This melty, gooey, fiery chilli cheese toast is mind-blowingly delicious. The topping isn't simply melted cheese, it's a stunning combination of chilli, cheese, spring onions, soy sauce and mayo that will have you begging for more.
My husband made a version of this recipe for me on one our first evenings together, and if I hadn't been destined to fall in love with him anyway, this would certainly have tipped the scales!
To make it, you'll combine grated cheddar, chilli flakes, spring onions, soy sauce, mayo and a pinch of pepper together in a bowl until you have a gooey, salty, fiery, deeply savoury (umami) mixture.
You'll then thickly slice white crusty bread, toast under the grill (broiler) until lightly golden on one side, then flip, spread with the cheesy mixture and put back under the grill until hot, bubbling and utterly irresistible.
Do give it a minute to cool down! This chilli cheese toast is on a level of deliciousness that has you risking melting the roof off your mouth just to take an impatient bite.
I must also tip my hat to Indian restaurant group, Dishoom, who have their own version of chilli cheese toast with an egg on top. It's not quite the same as this recipe, but it's reputed to be something really quite special.
Now, let's grab our ingredients and get cooking.
Ingredients
- 200 g (7.1 oz) cheddar grated
- 2 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 spring onions whites and greens finely sliced
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper
- 3 slices white crusty bread large loaf, thickly sliced
Instructions
Put the cheddar, chilli flakes, spring onions, soy sauce, mayo and a pinch of pepper in a mixing bowl.
Mix until well combined.
Put the grill (broiler) on medium. Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet.
Put the baking sheet under the grill and toast for 60-90 seconds or until pale golden.
Remove the toast from under the grill and flip.
Top with the cheese mixture, sharing evenly between the toasts.
Place the toast back under the grill and cook for another 60-90 seconds until hot and bubbling.
Enjoy! I recommend serving to plates immediately and digging in while the cheese is still hot and melty - be careful not to burn yourself.
I haven't met anyone who doesn't love this spicy, melty, gooey, salty treat - it's hard to stop eating once you start!
When will you make it?
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect chilli cheese toast
Is chilli cheese toast easy to make?
You can pull this chilli cheese toast together in a matter of minutes, so it's perfect for a warming lunch or quick dinner. There's just something about melted cheese that is so yummy and moreish.
Once the cheese is grated and spring onions chopped, simply mix with the mayo, soy sauce, and chilli flakes. Lightly toast the bread under the grill for a minute or so, ready to turn over and pile on the yummy cheesy mixture and return to the grill for a couple of minutes to melt.
It's easy, delicious perfection!
Will I need any special equipment to make chilli cheese toast?
You should be able to easily find everything you need in the average kitchen: a chopping board and knife, cheese grater and mixing bowl, spoons and a baking sheet to pop the bread on under the grill. You'll find the full list of equipment on the recipe card below.
Can I use fresh chillis instead of dried?
Yes, if you like, I just find using chilli flakes easier as you don't have the faff of chopping chillis for this quick chilli cheese toast.
Remove the seeds if you don't want it to be too hot, chop finely and add to the mixture. The strength of fresh chillis can vary quite a bit so you might want to taste a tiny amount to see how spicy yours are. This will give you an idea of how much to add. You might only need half a chilli to have the same effect as chilli flakes.
Can I still use cheese if it's gone hard / mouldy?
This all depends on the type of cheese, and how mouldy or hard it is.
Hard cheeses like cheddar or parmesan are considered to be dry cheeses so mould is unlikely to spread deeply into the cheese. If there is only a small amount of mould (and you have no health reason to be cautious) then it's usually ok to cut it off and still use the rest.
You need to cut at least a centimetre in from the mould, being careful not to contaminate the knife with mould as this will spread it to other areas. Any remaining cheese needs to be stored in a clean container, not the wrapper or container it became mouldy in.
Cheese like cheddar go hard in the fridge when they dry out. You can stop this happening by storing your cheese in a sealed container rather than just keeping it in the original wrapper.
With softer cheeses like ricotta, they are much wetter so more susceptible to mould spreading deeply into the cheese and should be discarded if they've gone at all mouldy.
Can I still use spring onions when they're wilted?
If only the very tops of the spring onions are wilted then the rest is still fine to use, just cut the wilted bits off.
To prepare spring onions, rinse them under cold water, peel off the top layer if it's dried out or if you can see dirt underneath it. Trim the roots off the white end and remove any dry or wilted green tops.
For this recipe, you'll then finely chop ready to add to the grated cheese.
Spring onions are no longer good to eat if they are dried out, brittle, slimy, wet or mouldy, and should be discarded.
Is chilli cheese toast suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, as long as the cheese you are using is suitable, this recipe is vegetarian.
Some hard cheeses contain rennet which is a set of animal-derived enzymes traditionally used to separate the curds and whey when making cheese. Most cheese is now made with an alternative to this, but it's always best to check.
If you are making this for a vegetarian or vegan don't be tempted to swap the soy sauce for Worcestershire sauce as this contains anchovies so would not be suitable.
Is chilli cheese toast suitable for vegans?
