It’s already Fall, yet it still feels like we’re in the heart of summer with the hot and humid weather here in San Diego. Even though I enjoyed a day at the beach with my kids this past weekend, my mind is already into Fall and I’m ready for the cool weather to kick in. My husband finally took out all of our tomato plants and planted new Fall/Winter vegetables such as butter lettuce, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. But due to the hot weather we’ve been experiencing, our Fall produce will definitely take some time to come in this year. That brings me to what we DO have growing in our yard, and the inspiration behind this recipe!
Fresh. Green. Jalapenos.
Along with bell peppers, our fresh green jalapenos have been growing year around. Although we love fresh jalapenos on a variety of different dishes, most of the ones growing in our yard are spicy! So we can only go through so many, especially since my son can’t handle much spice. Last month, I ended up delivering bags of fresh green and red jalapenos to several neighbors since I didn’t want them to go to waste. Well this time, I was intent on using them up. My husband was quick to request a vegan version of Fresh Jalapeno Poppers since it used to be one of our favorites. I love all the components and flavors that go into making fresh jalapeno poppers but wanted to create something slightly different and turn it into an actual meal instead of a side. I roasted some fresh jalapenos, used some of my favorite brands of vegan cheese, and enhanced the flavor profile with some fresh herbs to bring you this vegan Jalapeno Popper Herb Grilled Cheese Sandwich!
This sandwich is the best of both worlds! Contains spice from the fresh jalapenos, creaminess from the different types of vegan cheeses, has all sorts of textures, and the flavor of fresh herbs, sandwiched between two slices of sourdough bread, grilled and melted to perfection. It’s very easy to make, and you can even prep the components of the sandwich ahead of time and simply assemble and grill when you’re ready to serve. Now that is one awesome sandwich! Who doesn’t want to take a bite into it?!?
If you don’t mind the heat, you will LOVE this fresh jalapeno popper meets grilled cheese sandwich! It’s to die for! I’m hooked and addicted, and you will be too if you try it out! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook, or comment below the recipe and let me know what you think! I’d love to see pictures of you devouring this Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese sandwich!
Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
INGREDIENTS
- 8 slices sour dough bread , for gluten-free use gluten-free bread
- 10-12 fresh green jalapenos
- 4 slices vegan Follow Your Heart American Cheese Slices , see notes below
- vegan butter , such as Earth Balance
- olive oil
- salt/pepper
For the Herb Cream Cheese
- 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese , I used Tofutti Brand Vegan Cream Cheese
- 1/4 cup cilantro , finely chopped
- 2 tbsp green onion , finely chopped
- 1/4 teasp garlic powder
- 1/8 teasp salt
- freshly ground black pepper , to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Slice the fresh green jalapenos lengthwise, de-stem, remove the inside white parts, and scrape off the seeds as best as you can.
- Toss the jalapeno halves with a little olive oil to coat, a little salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper .
- Place the jalapeno halves cut side face down in a single layer on the parchment paper.
- Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the jalapenos start to blister and blacken slightly. When they are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely.
- While the jalapenos are baking in the oven, prepare the Herb Cream Cheese by combining all the ingredients listed above in a small mixing bowl and set aside or store in the fridge until ready to use.
- To prepare the sandwich, spread a generous layer of the Herb Cream Cheese on two slices of sourdough bread. Cut the slice of vegan Follow Your Heart American Cheese Slice in half.
- Working on one slice of sourdough bread, place/align half the slice of American Cheese on the right half of the bread. Next place a layer of the roasted fresh green jalapeno halves (~4-6 halves depending on size of jalapenos and bread). Next place the other half of of the slice of American Cheese on the left half of the bread on top of the jalapeno slices.
- Close the sandwich by topping with the other slice of bread with the herb cream cheese spread on it. Note that the reason for slicing the cheese in half and it's placement is to help the sandwich stay together after grilling and melting the cheese.
- Heat a pan on medium heat. Lightly butter one entire side of the sandwich. Once the pan is hot, place the sandwich, butter side down. Grill until bread is golden brown. Press down on the sandwich lightly, then butter the top side of the bread, flip the sandwich over and cook until second side is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.
- Repeat with the remaining slices of bread to make a total of 4 sandwiches.
- Slice the grilled cheese in half, and enjoy with your favorite hot sauce or as is!
Rashmi
WOW Anjali… You such a legend
I love your sandwiches and this one looks incredible
Im sold with your pictures 🙂
anjali
The pictures don’t do it justice!! One bite and you’ll be caught! It’s really that amazing.
Reshana
I love heat and and grilled cheese sandwiches so this recipe is totally up by alley!!!
It looks absolutely mouth watering! Great pictures… remember we eat with your eyes 00
anjali
This sandwich is totally for you!! Seriously I think you guys will love it…let me know if you try it! And thank you!!
Reshana
Hahah “my” alley :’-)
malini
this was amazing! love your blog, anjali!
anjali
Thank you!! This sandwich has comfort, gooey, cheesiness, with added spice written ALL over it! It’s the perfect sandwich to satisfy my craving in between all the veggies. AND it’s vegan. Thank you so much for following!
