A Cheese Frenchee, crispy, crunchy, and gushing with melted American Cheese in every single bite. You may be asking yourself what a Cheese Frenchee is, and I understand that not everyone has been blessed to visit the great state of Nebraska. Well, I have good news...you don't have to!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
When you want to take your grilled cheese sandwich game to the next level, look no further than the Cheese Frenchee. Yet another Nebraska classic that the world needs to know about. This sandwich is surprisingly filling, but it is oh so perfectly crunchy and cheesy.
Ingredients
Bread: I prefer to use thick-sliced white bread for this recipe. Specifically, Mrs. Baird's Texas Toast works great! It's the perfect thickness to withstand the crust being cut off and then dipped in the batter without getting smooshed or becoming soggy.
Cheese: My daughter likes to call it floppy cheese. However, you probably know it by its most common name, American Cheese. Don't get fancy here. Some Craft Singles or the off-brand counterpart will do just fine. Also, 2 - 3 slices per sandwich work perfectly for each sandwich.
Batter and Crunchy Coating: The batter is a simple mix of egg, milk, flour, salt, and crushed cornflakes. Be sure not to get the frosted cornflakes. The plain, off-brand cornflakes will work perfectly.
Extras: The other ingredients needed are mayonnaise for spreading on the bread and oil to fry the sandwiches.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by assembling the sandwiches. Simply spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
Place two to three slices of American Cheese on half of them, topping with the other half to make sandwiches.
Next, cut the crust off the sandwiches and slice them diagonally, making two triangles.
Now, it's time to crush the cornflakes. Don't pulverize them into dust. You'll have a crunchier sandwich by simply pouring them into a bowl and using your hands to squeeze and crush them.
This part is very important and what makes this the best Cheese Frenchee recipe, and that's not just my opinion. I had a couple of other Nebraskans try them as well!
Lastly, preheat the frying oil to 375°f in a deep fryer or cast iron Dutch oven. While the oil is heating, stir the egg, milk, flour, and salt together in a separate bowl.
Once the oil is heated, coat a triangle in batter, then crushed cornflakes, and carefully drop it into the fryer. Deep-fry the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides and remove them to a cooling rack over a baking sheet. Whatever you do, don't put them on paper towels unless you want grease-soaked sandwiches. I'm fairly certain that's not your end goal here!
Expert Tips
- Serve this Homemade Cheese Frenchee just like you would a grilled cheese sandwich, alongside a big bowl of freshly made tomato basil soup!
- Be sure to cut the crust off the bread; this allows the batter to stick to all sides.
- I like using American Cheese slices to keep things classic and traditional. However, don't be afraid to experiment with other cheeses for a fancier sandwich.
Recipe FAQs
A cheese Frenchee is essentially a deep-fried grilled cheese sandwich without the grilling. It's made by dipping a plain cheese sandwich in a batter, then into a crunchy crust, and deep frying until golden brown.
Lincoln, Nebraska
Back in the 1950s, a restaurant called King's Food Host, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, created this amazing sandwich. Today, the Cheese Frenchee is still served at Don & Millies as well as Amigos/Kings Classic establishments across Nebraska.
Nebraska is known for its Cheese Frenchee sandwich, which originated in the state's capital, Lincoln.
The Cheese Frenchee sandwich was created at a restaurant called Kings Food Host in the 1950s.
Cheese Frenchees are a Nebraska staple made of a plain cheese sandwich on thick Texas toast bread, then dipped in a batter, covered in cornflakes, and deep-fried to golden perfection.
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📖 Recipe
The Best Cheese Frenchee Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 American Cheese-slices
- 6 Texas Toast White Bread-slices
- Mayonnaise
- 1 Egg-beaten
- ½ Cup Milk
- ¾ Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Corn Flakes-crushed
- Oil for Deep-Frying
Instructions
- Spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
- Place two to three slices of American Cheese on half of them topping with the other half to make sandwiches.
- Next, cut the crust off the sandwiches and slice them diagonally making two triangles.
- Crush the cornflakes by squeezing them in your hands. Do not make them too fine. This will create a crispier sandwich with more outer texture.
- Preheat the frying oil to 375°f in an Electric Deep Fryer or Cast Iron Dutch Oven.
- While the oil is heating, stir the egg, milk, flour, and salt together in a separate bowl.
- Once the oil is heated, coat a triangle in batter then crushed cornflakes, and carefully drop it into the fryer. Deep-fry the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides and remove them to a cooling rack over a baking sheet.
- Serve hot with a side of Fries and Ketchup or a bowl of freshly made Tomato Basil Soup.
Video
Notes
- Serve this Homemade Cheese Frenchee like a grilled cheese sandwich alongside a big bowl of freshly made tomato basil soup!
- Be sure to cut the crust off the bread; this allows the batter to stick to all sides.
- I like using American Cheese slices to keep things classic and traditional. However, don't be afraid to experiment with other cheeses for a fancier sandwich.
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