Grilled Cheese Donut
Let’s talk about grilled cheese donuts. Yes, you read it right! This dish combines the unmistakable crispiness of bacon and the meltiness of cheddar cheese with the slight sweetness of doughnuts. It’s like inviting your favorite breakfast and lunch items to a party, and trust me, they mingle quite well. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to put together, making it a great option for brunch or a savory snack at any cookout. So, if you’re up for a culinary adventure that will make your palate sing, let’s dive into this delightful recipe!
Equipment
- Oven
- Wire rack
- sauté or griddle pan
- mixing bowls
- oughnut cutter
- cooling rack
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- Here’s a twist on the classic ingredients you'll need for this delectable dish:
- - 8 slices of thick-cut bacon
- - 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- - 2 to 3 ripe tomatoes sliced
- - 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter plus extra for cooking
- - Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- - 4 savory doughnuts recipe follows
- - 8 slices of sharp Cheddar cheese
- - 4 dashes of your favorite hot sauce like Tabasco
- - 1 teaspoon garlic powder for additional flavor
Green Onion-Cheddar Doughnut Ingredients:
- - 3 quarts of vegetable oil for frying
- - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- - 1 1/2 cups finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- - 1/2 cup roughly chopped scallions green onions
- - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- - 1 teaspoon baking powder
- - 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more for sprinkling on top
- - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- - 3/4 cup buttermilk
- - 1/2 cup sour cream
- - 1 large beaten egg
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Start by heating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This will ensure that your bacon gets nice and crispy while you multitask with the doughnuts and other fillings.
Step 2: Prepare the Bacon
- Take a wire rack and fit it over a baking sheet. Lay the bacon slices out flat and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over them. This helps create an incredible caramelized crust. Bake the bacon in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until it’s dark brown and crispy. As soon as it cools, break each slice in half and set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Tomatoes
- Slice your tomatoes into 4 to 5 thick rounds. Place a large sauté pan or griddle over medium heat and add a pat of butter. Sprinkle the tomato slices with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Cook them in the pan until they’re warmed through but still have some structure—about 3-4 minutes is just right.
Step 4: Prepare the Doughnuts
- While the tomatoes are cooking, let’s make the doughnuts! Heat the vegetable oil in a cast-iron Dutch oven to a temperature between 365°F to 375°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, Cheddar cheese, chopped scallions, sugar, baking powder, sea salt, and baking soda until combined. In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, sour cream, and beaten egg, then pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir until everything is just combined—make sure there are no dry bits hanging around!
Step 5: Shape and Fry the Doughnuts
- Flour your working surface and carefully turn the dough out onto it. Pat it into a 1-inch thick disc. Using a large doughnut cutter or two round cookie cutters (one larger and one smaller), cut out doughnut shapes. Don’t forget to create the holes using your fingers; you want them to be clear to ensure even frying. Carefully lower the doughnuts into the hot oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, turning them every minute for even browning. Once golden, transfer them to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with a bit of sea salt.
Step 6: Assemble the Grilled Cheese Donuts
- Now comes the fun part! Cut the fried doughnuts in half and butter the outside of each half generously. In the same sauté pan you used for the tomatoes, place 4 doughnut halves buttered-side down. Layer on a slice of cheese, top with a few slices of grilled tomato, sprinkle with a dash of hot sauce, and add 1-2 pieces of crispy bacon. Finish with another slice of cheese, then place the doughnut tops on to make your sandwiches. Grill them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they’re golden brown and the cheese has melted gloriously. Once done, serve them hot for the best experience!
Notes
- Choose Good Bacon: Opt for thick-cut bacon; it crisps better and offers more flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Brown Sugar: It really adds depth and sweetness to the bacon, balancing out the savory flavors.
- Keep an Eye on the Oil Temperature: Too hot, and your doughnuts will burn on the outside; too low, and they’ll absorb oil and be greasy.
- Experiment with Cheese: While Cheddar is classic, mixing different cheeses like Gruyère or Fontina can add a unique flavor twist.
- Get Creative with Add-Ins: Don’t hesitate to add jalapeños for a kick or avocado slices for creaminess.
Nutrition
Serving: 4gCalories: 800kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!