tangy flavor.
Flatbread
Flatbread is the best bread for grilled cheese because of its versatility and mild flavor profile. You can explore different cheese flavors without worrying about the bread flavor being too strong.
Flatbreads are highly adaptable, which means you can play around with different types of cheeses and spreads. You can even add meat and vegetables to your grilled cheese for additional variety.
The thin texture of flatbread allows it to cook quickly on the grill. It toasts up nicely, offering a delicious crispy bread. It is a pliable material so it won’t fall apart while handling or cooking.
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