Description
These Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwiches combine creamy jalapeño-spiked cheese spread, crunchy tortilla chips, and melted Colby-Monterey Jack cheese sandwiched between buttery toasted ciabatta rolls. Perfectly grilled to golden brown on both sides, they offer a spicy, cheesy twist on classic grilled cheese sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Spread
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 4 tablespoons seeded and chopped jalapeños (about 2 small jalapeños, or to taste)
Sandwiches
- 4 ciabatta sandwich rolls
- 8 teaspoons butter, softened
- 16 tortilla chips, crushed
- 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese spread: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and chopped jalapeños. Mix well until fully incorporated. Set aside. Preheat a skillet over medium heat to get ready for grilling the sandwiches.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Slice each ciabatta roll horizontally in half. Then slice off the rounded tops of the rolls to create a flat top half for easier stacking and grilling. Spread 1 teaspoon of softened butter on the doughy cut side of each bottom bun and 1 teaspoon on the now flattened top bun. On the non-buttered side of the bottom bun, evenly spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture, followed by 1/4 of the crushed tortilla chips, and 1/4 of the shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese. Place the top half of the roll on top of the fillings to close the sandwich. Repeat this for all four sandwiches.
- Grill the sandwiches: Place the assembled sandwiches on the preheated skillet. Grill for about 3 to 5 minutes until the bottoms are lightly browned. Carefully flip each sandwich and continue grilling until the cheese inside has melted and the second side is golden brown, about another 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Seed the jalapeños to reduce heat if desired, or leave seeds in for extra spice.
- Use a sturdy bread like ciabatta to hold up to the melty filling and grilling process.
- Crushing tortilla chips adds a delightful crunch—avoid very fine crumbs to maintain texture.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños to suit your preferred spice level.
- Butter the bread generously for a golden crisp crust.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture, as grilled cheese sandwiches are best eaten warm and fresh.
