Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – this Nutella Grilled Cheese could be your new favourite sandwich!
If you’re asking “is Nutella and cheese good?” the short answer is yes. It sounds unusual, but the combination of sweet chocolate-hazelnut spread and a mild, creamy cheese creates a delicious sweet-and-savoury balance. Read on for tips, the full recipe, and how to get the best results every time.
Nutella Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich celebrates the appeal of sweet and salty together. It’s simple: Nutella spread, wedges of melting cheese, and a sturdy slice of bread grilled until golden. The result is gooey, slightly gooey, slightly crisp — and oddly irresistible.
Which cheese works best?
In testing, Brie came out far ahead. Its mild, creamy flavour complements Nutella without overpowering the chocolate notes. Brie also melts beautifully and mingles with the Nutella to create attractive marbling and a smooth, cohesive filling.
Can I use a different cheese?
If you don’t have Brie, choose another mild, melty cheese. Mild cheddar or mozzarella make reasonable substitutes. Stronger, very pungent cheeses aren’t recommended because they can clash with the sweetness of Nutella.
Do you need to remove the Brie rind?
There’s no need to remove the rind. It softens as the cheese melts and blends into the filling. Removing it is fiddly and wastes cheese, and most people won’t notice it once the sandwich is cooked.
Quick tip: start with the bread butter-side-down in the pan, spread Nutella, add the cheese, then top with the second slice butter-side-up. Cook over medium heat until both sides are golden and the filling begins to ooze.
What bread should you use?
Use a firm loaf so the gooey filling stays contained. Sourdough is ideal thanks to its structure and flavour. Aim for fairly thick slices; thin soft white bread will become too floppy and is not suitable for this recipe.
Ready for the full recipe? Here’s everything you need to make Nutella Grilled Cheese.
How to make a Nutella Grilled Cheese (Full recipe)
Equipment
- Bread knife and chopping board
- Non-stick pan and a spatula or turner
Ingredients (makes 4 sandwiches)
- 8 small, fairly thick slices of sourdough (or another firm bread)
- 1 x 9oz / 250g round block of Brie, sliced into 12 wedges
- 8 tbsp Nutella (about 1 tbsp per slice of bread)
- Butter, as needed, for spreading
Instructions
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place slices butter-side-down and spread the exposed side with Nutella (about 1 tbsp per slice).
- Arrange three wedges of Brie over four of the Nutella-covered slices.
- Top each with the remaining bread slices so the Nutella sides face the Brie (Nutella-side-down, butter-side-up).
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and cook until the bottom is golden and the cheese starts to soften, then flip and cook the other side until golden and the cheese begins to leak out slightly. You may need to cook in two batches depending on pan size.
- Remove from the pan, let sit for a minute, then cut and serve warm.
Notes
- Brie: I don’t remove the rind; it softens when melted and won’t be noticeable. Camembert would be the closest alternative if you don’t have Brie, though it’s a touch more pungent.
- Cheese substitutes: Try mild cheddar or mozzarella if you prefer a different mild melting cheese.
- Bread: Use a firm loaf with thick slices to hold the gooey centre. Avoid thin, soft white bread.
- Calories: The recipe lists approximately 619 kcal per sandwich (based on the ingredient amounts and assuming 1 tbsp butter per sandwich).
Nutrition (per sandwich)
Calories: 619 kcal. Fat: 41.22g (Saturated fat: 29.03g). Cholesterol: 93mg. Sodium: 745mg. Carbohydrates: 43.29g (Sugar: 20.62g). Protein: 18.61g. These values are indicative and based on the ingredient amounts used.
Other sweet-and-savoury sandwich ideas:
- Brie Grilled Cheese
- Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese
- Elvis Sandwich
- Brie, Bacon & Blackberry Grilled Cheese
- Apple Grilled Cheese