Broil Your Grilled Cheese For Faster, Crunchier Results
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food loved by many, but sometimes, the traditional stovetop method can have a soggy and lackluster result. The problem is that a perfectly crusty sandwich with a deliciously melted center takes time in a pan. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn before the cheese can melt between the slices of bread. If the heat is too low, the cheese might never melt. Fortunately, the solution to achieving a crispy and crunchy grilled cheese at home is already in your kitchen.
While you might be envisioning some combination of using the toaster and microwave to make the fastest grilled cheese possible, it's actually even more simple. You can simply turn to the oven. Using the broiler to make grilled cheese is not only more efficient for making big batches than using a stovetop pan, but it also ensures a perfectly melted cheese and a crunchy exterior. But even the broiler can pose problems. The key to making the perfect broiler-grilled cheese is to prevent a soggy bottom, which can be achieved by a couple of different methods.
How to make a grilled cheese in the oven
The ultimate goal for your broiler grilled cheese is to have crisp slices of bread and evenly melted cheese on the inside. To get there, there are two primary methods you can turn to. The first is to simply make the sandwich, place it on a baking sheet until the top is browned, and then turn it over to crisp up the bottom slice of bread.
If you'd rather avoid the slightest chance of a soggy spot of bread, then add an oven-proof cooling rack to the baking sheet. The extra space and air that it allows to circulate under the bottom slice of bread will keep any steam from collecting there and creating sogginess. Once the sandwich is golden brown, and the cheese is melted, remove it from the broiler and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing it in half. This will allow the cheese to set slightly and prevent it from oozing out when you cut it or take a bite.
So, using the broiler to make grilled cheese is a game-changer that results in a crunchier and tastier sandwich. Regardless of which approach you use, you might be surprised by just how fast you can enjoy a childhood favorite without the extra work.