Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – This Nutella Grilled Cheese is about to be your new favourite sandwich!
I know — it sounds odd at first. The idea of chocolate-hazelnut spread with cheese can seem strange, but the result is a surprisingly delicious balance of sweet and salty that works. If you’re wondering “is Nutella and cheese good?” the short answer is yes. Read on for the full recipe, tips, and why this sandwich works so well.
Nutella Cheese Sandwich
At heart this is a celebration of contrasts: Nutella’s sweet, creamy chocolate-hazelnut flavour paired with a soft, mild melting cheese. The cheese provides a savory counterpoint and a luxurious, gooey texture when warmed. The sandwich is simple to assemble and quick to cook, making it a fun option for brunch, dessert, or a snack.
What cheese to use?
After trying a few varieties, the best match is Brie. A mild, creamy Brie melts beautifully and blends into the Nutella, creating pretty marbling and a balanced flavour. Mild cheeses generally work best here because they complement rather than overpower the Nutella. Brie’s texture is especially suited to creating that melt-in-the-middle effect that makes the sandwich feel indulgent without being cloying.
Can I substitute a different cheese?
If you don’t have Brie, go for other mild, melting cheeses such as mild cheddar or mozzarella. These will give a different texture and flavour but still deliver that sweet-salty contrast. Stronger, more pungent cheeses are less ideal unless you enjoy a powerful savory note with your chocolate.
Do I have to remove the rind from the Brie?
I don’t bother removing the rind. It’s a hassle and you lose a lot of the cheese trying to peel it off. Once melted, the rind becomes much less noticeable and won’t affect the overall experience.
Process overview: add buttered bread butter-side-down to the pan, spread Nutella on the exposed side, top with Brie, place the second slice nutella-side-down, and fry both sides until golden and the cheese begins to ooze.
What bread to use?
Because the center of this sandwich gets very gooey, choose a firm loaf such as sourdough. Thick, sturdy slices help contain the filling and give you a nice crunchy exterior when toasted. Avoid thin, soft white bread — it can become soggy and won’t hold the filling as well.
Alright, let’s get to the full recipe for Nutella Grilled Cheese.
How to make a Nutella Grilled Cheese (Full Recipe)
Nutella Grilled Cheese — At a glance
- Course: Brunch
- Cuisine: American-style comfort
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 sandwiches
- Calories (per sandwich): approx. 619 kcal
Equipment
- Bread knife and chopping board
- Non-stick pan and spatula/turner
Ingredients
- 8 small, fairly thick slices of sourdough (or other firm bread)
- 1 x 9oz / 250g round block of Brie, sliced into 12 wedges
- 8 tbsp Nutella (approximately 1 tbsp per slice)
- Butter, as needed for frying
Instructions
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the slices butter-side-down on the work surface and spread the exposed (top) side of each with about 1 tbsp Nutella.
- Top four of the Nutella-coated slices with Brie (about 3 wedges per sandwich). Place the remaining slices on top, Nutella-side-down and butter-side-up, to form sandwiches.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and fry until the bottom is golden, then flip and cook until both sides are golden and the cheese begins to leak out—about 4–6 minutes per side depending on your heat setting. You may need to cook in two batches to avoid crowding the pan.
- Remove from the pan, let rest a minute, then slice and serve while warm so the filling is gooey and melty.
Quick demo
A short demonstration video is available for this recipe showing the assembly and frying process.
Notes
- Brie: I don’t usually remove the rind — it melts into the filling and becomes unnoticeable. Camembert would be the closest substitute if you don’t have Brie, though it’s a bit more pungent.
- Cheese substitutes: After trying Brie, experiment with mild cheddar or mozzarella for different textures and flavours.
- Bread: Use firm, thick slices like sourdough to contain the gooey center. Thin, soft bread is not recommended.
- Calories: The nutrition values are estimates and assume about 1 tbsp butter per sandwich.
Nutrition highlights (per sandwich)
- Calories: 619 kcal
- Fat: 41.22 g (Saturated fat: 29.03 g)
- Sodium: 745 mg
- Carbohydrates: 43.29 g (Sugar: 20.62 g; Fiber: 3.1 g)
- Protein: 18.61 g
- Calcium: 190 mg
Tried this recipe? Share your results on social media and tag @somethingaboutsandwiches with #somethingaboutsandwiches — it’s always fun to see your photos!
Love Nutella? Check out the Nutella Peanut Butter Sandwich for another sweet-savoury option.
For more similar sandwiches, try these ideas:
Sweet and Savoury Sandwiches
- Brie Grilled Cheese
- Turkey Cranberry Grilled Cheese
- Elvis Sandwich
- Brie, Bacon & Blackberry Grilled Cheese
- Apple Grilled Cheese