Introduction

The Ultimate Spicy Cheddar & Apple Fall Veggie Sandwich is a delightful blend of sharp cheddar, crisp apples, and fresh vegetables with a satisfying crunch from kettle potato chips. This easy-to-make sandwich packs a flavorful punch with a hint of heat from pickled jalapeños, perfect for a cozy lunch or quick meal.

A close-up of two toasted sandwiches placed on a white speckled plate on a wooden board over a white marbled texture. Each sandwich shows three visible layers: the top layer is golden brown toasted bread with melted cheese, the middle layer consists of green leafy arugula and slices of pickled green jalapeños, and the bottom layer has thin slices of apple and red onion with a grainy mustard spread on the bread. One sandwich has a bite taken out, revealing the soft inside of the toasted bread. A green arugula leaf is placed on the plate beside the sandwiches. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 slices of sourdough bread (or your favorite bread)
1-2 ounces sliced sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard
1-2 teaspoons honey
10 slices pickled jalapeños
5-6 thin slices of red onion
¼ honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
½ cup kettle potato chips
¼ cup arugula

Instructions

Step 1: Place both slices of bread on a small baking sheet and broil on high in the oven for 1-2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Watch carefully so the bread doesn’t burn.
Step 2: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip the bread slices over. Cover one slice with the sliced cheddar cheese, then broil again for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Step 3: Remove the pan from the oven. Top the melted cheese slice with pickled jalapeños. Spread the other slice of bread with dijon mustard and drizzle with honey. Layer on apple slices, red onion, arugula, and kettle chips.
Step 4: Carefully close the sandwich and gently press down until the chips crunch. Slice in half and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

Swap sourdough for gluten-free bread, tortillas, or collard wraps for different textures or dietary needs.
Try pepper jack cheese for an extra spicy kick instead of cheddar.
Use different chips like cheddar Sun Chips or spicy potato chips for varied flavor and crunch.
Replace mustard with mayo or chipotle mayo, or use hot honey for more heat.
Substitute arugula with spinach, and add creamy avocado for extra richness.
For a vegan version, use vegan cheese or skip the cheese entirely.
Omit pickled jalapeños if you prefer a milder sandwich, making it kid-friendly.
Add protein like honey or maple ham, turkey, pulled chicken, or crispy bacon for a hearty meal.

Storage

This sandwich is best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crispness of the chips and bread. If you need to store leftovers, wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Reheat gently in a toaster oven to melt the cheese again, but chips may lose their crunch.

How to Serve

A close-up of a sandwich cut in half on a white plate sits on a wooden board over a white marbled surface, each sandwich showing three main layers: the top layer is golden-brown toasted bread with melted cheese, the middle layer includes green leafy arugula and slices of pickled jalapenos, and the bottom layer consists of sliced apple and a grainy spread, likely mustard, all held together by another piece of toasted bread with a bite taken out. Some arugula leaves and sliced jalapenos are placed beside the sandwich on the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sandwich ahead of time?

It’s best to assemble the sandwich just before eating to keep the chips crunchy and the bread toasted. If making ahead, keep the components separate and combine just before serving.

What can I use if I don’t have pickled jalapeños?

You can substitute fresh jalapeño slices for heat, or simply leave them out for a milder sandwich. Another option is to use banana peppers or pepperoncini for a tangy twist.

The Ultimate Spicy Cheddar & Apple Fall Veggie Sandwich Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 136 reviews

The Ultimate Spicy Cheddar & Apple Fall Veggie Sandwich is a flavorful and easy-to-make sandwich combining the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples, sharp cheddar cheese, spicy pickled jalapeños, and fresh vegetables with a satisfying crunch from kettle potato chips. Perfect for a quick lunch, this sandwich offers a balanced mix of sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory flavors, and is highly customizable to suit your preferences or dietary needs.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes
Yield: 1 sandwich 1x
Category: Lunch
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

2 slices of sourdough bread (or your favorite bread)

Produce

5–6 thin slices of red onion
¼ Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
¼ cup arugula

Pickled Items

10 slices pickled jalapeños

Condiments

1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard
1–2 teaspoons honey

Cheese

1–2 ounces sliced sharp cheddar cheese

Extras

½ cup kettle potato chips

Instructions

Toast the Bread: Place both slices of bread on a small baking sheet and broil on high in the oven for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Melt the Cheese: Remove the baking sheet and flip the bread slices. Cover only one slice with sliced cheddar cheese. Return to the broiler for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Assemble the Sandwich: Remove from oven and top the melted cheese with pickled jalapeños. Spread dijon mustard on the plain bread slice, then drizzle honey on top. Layer apple slices, red onion, arugula, and kettle chips over the honey-spread bread slice.
Press and Serve: Carefully close the sandwich and gently press down slightly to crush the kettle chips for extra crunch. Slice in half and enjoy immediately.

Notes

For higher protein, add slices of your favorite meat such as honey or maple ham, turkey, or leftover pulled chicken.
Substitute the sourdough bread for gluten-free bread or wraps to suit dietary needs.
Swap cheddar cheese with pepper jack for extra kick or use vegan cheese to make it dairy-free.
Replace pickled jalapeños with more mild or no spicy ingredients if you prefer a kid-friendly version.
Try different chip varieties like cheddar Sun Chips or spicy chips for flavor variations.
Customize the sauce by swapping Dijon mustard with mayo or chipotle mayo for different flavor profiles.
Add spinach or avocado for fresh produce alternatives.

Keywords: spicy cheddar apple sandwich, fall veggie sandwich, easy sandwich recipe, pickled jalapeños sandwich, kettle chip sandwich, sharp cheddar sandwich, autumn sandwich