Cheese toast made with Texas toast, butter, cheddar cheese, and optional fruit preserves for a quick, comforting snack or easy side.

I’ve cooked a lot of things over the years. Big things. Complicated things. Recipes that required lists and timers and patience I didn’t always have. And still… cheese toast is the thing I come back to when my brain’s tired and my stomach just wants something familiar.

There’s something oddly grounding about it. Maybe it’s because cheese toast doesn’t pretend to be more than it is. It’s not trendy. It’s not trying to win awards. It just shows up, warm and buttery, like, “Hey. I’ve got you.” And honestly? Some days that’s enough.

I remember making cheese toast as a kid after school, standing barefoot in the kitchen, butter knife scraping against bread like that sound didn’t matter. No one measured anything. Sometimes the cheese slid off. Sometimes it browned too much. No one cared. We ate it anyway.

Even now, when I make cheese toast, part of me still expects someone to yell from the other room asking if I made enough to share.

Why you’ll Love this Cheese Toast?

Here’s the thing. Not all cheese toast is created equal. Some are dry. Some are greasy. Some somehow manage to be both, which feels unfair. This version lands right in the middle — crisp but soft, rich but not heavy.

The butter goes on both sides. I know some people skip that. I don’t. Ever. The bread gets golden and slightly crunchy, but it still bends when you pick it up. The cheese melts properly instead of just warming and giving up halfway through.

And the preserves? I hesitate to call them optional, even though they technically are. That little swipe of sweetness against sharp cheddar feels unexpected in the best way. Like wearing sneakers with a dress. It shouldn’t work, but it does.

This cheese toast doesn’t shout. It doesn’t need to. It just quietly delivers.

Ingredient Notes

Before you start, here’s how I actually think about the ingredients in this cheese toast. Not rules. Just opinions. Soft ones.

• Texas Toast – Thicker bread matters. Thin slices toast too fast and leave you with crumbs and regret. Texas toast gives you room to breathe.
• Butter – Unsalted is ideal, but honestly? Use what you have. Life’s short.
• Cheddar Cheese – Sharp cheddar brings more flavor, but mild cheddar melts beautifully. I go back and forth depending on my mood.
• Fruit Preserves – Raspberry is my usual, but apricot, strawberry, even a little fig jam works. Skip it if sweet-and-salty isn’t your thing… or try it once and decide later.

How to Make Cheese Toast?

1. I start by buttering both sides of the bread. Every time. Even when I tell myself I’ll use less butter this time. I never do. And I’ve made peace with that.
2. Then I scatter shredded cheese on top. Not packed. Just enough to melt and stretch without spilling everywhere. Sometimes a little falls onto the pan and crisps up. That’s not a mistake. That’s a bonus.
3. The bread goes into a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes, or the air fryer at 370°F for around 4 minutes. I don’t walk away. Cheese toast is quick, and it will turn on you if ignored.
4. Once it’s out, I let it cool for a second — just enough so the cheese settles. If I’m using preserves, I spread them on while the toast is still warm. Eat immediately. Cheese toast waits for no one.

Storage Options

Cheese toast is not a make-ahead situation. It’s best fresh, hot, and eaten without overthinking it.

If you absolutely must store leftovers, wrap them and refrigerate for a day. Reheat in the oven or air fryer. Please don’t microwave it. It deserves better than that.

Variations & Substitutions

This cheese toast is flexible. Switch up the cheese. Add garlic powder to the butter. Sprinkle red pepper flakes. Use sourdough instead of Texas toast.

Go savory. Go sweet. Go half-and-half if you’re feeling indecisive. Some days I am. That’s allowed.

What to Serve With Cheese Toast?

Cheese toast loves soup. Tomato soup especially. But it’s also great with pasta, salads, eggs, or honestly… nothing at all.

Sometimes cheese toast is the meal. Standing at the counter. One slice turns into two. No plates needed.

FAQ:

Can I make cheese toast in the air fryer?
Absolutely. It’s fast and honestly kind of perfect.

What’s the best cheese for cheese toast?
Cheddar is classic, but anything that melts well works. Use what you like.

Is the jam really necessary?
Necessary? No. Delightful? Yes.

If you make this cheese toast, I hope you eat it exactly how you want to. Sweet, savory, rushed, or slow. Sitting down or standing up. Let me know — did you keep it classic, or did you go a little rogue?

Cheese Toast

Crisp, buttery cheese toast made with Texas toast and melted cheddar cheese, baked or air-fried until golden. An optional layer of fruit preserves adds a subtle sweet contrast for a quick, satisfying side or snack.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cheese Toast

Prep Time: 1 minute minute

Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 0

Ingredients

• 2 slices Texas toast
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons raspberry preserves or preferred fruit preserves optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) or an air fryer to 370°F (188°C).
• Evenly spread the butter on both sides of each slice of Texas toast.
• Place the buttered bread on a baking sheet or air fryer basket and top each slice with approximately ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese, distributing evenly.
• Bake in the oven for 8–10 minutes, or air fry for 4 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is fully melted.
• If using preserves, spread 1 tablespoon over each slice immediately after baking.
• Serve warm and consume promptly.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the Texas toast with a certified gluten-free bread. Verify that all additional ingredients, including cheese and preserves, are labeled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.