Cheese toasties are a lunchtime staple, but I've discovered that adding a three-ingredient spread on the outside of the bread is a game-changing hack that makes them extra crunchy and perfectly caramelised12:19, 30 May 2026Cheese toasties are the ultimate lunchtime treat. Packed with melted cheese and butter, they're delicious, indulgent and remarkably satisfying. There are several ways to make a cheese toastie — in the oven, on the hob or in the air fryer. While all approaches work well, my preferred method is on the hob in a frying pan. In my opinion, this method offers greater control over how caramelised you want the bread and how soft you'd like the cheese.‌Typically, once the cheese and butter have been added, I spread the exterior with mayonnaise. This gives the toastie a gorgeous golden, caramelised finish and introduces a pleasant savoury depth of flavour. Recently, however, a recipe emerged suggesting that spreading honey butter on the outside of the bread delivers a sweet, caramelised flavour while making the bread wonderfully crunchy.‌Having tried the recipe, it's safe to say it's a complete game-changer — there's no going back to the old way.‌Using a combination of mozzarella and cheddar produces a gloriously oozy, cheesy filling, while the honey butter contributes a sweet, buttery richness that perfectly complements the saltiness of the cheese. It's a match made in heaven that would likely taste even more spectacular with saltier cheese varieties such as feta or goat's cheese.‌The recipe below serves two, though a smaller portion can easily be made for one.How to make honey butter cheese toastiesServes 2IngredientsFour slices of bread (I used sourdough, but any sandwich bread will do)Your choice of cheese (I used cheddar and mozzarella)50g of softened butter20g of granulated sugar20g of brown sugar25g of honey‌MethodIn a small bowl, combine the butter, sugars and honey to create your spread.‌Next, prepare your cheese sandwiches. Buttering the bread before adding the cheese is optional, but I recommend it.Once the sandwiches are assembled, coat the honey butter generously across the top and bottom of both sandwiches, ensuring the exteriors are fully covered.Place a non-stick frying pan over a medium-low heat.‌Add the sandwiches to the pan and toast until they become golden and caramelised, with the cheese inside melted to your liking. Make sure to flip them to achieve an even, consistent colour on both sides.Article continues belowRemove the sandwiches from the pan once ready and cut them in half.Serve your sandwiches on their own, alongside a fresh salad, or paired with a salty bag of crisps.Should you fancy it, pickles, kimchi or ham can be added to your toasties for an additional burst of flavour.