The Best Cheese Toast Recipe You’ll Ever Try: Nothing Else Comes Close!

The best cheese toast recipe creates a crispy, cheesy, gooey, and undeniably The best cheese toast recipe creates a crispy, cheesy, gooey, and undeniably delicious meal! Perfectly toasted bread with melted cheese and butter, making easy cheese toasts for beginners is great for pasta meals. However, a simple cheese toast meal also goes perfectly for dunking in soup and works beautifully as a simple, budget-friendly snack you and the kids will love! It doesn’t get much easier than this simple snack.

In fact, what makes this fantastic quick cheese toast recipe so special is its utter simplicity. It is exactly what it sounds like: cheese on toast! I love serving this open-faced grilled cheese sandwich not only to my kids after school but as perfect last-minute finger foods for a party. Even my biggest food snob friends can’t resist this perfect family-friendly cheese toast, since it balances a great crispy toast texture with mouth-watering melted gooey cheese.

That excellent mix of firm and soft makes this simple snack too good and too quick not to make. I strongly recommend it as a last-minute side dish for pasta. However, it’s also great for something to dunk in soup when winter comes around, a late-night snack when you don’t want to get too crazy, or as a fun treat for the kids. Even better? It doesn’t cost much, which makes this budget-friendly recipe a must-try for all cheese lovers.

So, let’s dive right into this amazing recipe! You’ll learn not only how to make this quick and easy snack but also get homemade cheese toast ideas for serving, as well as family friendly cheese toast variations that will make your mouth water.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Uses easy ingredients you probably already have in your house
• Pairs various textures and tastes in a surprisingly rich meal
• Works well as a stand-alone meal, a side dish, or a snack
• Costs very little time or cash to get together
• Appeals to both kids and adults!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Texas Toast: The thick bread perfectly absorbs the cheese, and its delicious, rich flavors. Swap with whole-grain rye bread for a healthier snack. Try this with other homemade cheese toast ideas to get the most out of this recipe.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps the cheese stick to the bread and creates a crispy texture when cooked. Greek yogurt works well as a healthy alternative that adds even more flavor to these easy cheese toast for beginners.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheeses: Choose whatever sharpness you want and mix and blend to create delicious flavors to create the best cheese toast recipe. Avocado works well as a healthier replacement, especially if you’re lactose intolerant.
• Raspberry Preserves: Adds even more flavor and a healthy dose of tasty fruit that we think you’ll love. Pick whatever preserves you want or use whole fruits, like blueberries, for a healthy cheese toast version of this simple cheese toast meal.

How to Make It

Spreading butter on both sides of the bread gives the best cheese toast recipe the crispiness you want. It also helps the cheese stick better to the bread and produces a delicious taste balance. 

• Spread about one-quarter cup of your favorite shredded cheeses on each slide, making sure to layer them evenly. Evenly layering toppings on the easy cheese toast for beginners ensures you get maximum flavor. 
• Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit while you prepare the bread, or prep your air fryer for 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Both temperatures will melt your cheese quickly without creating a soggy mess.
• Bake for 10 minutes or air fry for 4 minutes to achieve a perfectly blended cheese topping. Now, add one tablespoon of your favorite preserves to give your simple cheese toast meal even more dense flavor. 
• Serve immediately to give your quick cheese toast recipe the audience it deserves. If you like, you can use homemade cheese toast ideas, like cottage cheese, to create a healthy cheese toast version that your kids will love.

Tips for Success

• Make sure you evenly butter both sides of the bread before toasting so you get that crispy golden brown toast.
• Try different freshly shredded cheeses, as there is no shortage of different cheeses out there. From hard, soft, strong, mild, spicy, and sweet, you can try an endless amount of different cheeses to add variety to this simple recipe.
• Make this a fancy snack with homemade bread, artisan loaves, or just your favorite type of bread. Focaccia, brioche, crusty bread, and baguettes all work for this quick snack.
• Don’t let your toast burn; you know it’s done when the bread is golden brown and the cheese is just melted and starting to brown. Bake it uncovered to create a crisp top that will make your mouth water.
• Add toppings like crispy bacon and grilled chicken, sliced avocado, or your favorite jam to add variety and flavor to the best cheese toast recipe around.
• This recipe is versatile and can be cooked in the air fryer, oven, or even a toaster oven. Use whatever is convenient for you when making this easy cheese toast for beginners.
• Serve this recipe as a side dish for pasta, soups, or as a quick snack. Your family will love how fun and simple this quick cheese toast recipe is. Kids can even learn to make it themselves! Don’t forget to let it rest for 10 minutes before serving for cleaner slices.

Storage & Reheating

This family friendly cheese toast can be frozen as a quick snack for later use! Once the toast has cooled, add it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Stack multiple toasts on pieces of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Can freeze for up to 3 months.

No need to thaw frozen cheese toast; it can be cooked straight from frozen in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer!

If you have leftover cheese toast that you’re not freezing, let it cool completely before storing. Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To reheat, preheat your oven or airfryer to 375°F and cook the toast for 1-2 minutes until it’s warmed through and the cheese is melted.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with Mariana sauce to add a little flavor and texture 
• Try adding minced garlic for a little more flavor 
• Don’t be afraid to mix up various cheese flavors (gouda and provolone are amazing!)
• Cut into squares to make a cute little appetizer
• Serve with tomato soup for a nice winter-friendly dish
• Use this French Toast Breakfast for extra inspiration

Notes

Ah, this recipe brings back so many after-school memories of hanging out with mom, dad, and my sister! We were latch-key kids, so mom taught us this quick cheese toast recipe so we could have something to eat before they got back. Kendra and I would watch Nicktoons and snack on these tasty cheese toasts for hours, even enjoying a tasty Ramen soup with it. I hope that this easy cheese toast for beginners brings you and yours as much joy as it brought me.