This keto grilled cheese sandwich is one of my successes. It boasts the same flavors and textures of the classic comfort food I loved as a kid — just none of the carbs.
It took a few tries with a variety of low-carb bread like coconut flour bread, but this version with my keto bread beats them all. The result is a tasty sandwich that’s crunchy and buttery on the outside but hot, gooey, and cheesy in the middle.
Easy to make in 10 minutes with just 3 key ingredients and will taste a million bucks.
I usually set out to make these sandwiches for our kids, but the smell of buttery cheese cooking in the pan is hard to pass up.
We eat them for a light lunch or a quick dinner on those hectic days. The kids love it as an after-school snack, too. Keep reading to learn how to create this delicious meal and check out my easy keto recipes for more ways to put a healthy spin on your favorite meals.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you thought a ketogenic lifestyle meant you’d have to steer clear of your favorite meals, think again! This keto grilled cheese is a testament to how easy it is to make the switch. The recipe tastes, looks, and quite honestly, stays true to a classic staple sandwich. I’m sure you’ll love it! Here’s why:
- Budget-friendly
- Minimal cleanup
- Family-friendly and kid-approved
- Simple ingredients: Uses basic, everyday ingredients accessible in most kitchens and grocery stores.
- Short prep and cooking time: Serve and enjoy in 10 minutes.
- Amazing flavors: Savory and buttery, with a bold and tangy taste from melted cheddar cheese.
- Basic kitchen equipment: Requires very few tools including a skillet, a knife for spreading the butter, a spatula for flipping the sandwich, and a stovetop.
- Easy-to-follow directions: Follow 5 simple steps, from assembling the ingredients to grilling the sandwich.
How to Make Keto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
I enjoy this keto grilled cheese sandwich on an almost weekly basis. From the bread to the pan, this recipe takes just 10 minutes to make from start to finish.
Simply add thick slices of high-quality cheese between two buttered pieces of keto bread, and then cook the sandwich, flipping it until crispy and golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted. Optionally, sprinkle salt and serve with your favorite sides for added variety.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions to make this crispy and melty keto grilled cheese recipe.
Ingredients You Need
The ingredients needed for this keto grilled cheese recipe couldn’t be simpler. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
- All-purpose keto bread: Tasty gluten-free bread with a crispy crust and a soft pliable center that’s sturdy enough to hold melted cheese without falling apart.
- Cheese slices: I prefer raw grass-fed milk cheese from US Wellness as it melts easily and creates a satisfyingly gooey texture.
- Butter: Use unsalted, grass-fed butter as it produces the tastiest results and toasts the bread better than other types of fat.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This recipe makes one serving of keto grilled cheese sandwich but can easily be doubled, tripled, etc.
With only 10 minutes of prep time using just 3 ingredients, you can enjoy this any day of the week or anytime you’re craving a satisfying comfort food. Now, let’s get started!
- Prepare the sandwich. While preheating the pan, spread butter on the exterior part of the bread slice that goes down on the pan. Layer the cheese on the non-buttered side and add optional ingredients.
- Pan-fry the sandwich. Place the second piece of bread on top and pan-fry the sandwich until the cheese melts. Carefully flip and cook until golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy. Once cooked, remove from heat, sprinkle with salt, and add a side of veggies or meat. Serve warm.
Want to see how we made this deliciously crispy and filling sandwich? Watch our recipe video here.
Variations
Once you’ve mastered this recipe, you can add or switch up the ingredients with other keto-friendly alternatives. The options are endless so get creative with whatever you have in the fridge or pantry. Here are some fun ideas to change things up:
- Add in pickles, roasted garlic, and tomato slices before serving.
- Instead of butter, use ghee, olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
- For a melty cheese that won’t become stringy when cooked, use young cheddar, Monterrey Jack, provolone, gouda, brie, Swiss cheese (Gruyère), or Taleggio cheese.
- Mix and match harder, aged cheeses like feta and parmesan with Fontina or mozzarella cheese.
- Top the cheese with caramelized onions before grilling the sandwich.
- Add a slice of deli ham to make a keto version of Croque monsieur.
- Add a few pieces of sliced pepperoni for a lovely Italian flavor.
- Boost protein content by adding grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, turkey, fried egg, or tuna.
- Veggie-fy the dish with sauteed onions, tomatoes, baby spinach, chopped broccoli, or zucchini.
- For a bit of heat, add a pinch of garlic powder or cayenne.
Looking for more keto-friendly sandwich ideas? Try out this flavorful tuna melt with avocado recipe.
Expert Tips
- Avoid overheating the skillet. Doing so can burn your sandwich quickly. If the pan is smoking when you’re ready to start cooking, cool it off with a splash of cold water and begin once the water has evaporated.
- Melted butter. Allow the butter to come to room temperature before spreading it on the bread for easier and more even melting.
- Non-grain bread. If you want a keto grilled cheese, you have to use keto bread. Stick to using my all-purpose keto bread or a keto sourdough loaf for the best texture and low carb count.
How to Store This Recipe
This keto grilled cheese sandwich is best fresh off the pan. But, if you have leftovers they will keep well in the fridge. Once cooled, wrap individual sandwiches in parchment paper to absorb extra moisture and then store in airtight containers. They should stay fresh for 3 to 4 days.
When ready to enjoy, reheat the sandwiches in a toaster oven or skillet over low heat. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy.
What to Serve with Keto Grilled Cheese
Keto grilled cheese sandwich tastes delicious on its own, but here are some easy sides and snacks that will take it up a notch:
- Add a side of coleslaw, pickle relish, or homemade sauerkraut for a tangy contrast.
- Enjoy with a fresh green salad topped with veggies and ranch dressing.
- Drizzle some ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or guacamole on top.
- Serve alongside a bowl of keto soup.
- Enjoy with keto grilled tomatoes with apricot jam.
More Easy Keto Recipes to Try
- Cheesy Breakfast Casserole
- Chicken Curry with Pumpkin
- Spinach Salmon Burger
- Gluten-Free Cheese Curds
- Avocado Chocolate Pudding
If you make this keto grilled cheese recipe, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and comment!
Keto Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 slices The BEST All-Purpose Keto Bread
- 2 (1/2 ounce) slices cheese <– try this one, aged goat cheese, Dambo, Gruyere, raw milk cheddar etc
- 1 teaspoon butter
Optional add-ins:
- pickles
- roasted garlic
- tomato slices
Instructions
- Warm a skillet over medium heat.
- Butter one side of the bread slices. Just butter the side that goes down on the pan.1 teaspoon butter, 2 slices The BEST All-Purpose Keto Bread
- Layer on the cheese. Add any optional ingredients.2 (1/2 ounce) slices cheese
- Top the sandwich with the second piece of bread. Place in the skillet to pan-fry for 2 minutes, until cheese starts to melt. Flip and continue cooking for 2 more minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove from heat and serve warm with a sprinkle of salt, side of veggies and additional protein.pickles, roasted garlic, tomato
Video
Nutrition & Macros
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