These easy baked rainbow grilled cheese are super easy to make and even more fun to eat! My kids love them, and I'm sure yours will too!
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I made rainbow grilled cheese sandwiches for my oldest child when she was about 3 years old, and they've been a requested favorite ever since. I don't make them often, but when I do, it's for a special occasion.
In our house, this rainbow sandwich recipe is often called "unicorn grilled cheese." The colors may vary, but the result is always a colorful twist that's perfect for special occasions or adding excitement to an everyday meal.
Rainbow grilled cheese sandwiches are versatile and can be enjoyed as a fun snack, a creative lunchbox addition, or a delightful party food that's sure to impress your guests.
Whether you're a child or a child at heart, these sandwiches offer a delightful dining experience that's worth savoring.
For more grilled cheese recipes, check out my Microwave Grilled Cheese, Baked Grilled Cheese, and Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Multiple sandwiches at once. These baked sandwiches make it easy to feed a big family fast. Instead of spending about 5 minutes per sandwich on the stovetop, you can make 6-8 sandwiches in under 10 minutes.
- Easy to make. Just shred the cheese and mix in the colors. The steps are simple, and kids can help with mixing and assembling.
- Fun and kid-friendly. This turns a basic grilled cheese into a lunch kids are excited to eat. Pair them with No Bake Apple Donuts and Sour Patch Grapes for a colorful meal.
🛒 Ingredients
Shredded white cheese. Mozzarella, white American, or brick Munster all work well.
Butter or non stick spray. Used on the outside of the bread to help it turn golden and crisp.
Food coloring. Rainbow colors add the fun effect. Gel food coloring works best for brighter color.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Store brands: Use store-brand bread and cheese to keep costs down without affecting results.
Minimal coloring: Only a few drops of food coloring are needed to tint the cheese.
Cooking spray option: Cooking spray can be used instead of butter to reduce cost while still getting a crisp exterior.
Budget meal: Pair with inexpensive sides like soup or fruit to make it a complete, low-cost meal.
🥄 Instructions for Rainbow Grilled Cheese
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450F degrees.
Step 2: On a baking sheet, arrange your bottom bread slices.
Step 3: Butter the tops of the bread slices or spray with cooking spray. Flip over so that its "wet" side is facing the pan.
Step 4: In small bowls or zipper-topped bags, divide your cheese and add a few drops of color. About 2-5 is plenty. The more you add, the more vibrant the color.
Step 5: Mix until the cheese is completely colored.
Step 6: Arrange your cheese on the prepared bread slices that are on the baking sheet.
Step 7: Add the top slice of bread and butter or spray the tops.
Step 8: Bake for 5 minutes, flip over and then bake for another 3-5 minutes.
Step 9: Slice, serve, and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Crispy bread trick: For oven baked sandwiches, use a light spray of canola oil, olive oil, or butter spray on the outside instead of softened butter for even browning and crisp texture.
- Prevent sogginess: This method avoids over buttering, which helps keep the bread toasted instead of soggy.
- Fun with cheese: Mixing and adding the cheese is simple and kid friendly, making it an easy way to get kids involved.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftover Rainbow Grilled Cheese sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Make Ahead: Cheese can be pre-colored and stored in sealed bags in the refrigerator up to one day ahead for quick assembly.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Rainbow grilled cheese pairs well with tomato soup, vegetable soup, fresh fruit, simple salads, or served alongside cut veggies and dip for a fun and colorful meal.
- Roasted Tomato and Garlic SoupRecipe $3.36 / Serving $0.84
- Tomato Soup ChiliRecipe $10.48 / Serving $2.62
- Sour Patch GrapesRecipe $7.85 / Serving $1.31
- Iceberg SaladRecipe $5.00 / Serving $0.83
❓ Recipe FAQs
You can use any white or lighter-colored shreddable cheese. I personally prefer mozzarella, Italian blend, Pizza blend, or white cheddar. But Muenster gives a great stringy cheese if you're looking for that coolness factor when you bite into the rainbow cheese!
You can use any type of bread! I usually grab whatever's on hand (which is usually plain white or wheat sandwich bread). But honey oat, buttermilk bread, 12 grain, etc. They all work. So use what you like. 😉
This trend has been going on for years now. A lot of the original inspiration for rainbow toasties came from South Korea, Australia, and other parts of the world.
Some are served with sprinkles on the bread and others include fun-colored bread too. But the basic idea of colored cheese and bread remains the same everywhere (can't have grilled cheese without them).
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Microwave ScotcheroosRecipe $7.33 / Serving $0.61
- Honey Bee CupcakesRecipe $6.57 / Cupcakes $0.55
- Golden Graham Smores BarsRecipe $4.64 / Serving $0.39
- Unicorn Party Food Ideas
🐝 If you tried this Rainbow Grilled Cheese, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Rainbow Grilled Cheese
Equipment
- Spatula (for flipping the sandwiches over)
- Small Bowls or plastic baggies
Ingredients
For the Sandwiches
- 12 slices sandwich bread - ($0.72)
- 16 ounces white shredded cheese *see note - ($3.98)
- Food coloring (gel preferred) - ($0.04)
For the Outside of the Bread
- butter, softened, or nonstick cooking spray - ($0.16)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Bottom Bread. Arrange 6 slices of bread on the baking sheet. Butter or spray one side of each slice, then flip them so the buttered side is facing down against the baking sheet.
- Color the Cheese. Divide the shredded cheese into small bowls or zipper-top bags. Add 2-5 drops of food coloring to each portion and mix until evenly colored.
- Assemble the Sandwiches. Evenly distribute the colored cheese over the prepared bread slices. Top with the remaining bread slices. Butter or spray the tops of the sandwiches.
- Bake & Flip. Bake for 5 minutes, then carefully flip each sandwich. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown and melty.
- Serve. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm.
Notes
- Crispy Bread Tip: Using canola oil spray, olive oil spray, or butter spray helps achieve an evenly golden, crispy exterior without over-buttering.
- Best Cheese Choices: White or light-colored cheeses work best, such as mozzarella, Italian blend, pizza blend, or white cheddar.
- Extra Cheese Pull: Muenster cheese melts beautifully and gives an extra stringy effect.
- Bread Options: Use any sandwich bread you like. White, wheat, honey oat, buttermilk, or 12-grain all work well.
Nutritional Information
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Bev says
Can I use pre-shredded cheese or does it need to be freshly grated?
Nicole Durham says
You can use either