Spicy Pickle Grilled Cheese

Featured in: Fun Party Bites

This dish features sourdough bread filled with sharp cheddar cheese and layered with tangy dill pickles and spicy jalapeños. Buttered and grilled until golden and melty, then cut into strips for dipping. The combination of creamy cheese, crunchy pickles, and heat from hot sauce creates a deliciously balanced bite. Perfect for a quick afternoon snack or a party appetizer, it pairs wonderfully with ranch or tomato soup for added flavor. Optional spice levels can be adjusted by varying jalapeños and hot sauce amounts.

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By Megan Lewis

Updated on Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:10:00 GMT

Golden-brown Spicy Pickle Grilled Cheese Dippers, oozing melted cheese ready to dip in creamy ranch. | blipbite.com

Crispy grilled cheese sandwiches with a tangy, spicy pickle twist, perfect for dipping into your favorite sauces.

I first tried this recipe during a family game night, and everyone loved the extra crunch and heat from the pickles and jalapenos. It has become a go-to snack whenever we want both comfort and zest in the same bite.

Ingredients

Bread & Dairy: 8 slices of sourdough bread, 8 slices of sharp cheddar cheese, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
Pickles & Spice: ½ cup dill pickles, thinly sliced, 1 small jalapeno, thinly sliced (optional, for extra heat), 2 tbsp pickled jalapenos, chopped, 1 tbsp hot sauce (such as Sriracha or your favorite)
Optional Dipping Sauce: ½ cup ranch dressing or tomato soup, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the bread:: Spread the softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
Layer cheese:: Lay 4 slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean surface. Top each with 2 slices of cheddar cheese.
Add pickles & spice:: Distribute the dill pickles, fresh jalapeno slices (if using), and chopped pickled jalapenos evenly over the cheese on each sandwich.
Drizzle hot sauce:: Drizzle a bit of hot sauce over the pickles on each sandwich.
Top sandwiches:: Top with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
Grill sandwiches:: Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Cool and slice:: Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let cool slightly. Cut each sandwich into strips (dippers).
Serve:: Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauce.

My kids love helping build these sandwiches and choosing their favorite dipping sauce. The strips are perfect for little hands and create plenty of laughter at the table.

Required Tools

Large nonstick skillet or griddle, spatula, sharp knife, cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese, butter) and gluten (bread). Check hot sauce labels for additional allergens.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 390, Total Fat: 22 g, Carbohydrates: 33 g, Protein: 13 g

These spicy pickle grilled cheese dippers make any gathering instantly more fun. Enjoy their crispy, cheesy goodness with every dip!

Spicy Pickle Grilled Cheese

Crispy sourdough and cheddar layered with pickles and jalapeños for a flavorful snack.

Prep duration

10 min

Heat time

10 min

Complete duration

20 min

Created by Megan Lewis

Style Fun Party Bites

Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition Guidelines Meat-Free

Components

Bread & Dairy

01 8 slices sourdough bread

02 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese

03 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Pickles & Spice

01 ½ cup dill pickles, thinly sliced

02 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)

03 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, chopped

04 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g. Sriracha)

Optional Dipping Sauce

01 ½ cup ranch dressing or tomato soup

Method

Phase 01

Butter the bread: Evenly spread the softened butter on one side of each bread slice.

Phase 02

Assemble sandwich base: Place 4 bread slices, buttered side down, on a clean surface and top each with 2 slices of cheddar cheese.

Phase 03

Add pickles and spice: Evenly distribute dill pickles, fresh jalapeño slices if using, and chopped pickled jalapeños over the cheese on each sandwich.

Phase 04

Drizzle hot sauce: Lightly drizzle hot sauce over the pickles on each sandwich.

Phase 05

Complete sandwich: Place remaining bread slices on top, buttered side facing up.

Phase 06

Preheat skillet: Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.

Phase 07

Cook sandwiches: Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.

Phase 08

Rest: Remove sandwiches from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Phase 09

Slice into dippers: Cut each sandwich into strips suitable for dipping.

Phase 10

Serve: Serve warm with ranch dressing or tomato soup as desired.

Tools needed

Large nonstick skillet or griddle
Spatula
Sharp knife
Cutting board

Allergy Details

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.

Contains dairy (cheese, butter) and gluten (bread).
Commercial hot sauces may contain additional allergens; verify labels.
Use gluten-free bread to accommodate gluten intolerance.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.

Energy: 390
Fats: 22 g
Carbohydrates: 33 g
Proteins: 13 g