Description
This Hot Honey Apple Cheddar Sandwich combines the sharpness of cheddar cheese with the crisp sweetness of thinly sliced apples and a spicy drizzle of hot honey, all toasted to golden perfection on buttery sourdough bread. Perfect for a quick, flavorful lunch or comforting snack with a blend of sweet, savory, and spicy notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread & Butter
- 2 slices of sourdough bread
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
Fillings
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 small apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), thinly sliced
- 1 – 2 tablespoons hot honey (store-bought or homemade)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- A pinch of sea salt
- Optional: arugula or spinach leaves for added freshness
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Thinly slice the apple and shred the sharp cheddar cheese if not already shredded. Soften the unsalted butter to ensure easy spreading on the bread slices.
- Heat Skillet: Place a skillet or grill pan on medium heat and allow it to become hot enough to toast the bread without burning it.
- Butter Bread: Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice of sourdough bread to help achieve a golden, crispy crust when toasted.
- Assemble Base Layer: Place one slice of bread butter-side down on the hot skillet. Immediately sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over this slice.
- Add Apple & Hot Honey: Layer the thin apple slices on top of the cheddar cheese, then drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot honey over the apples, adjusting the amount to suit your spice preference.
- Season: Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt over the apple and honey layer to enhance the flavors.
- Top & Close Sandwich: Add the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the seasoned apples, then place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side up.
- Cook First Side: Let the sandwich cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom bread is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. Avoid burning by monitoring the heat.
- Flip & Cook Other Side: Carefully flip the sandwich with a spatula and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Adjust heat if necessary to prevent over-browning.
- Rest & Serve: Remove the sandwich from the skillet and let it sit for a minute before cutting it in half. Add optional arugula or spinach leaves inside for a fresh crunch before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance with the sweet honey.
- Adjust hot honey quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Softening the butter ensures an even, crispy crust without tearing the bread.
- Monitor heat carefully to melt the cheese fully without burning the bread.
- Adding greens like arugula or spinach gives a fresh, peppery contrast.
