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French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese Recipe

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4 from 78 reviews

This French Onion and Apple Grilled Cheese combines the rich, savory flavors of caramelized onions with the sweet, crisp bite of apple slices, layered between melted fontina and gouda cheeses on toasted sourdough bread. Enhanced with fresh herbs and balanced by a hint of apple cider, this gourmet grilled cheese is perfect for a comforting and flavorful dinner.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

For the Caramelized Onions

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3/4 cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

For the Sandwich

  • 8 slices sourdough bread
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded fontina cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded gouda or white cheddar cheese
  • 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: In a large skillet, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until the onions are deeply golden and caramelized.
  2. Deglaze with Apple Cider: Pour in the apple cider to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Continue cooking until the liquid is mostly evaporated and the onions are sticky, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add Herbs and Spices: Stir in the fresh thyme leaves, chopped sage, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine and remove from heat.
  4. Prepare the Bread: Brush each slice of sourdough bread with extra virgin olive oil on one side. This will help achieve a crisp, golden crust when grilled.
  5. Assemble the Sandwiches: On the un-oiled side of four bread slices, evenly layer a portion of the fontina cheese, followed by a generous amount of caramelized onion mixture, thin honeycrisp apple slices, and then the gouda or white cheddar cheese. Top each with the remaining bread slices, oiled side out.
  6. Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches onto the hot surface and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and the cheeses are melted.
  7. Serve: Remove the grilled cheese sandwiches from the skillet. Let them cool slightly, then slice and serve warm to enjoy the melty, savory-sweet flavors.

Notes

  • Using honeycrisp apples brings a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch; however, Granny Smith apples can be substituted for more tartness.
  • For a vegetarian version, ensure cheeses used are free of animal rennet.
  • If preferred, substitute the gouda cheese with white cheddar for a slightly sharper flavor.
  • The caramelization process takes patience but is key to developing deep onion flavor.
  • Use a cast iron skillet for even cooking and best browning results.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/french-onion-and-apple-grilled-cheese-recipe/