Delicious toasties, or grilled cheese sandwiches as they are known in North America, are one of the most comforting lunches I know. Whether you serve them on their own or paired with a bowl of hot soup, toasties are satisfying, delicious and so quick and easy to make. One of my favourite memories is having a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup on a snow day when I was a kid. The things is, while simple cheese or ham and cheese toastie recipes are delicious, it’s nice to have a couple of elevated variations – like the Guacamole Toastie and Hawaiian Toastie I’m sharing below – on hand as well.
Disclosure: I originally developed these recipes after receiving complimentary samples of Leerdammer cheese slices. I was not paid to create these recipes or write this post, and all opinions are my own. While Leerdammer cheese slices are delicious in these toasties, any good melting cheese, such as Emmental, Monterey Jack or Cheddar, works well too.
Tips for Making Toasties (Grilled Cheese Sandwiches)
Choose a bread you love. I like wholemeal or granary bread for my toasties.
Consider using olive oil instead of butter. My late Dad shared this tip with me. It’s a healthier option because olive oil is lower in saturated fat than butter, but I also find it more convenient as I don’t need to worry about whether my butter is soft or not. The toasties still cook up beautifully and turn a lovely golden brown.
I find it easier to use ready-sliced cheeses.
Try different kinds of cheese in your grilled cheese recipes. Any cheese that melts well is good for a toastie. Just consider how the flavour will work with any other fillings.
Easy Cheese Toastie Recipes (Grilled Cheese Sandwiches)
Guacamole Toastie – Printable Recipe
Guacamole Toastie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread of your choice
- ½ an avocado, peeled and mashed
- 1 small tomato, diced
- pinch of dried chilis or Aleppo pepper
- pinch dried coriander
- squeeze of lime
- salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 cheese slices of your choice
- 1 tablespoon mild olive oil
Instructions
- Mix the tomato with the mashed avocado in a medium bowl.
- Stir in the chili, coriander and a squeeze of lime.
- Taste a little of the mixture and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Spread the inside of one slice of bread with the avocado and tomato mixture.
- Top with two slices of cheese.
- Place the second slice of bread on top.
- Brush the outside of both pieces of bread with olive oil. (You can use softened butter if you prefer.)
- Toast in a frying pan over medium heat, turning carefully once, until golden brown on both sides.
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag #apriljharris on Instagram and follow @apriljharris for more.
Hawaiian Toastie (Ham, Cheese and Pineapple) – Printable Recipe
Hawaiian Toastie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread of your choice
- 2 slices cheese of your choice
- 1 slice ham
- ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard, or to taste
- 2 pineapple rings from a tin of pineapple, drained
- 1 tablespoon mild olive oil
Instructions
- Place the bread on a bread board and lay the first slice of Leerdammer Toastie on the inside of one piece of bread.
- Top with the drained pineapple rings, cutting them to size if necessary.
- Top with a slice of ham (if using) and then another slice of cheese.
- Spread the inside of the top piece of bread with mustard, if using.
- Put the second piece of bread on top and brush the outside of both pieces of bread with the olive oil. (You can use softened butter if you prefer.)
- Toast in a frying pan over medium heat, turning carefully once, until golden brown on both sides.
Notes
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag #apriljharris on Instagram and follow @apriljharris for more.
Comments & Reviews
Oh, I adore toasties. Not sure I’ve ever tried anything like your Hawaiian version: that sounds excellent!
Thank you, Pauline 🙂
They looks AMAZING. I have some gluten-free bread that tastes quite nice toasted, so I’m trying that guacamole idea with some Daiya cheese. That will hit the spot on this gloomy Saturday. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you so much, Ann 🙂 I really hope you enjoy it!
Oh, if only pinning recipes was the same as tasting them! I’m saving this page somewhere where I can find it 😉
I’m so glad you like the recipes, Pauline! I love a traditional toastie (cheese and onion or cheese and tomato) but once in a while these variations can really spice things up a bit 🙂