Thick Texas toast, butter, cheddar cheese, and jam if you’re feeling wild—this cheese toast is crispy, melty, and stupidly good.
So let me set the scene. It’s a Tuesday night, around 11:14 p.m. I’ve got emails I should answer and laundry I’ve successfully ignored for three days. I open the fridge hoping for some sign—leftover pasta, maybe half a burrito? Nope. Just a sad-looking stick of butter, an open bag of shredded cheddar, and… raspberry preserves?
For a second, I just stood there with the fridge door open like it was going to magically present me with a full meal if I stared hard enough. (It didn’t.) But I saw that thick-cut Texas toast I’d bought for “French toast someday” and thought, Okay. Let’s get weird.
I buttered it. I cheesed it. I threw it in the air fryer with low expectations and a high level of hunger. Then I added jam—because sometimes you have to be a little reckless in the kitchen, especially when you’re this tired. And oh my gosh. It was crispy, melty, buttery, sweet and salty in the best possible way. Not fancy. Not polished. Just really, really satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Toast Recipe?
Look, I’ve eaten a lot of fancy things. Truffle mac. Duck confit. That one overly smoky cocktail with rosemary sprigs and a cube of ice the size of a toddler’s shoe. But sometimes—sometimes—all you need is melted cheese on hot toast. You know?
Cheese toast is fast. It’s forgiving. And it doesn’t expect you to be anything other than hungry and mildly functional. It’s perfect for those liminal moments—after work but before dinner, during a Netflix binge, or when you’re not sure if you’re hungry or just emotionally spiraling. It meets you where you are.
And yes, you can dress it up. Add jalapeños, a drizzle of honey, or whatever cheese scraps are clinging to life in your fridge. Or don’t. Either way, it slaps.
Ingredient Notes:
I’ll be honest—this isn’t a recipe that’ll win awards for innovation. But every ingredient earns its place.
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Texas Toast – Thick, soft, dramatic. The kind of bread that holds up under emotional weight and melted cheese.
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Butter – Unsalted, if you’re into controlling things. Salted, if you like to live a little. Either way, spread it with the enthusiasm of someone who just gave up on dieting.
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Shredded Cheddar – I go for sharp. You want that salty bite. If it’s pre-shredded and a little dry? Still works. Honestly, it all melts in the end.
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Raspberry Preserves – Hear me out. The sweet with the salty cheese? It’s the culinary equivalent of an enemies-to-lovers story arc. Optional, but like… don’t skip it.
How To Make Cheese Toast?
Step 1: Butter the bread like you mean it.
Two slices. Texas toast, ideally. Butter both sides. Don’t be shy. I know you’re thinking about your arteries. Me too. Keep going.
Step 2: Load on the cheese.
A generous sprinkle—about ¼ cup per slice. Or eyeball it like I do and pretend that’s ¼ cup. Let it fall off the edges. That burnt cheese crisp at the bottom? That’s the goal.
Step 3: Toast it your way.
Oven? 400°F for about 10 minutes. Air fryer? 370°F for 4-ish minutes. But honestly, just keep an eye on it. When it smells like heaven and looks slightly reckless? It’s done.
Step 4: Add jam if you’re brave (or just curious).
A little swipe of raspberry preserves right on top of the hot cheese. It melts in and suddenly you’re a genius. Or at least, a very satisfied snack genius.
Step 5: Eat it immediately.
Like, right now. Don’t walk away. Don’t check your phone. Cheese toast waits for no one.
Storage Options:
Cheese toast is one of those things best eaten in the moment. But if you have leftovers (which I never do, because… toast), you can keep it in the fridge for a couple days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven. Microwave if you’re desperate. It won’t be the same, but it’ll still be better than a sad granola bar.
Variations and Substitutions:
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Other cheeses: Mozzarella is gooey. Gouda’s smoky. Brie is chaos, but beautiful chaos.
Want To Save This Recipe?
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Add heat: Red pepper flakes. Hot sauce. Jalapeños. It becomes less “toast” and more “therapy.”
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Different jams: Fig. Apricot. Blackberry. I tried orange marmalade once and… let’s never talk about that again.
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Toppings: Crumbled bacon, herbs, leftover rotisserie chicken—if it’s in the fridge, it’s fair game.
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Gluten-free bread: Works! Just toast a little less aggressively—it tends to crisp faster.
What to Serve with Cheese Toast?
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Tomato soup – Like a grilled cheese hug.
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Eggs – Scrambled or fried, cheese toast on the side is breakfast that feels like brunch.
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Green salad – To feel like you’re making balanced choices. Even if you’re not.
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Pasta – Swap garlic bread for this? Game changer.
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Coffee or wine – Choose your fighter, depending on the time of day (or how the day’s going).
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make it ahead of time?
Kinda. You can butter and cheese the bread, then store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. But the magic happens fresh out of the oven.
Does it have to be cheddar?
Absolutely not. Use what you’ve got. Even a mix of leftovers from a cheese board works.
Jam? Really?
I hesitated too. But now I spread jam on cheese toast like I was born to do it. Just try it once—you can always hate it later.
So… are we doing this?
Are you reaching for that bread yet? Are you already preheating the oven and texting a friend like “Have you ever tried cheese toast with JAM?!” If you do try it—whether you go classic or get a little wild—I wanna hear. Share it. Snap it. Spill cheese on the floor and tell me about it.
Because sometimes, happiness really is just cheese on toast.
Now go melt something. And let me know how it turns out.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Cheese Toast
Ingredients
- 2 slices Texas toast or any thick-cut bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 oz shredded cheddar cheese approximately ½ cup
- 2 tablespoons raspberry preserves optional
Instructions
Preheat the cooking appliance:
- If using a conventional oven, preheat to 400°F (204°C). For an air fryer, set it to 370°F (188°C). While the appliance heats, prepare the bread.
Butter the bread slices:
- Spread a generous layer of softened unsalted butter on both sides of each slice of bread. Ensure the butter is evenly distributed to promote even toasting.
Add the cheese:
- Sprinkle approximately ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of each slice of bread. You may use more or less depending on your preference.
Cook the cheese toast:
- For oven preparation: Place the slices on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the edges of the toast are golden brown.
- For air fryer preparation: Place the slices in the air fryer basket and cook for approximately 4 minutes, checking for doneness around the 3-minute mark. The cheese should be melted and slightly bubbling.
Optional finishing touch:
- If desired, remove the toast from the oven or air fryer and immediately spread 1 tablespoon of raspberry preserves on top of each slice. Serve warm.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
