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Onion Ring Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Made with Fontina and Gruyere Cheese, Arugula and Alexia Crunchy Onion Rings, this is a family favorite; perfect for lunch, dinner or an after school snack.
As much as I complain about my kids being picky eaters, I have to admit, I was way worse as a kid. There were even a few times my mother put her foot down and forced me or tried to trick me and I vividly remember making myself gag just to spite her. I know. I'm awful. Trust me, I'm being paid back by my own kids. But, one thing I absolutely loved (and still love, love, love) were grilled cheese sandwiches!
As I would eat my grilled cheese sandwiches, as a kid, I would try to jam potato chips inside the sandwich for a little something extra. I do love a little crunch. Since I have been playing around with grilled cheese recipes lately, I thought I would make one with something fun (and crunchy) stuffed inside, as a nod to my bratty younger self.
When I set off to create a fun stuffed grilled cheese, I had to really think about my ingredients. Back in the day it was lousy white bread, processed cheese and greasy chips. As an adult, I'd like to think I have evolved. I love to use whole wheat or whole grain breads, premium cheeses and no more greasy chips! In place of those chips, I opted for Alexia Crispy Onion Rings, which are made with all natural ingredients, so I'm feeling good about that. Plus, they're easy to find; I grabbed mine right in the freezer section of Walmart. While I was there I couldn't help myself, I also had to grab the Alexia Crispy Rosemary Fries with Sea Salt (which I'm trying tomorrow!) and the Alexia Spicy Sweet Potato Fries.
Okay, let's talk cheese. I am no expert on which cheeses meld well with each other but I do know what I like and what tastes good to me! I chose to use Fontina and Gruyere. They both melt so well and the best part of a grilled cheese is that ooey gooey cheese that stretches when you bit into it, isn't it? Most of the time I just cut my cheese into slices or chunks, but I actually ran them quickly across my hand grater to make the melting move a little bit quicker.
Oh, by the way, when you have a big fat stuffed grilled cheese like this, it's best if you can weight down the sandwich to smush it all together.. I know a ton of people have fancy Panini presses and things like that but I'm simple. I take a small sauce pan and put some water in it, wrap the bottom in foil and plop it right on top of my sandwich. Instant press! Fancy, right?
You can decide how many onion rings you want to jam in the sandwich. They're super crunchy and most are pretty large so I went with 4 in mine. Just overlap the onion rings to ensure you get some crunchy onion goodness in every bite!
And before you ask, YES, you can serve more onion rings on the side even if they are in the middle! I did!
This upscaled Onion Ring Grilled Cheese Sandwich came out so good, I am already thinking of new cheese combinations to go with the Crispy Rosemary Fries!
Which of these Alexia products are you most excited to try?
Onion Ring Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen onion rings I used Alexia
- 2 slices bread whole grain or seeded
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- .5 T butter not melted
- 1 ounce fontina cheese grated or sliced
- 1 ounce gruyere cheese grated or sliced
- arugula just a handful
Instructions
- Prepare onions rings according to package instructions.
- On one slice of bread, layer, fontina, onion rings, arugula and then gruyere. Top with remaining slice of bread.
- Melt .5T butter in skillet over medium heat. Brush the top side of the sandwich bread with half the melted butter and then place in heated skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes, just until browned. Brush butter on the other side of sandwich and then flip over. Cook another few minutes until sandwich is golden brown and cheese is melty.
- Enjoy!
Onion Ring Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 bag Alexia Crunchy Onion Rings
- 2 slices bread whole grain or seeded
- 1 T butter melted
- 1 oz Fontina cheese grated or sliced
- 1 oz Gruyere cheese grated or sliced
- Arugula just a handful
Instructions
- Prepare onion rings per package instructions.
- Brush one side of each slice of bread with melted butter.
- Place 1 slice bread, butter side down, on working surface and layer fontina, onion rings, arugula and gruyere. Top with remaining slice of bread (butter side out).
- Preheat skillet to medium heat.
- Place sandwich in heated skillet (weight it down if possible) and cook until browned and cheese is melting (3-4 min). Flip sandwich over and brown other side.
- Serve with remainingl Alexia onion rings.
lizzy says
This has to be one of my favorite posts you have done... down right sinful and amazing... I am going to make this on Sunday for my boyfriend 🙂 and me.... haha
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner? says
OMG, this has to be the BEST grilled cheese sammy I've seen in a while. YUM!!
Sandra Shaffer says
Love everything about this grilled cheese! Those onion rings are the best. Alexia brand is the best!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Looks really good.Can't wait to try this sometime.
Martha @ A Family Feast says
This sandwich is totally genius! Two of my favs - grilled cheese and onion rings - in one!
The Food Hunter says
now this is an incredible idea for a sandwich!!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
This is pure genius! I love a little crunch too!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Face plant. I so need this sandwich right about NOW.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Oh I was the pickiest Eater in the world as a kid!! Now I will eat pretty much anything. This is the best idea!!
Kim @ 2justByou says
I am a total fan of onion rings, so I already know that I would love this grilled cheese. Definitely.
Jillian {Food, Folks and Fun} says
Sounds like some serious comfort food!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
I've never been one for chips in sandwiches, but onion rings? That's a whole 'nother story! This is definitely my kind of grilled cheese.
Cathy Mini says
I am drooling!!! This onion ring grilled cheese looks amazing!
Cookin Canuck says
Ha! I never would have thought to tuck onion rings inside of a sandwich, but am now imagining how good this must taste!
Stephanie Pass says
Oh my, I'm starving right now as I haven't stopped for breakfast yet, and this looks amazing!!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I've seen onion rings on burgers before but never in a grilled cheese! what a great way to eat them!!
Becky says
Love this genius idea in a ooey gooey grilled cheese sandwich!! I would also like to give the Spicy Sweet Potato fries. Love that all of these products are all natural too 🙂
Stephanie says
What a great tip to press the sandwich! I love the idea of including the onion rings in a grilled cheese sandwich - and those cheeses - yum! Thanks for sharing! #client
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Stephanie! No need to buy a fancy press, I'm glad you like my make-shift idea!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
This sounds so good! What a great idea to put onion rings in a grilled cheese, yum!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
onion rings are one of my favorite things, I love the idea of putting them on a grilled cheese!
Britni says
I love this idea. Can't wait to give it a try! Thanks for the tip on pressing the sandwich!
Marie says
I have never thought of putting onion rings on a grilled cheese! What a wonderful idea. Glad to have a new sandwich to serve to the family this week!
Danita says
Great idea! That looks delicious...especially that cheese!
Justine Marie says
Looks delicious, have to try this.
Rachee says
Just when I thought grilled cheese couldn't get any better...! This recipe looks amazing! I want to try this as soon as possible!
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
Onion rings in a grilled cheese is genius! This looks incredible, and I love the cheeses you decided to use in it.