16 Fruits That Belong In Your Next Grilled Cheese Sandwich

When you're about to make a cheesy, buttery, gooey grilled cheese, fruit is probably the last thing on your mind. It's hard to compete with how satisfying a classic grilled cheese is, but you can step up the flavor of your next one with a piece of fruit. The sweetness of the fruit paired with the richness of the cheese and butter works well together (plus there are more sweet ingredients you can add to a grilled cheese).

Fruit is versatile, and there are quite a few options that belong in your next grilled cheese sandwich. Apples and pears provide a nice crunch that contrasts with the smooth, creamy cheese. Blueberries, strawberries, and similar fruits bring a nice tartness that pairs well with many cheeses. Apricots, mangoes, and peaches bring a sweetness to grilled cheese that tastes delicious. You can even cook up some of these fruits to bring out deeper flavors.

Then, there are the best cheeses to use for your grilled cheese. We included a wide variety of cheeses to go with these fruits, from Gruyere and Brie to goat cheese and gorgonzola. Some are sweeter, some are more tart, and some are milder, but it's all about what cheese pairs well with which fruit. Get ready to feed your grilled cheese fix with many kinds of fruity grilled cheese sandwiches.

Apples and cheese just go together. If you've ever had a snack where you paired a slice of apple with a slice of cheese, you know, so it's time to pair them in a grilled cheese sandwich. The right cheese paired with the right apple makes all the difference, so for cheeses, try sharp cheddar, Brie, and Gouda. For a sweet contrast with your cheese, use Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Honeycrisp apple slices. For a tangier option, use Granny Smith, Cortland, or McIntosh.

Mangoes may not be a fruit you think of first when making a grilled cheese, but the sweet, juicy flavor goes well with the rich, satisfying flavors of butter and cheese. Try cooking them up with spicy pepper Jack, which brings a bit of kick to the sandwich. Slice the mango thin so you can add it to your sandwich with ease.

Figs bring a mild sweetness along with a soft texture. It pairs particularly well with creamy goat cheese, tangy blue cheese, and creamy Brie. Layer some slices and smears of the cheeses together with some thin slices of fig. You can also dice the fruit so you get a good cheese-to-fig ratio. You don't have to use fresh figs for this one. You can use dried figs, or try spreading a thick layer of fig jam on your bread and toast it up for a satisfying, delicious treat.

Blueberries and cheese go well together. With blueberries' sweet tanginess and cheese's rich, buttery flavors, you can't go wrong. Pair this fruit with Brie and mascarpone for a super-creamy, buttery, delicious grilled cheese sandwich. You can keep the blueberries whole, smash them a little with a fork, or try blueberry jam or preserves if you don't have fresh blueberries. Add a drizzle of honey to really bring out the sweetness.

Pears are a lot like apples; they just go well with cheese. Go with an aged Gouda, Brie, or gorgonzola for layers of mildness, creaminess, and boldness. There are several kinds of pears, such as Green and Red Anjou, Bartlett and Red Bartlett, Bosc, Concorde, and Forelle, and they all work well in a grilled cheese sandwich. Slice them thin and layer them with the cheese, or dice them for a good incorporation with the melted cheeses. For an elevated flavor, saute and caramelize the pears before adding them to your grilled cheese.

Pineapple belongs in your next grilled cheese sandwich. You can use sliced, crushed, or diced pineapple, just drain it well if using the canned version and pat with paper towels to get rid of any excess moisture. You can even use dried pineapple to add a bit of chewy texture that's so satisfying. Pair pineapple with Monterey Jack and cheddar. The rich flavors of these cheeses go well with the sweetness of the pineapple.

Cherries are a particularly decadent addition to grilled cheese sandwiches. Cut them in half and remove the pits or seeds if there are any, then smush them a little with a fork to get a nice jammy texture. Spread this mixture onto the slice of bread for your grilled cheese and pair with some Gruyère and Brie. Their creamy, rich flavors work well together.

If you've ever had strawberries with cheese, you know they go together. Slice these tangy, sweet berries thin to layer into your next grilled cheese, or dice them to incorporate them into the cheese. You can also use dried strawberries, which usually come sliced so they're ready to add to grilled cheese as is. Strawberries go well with the rich flavors of Brie and goat cheese. You end up with an amazingly ooey, gooey, delicious grilled cheese sandwich.

Dates have an earthy, caramel- and brown sugar-like flavor that really steps up the profile of your grilled cheese. There are a few kinds of dates, but the most common one you find in grocery stores are Medjool dates. They're a larger type that's perfect for grilled cheese. Their soft texture and deep flavor pairs well with blue cheese, aged cheddar, and goat cheese – just don't forget to remove the pits first.

Peaches are a sweet, slightly sour fruit with a fuzzy skin that you should try on your next grilled cheese sandwich. Yellow or white peaches both work well here, and pair well with mozzarella, goat cheese, and Brie. Slice them thin with the skin on to add to your grilled cheese for a rich, buttery, sweet, creamy sandwich. You can also try dried peaches for a chewy texture in your sandwich.

If you love cranberries, add this super-tart fruit to your grilled cheese as is or cut them in half to keep them from rolling around. You can also use dried cranberries, which are soft and chewy in texture, like raisins. It all depends on which texture you like better. Layer them with sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Brie for a creamy, nutty flavor that complements the tart cranberries.

When you think of grilled cheese sandwiches, you may not think of bananas (which are technically a berry), but you should grab a ripe one, slice it into thin coins, and fry them up with some rum and brown sugar for a delicious bananas foster-style grilled cheese. Layer the banana coins in your sandwich with some cream cheese and sharp cheddar. The sweet and starchiness of the bananas work well with the tart, creamy, nutty cheeses for a rich, buttery sandwich that satisfies your cravings.

Plums are juicy, sweet, and sometimes a little tart. They have a pit, so remove them before preparing.  You can slice or dice them before adding to your grilled cheese sandwich. You can also use dried plums (prunes). These give you a deeper, sweeter flavor with a chewy texture. Whichever kind you use, layer them between your bread with goat cheese, Brie, and Gruyère.

Another berry to try in a grilled cheese are raspberries, though they may not be for you if you're not a fan of seeds. The fruit is comprised of little sacs, called drupelets, that contain seeds. Still, their sweet, tart flavor works well with goat cheese and cream cheese. Mash them with a fork for a jammy texture and upgrade the flavor by frying them for a few minutes before layering them in with your cheeses and cooking your grilled cheese sandwich.

Apricots are a round, golden, red, or orange fruit with a soft skin. They're sweet and a little bit tart. Apricots pair well with goat cheese and sharp cheddar. The sweetness of the apricots work well with the nutty, earthy, and creamy flavors of the cheeses. They do have pits, so remove those before slicing or dicing your apricots and layering them in with your cheeses. You can also use dried apricots for a chewy texture.

One more berry that belongs in your next grilled cheese sandwich are blackberries, which are sweet and deep in flavor. Add them as is to your grilled cheese, mash them for a jammy texture, or step up the flavor by sauteing them in a pan for a few minutes before layering them into your cheeses. The best cheeses for blackberries are goat cheese, Brie, and aged cheddar. The sweetness of the blackberries pair well with the earthy, nutty, and creamy flavors of the cheeses.