Spicy Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Spicy, creamy grilled cheese with jalapeños, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar between golden, buttery bread.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables

04 - 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped

→ Bread

05 - 4 slices sturdy white or sourdough bread

→ Optional Additions

06 - 2 tbsp cooked bacon bits

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and chopped jalapeños. Mix until well blended.
02 - Stir in bacon bits for extra flavor if desired.
03 - Spread half the cheese mixture evenly over two slices of bread. Top each with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
04 - Spread butter on the outside of each sandwich, covering both sides evenly.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot.
06 - Place sandwiches on the hot skillet and grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from heat, let cool for 1 to 2 minutes, then slice and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes the comfort of melted cheese and adds just enough heat to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
  • Everything comes together in under 20 minutes, perfect for when youre hungry and dont want to wait.
  • You can dial the spice up or down depending on your mood or whos eating with you.
02 -
  • If your heat is too high, the bread will burn before the cheese melts, so keep it at medium and be patient.
  • Softening the cream cheese completely is non-negotiable, cold cream cheese will never blend smoothly and youll end up with lumps.
  • Pressing the sandwich gently with your spatula while it cooks helps the cheese melt faster and the bread crisp up evenly.
03 -
  • Let the cream cheese sit out while you prep everything else, it makes mixing so much easier and the filling turns out silky.
  • Use a heavy skillet or cast iron if you have one, the weight helps press the sandwich and creates better contact with the heat.
  • If youre making more than two sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest so everyone eats at the same time.
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