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Spicy Grilled Cheese

Featured in Nibbles and bites when hunger strikes.

Upgrade your sandwich with this spicy, crunchy grilled cheese. Cream cheese, bacon, sharp pepper jack, and toasted panko make every bite irresistible.

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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Fri, 23 May 2025 10:35:32 GMT
Up-close view of a golden-grilled sandwich with gooey cheese, jalapeños, and crispy bacon. Pin it
Up-close view of a golden-grilled sandwich with gooey cheese, jalapeños, and crispy bacon. | tasteofsavor.com

This sandwich happened on a night when I wanted both grilled cheese and jalapeño poppers. I piled spicy jalapeños, crispy bacon, and melty cheese onto buttery, toasted bread. Talk about the ultimate comfort meal. Now, whenever the weekend rolls around, everyone asks for this mash-up. It's got all the good stuff from both classics in every cheesy bite.

A Totally Different Grilled Cheese

There's something awesome about turning the classic flavor of jalapeño poppers into something you can eat with your hands. I like that it comes together fast but tastes like you ordered it from your favorite sandwich spot. When you bite in and get that crispy panko crust, you'll wonder how you ever did grilled cheese any other way.

What You'll Need On Hand

  • Butter: Makes everything rich and helps the bread get nicely browned.
  • Panko Crumbs: Gives you all that tasty crunch.
  • Jalapeños: You can go with fresh or grab pickled for something different.
  • Bacon: Fry lots so it's super crisp.
  • Cream Cheese: Makes the middle extra smooth and creamy.
  • Cheese: Pepper jack adds zing and heat to every bite.
  • Bread: Sourdough is my favorite but anything sturdy works.

Time To Get Cooking

Grill That Sandwich
Cook it up on medium until the cheese is all gooey and melted.
Toast Your Panko
Pop your crumbs in a pan so they turn golden and crunchy.
Put It Together
Pile your fillings up on the side of the bread without the butter.
Butter The Outside
Spread butter all over one side of each slice.

Switch It Up

Try using different breads like rye or whole wheat if you want to change things up. If the heat is too much, use cheddar instead of pepper jack. Mix in a little garlic powder with your cream cheese for something special. And for an even crispier outside, use mayo instead of butter.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep extra sandwiches in the fridge for about four days. I like to bring them back to life in a skillet or toss them in the oven so they stay crispy. Avoid microwaving though—otherwise, they go a bit soggy and lose their crunch.

Tasty Things To Serve With It

We usually dip ours in creamy tomato soup or pair it with a green salad if we're trying to keep things light. A pile of hot fries on the side never hurts. Grab a cold beer or some lemonade, and you've got the perfect match to cool down the spice.

A melty grilled cheese sandwich with jalapeños and bacon, stacked between golden toast. Pin it
A melty grilled cheese sandwich with jalapeños and bacon, stacked between golden toast. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Will it be very spicy?

Leave in the jalapeño seeds if you love heat or take them out for something milder. It's easy to balance the spice your way.

→ Why is panko added?

Golden panko breadcrumbs add a crispy texture, just like the outside of jalapeño poppers. It makes the sandwich extra delicious.

→ Can I prepare parts early?

Sure! Cook the bacon and toast the panko ahead of time. Just assemble and grill fresh for the best texture and flavor.

→ What bread is best for this?

Go for hearty bread, like sourdough or a thick loaf of white. Soft bread could get soggy and won’t hold up as well.

→ Is pre-cut cheese okay?

It works, but slicing your own usually melts better. Pepper jack brings that spicy bite, so stick with it for flavor.

Spicy Cheese Toast

Turn up the heat with this cheesy sandwich featuring zingy jalapeños, crispy bacon, buttery panko, and gooey melted cheese.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 1 Servings (1 sandwich)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 5 slices of cooked bacon.
02 1 oz softened cream cheese.
03 2 big slices of bread.
04 6 pieces of pepper jack cheese.
05 2 tablespoons melted butter.
06 1 tablespoon crunchy panko crumbs.
07 2 fresh jalapeños, cut into slices.

Instructions

Step 01

Spread butter over one side of each bread. Save a teaspoon for later.

Step 02

On the unbuttered side, spread cream cheese, pile on the pepper jack, lay on the bacon, and scatter jalapeño slices.

Step 03

In a pan, heat up the leftover butter. Toast the panko crumbs until they're golden and crisp.

Step 04

Dust the panko over the top, place the second slice of bread on, and grill each side for 5-10 minutes until golden brown.

Notes

  1. Remove jalapeño seeds if you want less spice.
  2. Use a strong bread that can hold all the fillings.
  3. Freshly sliced cheese melts more easily.
  4. A fun way to upgrade a grilled cheese sandwich.
  5. Make bacon ahead to save time.
  6. Ultimate comfort meal.

Tools You'll Need

  • Griddle or frying pan.
  • Knife for slicing.
  • Spatula for flipping.
  • Small pan to toast crumbs.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains butter, cream cheese, and cheese (dairy).
  • Includes wheat-based ingredients (panko, bread).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 850
  • Total Fat: 58 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 42 g