This Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese with a homemade spicy honey is golden brown and crunchy on the outside with a gooey, cheesy center. It’s quick to make and great for lunch or as an appetizer for a large crowd.
This Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese with spicy honey came to life after I made a batch of homemade hot honey on a whim—just chilies steeped in warm honey, but the flavor was just so good. I started drizzling it on everything, and one day, a grilled cheese with creamy goat cheese and shredded mozzarella became the perfect go-to lunch.
The way the sweet heat cuts through the tangy cheese is perfection. It’s ridiculously easy to make, comes together in minutes, and has officially become my go-to lunch when I want something quick but special. It also makes a killer appetizer when sliced into little squares, or on crostinis for a crowd—just be ready for everyone to ask for the recipe.
If you love this sandwich, you’ll love this Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese, and this Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto.
Ab’s Tip: The secret to getting the perfect golden grilled cheese with a super melty middle is to griddle it in a pan on high heat, then reduce it to low so that the outsides get crispy but the middle gets nice and melty.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Only 6 ingredients. With only 6 simple ingredients, this recipe comes together quickly and you probably have most of them in your pantry already.
- Easy to make and decadent in flavor. Despite only taking a few minutes to make, this grilled cheese has so much rich flavor.
- Restaurant quality grilled cheese at home. This grilled cheese not only looks beautiful- like it could be served in a restaurant- but it’s really so easy. Your guests will think you slaved away all day.
Ingredients:
- Basil: Adds an herby fresh element to the sandwich.
- Olive oil: Rounds out the sandwich, be sure to purchase a high quality brand for it’s rich flavor.
- Mozzarella cheese: Helps bring that gooey, melty cheese quality we so love in a grilled cheese.
- Sourdough bread: You can use whatever bread you prefer, but we love a fresh sourdough loaf.
- Goat cheese: Adds a tangy, creamy element to the sandwich that really makes it a unique grilled cheese.
- Hot honey: Brings a sweet and spicy kick to the sandwich that takes it to the next level.
How to make a Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese:
1. Combine softened goat cheese, basil and hot honey in a bowl together. Add red pepper flakes if you want additional heat.
2. Scoop goat cheese spread onto sourdough bread and spread in an even layer. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and more basil.
3. Add oil to a skillet and add sandwich. Cook for about 4-5 min per side on medium to low heat, until cheese is melty and the bread is golden brown. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Make a spice-free version. You can easily use regular honey and omit the red pepper flakes for a spice-free version of this sandwich.
- Get creative with add-ons. This sandwich is great on its own or with plenty of delicious add-ons like Caramelized onions, fruits like apples or pears, roasted red peppers, walnuts or other greens like arugula.
- Crispy bread, gooey middle. The secret to getting the perfect golden grilled cheese with a super melty middle is to griddle it in a pan on high heat, then reduce it to low so that the outsides get crispy but the middle gets nice and melty.
- Toast with butter versus olive oil. You can use either olive oil or butter to toast your bread to give an even crispier richer flavor.
Storage
Make ahead: You make the goat cheese hot honey filling ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
This sandwich is best served hot with melty cheese so we do not recommend making that ahead of time.
Hot or regular honey should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature to avoid crystallization and maintain its flavor and consistency.
What to serve with a Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese
- Peach and Burrata Salad
- Radicchio and Asparagus Salad
- Pesto & Halloumi Salad
- Tortilla Soup
- Spicy Coconut Soup
FAQs
Yes! Goat cheese adds a tangy, creamy richness.
Goat cheese is not a good melting cheese, but it pairs perfectly with shredded mozzarella that is good for melting. We recommend combining the two for a tangy rich, gooey grilled cheese.
Yes it is excellent for grilling as it has such a rich tangy flavor.
Typically grilled cheeses use a mozzarella, gruyere, cheddar or other melty cheese. But if you mix one of those with a rich cheese like goat cheese, it’s the best.
Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese with Spicy Honey
Ingredients
- 2 Slices of sourdough bread
- 6 oz Goat cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup Shredded mozzarella
- 1 tbsp Hot honey or regular for less heat
- Fresh basil
- Red pepper flakes optional
- Drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Chop fresh basil into ribbons and combine with softened goat cheese, and hot honey. Add red pepper flakes if you want additional heat.
- Scoop goat cheese spread onto sourdough bread and spread in an even layer. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and more basil.
- Add oil to a skillet and add sandwich. Cook for about 4-5 min per side on medium to low heat, until cheese is melty and the bread is golden brown. Enjoy!
Notes
Make a spice-free version. You can easily use regular honey and omit the red pepper flakes for a spice-free version of this sandwich. Get creative with add-ons. This sandwich is great on its own or with plenty of delicious add-ons like Caramelized onions, fruits like apples or pears, roasted red peppers, walnuts or other greens like arugula. Crispy bread, gooey middle. The secret to getting the perfect golden grilled cheese with a super melty middle is to griddle it in a pan on high heat, then reduce it to low so that the outsides get crispy but the middle gets nice and melty. Toast with butter versus olive oil. You can use either olive oil or butter to toast your bread to give an even crispier richer flavor. Storage:
Make ahead: You make the goat cheese hot honey filling ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge. This sandwich is best served hot with melty cheese so we do not recommend making that ahead of time. Hot or regular honey should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature to avoid crystallization and maintain its flavor and consistency.