This recipe uses cheddar cheese and mayo which are not suitable for a vegan diet because they contain dairy and eggs.
You can easily switch out these ingredients for plant-based alternatives if you want to make this vegan. Aim to use a vegan cheese that melts well and why not try adding a teaspoon of nutritional yeast to the mixture for more depth of flavour.
Is this chilli cheese toast recipe gluten-free?
This chilli cheese toast is made using wheat-based bread for the toast. You can easily use gluten-free bread instead.
You will also need to use gluten-free soy sauce. Tamari is a good alternative to soy and is usually gluten-free but always check the label.
When you are cooking for someone who needs to avoid gluten in their diet make sure to check the labels on all of your ingredients as well as the labels on anything you are serving this with.
Can chilli cheese toast be made keto-friendly?
This chilli cheese toast is a base of bread which wouldn't be suitable for a keto diet.
You can use the chilli cheese topping to cover cauliflower steaks instead to make this more keto-friendly. Cut the cauliflower into 1.5cm slices and carefully place on the baking sheet, you can brush lightly with oil if you like. Pop them under the grill for 3-5 minutes before adding the cheesy chilli mixture and returning to the grill to melt.
Why does this recipe contain soy sauce?
The soy sauce adds a savoury "umami" flavour to this chilli cheese toast, a richness of flavour and slight saltiness that helps lift the other ingredients to the next level.
This is a vegetarian option where something like Worcestershire sauce might otherwise be used. Worcestershire sauce is made with anchovies so is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, but if that's not a concern, you can use Worcestershire sauce instead if you wish.
Is chilli cheese toast safe to eat while pregnant?
There is nothing in this chilli cheese toast that should pose a risk to a pregnant woman if all the ingredients are in good condition and the toasties are prepared safely and hygienically.
That said, it's not recommended pregnant people eat homemade mayonnaise, but store-bought is fine because it will have been pasteurised.
This website does not offer medical advice. If you have any concerns speak to your health professional, the NHS also has some great information on foods to avoid whilst pregnant.
What goes well with chilli cheese toast?
Chilli cheese toast is delightful all by itself. You could serve it with a peppery rocket salad or warming soup in winter like this roast tomato and garlic, or virtually fat-free veggie soup.
Can I make this recipe without onions?
Yes, if you don't have any spring onions you can leave them out, no problem. Flavour-wise, the spring onions are there to compliment the cheese (cheese and onion is always a winning combination!) so you could use a shallot or quarter of a red onion finely chopped instead, if you like.
If you can't eat onions or simply don't like cheese and onion together, how about adding a finely chopped tomato instead? Remove the seeds before chopping so that the cheesy mixture doesn't get too wet.
Can I add extra chilli to this recipe?
I find 2 teaspoons of chilli flakes is enough to make your lips tingle, but if you like it more punchy then go ahead and add some more.
You can also sprinkle chilli flakes on top after the cheesy toast has melted. This is a great way to top your toast if someone likes it hot, and everyone else prefers a medium heat.
How should I store chilli cheese toast? How long will it keep?
Any leftover chilli cheese toast needs to be kept chilled in the fridge or even freezer.
Leftover toast should be placed in the fridge as quickly as possible - no more than 1 hour after cooking.
Allow the toasts to cool on a wire rack before putting them into an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and up to 2 months in the freezer.
Can I leave chilli cheese toast out on the counter?
No, chilli cheese toast contains dairy so needs to be cooled and put into the fridge or freezer as quickly as possible - no longer than 1 hour after cooking.
These toasts cool down pretty quickly and should be cool enough within about half an hour. Cool on a wire rack to help stop the toast going soggy.
Can I make chilli cheese toast ahead?
I find chilli cheese toast is best freshly made, however, if you need to feed a sports team, or want to save time in the evening you have a few options.
The chilli cheese mixture can be made ahead, covered well and kept in the fridge for up to a day, which can save time when you come to make the toasties. All you'll need to do is grill the toast, add the toppings and then melt.
Can I freeze chilli cheese toast?
The best way to freeze chilli cheese toast is on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once the toast has cooled pop them into the freezer on a tray for a few hours, or overnight until they have frozen.
You can then transfer them into freezer bags or containers so they take up less space in the freezer.
Remember to label your containers with the date so you know when they need to be eaten by.
They'll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Once thawed this needs to be eaten within 24 hours. They can only be heated up once and must not be re-frozen.
What is the best way to reheat chilli cheese toast?
The best way to reheat chilli cheese toast is the oven, or in a large frying pan with a lid. If you microwave them the bread will go really soggy. Chilli cheese toast can only be reheated once after the first time it's cooked.
Heat the oven to 200C (180C) fan and pop the chilli cheese toast onto a baking sheet. Put them into the oven for about 5 minutes until the cheese to be starting to bubble. Keep an eye on them through the glass of the oven door.
I haven't tried heating them straight from frozen but you might want to cover them with tin foil for the first 5 - 10 minutes, this will stop the toasties burning whilst they defrost. Check they have thawed out before returning to the oven without the tin foil for a few more minutes for the bread to crisp up and cheese to melt again.
