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How To Reheat Grilled Cheese

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Is there anything as comforting and satisfying as a grilled cheese with a crispy, crunchy outside and gooey, melty, cheesy inside?

Even a basic grilled cheese is still one of the most delicious and easy dinners or snacks to whip up when you’re craving comfort food.

But what if you want to make a few grilled cheese sandwiches ahead of time to store for later. Can you reheat your grilled cheese without the bread going soggy?

As long as you don’t use a microwave, you can get that golden, crispy crunch by reheating. You just need to follow a couple of simple steps!

So, how do you reheat a grilled cheese sandwich so it doesn’t end up soggy? To get that crispy outside you’ll want to heat it in either a frying pan with a pot lid over top or if you have an air fryer, you can reheat it in the basket or on the rack for a couple of minutes.

Read on to discover how to best reheat a grilled cheese sandwich, my tips for making the perfect grilled cheese, the best sides to serve with your grilled cheese, and more!

How To Perfectly Reheat A Grilled Cheese Sandwich In A Frying Pan

If you have a couple of minutes to spare and can avoid reheating your grilled cheese in the microwave (hello soggy bread!), then the frying pan is a great way to go. It’s super simple and doesn’t take much time at all.

Follow these steps to perfectly reheat your grilled cheese in a frying pan:

  1. Place a frying pan onto the stovetop over medium heat.
  2. Allow the frying pan to warm up for a couple of minutes.
  3. You could put a smear of butter or mayo on the outside of your grilled cheese while you wait.
  4. Once the frying pan is hot, place the grilled cheese in the center of the pan and then cover it with the lid from a saucepan. Placing the lid over the grilled cheese traps the heat and allows the cheese to melt faster.
  5. After about 1-2 minutes, remove the lid, flip your grilled cheese, and let it crisp for a minute or so on this side. You don’t need to place the lid back on the grilled cheese.
  6. Check the bottom of the grilled cheese after a minute and if it’s crispy, remove your sandwich from the frying pan and enjoy!

How To Perfectly Reheat A Grilled Cheese Sandwich In An Air Fryer

If you have an air fryer with either a basket or a rack, you can quickly and easily reheat your grilled cheese sandwich in a very hands-off way. I use my air fryer to reheat virtually all my leftovers and it is by far the easiest method.

Follow these simple steps to perfectly reheat your grilled cheese in an air fryer:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to about 380°F (or set it to that temperature if it doesn’t need to preheat).
  2. Place your grilled cheese sandwich in the fryer basket or lay it on the wire rack, depending on your model.
  3. Return the basket or rack to the air fryer and set the timer for 2 minutes.
  4. After 2 minutes, check your grilled cheese. If it’s not quite crispy enough or the cheese isn’t melted, return it for another 1-2 minutes.
  5. Once your grilled cheese has reached the perfect balance of crispy and melty, remove it from the air fryer and enjoy!

How To Perfectly Reheat A Grilled Cheese Sandwich In A Toaster Oven

Another great way to reheat a grilled cheese is in a toaster oven. They are simple to use and you can be pretty hands-off, just make sure you take a peek inside every couple of minutes so it doesn’t burn.

A toaster oven is simple, but not quite as quick as an air fryer or frying pan.

Follow these easy steps to perfectly reheat your grilled cheese in a toaster oven:

  1. Set the temperature of your toaster oven to 350°F and place your grilled cheese inside.
  2. Set the timer for 5 minutes. Once it dings, flip the grilled cheese over and toast for another 5 minutes or so.
  3. Once your grilled cheese is golden, crispy, and the cheese is melted, remove it from the toaster oven and enjoy.

Best Side Dishes To Eat With A Grilled Cheese

While grilled cheese can be enjoyed on its own as a delicious standalone snack or meal, sometimes it’s nice to add side dishes to balance out the rich, buttery, cheesy, goodness of the sandwich.

Below I’ve outlined some of my favorite side dishes to enjoy with your next grilled cheese:

  • Tomato Soup: I don’t think this item needs much explanation. This pairing is a classic for good reason! The acidity of the tomatoes perfectly complements the richness of the grilled cheese for a match made in heaven.
  • Chicken Noodle Soup: I love chicken noodle soup and it’s typically not quite as rich as a tomato soup, but still incredibly comforting. While I don’t usually dip my grilled cheese in this soup, it’s still a great combo!
  • Ketchup: I know it’s not technically a side dish, but man do I love dipping my grilled cheese in dollops of ketchup. The sweetness and mild acidity go perfectly with the buttery perfection of grilled cheese.
  • French Fries: I mean, if we’re talking delicious comfort food and salty, crunchy goodness then nothing tops French fries as a pairing for your grilled cheese.
  • Pasta Salad: There are so many versions of pasta salad from rich and creamy to light and acidic, that you’re sure to find one that works perfectly with your favorite grilled cheese.
  • Arugula Salad: The fresh, slightly peppery flavor of arugula cuts the richness of the grilled cheese for a bright and fresh meal pairing.

Tips For Making The Best Grilled Cheese

If you want to make the best grilled cheese ever, try using a couple of these tips:

  • Try a variety of cheeses. While I’m a fan of a classic grilled cheese with American cheese slices, you can try a combination of cheeses like pepper jack, old cheddar, Gruyere, goat cheese, or gouda for a twist.
  • Don’t use bread that’s too thick. If your bread is too thick, it will take a lot longer for the heat to get to the center to melt the cheese. You could end up with a burnt outside and cheese that isn’t fully melted.
  • Place a lid over your grilled cheese for the first half of the cooking time. The lid will trap more heat and help your cheese melt faster!

Make sure to check out this great video from Joshua Weissman for more tips on making a homemade grilled cheese!

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