Description
A sweet and savory grilled cheese sandwich layered with fresh pear and apple slices, sharp cheddar, and deeply caramelized onions, all grilled between buttery, golden bagel halves. A gourmet twist on the classic comfort sandwich.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 bagels, halved (your choice: plain, everything, or whole wheat)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, for quicker caramelization)
- 1/2 small apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 small pear, thinly sliced
- 4–6 slices sharp white cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: In a skillet over medium-low heat, add olive oil and onions. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20–30 minutes until deeply golden. Add sugar partway through if desired to speed up caramelization. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Butter the outsides of each bagel half. On the unbuttered side of the bottom halves, layer slices of cheddar, caramelized onions, pear, and apple. Top with another slice of cheddar, then the top bagel half (buttered side up).
- Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Grill each sandwich for about 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bagel is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Let rest for 1–2 minutes before slicing in half. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a mandoline for thin, even slices of apple and pear.
- Bosc pears and Honeycrisp apples work especially well for flavor and texture.
- To amp up flavor, drizzle a touch of honey or Dijon mustard inside before grilling.
- Can be made vegetarian with no adjustments, or try adding prosciutto or turkey for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 65mg