Y’all, get ready to be transported straight to cheese paradise with every bite of ooey-gooey, crispy-crunchy Cheesy Texas Toast! This irresistible garlic bread loaded with melted cheese is about to become your new go-to snack.
As a proud Southerner, I grew up with Texas Toast gracing many dinner tables and parties. But it wasn’t until recently when a friend suggested adding ooey-gooey cheese to the equation that I realized the possibilities were endless! Now I can’t get enough of this mouthwatering mashup. The satisfying crunch of the golden toasted bread paired with stretchy melted cheese is an unbeatable flavor combo.
Keep reading for my step-by-step recipe to make this crave-worthy delight at home. I’ll walk you through exactly how to achieve the perfect balance of crispy edges and melted cheese in every bite!
Let me tell you, once you sink your teeth into this garlicky, cheesy slice of toast, it’ll become a regular snack staple. Here’s why it’s about to be your new obsession:
It takes just 15 minutes to make at home, but tastes like you spent hours on it. Whip up a batch anytime that cheese craving hits!
The crispy, buttered Texas toast provides the ultimate base for the melted cheese. You get an incredible two-textures-in-one-bite experience.
Customize the cheese blend to suit your tastes. I’m partial to the sharp tang of cheddar paired with melty Monterey Jack.
It’s the ultimate shareable snack or appetizer for parties and game day. Easy to make in big batches too!
Both kids and adults go nuts over this ooey-gooey treat. It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure!
Now that I’ve convinced you this needs a permanent spot on your snack rotation, let’s dive into the step-by-step method so you can start enjoying cheesy bliss!
What type of bread is best to use?
For Cheesy Texas Toast, a soft white bread like Wonder Bread works best. The soft texture helps the bread soak up all the melted cheese and garlic butter.
Is salted or unsalted butter better?
I recommend using salted butter for the most flavor. The bit of salt balances out the garlic and cheese. Unsalted butter would make it a little bland.
What’s the benefit of broiling the toast?
Broiling is key to getting the iconic crispy, golden edges on the Texas Toast while also melting the cheese thoroughly. The high heat browns the outside as it melts the inside.
How do you prevent the cheese from burning?
Keep a close eye on it when broiling and don’t walk away. It takes just 3-5 minutes under the broiler. Check often and remove it as soon as the cheese melts and edges brown.
Why is garlic powder added on top?
The garlic powder gives you that extra punch of flavor. Since it’s raw, you get an intense garlicky taste to balance the rich cheese.
What cheeses work best?
I like a blend of shredded cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan. The textures and flavors combine for cheesy perfection. Use any melty cheeses you love!
What are good add-ins?
Get creative with mix-ins like cooked bacon pieces, sliced jalapeños, caramelized onions, or fresh herbs. The possibilities are endless for customizing!
Total Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients :
- 4 slices white bread
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- Pinch of garlic powder
Instructions:
- Grab a small bowl and add 3 tablespoons of salted butter that is softened to room temperature. This allows it to mix smoothly. Next, mince 2 large cloves of garlic until you have about 1 tablespoon. Add the minced garlic to the butter and use a fork to mash and whip the butter and garlic together until fully incorporated. The garlic will infuse the butter with a ton of aromatic flavor.
- Lay out 4 slices of soft white sandwich bread onto a clean work surface. Wonder Bread or another fluffy white bread works best. Use a butter knife to generously spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over one side of each slice of bread. Spread it thickly all the way to the edges. This adds so much buttery garlic flavor to the bread.
- Grab a medium bowl. Add 1/4 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and 2 tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan cheese. Toss the cheeses together with a fork until fully blended. This combines the textures and flavors.
- Flip over each buttered slice of bread so the garlic buttered side is facing down. Divide the cheese blend evenly over the top of the 4 slices of bread, making sure to cover the entire surface. Pile the cheese on generously to make these extra cheesy.
- Sprinkle on the herbs for flavor. Evenly distribute 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, and a pinch of garlic powder over the cheese on each piece of toast.
- Place the toast slices on a baking sheet and position under the preheated broiler. Broil for 3-5 minutes, keeping a very close eye on it. You want the cheese to melt completely and the edges of the bread to become crispy and golden brown. Remove immediately once it reaches the desired toastiness to prevent burning.
- Let the cheesy toast cool for 1-2 minutes so the melted cheese firms up slightly. Then, use a sharp knife to slice each piece into strips or triangles. Serve the Cheesy Texas Toast warm and enjoy the medley of crispy, buttery, garlicky, and cheesy flavors in each bite! The textures contrast beautifully.
Cooking tips :
- Use soft, fresh white bread for the best texture. I love Wonder Bread!
- Make sure the butter is really softened for easy spreading. Try microwaving it for a few seconds if needed.
- Don’t skimp on the garlic! Its flavor mellows beautifully when cooked.
- Have fun with the cheese blend. Any melty cheese will work deliciously.
- Watch it closely under the broiler so the cheese browns but doesn’t burn.
- Let cool just briefly before slicing so the melted cheese firms up a bit.
