If you’ve never tried avocado in a grilled cheese, you’re missing out. This is likely to become your new favourite brunch.
The Ultimate Avocado Sandwich
Move over avocado on toast — the avocado grilled cheese is here to steal the brunch spotlight. If you’re wondering whether avocado and cheese pair well together, the short answer is yes. The creamy, buttery texture of avocado complements melted cheese beautifully, creating a sandwich that’s rich, satisfying and texturally interesting.
Smashed or sliced?
Many recipes call for mashed avocado, but for this sandwich I prefer to slice it thinly. Thin slices add structure and bite, preventing the filling from becoming too soft or slipping out when you take a bite. Aim for even, fine slices so the avocado distributes evenly across the sandwich.
Choose an avocado that is ripe but not bruised. When pressed gently, it should give slightly without feeling mushy. The stem should come away easily. A ripe avocado will typically have darker skin than an underripe one.
Quick prep visual: rest avocado on a flat surface, halve, remove the pit, peel, then slice thinly.
Avocado Grilled Cheese
What bread to use?
Use a bread with some structure to balance the soft filling. A firm white bloomer or a good sourdough are both excellent choices. Keep slices fairly small and not overly thin — the bread should be roughly the size and thickness to match the avocado slices. A seeded loaf (poppy, sesame or similar) adds extra texture and flavor, which I recommend if available.
Seasoning
Avocado benefits from generous seasoning. I like flaky sea salt, cracked black pepper and a pinch of chipotle flakes for a gentle smoky heat. If you don’t have chipotle, regular chilli flakes work fine — adjust to taste.
Cheese
Choose cheeses that melt well and offer complementary flavor. Monterey Jack provides smooth meltiness while a sharp cheddar brings a tangy, savory bite. Use a combination so you get great melt and satisfying flavor.
Assembly in brief: place buttered bread in a cold pan (butter side down), add Monterey Jack, arrange avocado slices, season, add cheddar, top with buttered bread, then turn on the heat and cook both sides until crisp and golden and the cheese has melted.
Serving an Avocado Grilled Cheese
This sandwich is delicious on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a runny egg. A fried or poached egg on the side — or tucked right into the sandwich — turns it into a decadent brunch. For extra contrast, serve with sturdy chips to mop up any yolk, and consider hash browns or halloumi fries as a heartier side.
- Crisp/Chip suggestion: Choose a firm chip for dipping; salt and vinegar is an excellent match.
- Side suggestion: Hash browns or halloumi fries complement the sandwich well.
Ready for the full recipe? Here’s how to make this avocado grilled cheese step by step.
How to make an Avocado Grilled Cheese (Full Recipe)
Equipment
- Medium-sized frying pan and spatula
- Sharp knife and chopping board
Ingredients (serves 2 sandwiches)
- 1 medium avocado, ripe but not bruised
- 4 small, fairly thick slices of bread (see notes)
- 2–3 slices Monterey Jack
- 2–3 slices sharp cheddar
- Flaky sea salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- Chipotle flakes, a pinch (or regular chilli flakes)
- Optional: 2 eggs, fried or poached, to serve
- Butter for frying
Instructions
- Prep the avocado: Halve the avocado with a sharp knife, remove the pit, peel each half and slice thinly. Set the slices aside on a plate.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices butter-side-down in a cold pan. Add a layer of Monterey Jack, then lay the avocado slices in an even layer. Season the avocado with flaky sea salt, cracked black pepper and chipotle flakes. Top with cheddar.
- Cook: Top with the remaining bread slices, butter-side-up. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the bottom is crisp and golden and the cheese starts to melt, about 2–3 minutes. Flip carefully and cook the other side until crisp and the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Slice and serve immediately. Add a fried or poached egg on the side or inside the sandwich to make it extra indulgent.
Notes
a) Bread: A sturdy white bloomer or sourdough works well. Seeded loaves add texture and flavour.
b) Chipotle flakes: They give a smoky-spicy note that complements avocado. Regular chilli flakes are a fine substitute.
c) Additions: Bacon or tomato are both great additions if you want extra savoury or fresh elements.
d) Calories: Calories per serving are listed below for reference.
Nutrition
Calories per serving: 597 kcal (approximate).
Other avocado-forward sandwiches to try:
Avocado Sandwiches
- Avocado Egg Sandwich
- Guacamole Grilled Cheese
- Cajun Chicken Avocado Sandwich
- Halloumi Sandwich with Avocado Pesto
If you enjoyed this Avocado Grilled Cheese recipe, save it for later and leave a comment if you have questions or variations to share.