Print

Hot Honey Apple Cheddar Melt

Print Recipe

This Hot Honey Apple Cheddar Melt is a delightful fusion of flavors, combining gooey cheddar, crispy beef bacon, and tart apple slices. The sweet heat from the hot honey elevates this grilled cheese to a gourmet experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices artisan bread (sourdough recommended)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 slices thick-cut beef bacon
  • 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated or thinly sliced
  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Hot Honey
  • Pinch flaky sea salt (optional)
  • ½ cup honey (if making hot honey from scratch)
  • 1–2 tablespoons red pepper flakes (if making hot honey from scratch)
  • ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional, if making hot honey from scratch)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Hot Honey (Optional): If you choose to make your own hot honey, combine ½ cup honey, 1-2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes, and optional ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Heat gently over low heat for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is fluid but do not let it boil. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
  2. Cook Beef Bacon: Cook the 8 slices of thick-cut beef bacon until crispy. You can do this on the stovetop by preheating a heavy skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Cook the bacon for 8-12 minutes, flipping occasionally until browned and crispy, or bake in an oven preheated to 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes on a lined baking sheet. Drain on paper towels and reserve about 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat, then break the cooked bacon into 2-3 pieces.
  3. Prepare Apple and Cheese: While the bacon cooks, wash, core, and thinly slice the medium Granny Smith apple into approximately 1/8-inch thick slices. Grate or thinly slice the 6 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese. Set aside for assembly.
  4. Assemble Sandwiches: Take all 8 slices of bread and butter one side of each. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, layer half of the cheddar cheese, then add the apple slices, followed by the crispy beef bacon pieces. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of hot honey over each, then top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Place the remaining 4 buttered bread slices (butter-side-up) on top to form the sandwiches.
  5. Grill Sandwiches: Preheat a heavy skillet over medium-low heat and add 1 teaspoon of the reserved bacon fat or additional butter. Place the sandwiches butter-side down in the skillet. Cook for 4-6 minutes until golden brown and the cheese begins to melt, pressing gently with a spatula. Flip and cook the other side for another 4-6 minutes. Avoid cooking on too high heat to prevent burning.
  6. Finish and Serve: Once both sides are golden and the cheese is melted, transfer the grilled sandwiches to a cutting board. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting each sandwich diagonally in half. Sprinkle with optional flaky sea salt or add an extra drizzle of hot honey, then serve immediately while warm.

Nutrition

Keywords: Don’t rush the grilling; cook low and slow for the best results. Use quality bread like sourdough for better flavor and texture.

Find it online: https://crumella.com/sweet-savory-apple-cheddar-melt/