These Grilled Cheese Roll Ups are the ultimate twist on classic comfort food—melty cheddar cheese tucked inside buttery, golden rolls of soft bread, all ready for your favorite dunking sauce. Every bite is cheesy, crispy, and completely irresistible, whether you’re making a quick snack or serving up a party platter crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All the Classic Comforts, with a Fun Twist: It’s a playful take on the beloved grilled cheese sandwich, but now perfectly crispy and dippable!
- Ready in Minutes: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, these roll ups are irresistibly quick for busy days or spontaneous cravings.
- Customizable for Every Crowd: You can easily swap cheeses, breads, and dipping sauces to suit picky eaters or adventurous palates.
- Kid-Friendly (and Grown-Up Approved): They’re always a hit at family tables, lunchboxes, or even as retro dinner party appetizers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll fall in love with just how fuss-free and unpretentious these ingredients are. Each one plays its part—soft bread for that tender bite, oozy cheddar for flavor and color, and plenty of butter for that golden crisp finish.
- Soft white bread: The classic choice because it rolls out easily and gets that perfect, pillowy texture when toasted—day-old slices work especially well.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives lots of bold, tangy flavor and melts beautifully inside each roll up.
- Butter: Adds deep richness, promotes that signature golden crunch, and gives every bite an unforgettable aroma.
- Marinara sauce, tomato soup, or ranch dressing (for dipping): The essential finishing touch—pick your favorite, or offer a trio for ultimate dipping satisfaction!
Variations
Grilled Cheese Roll Ups love being reinvented—don’t be afraid to use up what you have on hand, match your mood, or make a batch that fits any taste preference or dietary requirement. Flexibility is the name of the game!
- Make it meaty: Slip a thin slice of ham, turkey, or crispy bacon into each roll up before adding the cheese for an extra savory treat.
- Go gourmet: Try a blend of cheeses like mozzarella, fontina, or gouda—or add a swipe of pesto or sun-dried tomato tapenade for a grown-up twist.
- Swap the bread: Use whole wheat, sourdough, or gluten-free slices for a different flavor and texture—or try thin sandwich bread if you want daintier roll ups.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of garlic powder, paprika, or Italian herbs to your cheese before rolling for that extra kick.
How to Make Grilled Cheese Roll Ups
Step 1: Prep the Bread
Start by trimming the crusts off all eight slices of bread, then use a rolling pin to gently flatten each slice to about 1/8 inch thick. Don’t skip the rolling—this step is what makes the bread soft and pliable enough to hug that melty cheese!
Step 2: Fill and Roll
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar onto each rolled-out bread slice, then roll it up tightly, pressing gently to seal. The tighter you roll, the cheesier every bite will be—and nothing oozes out before it hits your plate.
Step 3: Butter and Sauté
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick sauté pan over medium heat. Separately, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons in a shallow bowl. Dip each roll up quickly in the melted butter (get every side!) before placing in the hot pan to really lock in flavor and crunch.
Step 4: Crisp to Perfection
Let the roll ups cook for 1–2 minutes per side, turning gently as they become golden brown and perfectly crispy. The aroma will tell you when it’s time for your next flip! Once done, pile them on a platter and serve piping hot with your choice of dipping sauces.
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Cheese Roll Ups
- Roll It Thin for the Ultimate Crunch: The thinner you roll the bread, the crispier and flakier your roll ups will get—aim for consistency across slices so everything cooks evenly.
- Don’t Skimp on the Butter Bath: Dipping each roll up in melted butter before the pan gives that magical, all-over crisp and deeper flavor (plus, it leaves less mess on the pan).
- Watch Your Pan Temperature: Medium heat is key for a golden crust without burning the butter; too high, and they’ll brown before the cheese melts perfectly inside.
- Seal Those Edges: Roll the bread tightly and press gently at the seam so you get maximum melty cheese with minimal leaks during cooking.
How to Serve Grilled Cheese Roll Ups
Garnishes
Grilled Cheese Roll Ups really shine with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives for a pop of green, or try a dusting of grated parmesan just before serving. You could even serve with a side of pickles or olives for a fun, tangy flourish!
Side Dishes
Pair your roll ups with classic tomato soup for dunking, a big mixed salad for freshness, or some crisp apple slices to brighten every bite. If you’re going all-in on comfort, a pile of kettle chips or sweet potato fries on the side is simply dreamy.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them on a platter with a trio of colorful dipping sauces down the center, or serve upright in small glasses or mugs with a swirl of sauce at the bottom for a party-friendly touch. Kids love them in lunchboxes, and they look stunning lined up in a spiral on a serving tray!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover Grilled Cheese Roll Ups cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 2 days—just know they’ll lose a bit of that signature crispness.
Freezing
To freeze, lay cooled roll ups on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag once solid. Reheat straight from frozen for a quick snack; just add a minute or two to your reheating time so the centers get fully hot and cheesy.
Reheating
Warm leftover roll ups in a skillet over medium-low heat for best results—it’ll bring back much of the crisp exterior. The oven or toaster oven also works well! Just avoid the microwave, as it can make them chewy instead of crunchy.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of cheese for Grilled Cheese Roll Ups?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any good-melting cheese you love, like mozzarella, Colby Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack. Just be sure to shred the cheese finely so it melts smoothly inside each roll up.
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Can I prep Grilled Cheese Roll Ups ahead of time?
You can assemble the roll ups a few hours ahead and store them (unpanned and unbuttered) in the fridge, covered. When you’re ready to serve, dip in butter and sauté fresh for the ultimate crispiness.
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What’s the best bread for Grilled Cheese Roll Ups if I want a healthier twist?
You can use whole-wheat, multigrain, or even thin-sliced sandwich bread for a lighter option. Just make sure it’s soft enough to roll and avoid very dense or thick slices, which may crack.
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My roll ups keep unraveling—what am I doing wrong?
Try rolling the bread very tightly and press along the seam to help seal it; sometimes a gentle press with damp fingertips helps, too. Also, placing the seam-side down in the pan first allows it to set as the bread crisps up.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the mood for melty, golden, comfort-food happiness, these Grilled Cheese Roll Ups have you covered. They’re speedy, simple, and endlessly delicious—just the kind of recipe you’ll reach for time and again. I can’t wait for you to savor every cheesy bite!
Print
Grilled Cheese Roll Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These grilled cheese roll-ups are a fun twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, perfect for a quick and easy snack or lunch. The crispy, buttery exterior pairs perfectly with the gooey melted cheddar cheese inside.
Ingredients
Bread:
- 8 slices soft white bread
Cheese Filling:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Butter:
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
Dipping Sauce:
- Marinara sauce, tomato soup, or ranch dressing, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Bread: Trim the crusts from each slice of bread. Roll out each slice to about 1/8-inch thickness. Sprinkle each slice with shredded cheese and roll up tightly.
- Cook Roll-Ups: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Dip each roll-up in the remaining melted butter and cook in the pan for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Transfer the roll-ups to a serving platter and serve with your choice of dipping sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll-up
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
