Apple, Cheddar, Bacon & Arugula Grilled Cheese

This isn’t just any grilled cheese sandwich – it’s an elevated weeknight favorite that’s packed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, peppery arugula, and the sweet / tart flavor of fresh apples. It’s the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a little bit of crunch. This recipe makes two grilled cheese sandwiches and comes together in about 20 minutes.

Whether you’re making this for a cozy lunch or a comforting dinner, this Apple, Cheddar, Bacon, & Arugula Grilled Cheese is sure to impress. Say goodbye to plain grilled cheese and hello to a flavor-packed glow-up!

This grilled cheese sandwich comes together in less than 20 minutes, but the flavor is anything but basic. The salty crunch of crispy bacon pairs perfectly with the creamy sharp cheddar cheese, while fresh apple slices add a subtle sweetness and a crisp texture. The peppery bite of arugula rounds everything out, making every bite a delicious balance of flavor.

What makes this grilled cheese so good?  All of these beautiful ingredients love to work with one another!  Pork (bacon), apples, and cheddar are an incredible combination. The arugula offers a pepper-y, bright layer that just pops and really brings everything together.  It’s SO good!

Ingredient Notes & FAQs:

Ingredient Notes:

• Bread: A hearty, rustic bread like sourdough or a whole-grain loaf is ideal for grilled cheese because it can hold up to the ingredients and the butter without falling apart. (If you’re in KC, Farm to Market sourdough is my go-to for grilled cheese sandwiches!) Try to use a locally baked bread – it’s always better than mass-produced stuff.
• Apples: Choose a crisp apple variety like Granny Smith for a tart flavor or Honeycrisp for a sweeter bite. Both varieties balance beautifully with the sharpness of the cheddar. Fuji apples are also a fan favorite, just a little softer.
• Bacon: If you’re looking to reduce the fat content, you can opt for turkey bacon, but classic crispy bacon gives the best crunch and smoky flavor.

FAQs:

Can I prepare this ahead of time? For the best texture / crispiness, it’s best to assemble the sandwich just before grilling, but you can slice the apple and prep the bacon in advance.

Can I make this vegan? Yes! You can swap the cheddar for vegan cheese and leave out the bacon or use a plant-based bacon alternative.

• Unsalted Butter
• Grated (or shredded) Soft Cheddar
• Fuji or Red Delicious Apple
• Arugula
• Olive Oil
• Salt & Freshly Cracked Pepper
• Bacon (turkey bacon works, or vegan bacon!)

Recipe Tips & Tricks:

1. Use good bread.  As I mentioned above, I use a local bakery’s sourdough bread for my grilled cheese sandwiches.  I like the flavor that sourdough brings to a grilled cheese!  However, using any fresh, locally baked, sliced white bread will totally work!
2. Unsalted butter is your friend.  We toss a pinch of flaky sea salt in with the arugula for this grilled cheese, so extra salt in the butter could be too much for some people.  I almost always recommend using an unsalted butter so you can adjust your salt level as you go!
3. Use a soft cheddar cheese. It can be very tempting to use a fancy, hard cheddar cheese for a gourmet grilled cheese.  However, those harder cheeses don’t melt as well.  What do I mean by hard cheese?  If you press your finger into the cheese and it doesn’t leave an indentation, it’s a hard cheese.  You want a soft, squishy cheddar cheese here.  It will melt better, and totally melt into the other ingredients to help hold everything together!
4. Toss the arugula in olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Yes, this may seem like an extra step – but it’s the easiest step that makes a huge difference!  The olive oil helps the arugula blend into the melty cheese, and the salt and pepper are that extra pop of flavor you never knew you needed!
5. Use a Fuji or Red Delicious apple.  This is my recommendation.  They are sweeter and a little “juicier” than their green apple cousins, so I think they’re perfect in this grilled cheese.  The tartness of a green apple doesn’t always play well with other ingredients, so I tend to avoid them for this grilled cheese.
6. Thinly slice the apple.  The thinner the apple slices, the softer they will become as they cook inside the grilled cheese.  If you like a crunchy, thick apple slice – do that!  But for this recipe, I use thinly sliced apple so it blends well with the other textures.  But really, do whatever you prefer here.  It’s your grilled cheese!  Make a couple of them and try both ways!
7. Cover the pan with a lid as the grilled cheese cooks.  This is my go-to method to ensure that cheese is extra melty!  The lid will trap the heat inside the pan, which further softens the apple slices and melts the cheese.  This step isn’t entirely necessary, but it’s a good trick to keep in your back pocket if your cheese isn’t melting as much as you’d like.
8. Golden Grilled Cheese: The key to the perfect grilled cheese is using medium heat to cook it slowly, so the bread crisps up without burning and the cheese melts perfectly.
9. Butter the Bread Evenly: Spread the butter generously on the outside of the bread slices to ensure even browning. You can also add a little bit of garlic powder or onion powder to the butter for extra flavor.
10. Extra Crispy Bacon: Cook your bacon to your desired level of crispiness to ensure it doesn’t get soggy inside the sandwich.

Ways to Customize the Recipe:

• Add a savory spread: Try a garlic aioli or a balsamic glaze on the bread for an added layer of flavor.
• Swap the greens: Instead of arugula, use spinach or baby kale for a slightly milder flavor.
• Go gourmet: Add a touch of caramelized onions or fig jam for a more complex flavor profile.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers:

• Storing leftovers: If you happen to have leftovers (which is unlikely!), store the grilled cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
• Reheating: To reheat, place the sandwich on a skillet over medium-low heat and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until crispy and heated through.

What other Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipes can I try?

Oh, I’m so glad you asked. 🙂 Here’s some of our favorites;

• Turkey & Pesto Grilled Cheese
• Havarti & Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese
• Blistered Tomato & Mozzarella Grilled Cheese (the OG gourmet grilled cheese recipe!)

But keep checking back, as we still have SEVEN new grilled cheese recipes coming your way!  Every Monday through October will have a new recipe out – and I will send a newsletter each Monday that will give you a quick and easy link to each one.  You can sign up here if you haven’t already!

Also, if you make your own grilled cheeses – I would love to see your creations on Instagram!  And as always, feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or need some troubleshooting.

Happy fall, and happy comfort food season!

xx Sara