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    Home » Recipes » Deep Fried

    Published: May 24, 2022 · Modified: Feb 17, 2023 by Jeremy Klae · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    The Best Cheese Frenchee Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    A Cheese Frenchee, crispy, crunchy, and gushing with melted American Cheese in every single bite. Just like you did with Tastees, you're probably asking yourself what a Cheese Frenchee is. I understand that not everyone has been blessed to visit Don and Millies or Amigos in the great state of Nebraska. Well, I have good news...you don't have to!

    Cheese frenchees served on a white plate with one cut in half revealing the melted gooey American cheese.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe

    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. The Frenchee was created at King's Food Host in Lincoln, Nebraska. A place that my Grandpa and I used to frequent until they shut down.

    Grandpa said it was something about rats or something. I don't know...but that's no concern to us!

    We can just make this amazing fried cheese sandwich in the comfort of our own homes!

    And...if you're looking for a perfect dessert to match, try this deep-fried cheesecake!

    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

    A cheese sandwich with the crust cut off being sliced in half diagonally.

    Step 1: Assemble the sandwiches by spreading 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.

    Corn flakes being poured into a glass mixing bowl.

    Step 2: 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!

    Milk being poured into a mixing bowl of flour.

    Step 3: 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.

    Sandwiches, and batter in separate dishes sitting on a table.

    Step 4: 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

    What is a Cheese Frenchee

    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.

    Where was the Cheese Frenchee invented?

    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.

    What state is known for Cheese Frenchee?

    Nebraska is known for its Cheese Frenchee sandwich, which originated in the state's capital, Lincoln.

    Who invented the Cheese Frenchee?

    The Cheese Frenchee sandwich was created at a restaurant called Kings Food Host in the 1950s.

    What is Omaha deep-fried grilled cheese?

    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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      Homemade Runza Recipe
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      Fried Onions (Tastee Onion Chip Recipe)
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    Deep Fried Cheese frenchee sandwiches cut in half and served.

    If you made this Cheese Frenchee recipe or any other of my recipes, please leave a Star Rating and let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

    Don't forget to tag @chickenfriedkitchen on Instagram, Subscribe on YouTube, and Follow on Pinterest and Facebook! I'll see you there!

    📖 Recipe

    Cheese Frenchee served and cut in half showing the melted cheese insides.

    The Best Cheese Frenchee Recipe

    The Cheese Frenchee is a midwestern hidden gem that's crispy, crunchy, and gushing with melted American Cheese. Think…Fried Grilled Cheese.
    4.50 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 225kcal
    Author: Jeremy Klae

    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

    YouTube 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 876mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 272IU | Calcium: 304mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ChickenFriedKitchen or tag #chickenfriedkitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. SubGothius says

      August 19, 2024 at 11:21 pm

      Deb Price, daughter of Larry Price who founded King's, has clarified the original King's recipe used Kraft dressing (aka Miracle Whip) instead of mayo, crumbled cracker meal instead of cornflake meal, and powdered cheese (like the kind you get with cheap mac'n'cheese) in the batter.

      Reply
      • Jeremy Klae says

        August 27, 2024 at 6:23 pm

        That is great to know and I always appreciate learning the facts around a recipe. Thank you for taking the time checkout the recipe and leave a comment! I hope you find some others here that you like.

        Reply
    2. Your favorite cousin Erika says

      August 17, 2024 at 12:46 am

      5 stars
      They taste best when eaten out of a cardboard replica classic 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, with "It's My Party" playing on the Jukebox.

      Reply
      • Jeremy Klae says

        August 19, 2024 at 5:04 pm

        They sure do!! Couldn't agree more!

        Reply
    4.50 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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