For the best toaster oven grilled cheese sandwich, you must try this easy recipe. In just 10 minutes this classic sandwich with gooey melted cheese is ready. No stove, pan, or griddle needed!
Why this Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe is Amazing: Between years of college & raising 3 kids, I have probably made about 100 grilled cheese sandwiches in the toaster oven - I have got this down to a perfect science!
What I also love, is it can be made with a limited kitchen like during a remodel. Perfect also for the office, travel trailer, RV, or dorm room. I call this one of best budget-friendly recipe for college students.
What I love about it most is that the bread is extra crispy unlike making a grilled cheese in the microwave. Ok, now let's get toasting!
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Ingredients
All you need is the traditional 3 simple inexpensive ingredients. I am using our family's favorite sliced sandwich bread which is a wide-pan size.
We prefer a sharp cheese, like cheddar. But you can swap out the slices of cheddar for your favorite or one of these best cheeses for grilled cheese.
Here is what you need to make grilled cheese in the toaster oven:
- Sliced Sandwich Bread - thin-sliced bread such as white, wheat, rye, gluten-free, or sourdough.
- Sliced Cheese - cheddar or American is most popular and melts beautifully.
- Salted Butter - for browning and crisping up the outside bread.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese
This is a classic grilled cheese recipe converted to cook in a toaster oven. Using the baking tray that most toaster ovens come with & a spatula is all you need for equipment.
Begin by preheating your toaster oven to 425°. If you have a timer setting, place it at 10 minutes.
Here are the easy steps for making a hot cheese sandwich in a toaster oven:
- Assemble the Sandwich
- Toast & Flip
- Rest, Slice, & Enjoy
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Assemble the Sandwich
While it's preheating, it is time to gather the ingredients and put the sandwich together.Since this will be cooked on a baking tray, assemble it directly on it to make clean-up easier.
Begin by buttering one side of each slice of bread. Use ½ of the tablespoon on each side. Place the buttered sides down.
Now stack on your slices of cheese on one side of the bread. If you are adding additional ingredients, do that now.
Bring the two together. Place the other bread on top of the cheese with the buttered side facing up.
Once the toaster oven is preheated to 425°, it is ready to go in to bake. If you have a timer, set it for 10 minutes.
2- Toast & Flip
Let the grilled cheese sandwich cook for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, flip the sandwich over. It will now cook for an additional 5 minutes.
3 - Rest, Slice, & Enjoy
Once the 10 minutes are done, the grilled cheese sandwich is ready. Carefully remove it with a spatula. Place it on a cutting board or plate. Let it rest for 1-2 minutes. Once it has rested, slice in half & enjoy!
Hint: Before cutting, the resting period is key for two reasons. It ensures the cheese begins to cool a bit again. This cooling makes it more solid again so that it doesn't all ooze and drip out of your sandwich.
Serving Suggestions
And the more important reason, the cheese is HOT! You do not want to burn your mouth when you bite into this yummy sandwich. It's hard to wait but just give it a minute.
See the warm melty cheese, it is still gooey and delicious. Serve with fresh fruit salad with Cool Whip, roasted cherry tomato soup, hearty chicken stew, or a simple spinach salad. For more side dish ideas, check out the best recipes to serve with grilled cheese.
Top Tips
- #1 Tip - Preheat the toaster oven
- Do not step away, watch as it cooks in case it cooks faster - each model may cook differently.
- Cheese substitutes- use a vegan or dairy-free option
- Butter substitute - use mayo, vegan or dairy-free option
- Breads - use gluten-free, keto, or low-carb alternates
- Texas Toast - for thick sliced bread, cook at 400°F for 2-3 minutes more each side or until the cheese has melted
- Use a Baking Tray for safety; foil or parchment may move around easily and could be a hazard/catch fire
- Flip halfway through cooking
- Let cool before cutting
- Try making any kind of hot cheese sandwich in the toaster oven, like something gourmet such as Fig & Hot Honey Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Variations
Here are some additional ingredients & substitutes to customize this recipe to your liking:
- Use shredded cheese instead of sliced.
- Add leftover grilled veggies or caramelized onions.
- Pack in some more protein for a hearty meal with added meats like microwaved turkey bacon, sliced deli cold cuts, leftover cooked corned beef, or pulled pork.
Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Equipment
- toaster oven
- baking tray or pan
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 2 ounces sliced cheese 2-4 slices depending on thickness
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Set your toaster oven to Bake at 425°. Let it preheat while you assemble the sandwich.
- Get out the baking tray for your toaster oven. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the butter side down on the baking tray. Top one slice with the two slices of cheese. Top with the other piece of bread, butter side up.
- Once the toaster oven is preheated, it is ready to bake the sandwich. Place the tray with the sandwich in the toaster oven. Let it cook for 5 minutes.
- Using a spatula, flip the sandwich over. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Using an oven mitt, remove the baking tray with your oven-grilled cheese sandwich.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing. Cut in half and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
More Toaster Oven Recipes
You can bake many things in a toaster oven & I recommend trying these recipes you will also love:
Rudy says
I did cook it for 1 less minute on each side. I don't like my grilled cheese too dark and it was perfect.
Angela says
I will be honest, I like mine lightly toasty too. But my husband loves it well-done when it comes to toast or grilled cheese.
Davina says
Made it as directed and loved it. It was crunchy and cheese melted.
Bryce says
I never made grilled cheese before. Not in a pan or oven. This was my first try and my mom let me do it all on my own. I am 9. It was a good grilled cheese.
Angela says
Great job making your first grilled cheese. I hope you enjoyed cooking and learn to cook a lot more yummy things.