Save to Pinterest These adorable mini grilled cheese hearts are perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or special occasions. Using heart-shaped cookie cutters, you'll transform ordinary sandwich bread and cheese into charming bite-sized treats. The process takes just 20 minutes total, with 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking. These vegetarian-friendly sandwiches work with any type of melting cheese and can be customized with additions like tomato or herbs. Great for Valentine's Day, kids' parties, or as a fun lunchbox surprise that will delight both children and adults alike.
My daughter came home from school last February insisting we needed something special for her class party. She pulled out a tiny heart cutter from her craft box and looked at me with those serious eyes that only seven year olds can muster. We ended up making these little grilled cheese hearts until well past dinner time, eating more than we saved for the actual party.
Last Valentines Day I made forty of these for a brunch and watched grown adults fight over the last ones. Something about the heart shape makes people assume they are complicated, but you are really just using up bread scraps that would normally get tossed.
Ingredients
- Bread: Soft white or whole wheat works best because it will not crack when you press the cutter through, and stay away from artisan loaves with huge holes
- Cheese: Cheddar, American, or any melting cheese will do, just make sure the slices are thin enough to melt before the bread burns
- Butter: Softened unsalted butter spreads more evenly than cold and lets you control exactly how much goes on each side
Instructions
- Cut out your hearts:
- Press a small heart shaped cookie cutter firmly through each bread slice to get two hearts per slice, then do the same with your cheese so everything matches up
- Assemble the little sandwiches:
- Place one cheese heart between two bread hearts, pressing gently to help them stick together while you work
- Butter the outsides:
- Spread a thin layer of softened butter on the outside of each sandwich, covering all the way to the edges for maximum crispiness
- Grill until golden:
- Cook them buttered side down in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for two to three minutes, then flip and cook another two to three minutes until the cheese is completely melted
- Serve them warm:
- These are best straight from the pan while the cheese is still stretchy, but they will reheat nicely if you need to make them ahead
Save to Pinterest My son now requests these for school lunch even when it is not a holiday. He says they taste better than normal grilled cheese, though I suspect it is mostly just the novelty factor.
Making These Ahead
You can cut and assemble all the hearts hours before cooking. Just keep them covered with a damp paper towel so the bread does not dry out, then grill them right before serving.
Cheese Variations
Mozzarella creates that amazing cheese pull effect when you bite into them. Gouda adds a smoky depth, and pepper jack makes them slightly spicy if you are serving adults who like heat.
Serving Ideas
These work perfectly alongside tomato soup for dunking. I have also served them with a bowl of warmed marinara for party style appetizers that feel fancier than they should.
- Set up a toppings station so people can add their own herbs or thin tomato slices
- Cut extra hearts from any remaining bread and toast them for croutons in soup
- Make double what you think you need because people always eat more than planned
Save to Pinterest These little hearts have become my go to whenever someone needs cheering up. Sometimes food shaped like love is exactly what the day calls for.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of bread works best for these mini grilled cheese hearts?
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Soft white or whole wheat sandwich bread works best as it's easy to cut with cookie cutters and toasts nicely. The bread should be fresh but not too crusty, allowing for clean heart shapes and even toasting.
- → Can I use different types of cheese for these mini sandwiches?
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Absolutely! Cheddar, American, mozzarella, or gouda all work well. Choose your favorite melting cheese - the key is selecting one that melts smoothly and evenly when cooked.
- → How do I prevent the cheese from oozing out during cooking?
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Make sure your cheese slices are the same size as your bread hearts, and don't overfill the sandwiches. Cook over medium heat rather than high, and press gently with a spatula to help the cheese melt without spreading too much.
- → What's the best way to cut perfect heart shapes?
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Use a sharp, small heart-shaped cookie cutter and press firmly but gently. For best results, use bread that's slightly softened at room temperature. You can get about two hearts per slice of standard sandwich bread.
- → Can these be made ahead of time?
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They're best served fresh and warm, but you can prepare them in advance and reheat gently in a skillet or toaster oven. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy. For meal prep, assemble without butter and cook when ready to serve.
