Grilled Cheese Is Unforgettable When You Swap White Bread For This Savory Alternative

Grilled cheese leaves room for loads of creativity — you can use different cheeses and swap out the bread for different textures, though flavor isn't usually bread's strong point thanks to the classic white bread that's a common choice for a grilled cheese. But there's one bread that will transform your cheesy sandwich into a savory flavor bomb: focaccia. 

Focaccia is a pillowy bread with a light, crisp crust. It's rich in olive oil and often topped with salt, herbs, and sometimes other savory ingredients. Focaccia makes an excellent bread swap for sandwiches in general, but it adds a distinctive texture to grilled cheese. The fluffy, soft focaccia complements the gooey consistency of the cheese, while the crisped exterior adds a crunchy contrast, making it the perfect balanced bite. 

Focaccia can also bring more flavor to your grilled cheese in the form of toppings. You can buy it with flavors like rosemary and garlic or make it yourself and top it with rosemary, oregano, thyme, or sage for an earthy touch, though sun-dried tomatoes and garlic add a savory flavor too. Not only will your grilled cheeses be delicious with focaccia, but the process couldn't be any easier.

Assembling your focaccia grilled cheese starts with picking out the right cheese. You can start with Chowhound's ranking of the best cheeses for grilled cheese sandwiches, but the cheese you choose really depends on your preference. If you want a classic grilled cheese, American gives you that classic gooey texture, while cheddar cheese brings the flavor. Or use mozzarella to showcase the herbal flavors in the focaccia, especially if you want a thick, stretchy cheese pull. You can also upgrade your grilled cheese sandwich with additions like tomatoes or bacon for more flavor and texture. 

Once you've prepped your other ingredients, you'll need to cut your focaccia horizontally. To do so, first cut off the edges of your focaccia so they don't get in the way. If you want, you can then cut the bread into quarters or smaller, depending on how big you want your sandwich. You can also leave it whole if you want to serve one impressive family-size grilled cheese. Once it's cut, you slice each piece in half horizontally to create the top and bottom of your sandwich. 

While the typical grilled cheese is cooked on the stove, you can bake this grilled cheese fully assembled in the oven for about 15 minutes until it's golden and crispy. That's especially helpful if you're doing a family-size version or making grilled cheese for a crowd. But you can also make it on the stove — add butter to a skillet or griddle and cook your grilled cheese on each side, crunchy side down.

When your grilled cheese is cooked to perfection, let it cool for a few minutes to allow the cheese to set before slicing and eating. You can enjoy this grilled cheese as is or top it off with a drizzle of honey or balsamic glaze for an even tastier bite. You may never make your grilled cheese with white bread again.