Description
A deliciously spicy twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich featuring roasted jalapeños, cream cheese, and crispy bacon.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 medium jalapeños, stems removed, sliced in half, and seeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 garlic clove, grated on a Microplane or finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup mild cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 6–8 strips bacon, cooked until crispy
- 4 slices bread (sourdough or thick white bread works well)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove the stems and seeds. Brush all sides with olive oil, ensuring even coating. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until slightly charred and softened but not collapsed. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated garlic, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly until well blended and smooth.
- Once the roasted jalapeños have cooled enough to handle, roughly chop them into smaller pieces and gently fold into the cream cheese mixture.
- Organize all ingredients for efficient assembly: the jalapeño cream cheese mixture, shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, cooked bacon strips, softened butter, and bread slices.
- Take one slice of bread, butter one side generously, flip it over and spread half of the jalapeño cream cheese mixture on the non-buttered side. Layer 3-4 strips of bacon on top, then sprinkle ¼ cup each of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the bacon. Place another slice of bread butter-side-up on top.
- Repeat for the second sandwich using the remaining ingredients.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and place the assembled sandwich in the skillet, butter-side down. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Carefully flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the second side is golden and the cheese has melted.
- Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, let them rest for a minute, cut each sandwich diagonally, and serve immediately while hot and gooey.
Notes
- For extra flavor, serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
- Make sure to keep an eye on the heat to avoid burning the bread.
- Leftover jalapeño cream cheese mixture can be used as a dip.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Air frying and frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg