Top 9 Types of Grilling Cheese You Need to Try: Gardner’s Edition!

Grilling is for burgers, brats, veggies... but did you know that the crowning jewel of any cookout can be grilling cheese? If you've never tossed a slab of cheese onto a hot grill and watched it crisp, bubble, and transform into a molten dream that still holds its shape, you're seriously missing out. Big time!

So, without further ado, prepare to enter the delicious, cheesetastic world of Gardner’s Oven-Baked Cheeses. These beauties are literally built for the grill, pan-sear them, air fry them, throw them on a hot grate, and watch them become golden, squeaky perfection.

Consider this your official invitation to level up your snacking!

The Cheesy Takeaways

• Our Oven-Baked Cheeses hold their shape on the grill, crisp beautifully, and get the perfect melty center without falling apart.
  
• Preheat your grill, use medium heat, and slice your cheese thick for the best grilling results.
  
• Pair your grilled cheeses with fresh veggies, fruit, or Gardner’s drizzles, of which we offer a variety of flavors!
  
• If grilling outside is not an option, you can grill indoors using a skillet or air fryer. Cheese season waits for no one!
  

1. Original Oven-Baked Cheese: The King of Grilling Cheese

If halloumi is the king of Mediterranean grilling cheese, then Gardner’s Original Oven-Baked Cheese is the crowned monarch of Wisconsin’s grillables. This squeaky, firm, golden-when-seared slab was practically born to sit atop hot grates and come out looking like a chef’s kiss moment!

What makes it such a legend?

• It crisps up beautifully on the outside.
  
• It holds its shape no matter how confident (or chaotic) your grilling technique is.
  
• It becomes warm, soft, and unbelievably satisfying without melting into a cheese puddle.
  

To grill it:

1. Slice into thick planks.
   
2. Brush lightly with olive oil.
   
3. Grill over medium heat until browned on both sides.
   

Serve it with a squeeze of lemon, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of Raspberry Honey Mustard for a sweet-savory bite that will win you friends, fans, and possibly even a few marriage proposals!

2. Garlic Oven-Baked Cheese: A Savory, Sear-Loving Superstar

Queso panela wishes it could grill like this!

The Garlic Oven-Baked Cheese brings a bold, rich garlic flavor that intensifies beautifully on the grill. When the garlic hits heat, magic happens, the edges crisp, the center softens, and suddenly your neighbors are peeking over the fence wondering what you are cooking and if they can “just stop by for a second.”

Why it is perfect for grilling:

• Firm texture that grills without melting away.
  
• Naturally savory garlic profile perfect for all kinds of meals.
  
• Crisps into a golden crust that tastes like Wisconsin sunshine.
  

Serve grilled slices with roasted salsa, pico de gallo, or a brush of Roasted Red Pepper & Garlic Drizzle to lean into those smoky flavors. Or drizzle a touch of honey over for that "sweet meets savory" moment that makes your taste buds stand up and cheer!

3. Italiano Oven-Baked Cheese: Your “Mediterranean” Grill Fix

Looking for the tangy, herby flavor that’ll make you shout “Mama-Mia!”?
Say hello to Italiano Oven-Baked Cheese, affectionately known as “Pizza Cheese” because it tastes like a mozzarella-meets-herb-wonderland.

When grilled:

• The herbs bloom.
  
• The edges get crisp and fragrant.
  
• The interior becomes soft and chewy without losing structure.
  

A sprinkle of lemon juice and cracked black pepper turns this into a chef-level appetizer. Serve with grilled veggies or tuck it into warm pita for an herby, melty bite anyone would love!

4. Bacon Oven-Baked Cheese: Crispy, Smoky, Melty Goodness

Provolone is known for its meltability, but Gardner’s Bacon Oven-Baked Cheese brings melty richness and a smoky, bacony kick that absolutely slays on the grill.

Why grill it?

• Browning brings out the smoky depth.
  
• The bacon flavor gets richer and toastier.
  
• It softens into a gooey center with perfectly crisped edges.
  

Top warm slices with chopped chives and a drizzle of Hot Honey Drizzle to create a sweet-smoky masterpiece. Or serve it with grilled bread for an appetizer that vanishes faster than you can plate it!

Your guests will ask where you bought it, and you can proudly say “Wisconsin, obviously.”

5. Chipotle Oven-Baked Cheese: Smoky, Mild Heat, Grill-Perfect

Gardner’s Chipotle Oven-Baked Cheese brings smoky, mild heat and grill stability. It browns beautifully, melts gradually, and fills the air with that unmistakable chipotle aroma that makes everyone suddenly hungry.

Keep a close eye on it (it browns quickly!), then serve with:

• A squeeze of lime
  
• A sprinkle of cilantro
  
• Grilled squash slices
  

Or build little grilled cheese tacos with warm corn tortillas and Jalapeño Poblano Drizzle. It's a masterpiece waiting to happen!

6. Jalapeño Oven-Baked Cheese: A Spicy Grill Essential

Gardner’s Jalapeño Oven-Baked Cheese brings that delicious, spicy spirit that you all know and love. It’s a cheese you can slap on a grill and watch crisp into a golden-brown slab with a friendly kick of heat!

Grill straight from the fridge for the best structure. The jalapeño flavor softens slightly on the grill, becoming warm, savory, and addictive. Serve it with:

• Fresh lime
  
• Salsa verde
  
• Sweet honey to balance the spice
  

Or skewer it and grill it like Brazilian vendors do for a fun cheese kebab!

7. Oven-Baked Cheese with 5-Year-Aged Cheddar: A Tangy, Golden Show-Off

If you have ever wondered what happens when you combine the stability of grillable cheese with the tangy kick of aged cheddar, this is your sign to try it!

The Oven-Baked Cheese with 5-Year-Aged Cheddar becomes:

• Golden
  
• Crisp
  
• Deeply savory
  
• Slightly tangy
  
• Ridiculously snackable
  

Slice it, grill it, and enjoy the cheddar-powered flavor explosion. It pairs beautifully with apples, grilled onions, or a drizzle of Raspberry Honey Mustard.

8. Buffalo Wing Oven-Baked Cheese: The Game-Day Grill MVP

If your love language is “buffalo everything,” Buffalo Wing Oven-Baked Cheese is your new cheesy soulmate.

On the grill, this slab:

• Crisps on the outside like a perfectly done wing.
  
• Stays squeaky and rich inside.
  
• Delivers that tangy buffalo flavor in every bite without blowing your head off.
  

Grill thick slices and serve them:

• With celery and carrot sticks and ranch or blue cheese on the side.
  
• Chopped over grilled chicken or burgers for double-buffalo energy.
  
• With Hot Pepper Bacon Jam for a wild, smoky, tangy combo that tastes like the world’s best tailgate.
  

It is everything you love about wing night, minus the pile of bones.

9. Oven-Baked Cheese with Aged Parmesan: Nutty, Fancy, Grill-Friendly

If you want to feel like a backyard grill chef and a fancy Italian nonna at the same time, Oven-Baked Cheese with Aged Parmesan is the move.

When you grill it:

• The aged Parmesan brings a nutty, umami-packed flavor.
  
• The edges crisp into a deeply savory crust.
  
• The inside stays soft and rich without collapsing.
  

Serve it:

• Sliced over grilled asparagus or roasted veggies.
  
• With a simple arugula and lemon salad for a “this obviously came from a restaurant” vibe.
  
• With Wild Berry Drizzle for a sweet-salty, nutty pairing that tastes way fancier than the effort required.
  

It is proof that “grilling cheese” can absolutely dress up for date night.

Grilling Cheese Tips and Tricks

The good news? All Gardner’s Oven-Baked Cheeses behave beautifully on a grill. But here are a few pro tips to guarantee melty perfection:

• Preheat grill to medium heat so your cheese browns instead of burns.
  
• Pat the cheese dry to prevent sticking.
  
• Brush lightly with olive oil before grilling.
• Slice thick for best texture. Thin slices melt faster.
  

Follow these steps and you will look like a cheese-grilling genius. People will assume you trained in Wisconsin.

How to Grill Cheese Perfectly

For stovetop or indoor grilling:

• Heat a nonstick pan or skillet to medium-low.
  
• Grill cheese slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  
• Flip every minute during the last stage for even browning.
  
• Cover lightly to trap steam and get that soft center.
  

If you want your kitchen to smell like a grilled-cheese daydream… this is the way.

Pairing Grilled Cheese with Other Dishes

These grilled cheeses shine alongside:

• Fresh salads (arugula, tomato basil, citrus salads)
  
• Grilled veggies (asparagus, bell peppers, mushrooms)
  
• Fresh fruit (apples, pears, strawberries)
  
• Crusty bread (always!)
  
• Drizzles for dipping:
  
  • Roasted Red Pepper & Garlic Drizzle
  • Hot Honey Drizzle
  • Raspberry Honey Mustard

Mix and match. Experiment. Taste everything twice for science!

Indoor Grilling Alternatives

No backyard? No problem! Gardner’s Oven-Baked Cheeses grill beautifully:

• In a skillet
  
• On a cast-iron pan
  
• In an air fryer
  
• On a grill pan
  

Use medium heat. Flip when golden. Try not to eat them straight from the pan… or do. We won't judge!

Where to Buy Grilling Cheese

This part is easy.

If you want the best grilling cheeses, the kind that brown beautifully, squeak softly, and taste like Wisconsin pride, you go to Gardner’s.

Specialty stores and farmers’ markets exist, sure, but why wander around hoping for halloumi when you can grab grillable slabs delivered cold-packed to your door?

The full Oven-Baked lineup is ready to grill, sear, slice, and serve!

Summary

If you want to turn your cookouts into legendary events, skip the imported grillable cheeses and reach for Gardner’s Oven-Baked lineup. From the classic Original Oven-Baked Cheese to the smoky Chipotle Oven-Baked Cheese, spicy Jalapeño Oven-Baked Cheese, tangy Oven-Baked Cheese with 5-Year-Aged Cheddar, and party-ready Buffalo Wing and Aged Parmesan varieties, these grill-ready slabs deliver:

• Golden crisp
  
• Melty centers
  
• Big Wisconsin flavor
  
• Zero grill meltdown disasters
  

Whether you grill outdoors, in a skillet, or in an air fryer… these cheeses shine!

Fire up the grill, grab a drizzle or two, and enjoy the best grilled cheese experience you will ever have. Happy grilling!