These Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwich Appetizers are made with aged cheddar and sliced baguette – they’re as cute as they are delicious!
Ingredients and substitutions
Ingredients and substitutions- French baguette – most thick breads, such as ficelle or sourdough, will work well, too. Try to use a bread that will cut into smaller sized slices.
- Aged cheddar cheese – sharp grated cheeses, like gruyere, aged gouda or Colbert, are great substitute options.
- Butter – you can also use vegan butter, margarine, olive oil, ghee or any other substitute to butter-up your pan.
- Mushrooms – any mushrooms can work or you can use another sautéed topping like caramelized onions, spinach or bacon.
- Sundried tomatoes – semi-dried tomatoes or baked grape or cherry tomatoes would also be delicious or you can use roasted red peppers for a similar texture.
- Arugula –dandelion greens, baby spinach, mixed salad greens, watercress, baby kale and Swiss chard would all work too.
- Fresh basil – fresh oregano, thyme and cilantro are also great substitutes.
- Red chili flakes – cayenne pepper, chili powder, dried paprika or hot sauce can be used in place of chili flakes. If you’re not a fan of spice, leave this out altogether.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
How to make grilled cheese sandwich appetizers
- Prepare your toppings.
- Slice the baguette.
- Add the toppings to the baguette.
- Season the sandwich.
- Pan fry until crispy.
- Serve with your favourite dipping sauces and enjoy!
Components to prep ahead
To start preparing ahead of time, you can slice your bread into thin pieces then wrap them up in plastic wrap or in Ziploc bags to keep them fresh. Make sure to store them in a dry and room temperature area!
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As for your toppings, you can grate your cheese(s) and slice any other chosen toppings. These can all be refrigerated in airtight containers until your sandwiches are ready to be assembled and cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just about anything you want is good on grilled cheese! For these mini sandwiches I went with mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, arugula and aged cheddar but feel free to mix it up to include whatever you’re craving or have on hand. Try making your sandwich with Swiss and ham, pesto and mozzarella or roasted veggies!
This recipe has 201 calories per mini sandwich. If you want to cut down on the calorie count a bit, use a vegan butter substitute that has less calories.
Pretty much any type of cheese will work for our sandwich, but some won’t be as gooey as others. Some of my favourites include aged cheddar, gruyere, aged gouda, Colbert, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack.
Storing and reheating
To store your cooked sandwiches, allow them to cool completely then wrap them in plastic wrap or keep them sealed in a Ziploc bag or an airtight container. They’ll last in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days before they start to get soggy. To reheat them, you can fry them again in a pan with some butter or a butter substitute of your choice.
You can also reheat them by using a panini press or a toaster oven. Your sandwich is ready when the bread becomes a bit crispier and the cheese inside is warm and gooey! I'd recommend staying away from the microwave route. Microwaving the grilled cheese will most likely cause the bread to become soggy – and let’s face it, no one wants that.
More handheld appetizers
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls for the leftovers.
Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwich Appetizers
Ingredients
- 1 long French baguette thinly sliced
- 1 cup grated aged cheddar cheese
- 3-4 tbsp butter
- Toppings:
- Sliced sautéed mushrooms
- Sliced sundried tomatoes
- Arugula
- leaves fresh basil optional
- red chili flakes
- Cracked black pepper and sea salt
Instructions
- Saute mushrooms in a frying pan over med-high heat. Slice sundried tomatoes and prepare other toppings in the meantime.
- Slice baguette relatively thinly, then top with cheese, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, arugula and fresh basil. Sprinkle with a pinch of red chili flakes, some black pepper and sea salt.
- Cook sandwiches in batches of 5 or 6 in a large frying pan on med-low heat, melting 1-2 tbsp of butter at a time.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes each side until cheese starts to melt and the outside of the sandwiches gets crispy.
- Serve immediately with ketchup and sriracha – enjoy!
Liza Wainger says
How many hours ahead can I make the sandwich’s without them getting soggy. I want to bake the sandwich’s right before my company comes.
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Liza – I’d recommend making these the same day to ensure freshness. You could probably make ahead as early as the morning and then fry as directed late afternoon/early evening. I noticed you said bake so please note that this is not what the recipe directs, though you are welcome to try it!
Chris says
So delicious! Everyone loves them!
Andrea Frausto says
I have a question! It says serve immediately…Does the bread get too hard after a bit? I want to make these for a house warming party, but I would be cooking them at home and then bringing them over.
Taylor Stinson says
I would say as long as you make them within 24 hours and reheat them briefly in the oven once you’re there you should be good 🙂
Janette says
Well these are just adorable! Mini things are the best! Thanks for sharing!
Taylor Stinson says
Thank you so much Janette 🙂
Ginger Wroot says
I happened upon your lovely blog via a circuitous path from Twitter, and so glad I did! Pinned this lish-looking mini grilled appetizer and will be making this for a late summer party (with margaritas, of course, to wash it all down)! You have a rockin’ blog with wonderful photography and recipes! Can’t wait to return here soon to see what other creations you’re making! –Ginger
http//gingerwroot.com
Rachel @ Bakerita says
OMG. These are beyond drool-worthy! I was wishing I could reach through my screen to grab one. I’ve got to try these.