Pear Apple Grilled Cheese Onions (Printable)

Crisp sourdough loaded with sharp cheddar, fresh pear and apple slices, and rich caramelized onions.

# What You Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 8 slices sourdough or country bread
02 - 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

→ Fruits

04 - 1 medium ripe pear, cored and thinly sliced
05 - 1 medium crisp apple, cored and thinly sliced

→ Caramelized Onions

06 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
09 - Pinch of salt

→ Optional

10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (for spreading)
11 - Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar and cook 1–2 minutes more. Set aside.
02 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Place 4 slices, buttered side down, on a work surface.
03 - Layer each with 1 slice of cheddar, a few slices of pear and apple, a spoonful of caramelized onions, and another slice of cheddar. If desired, spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the inside of the top bread slice.
04 - Top with remaining bread, buttered side up.
05 - Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Cook sandwiches until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 4–5 minutes per side. Press gently with a spatula for even browning.
06 - Slice sandwiches in half, sprinkle with fresh thyme if desired, and serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of warm caramelized onions and melting cheese creates something utterly magical
  • It transforms everyday ingredients into something that feels fancy enough for company
  • The sweet and savory balance keeps every single bite interesting
02 -
  • Medium low heat is crucial here because high heat will burn the bread before the cheese has a chance to melt properly
  • Slicing the fruit paper thin ensures it cooks through and softens while the cheese melts
  • Letting the onions caramelize fully is what elevates this from a regular sandwich to something extraordinary
03 -
  • Cooking the onions ahead of time and refrigerating them makes sandwich assembly incredibly fast on busy days
  • Letting the sandwiches rest for a minute or two after cutting gives the cheese a moment to set so it does not all ooze out immediately

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