Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Classic grilled cheese sandwiches are pressed in the waffle iron for extra crispy nooks and crannies!
Did you know you can do WAY more with your waffle iron than just make waffles?
If you’re a fan of all things crunchy and crispy, there are a ton of recipes that utilize all the nooks, crannies, and crevices off the waffle iron to make extra crispy treats. For sandwiches, a waffle iron is kind of like a panini press on steroids. You can have a glorious grilled cheese ready in minutes, perfect for pairing with some Tomato Bisque
Start by spreading one side of a slice of bread with room temperature butter:
Lay the piece of bread (butter side down) on the waffle iron:
Then cover the top with your favorite kind of cheese:
Place another buttered piece of bread on top, and close the waffle iron:
Make sure not to press down and smash the sandwich. The waffle iron will slowly press the sandwich on its own since the lid is heavy:
After a few minutes you can check on the crispiness, and cook the sandwich to your liking.
Here you can tell there are plenty of brown spots and the cheese is melted, but usually I like to take my sandwich a little further.
You know, until the cheese is oozing out:
Perfect!

Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 3 oz cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp salted butter at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron while you assemble the sandwiches.
- Spread one slice of bread with butter, only on one side (this is the side that will have direct contact with the waffle iron).
- Place the cheese slices on top of this slice of bread, then spread the other slice of bread with butter, only on one side.
- Place the unbuttered side against the cheese, then place this entire sandwich on the waffle iron.
- Close the top of the waffle iron, but do not press down and smash the sandwich.
- Let this cook for 3-5 minutes until the bread is brown and crispy and the cheese has melted. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
35 Comments on “Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese Sandwich”
I use olive oil cooking spray to keep it a bit healthier.
Question: I have heat settings 1-5 on my cuisinart waffle maker. Which heat setting would work for this grilled cheese so it turns golden without burning?
Been looking for new ideas on how to use my waffle maker for more than just waffles! Great idea! Going to try this next time! Thank you!
The waffle maker also cooks great shredded hashbrowns with cheese, bacon etc and a top layer of hashbrowns. Saw it on a cooking show
I don’t use butter, instead I use best foods mayonnaise..yummy
I just recently stumbled upon your blog and love what you are doing! This is the BEST idea ever! I LOVE it! Never even thought to put bread in a wafle maker! I am so going to do this! My husband is going to love you!
It looks really nice, Joanne, but did the cheese slices be heated enough before the bread get too crispy ? We can also use bacon instead of cheese, would it be good?
Yes, it melts in time! And bacon is never a bad addition 😉
YUM…… Making these TODAY!! LOL. Thanks!
Ok after looking at the recipe I got pretty hungry, So I went to the kitchen and made me a grilled Ham N two Cheese Sandwich in the waffle iron, OMG I will never make them any other way again.
Oooooo that sounds SO good! I must try that too!
Nicely done! I’m going to have to try this…
How brilliant! And adorable. Love this idea, Joanne! (: