Chilli Cheese Toast
Say hello to the ultimate brunch dish! Chilli cheese toast is exactly as it sounds: buttery, golden brown slices of perfectly toasted bread topped with a gooey melty cheese mix, sliced chillies for a fiery kick, and a sprinkling of green onions.
Cheese and bread are a match made in heaven — Welsh rarebit, cheese sandwiches, cheese toasties, cheesy bread sticks … I could go on!
Chilli cheese toast is a medley of two distinct culinary traditions: British (cheddar cheese is vital for that sharp flavour that cuts through the creaminess), and Indian (with the tongue-tingling mix of chillies).
These kinds of fusion foods tend to be real crowd-pleasers. Just take masala beans, one of the most beloved recipes on the blog.
Interestingly, chilli cheese toast isn’t an entirely modern recipe. It first became popular in Mumbai (like vada pav and dahi puri!) during the 1970s, where you could find the recipe served everywhere from tiny one-cart street food vendors to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
It’s no wonder the popularity has lasted until the modern era. Chilli cheese toast is mouth-wateringly appetizing … a real treat everyone will enjoy.
😍 Why This Chilli Cheese Toast Recipe is a Winner
🌶️ Ingredients for Chilli Cheese Toast
Rummage through your fridge, reach into your bread box, and gather everything you need for this simple chilli cheese toast recipe!
You won’t need fancy or specialist ingredients to make this basic breakfast/brunch recipe. Most will be in your pantry already, but any you’re missing are accessible and affordable.
Scroll down and we’ll go into details, plus I’ll reveal my secret key ingredients. Drum roll, please …
- Bread: Elevating chilli cheese toast from basic to unforgettable is as simple as using the correct bread. Artisan bread with an open crumb, robust flavour, and good crust will win over simple sandwich bread every day. Sourdough is my favourite.
- Cheese: A mix of mature cheddar for a full-bodied sharp flavour and mozzarella for the gooey, cheesy stretch is key. You can experiment with adding Amul cheese for the street food experience, but it’s more processed; this duo is my recommendation.
- Chillies: Use diverse chilli cultivars for an interesting mix of fruity, peppery, spicy, and mild well-rounded tastes. I’ve used jwala chillies (Indian green chillies), cayenne peppers, and jalapeños.
- Butter: Gives the toast its lovely golden crust.
- Mayonnaise: Adds another layer of richness to the toast, and helps to develop a gorgeous golden colour. It’s my secret ingredient!
- Seasonings: Simple salt and pepper will do here, freshly ground.
- Herbs: Coriander (cilantro) offers citrusy hints, while green onions are a punchy garnish.
Full ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card.
🌽 Fun Variations and Customisations
You won’t believe how adaptable this chilli cheese toast recipe is.
In fact, the recipe’s versatility is the primary reason this is a mainstay in my household. While the recipe is irresistibly moreish as-is, you can make it feel completely new and fresh by adding a few new ingredients — meaning you’ll never tire of indulging in the gooey cheesy toasts for breakfast/brunch.
- Pizza chilli cheese toast is a favourite with children and adults alike. To make pizza chilli cheese toast, use oregano in the cheese mixture and add a dollop of pizza sauce to the mayonnaise. You can also add extra tomatoes or vegetables as a topping.
- Garlic chilli cheese toast is one of the easiest switch-ups. Just add a clove or two of minced garlic to the cheese mixture for a punchy and buttery garlic flavour. For a milder infusion, rub raw garlic over the toasted bread slices before topping them with cheese.
- Masala chilli cheese toast provides a heightened spice level for all you chilli heads. It’s simple: add a sprinkle of red chilli powder, garam masala, and/or chaat masala over the chilli before covering the pan. The result? Lip-smackingly tangy, fiery deliciousness.
- Vegetable chilli cheese toast, aka the best way to add more nutrition to this recipe — use vegetables of your choice, but bell peppers (capsicum), sweetcorn, chopped spinach, red onions, and even peas are go-to additions.
Adapting Chilli Cheese Toast for Special Diets
… Is incredibly straightforward! Although it’s already 100% nut free and soy free by default, here are two uncomplicated switches:
Make chilli cheese toast vegan by using vegan butter (my recommendations are Flora’s if you’re U.K.-based, or Miyoko’s if you’re U.S.-based ), vegan mayonnaise (lots of bread brands on the market!), and vegan cheese.
Some vegan cheese melts better than others, but you should have luck with a combination of cheddar and mozzarella (Miyoko’s liquid mozzarella is ideal). The key to melting vegan cheese is adding a little moisture when you cover the pan.
Making chilli cheese toast gluten free couldn’t be easier. Just switch out sourdough/artisan bread for your favourite gluten free bread of choice. I’d choose a crustier option for the best results.
🧑🍳 How to Make Chilli Cheese Toast (Step-by-Step Photos)
One: Grate the cheddar into a small bowl.
Two: Similarly repeat the same process with mozzarella.
Three: Add mixed chillies, fresh coriander, salt, and pepper to the grated cheese.
Four: Using a spoon, mix the cheese and seasonings well.
Five: Spread butter on both sides of your bread slices.
Six: Spread mayonnaise on top of the butter on both sides of each slice of bread.
Seven: Add both bread slices to a pan heated on medium flame. Toast on one side until golden brown.
Eight: Turn the bread over to toast on the reverse side.
Nine: Add the masala cheese mixture on top of the toast and top with extra chillies. Turn the heat to low.
Ten: Cover with a lid (to let the cheese melt).
Eleven: Once the cheese has melted and the bottom has browned, turn off the heat and remove it from the pan.
Twelve: Cut into halves and serve with chopped spring onions.
Cookware You Need
🧑🏫 Expert Tips for Chilli Cheese Toast
What sets my recipe apart from the others is the secret ingredients: mayonnaise for extra golden crusts, and a combination of cheeses for the best flavour and texture.
You always want to pre-toast your bread slices (coated with butter and mayonnaise) before loading on the cheese. This prevents the chilli cheese toast from going soggy. Crisp toast and melty cheese is the best combination. Wet bread and melted cheese? Not so much.
Don’t overload the cheese! This is a case of less is more. Adding too much cheese risks these toasts becoming greasy.
My recipe quantities have the perfect amount of cheese for impactful flavour and a really satisfying bite, without any of the fatty aftertaste. Don’t be tempted to deviate here!
On the topic of cheese, never use pre-grated cheese. I know those grated cheddar and mozzarella packets look tempting, but it’s worth the extra effort to do it yourself. Grated cheese contains anti-caking agents, which negatively impact the texture once cooked. Only use these as a last resort, or if you have issues with fine motor movements.
🍳 Serving Suggestions
Chilli cheese toast with a sunny-side-up egg on the side is a classic brunch pairing that’s equally delicious, indulgent, protein-packed, and filling.
If you want something lighter, just serve a selection of dips and/or chutneys on the side. Ketchup sounds non-traditional, but it’s very popular in Mumbai — and for good reason! The tangy sweetness is a perfect contrast to the creamy cheese.
Green chutney packed with herbs, homemade garlic aioli, or mango chutney would be my other choices to fill a chutney tray (perfect for parties or gatherings!).
Otherwise, opt for a steaming hot (garam garam) pot of chai. It’s beloved for a reason — although coffee would be just as delightful!
If you tried this chilli cheese toast — or any other recipe on my website — please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know your thoughts in the ✍️ comments at the bottom of the page. Thanks for being a part of my community!
Chilli Cheese Toast
Crisp, golden brown toast topped with an oozing cheesy mixture with a bold, fiery chilli kick: this chilli cheese toast is a Mumbai special that's even better homemade.
Ingredients
- 2 Slices Sourdough Bread *
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise **
- 60g Cheddar Cheese
- 125g Fresh Mozzarella Cheese (drained weight)
- 3 Mixed Chillies, chopped ***
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, finely ground
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Fresh Coriander (Cilantro), minced, to taste
To Garnish
- 1 Spring Onion, chopped
Instructions
- Grate the cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese into a medium-sized bowl. Tip: Don't be tempted to substitute pre-grated cheese, as it contains anti-caking agents that mess with its texture and meltability!
- Add the chopped chillies, coriander, and seasonings (freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste) to the bowl. Mix the grated cheese and the seasonings well.
- Spread softened butter on both sides of your bread slices. Then spread mayonnaise on top of the butter, over both sides.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the bread slices to the pan and cook on one side until golden brown.
- Turn the bread over to toast the reserved side. Carefully load your seasoned cheese mixture onto the bread while the bottle is cooking.
- Cover the pan with a lid — this helps the cheese to melt!
- Once the cheese has melted and the bottom has browned, turn off the heat and carefully remove your chilli cheese toast from the pan. Cut the toast into halves and optionally garnish with chopped spring onion.
Notes
* You can use any other bread of your choice; artisan bread, wholegrain bread, seeded bread, or even sandwich bread. Sourdough is my go-to for its delicious flavour and gut-friendly attributes.
** If you're an egg-free vegetarian, use vegan mayonnaise or homemade eggless mayo.
*** I used one jwala chilli (Indian green chillies), one jalapeño, and one cayenne pepper for a mix of flavours and spice levels. Adjust to your preference, tolerance, and accessibility.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 306Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 680mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 15g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
