Welcome to the ultimate comfort food mashup you never knew you needed. This Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese is everything you love about a classic grilled cheese, taken to an entirely new level. Imagine perfectly toasted bread, a river of molten, gooey cheese, all encased in a crispy, savory bacon weave. It’s a decadent, unforgettable sandwich that’s surprisingly easy to make. If you’re ready to transform a simple lunch into a show-stopping meal, you’ve come to the right place.
Why This Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese Recipe is a Game-Changer
This isn’t just a grilled cheese with a side of bacon. We’re wrapping the entire sandwich in a glorious bacon blanket, ensuring every single bite is packed with smoky flavor and incredible texture. The bacon fat renders as it cooks, essentially frying the bread to a perfect golden-brown crispness that’s impossible to achieve with butter alone. It’s a true game-changer for anyone who believes bacon makes everything better.
We’ve tested methods to guarantee the bacon gets perfectly crispy without burning the bread or undercooking the cheese. This recipe delivers a flawless result every time.
The Key Ingredients for Success
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few quality ingredients, you can create a truly spectacular sandwich. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters.
Choosing Your Bread
The foundation of any great grilled cheese is the bread. You need something sturdy enough to hold up to the cheese and the bacon wrap. We recommend a thick-cut Texas toast or a hearty sourdough. These options provide the structure needed to contain the melted cheese and absorb the delicious bacon flavor without becoming soggy.
The Best Cheeses for an Epic Cheese Pull
For the ultimate cheese experience, a combination of cheeses is non-negotiable. A sharp cheddar provides a bold, tangy flavor, while a low-moisture provolone or Monterey Jack delivers that epic, stringy cheese pull we all crave. Using a blend gives you the best of both worlds: flavor and meltability. Don’t be afraid to shred your own cheese; it melts far better than pre-shredded varieties.
Selecting the Right Bacon
Standard-cut bacon is the ideal choice for this recipe. Thick-cut bacon can be difficult to wrap and often takes too long to cook, risking a burnt sandwich. You’ll want about 8-10 slices to create a full weave that covers the entire sandwich.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese (Step-by-Step)
Making this masterpiece is easier than it looks. We’ll start by creating a simple bacon weave on a piece of parchment paper. This will become the delicious outer shell of our sandwich.
Next, assemble your sandwich. Butter one side of each slice of bread, then layer your cheese generously on the unbuttered sides. Place the assembled sandwich onto the center of your bacon weave and carefully fold the bacon slices over to encase it completely. If you’re looking for another fun bacon-wrapped appetizer, these Bacon Cheeseburger Pinwheels are always a crowd-pleaser.
Cooking Methods: Pan-Fried vs. Oven-Baked
You have two excellent options for cooking your Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese, each yielding a slightly different result. Choose the one that best suits your preference.
The Classic Pan-Fry Method
For a traditional approach, cook the sandwich in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. This method requires patience. Cook it slowly, allowing the bacon to render and crisp up evenly while the cheese melts perfectly. This gives you a super crispy crust, similar to these amazing Blackstone Steak Quesadillas.
The Oven-Baked Method for Extra Crispy Results
Baking the sandwich on a wire rack set over a baking sheet is our preferred method for guaranteed crispiness. The hot air circulates around the entire sandwich, crisping the bacon on all sides simultaneously. This hands-off approach also prevents any risk of burning the bread while you wait for the bacon to cook through. It’s a foolproof way to get a perfect result.
Pro Tips for a Flawless Sandwich
- Low and Slow is Key: Whether pan-frying or baking, low, gentle heat is crucial. This ensures the bacon cooks fully and becomes crispy without burning the bread before the cheese has a chance to melt.
- Use a Wire Rack: If baking, a wire rack is essential. It elevates the sandwich, allowing rendered fat to drip away and air to circulate for maximum crispiness on all sides.
- Don’t Overstuff: While tempting, adding too much cheese can lead to a messy blowout. A solid, even layer is all you need for a satisfyingly gooey center.
- Let It Rest: Allow the sandwich to rest for a minute or two before slicing. This lets the cheese set up slightly, giving you a cleaner cut.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic is hard to beat, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity. Try adding a layer of thinly sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick, or a smear of fig jam for a sweet and savory twist. For a breakfast-inspired version, check out these easy breakfast crescent rolls for ideas. You could even add some caramelized onions for a deeper flavor.
What to Serve with Your Grilled Cheese
This Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a classic bowl of tomato soup. For a lighter side, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing cuts through the richness of the sandwich beautifully. Or, for a truly decadent meal, serve it alongside some crispy fries or onion rings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and it’s our recommended method! Baking the sandwich on a wire rack at 400°F (200°C) allows hot air to circulate, making the bacon crispy on all sides without burning the bread.
The key is to cook it low and slow. Whether you’re pan-frying or baking, gentle, consistent heat allows the bacon fat to render and crisp up at the same rate the bread toasts and the cheese melts.
We recommend a combination of cheeses for the best flavor and texture. A sharp cheddar provides bold flavor, while a low-moisture provolone or Monterey Jack cheese will give you that amazing, stretchy cheese pull.
Standard-cut bacon works best. It’s flexible enough to create a tight weave and cooks through evenly. Thick-cut bacon can take too long to get crispy, which can lead to a burnt sandwich.
This sandwich is very rich, so it pairs well with classic tomato soup. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also provides a nice, fresh contrast to the savory flavors.
The Ultimate Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese: The Ultimate Indulgent Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- On a piece of parchment paper, create a 4x4 bacon weave. This will form the wrap for one sandwich. Repeat for the second sandwich.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered sides, pile on the shredded cheddar and provolone cheeses. Place the top slice of bread on, butter-side up.
- Carefully place one assembled sandwich in the center of a bacon weave. Fold the bacon slices over the sandwich to completely encase it. Tuck the ends under.
- Oven Method (Recommended): Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the wrapped sandwiches on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted. Pan-Fry Method: Place the sandwich in a cold, non-stick skillet. Cook over medium-low heat for 7-10 minutes per side, until the bacon is rendered and crisp.
- Remove the sandwich from the heat and let it rest for 2 minutes before slicing in half. Serve immediately.
Notes
Cooking low and slow is the secret to perfectly crispy bacon and melted cheese without burning the bread.
Feel free to mix and match your favorite melting cheeses!
Share This Incredible Recipe!
If you loved making this Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese, don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with your friends and family. Pin this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest to save it for later. We love seeing your creations, so feel free to leave a comment below!
