From Sourdough to Rye: 5 Best Breads for Melty Grilled Cheese

The king of comfort foods is grilled cheese. The ideal bread for grilled cheese can elevate your sandwich from decent to epic as soon as you bite into the buttery bread and gooey cheese.

But don't be deceived by the straightforward ingredients. All grilled cheese sandwiches are not created equal. You need the correct bread if you want to create the tastiest grilled cheese sandwich ever.

Bread is important while making grilled cheese sandwiches. Grilled cheese at the core is made out of simply two ingredients: bread and cheese. Therefore bread quality is a crucial factor. Your grilled cheese will be average if you use poor bread. And no one wishes that! You should think about the bread's flavour, texture, and thickness.

If the bread is too thick, it will probably burn as the cheese fails to fully melt. Your ratios will be off if the bread is too thin. Think about your preferred texture, too. You need bread that is tough enough to hold up against the cheese without becoming soggy. The fillings are the next thing to think about. For the ideal combination, the bread's flavour should go well with each item. After we've resolved that, let's talk about the best bread for grilled cheese.

Sourdough

Sourdough bread is often considered one of the best breads for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its texture and flavour profile. Sourdough is a type of bread made by fermenting dough with naturally occurring lactobacilli and yeast. This fermentation process gives sourdough bread its signature tangy flavour and chewy texture.

When it comes to grilled cheese, sourdough bread's texture is particularly desirable. The bread is dense and sturdy enough to hold up to the heat and weight of the cheese while still maintaining a crispy exterior. The chewiness of the bread provides a satisfying contrast to the melted cheese's creamy consistency.

Additionally, sourdough bread has a robust flavour that can stand up to the richness of the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich. The tangy notes in the bread complement the savoury flavours of the cheese, making for a more complex and satisfying taste experience.

Baguette

Baguette is a type of bread that is known for its unique texture and flavour. It is a long, thin loaf with a crispy crust and a soft, airy interior. While baguettes are commonly used for sandwiches, they are especially popular for making grilled cheese sandwiches.

When a baguette is grilled, the crust becomes crispy and provides a satisfying crunch. This crunch is an excellent contrast to the soft, gooey melted cheese, creating a unique texture that is both crispy and creamy. Additionally, the crispy crust helps to hold the sandwich together, preventing the cheese from oozing out.

Another reason why baguette is a great choice for grilled cheese is its airy interior. The soft, airy interior of the baguette is perfect for absorbing melted cheese. When the cheese is heated, it becomes runny and oozes into the bread's nooks and crannies, providing a burst of flavour with every bite. The airy texture of the bread also makes it less dense, so it doesn't overpower the cheese's flavour.

Baguettes also have a relatively neutral flavour, making them an excellent base for a wide variety of cheese types and toppings. Unlike bread with a strong flavour, baguettes won't overpower the cheese or other ingredients, allowing them to shine through. This versatility is especially useful when making grilled cheese sandwiches with different types of cheese or toppings.

Brioche

Brioche, a type of French bread, is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its rich, buttery flavour and soft, fluffy texture. Brioche is made with a high amount of eggs and butter, which gives it its distinctive taste and texture. The egg yolks in the bread provide a golden colour and a slightly sweet taste, while the butter creates a tender crumb and a light, airy texture.

When grilled, brioche bread becomes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it an ideal choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. The richness of the bread also complements the melted cheese, creating a luxurious and indulgent sandwich.\

However, due to its high butter content, brioche can be denser and heavier than other breads, which can make it more difficult to get a crispy exterior without overcooking the cheese. To overcome this, it is recommended to slice the brioche bread thinly and to use a lower heat when grilling.

Challah

Challah is a traditional Jewish bread that is made with eggs, water, flour, sugar, and yeast. Its distinctive braided appearance and slightly sweet taste make it a popular choice for a variety of dishes, including grilled cheese sandwiches. Challah bread is often used in Jewish cuisine for Sabbath and holiday meals.

Challah is an ideal choice for grilled cheese sandwiches because of its texture. Challah bread is soft and fluffy on the inside, and its slightly crispy exterior makes it perfect for grilling. The texture of the bread allows it to hold up well to the melted cheese without becoming soggy, ensuring a crispy and satisfying sandwich.

The flavour of challah bread is also a perfect complement to the rich, melted cheese in grilled cheese sandwiches. The slightly sweet taste of the bread adds a subtle note of sweetness that balances out the saltiness of the cheese.

Rye Bread

Rye bread is a beloved option for grilled cheese sandwiches because it offers a unique flavour and texture that pairs perfectly with gooey cheese. Rye bread is made from rye flour, which has a distinct nutty and slightly sweet taste that can add depth to any sandwich. This bread also has a denser texture compared to other bread options, making it perfect for holding up to the melted cheese and preventing it from becoming soggy.

Another benefit of using rye bread for grilled cheese is that it is often sliced thicker than other breads. This thickness provides a satisfying crunch and a hearty bite, making the sandwich more satisfying overall. Additionally, rye bread often includes seeds such as caraway, which adds another layer of texture and flavour to the sandwich.

Rye bread is also a great option for those who are looking for a healthier alternative to white bread. Rye bread has a lower glycemic index than white bread, which means that it can help regulate blood sugar levels and keep you feeling fuller for longer. This is especially beneficial for those who are watching their carbohydrate intake or are trying to maintain a healthy diet.