Yeah I really have no excuse for this is one guys. Could I just make a grilled cheese? Could I even just make a bacon grilled cheese? Is there any need for a MAPLE bacon grilled cheese??? The answer to all 3 is no, but boy oh boy this tastes good.
The ULTIMATE Bacon Grilled Cheese
Bacon sandwiches are a thing of beauty. But when you turn it into a grilled cheese, things just get so much more dreamy. Like most things on this blog I decided to take things a step further today and use maple bacon, because, well, it’s ridiculously insanely delicious – why else?! 🤣
Maple Glazed Bacon
The idea of maple bacon is based around the ultimate combination of sweet and salty. But not only does smearing bacon in maple syrup give a mouthwatering flavour, it also offers the perfect texture. Just imagine how sweet, sticky and caramelized it comes out the oven. So good. Making maple bacon is as simple as glazing raw streaky bacon and popping it in the oven. Some recipes just use maple syrup, most add sugar, but I like to take things a little further, just for maximum flavour. Here’s exactly how I like my maple glaze:
Maple Syrup – The backbone and majority of the glaze. Brown Sugar – Helps caramelize the bacon. Balsamic Vinegar – Balances out the sweetness with a little acidity, but also adds gorgeous flavour. Dijon Mustard – Adds a very gentle background heat. Cayenne Pepper – Balances out the sweet and sour with a little spice.
And if all of that glaze actually makes it to the bacon then you’ve got a lot more will power than me.
Maple Bacon Grilled Cheese
I’m sure you’re familiar with how to make a grilled cheese, and if you’re not you haven’t spent long enough on this blog. Here’s just a few tips that really go a long way when making a grilled cheese:
Butter the bread, not the pan. If you butter the pan it’s likely to clump up in certain areas of the bread and cook it unevenly. Spreading on the bread before hand will ensure an even toast across the board. Don’t over heat! Keep the flames medium-low; this will allow you to get a nice toasty crust whilst still melting the centre. Don’t be afraid to pack in the cheese – when, and I mean WHEN not ‘if’ it spills out, it’ll go gorgeously crispy and IMO those are the best bits!
What is the best cheese to use?
You can really choose and cheese you fancy, but for a maple bacon grilled cheese I go for two: a nice sharp cheddar (to counteract the sweetness) and a smoked cheese (to enhance the smoky tones of the bacon).
How to make a maple bacon grilled cheese (quick summary)
The mayo vs butter debate!
I think it’s pretty well established that us Brits use butter to spread on the bread, but in the US it seems much more divided. When I first heard about using mayo it did intrigue me, mainly because I am an absolute mayo addict. I have tried it a couple of times and it’s nice, but it’s no butter. Using mayo adds a tang to the grilled cheese and arguable makes the outside less greasy, so I can see the appeal, but personally not for me. I have heard of people using a mix of both so you can always try that too! From there I’d tuck in right away a) so the cheese is still nice and gooey and b) otherwise you’ll be tempted to add sides and I promise you won’t need them 🤣 If you like the sweet salty combo here, check out my Cheese and Bacon Turnovers! They’re stuffed with caramelized onions, so offer a similar flavour profile to this recipe 🙂 For more similar recipes check out these beauties too:
Fun Grilled Cheese Recipes
Breakfast Grilled Cheese Cranberry Bacon Brie Grilled Cheese Turkey Grilled Cheese Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese Patty Melt
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this maple bacon grilled cheese shall we?!
How to make a Maple Bacon Grilled Cheese (Full Recipe & Video)
If you loved this Maple Bacon Grilled Cheese Recipe then be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
