Crispy Onion Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Golden fried onions layered with melted cheddar and mozzarella between toasted bread for ultimate crunch and creaminess.

# Ingredient List:

→ Crispy Onions

01 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of lemon juice)
08 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Sandwich

09 - 4 slices sourdough or white bread
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 cup (4 oz) grated sharp cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup (4 oz) grated mozzarella cheese

# Directions:

01 - In a shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and paprika. Place buttermilk in another bowl. Dip onion slices in buttermilk, then dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
02 - Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry onions in batches until golden and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
03 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface.
04 - Sprinkle half the cheddar and mozzarella evenly over each slice. Top with a generous layer of crispy onions, then the remaining cheese. Cover with the other bread slices, buttered side up.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove from skillet, let rest briefly, then cut in half and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crunch of those golden onions against melted cheese is ridiculously satisfying, almost addictive.
  • Its familiar enough to feel like comfort food but special enough to impress anyone you feed.
  • You can prep the onions ahead and assemble sandwiches in under ten minutes when hunger strikes.
  • Two kinds of cheese mean every bite is creamy, stretchy, and deeply flavorful.
02 -
  • If your oil isnt hot enough, the onions will absorb too much oil and turn greasy instead of crispy, so test with one slice first.
  • Cooking the sandwiches over medium low heat feels slow, but high heat will burn the bread before the cheese melts, and theres no coming back from that.
  • Let the fried onions drain well on paper towels or theyll make the sandwich soggy and lose their crunch.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently but firmly with your spatula while it cooks to help the cheese melt faster and create better contact with the pan.
  • If youre short on time, store bought crispy fried onions work in a pinch, though homemade ones taste noticeably fresher and less salty.
  • Use a mix of cheeses for the best flavor and texture, one sharp for taste and one stretchy for that perfect pull.
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