Heating toasties in a frying pan works well too. Over a medium heat, put the toasties into the pan and cover with the lid. They will take 2-4 minutes to heat up. The lid helps keep the heat in so the cheese melts whilst keeping the toast crisp. Check the toast isn't burning underneath - you might need to turn the heat down.
Can I make chilli cheese toast in a different quantity?
It's so easy to make more or less of this recipe if you need to.
To adjust the quantities simply head down to the recipe card below. There you will find the number of servings, click on this and a slider will pop up that you can move to get the amount you want to make. All the ingredients will update automatically so you're ready to go.
Can I make chilli cheese toast in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
There is only minimal mixing needed to bring the grated cheese, mayo, spring onion, chilli flakes, and soy sauce together, so a simple bowl and spoon will do just fine.
However, if you love a kitchen gadget or find it easier to use a stand mixer or KitchenAid then go right ahead, pop everything into the bowl, and mix on low with the paddle attachment until everything is evenly combined.
Can I make chilli cheese toast with a food processor?
If you have a grater blade attachment with your food processor then go right ahead and use it to grate the cheese, especially useful if you're making loads of toasties for a big gang of kids.
Remove the cheese and switch to the regular blade attachment to chop the spring onions and pulse so that you chop rather than pureeing them. Adding all the other ingredients and give a final brief pulse to mix.
Can I bake this recipe instead?
I find the direct heat from the grill is the best way to toast the bread and melt the cheese. That said, if you're making a big batch it might be easier to bake as there is only enough room for one tray under the average grill (that's a broiler for those in the US!).
Use a toaster to lightly toast the bread, and then pop the toasted bread onto baking trays before adding the chilli cheese mix and putting in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
I haven't tried this, but you will probably want a very hot oven 220C (200C) and you may find that the toasts on the top shelf cook faster than lower shelves, so don't leave them unattended.
Can I fry this recipe instead?
If you have a large frying pan with a lid you can cook chilli cheese toast on the hob, you'll probably need to cook the toasties individually depending on the size of the pan. This method is fine if you're only making one or two, but it's not ideal for larger amounts as you will need to cook them in batches.
Heat the frying pan over a medium heat and put a slice in to toast for about a minute. When it has started to brown, turn it over and add the chilli cheese topping. Put the lid on and cook for 1-2 minutes until the bread is toasted underneath and the cheese is melted on top.
This method will only work if you have a lid for the pan as this will trap the heat allowing you to melt the cheese while the underside toasts.
Why did my toast burn?
When using a grill, always keep a close eye on whatever is under there. They are extremely hot and things can burn quickly if left too long. Set a timer if this helps remind you to check under the grill and don't leave it unattended.
If your toast isn't too burnt you might be able to salvage it by scraping off the burnt areas.
Try and spread the cheese as close to the edge as you can, this will stop the bread burning as the cheese is melting.
Finally, remember that you're only aiming to toast the bread lightly before you flip and add the filling - it doesn't need to have taken on much colour at all.
Why did my toast go soft?
If the toasties are put on to cold plates and left for a while, steam will form underneath and make the bread go soft.
As you are using the grill, you can warm some plates on the shelf below to stop this happening, if you like.
Be careful when handling the plates and make sure people are aware they are hot when you serve the chilli cheese toast.
Don't heat up young children's plates as they are more likely to accidentally touch them.
Why didn’t my cheese melt?
If your cheese hasn't melted it needs to go back under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute to finish cooking.
How can I add or change the flavours in my chilli cheese toast?
You can play around with the flavours really easily in this recipe. For a start you could use different bread - a crusty granary loaf works well.
Try using different cheese and other flavours to compliment that particular cheese. How about goats cheese with pear, or cheddar with tomato and basil.
Double Gloucester, Lancashire cheese or Red Leicester work really well with the chilli and onion combination too.
What is the origin of chilli cheese toast?
This is a spicy take on classic cheese on toast, which has long been popular in the UK. In the US, it's known as grilled cheese.
Spicy cheese on toast also has Indian origins, as evidenced by the use of chillis and onions.
In my case, the inspiration came from a meal my husband made when we first started dating so it always reminds me of that date. He's a huge fan of Indian flavours.
Melted cheese, a little spice, and lovely soft yet crunchy white bread is such a winning combination for this quick and comforting recipe, I think you're going to love it.
Print this chilli cheese toast recipe
Chilli Cheese Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 200 g (7.1 oz) cheddar grated
- 2 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 spring onions whites and greens finely sliced
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper
- 3 slices white crusty bread large loaf, thickly sliced
Instructions
- Put the cheddar, chilli flakes, spring onions, soy sauce, mayo and a pinch of pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Mix until well combined.
- Put the grill (broiler) on medium. Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet.
- Put the baking sheet under the grill and toast for 60-90 seconds or until pale golden.
- Remove the toast from under the grill and flip.
- Top with the cheese mixture, sharing evenly between the toasts.
- Place the toast back under the grill and cook for another 60-90 seconds until hot and bubbling.
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