Mandy
Anjali! This is an epic grilled cheese! Never in a million years would I have thought to add jalapeno halves. I used to love jalapeno poppers in my pre-vegan days – I’m pretty sure this would be a great replacement! Looks amazing!
anjali
Thanks Mandy!! It’s seriously awesome! Jalapeno poppers were our favorite…we’d make large batches a few times a year, and it was always a staple item at our annual holiday parties, but since going vegan this past January, I haven’t made them. When we had a ton of fresh jalapenos growing in our yard, I needed to do something with them. I was craving sandwiches, and my husband wanted me to try making vegan jalapeno poppers, so this was the best of both worlds, and so easy! There are some great vegan cheese options out there for when you have that occasional craving, and they worked wonders in this sandwich =) Let me know if you try it!
Tiffy
I just made this and I just want to thank you for the heaven my taste buds just went through. This is hands down my favorite grilled cheese! It’s full of flavor with just the right amount of kick, and the herb cream cheese is delectable, and I would even use it on cucumber sandwiches or just on crackers. I’m definitely going to make more of your recipes!
anjali
Thank you SO much Tiffy! You’re comment and share made my day! I’m so excited you tried and loved this recipe since it’s one of my favs! I’ve always loved jalapeno poppers before i went vegan, and instead of developing my own vegan version, for now I created this creamy flavor-packed sandwich using some of my favorite vegan cheese brands out there! And yes…the herb cream cheese is delicious! Thank you for trying out my recipes and commenting. If you need any recs let me know! Happy cooking!
Sarah | Well and Full
This grilled cheese looks AMAZING!! I love anything spicy, so the roasted jalapeno would be perfect for me!! 😀
anjali
Oh then you’ll definitely LOVE this sandwich!! It’s awesome…nice kick to it with the roasted jalapenos and that creaminess from the cheese…such a great flavor combination! I’ve served this sandwich to several non-vegans and they LOVE it! Let me know if you give it a try! Thank you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such a yummy grilled cheese…with a secret KICK!
anjali
Thanks Rebecca! I especially love it when the jalapenos are super spicy! That combined with the creamy makes for an amazing flavor!
Jenn
Vegan comfort food at its best! I can’t wait to try this with the jalapeños in our garden!
anjali
It so is! Thanks Jenn! Yes, you need to try it. Super easy and one of my favorite sandwiches!
Linda @ Veganosity
YUM! This sandwich looks incredible! LOVE jalapenos and grilled cheese. My husband will love this too. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
anjali
Thanks Linda! They were inspired by all the jalapenos in my yard and a craving for jalapeno poppers + a recent switch to veganism =) This was perfect!
Donna
Oh yum, these sound amazing!!! Our jalapeños are taking forever this year, I am going to have to bite the bullet and just buy some at the markets 🙂
anjali
Yep…that’s exactly how these were developed…tons of jalapenos in our yard and I also went vegan and was itching to create a vegan jalapeno popper since it’s one of my favorites, but did a sandwich version instead! So good!
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com@
I love anything hot and spicy! What great sandwich!
anjali
and creamy!!! So good! Thank you!
Molly Kumar
I just can’t get enough of ‘Jalapeno Popper’ and these sandwiches look amazing!! I can almost taste that hint of spice and ooey-gooey melting cheese center…Yummmm!!!
anjali
My exact thoughts…can never get enough of them! This sandwich has been amazing! We make it all the time, even served it to 35 non-vegans for our holiday party and it was a huge hit!
Nicole Dawson
I seriously wanna jump up and make this right now!
anjali
I always have the same thought whenever that recipe comes across =P
Uma Srinivas
Mouth watering sandwich Anjali! I love jalapeno, will try this soon 🙂
anjali
Thanks Uma! Let me know if you do!
Kelly @ TastingPage
This sounds sinfully delicious. A definite crowd pleaser!
anjali
Thanks Kelly! Crowd pleaser for sure…served it to 35 non-vegans during our holiday party last year and it was a huge hit!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
i havent had jalapeno poppers in a while but using them as grilled cheese is super creative. i can smell the roasted jalapeno already.
anjali
It’s amazing Dixya! Especially when they are roasted…takes the edge off of them and combined with the creaminess of the grilled cheese it’s delicious!
Lucie
That cheese oozing out!!! It looks totally delicious 🙂
anjali
Thank you!! The cheese definitely needs to be oozing out for it to be a great grilled cheese =)
Pd
Love spicy grilled cheese!
Cap'n Dave
I definitely need to try these! I was just thinking tonight about having a grilled cheese on sourdough. Sadly, I don’t have any jalapeños, but Trader Joe’s is only 1½ miles up the road, and I DO need a bit more exercise today, so…
(Plus they have a pretty decent vegan cream cheese, so there’s that as well!)
Might save it for tomorrow night’s dinner. Rain and gloom’s supposed to come back around then, so pair this with a nice smoky tomato soup? Might be just the thing – AND I can stop at TJ’s on the way home from work so it’s not like it’d be out of my way! PERFECT!
anjali
Yes!! You’ll love these and they are so easy to put together! I’ve always loved jalapeno poppers so what better way than in sandwich form! Pick some up and make them! Let me know if you do.