Hot Fried Pickle Grilled Cheese

Chef Christian Gill

Servings

2-4

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Cuisine

Modern American

Category

Sandwich

Crispy, tangy fried pickles tucked into melty mozzarella, all encased in a golden, lacy cheese crust that crackles when you bite in. Rich, salty, sharp, and punchy thanks to Spiceology Hot Pickle Tangy Habanero Dill Blend. Dip into the smooth and zesty Grillo's laden Hot pickle dip and you have culinary balance. Find that seasoning exclusively at Walmart, then let it do the flavor work.

Hot Fried Pickle Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf La Brea Three Cheese Semolina bread, sliced 1½-inch thick

  • 1/2 cup + 1½ cups Tillamook Farmstyle shredded mozzarella (divided)

  • 1 tbsp Spiceology Hot Pickle Seasoning

  • 1/2 cup Duke's Mayo

  • 1/4 cup sour cream

  • 1/4 cup Grillo's Pickle De Gallo

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1 tbsp Spiceology Hot Pickle Seasoning

  • 2 cups buttermilk

  • 2 tsp salt

  • 1 container Grillo's Sandwich Makers, drained and patted dry

  • Neutral oil, for frying

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together Duke’s Mayo, sour cream, Pickle De Gallo, and Hot Pickle Seasoning until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to serve.

  2. In one bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and Hot Pickle Seasoning. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and salt.

  3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).

  4. Dip pickles into buttermilk, then dredge in seasoned flour. Place on a rack-lined sheet tray while finishing batches.

  5. Fry in batches for ~2 minutes, until golden and crisp.Transfer to a paper towel-lined tray to drain.

  6. Preheat oven to high broil. On a sheet tray, place one slice of bread.

  7. Layer with 4 fried pickles, then top with a generous mound of mozzarella (from the 1/2 cup portion). Broil until cheese is melted and lightly golden. Remove from oven.

  8. Heat a large nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 1½ cups mozzarella into the pan, forming a 10-inch circle (like a tortilla).

  9. Place the grilled cheese onto the lower third of the melted cheese closest to you.

  10. Once edges turn golden and crispy, use a spatula to carefully lift and fold the cheese over the sandwich—like rolling a burrito.

  11. Continue to sear on all sides until the cheese crust is crisp, golden, and fully wrapped.

  12. Remove from pan, rest for 1–2 minutes, then slice in half and serve with chilled Hot Pickle Dip.