The chopped cheese sandwich is a New York classic! This vegan chopped cheese starts with plant-based ground beef smothered with melted cheddar and finished with your favorite burger toppings.
The Philly cheesesteak is a regional sandwich that’s now beloved throughout the United States. But the chopped cheese? It’s a NYC staple that’s just starting to get attention elsewhere. That’s a good thing if you ask me, because chopped cheese is irresistible!
What Is a Chopped Cheese?
Chopped cheese is a New York City favourite made with griddle-cooked ground beef mixed with onions and melted American cheese, then served on a hoagie roll. It’s very similar to a cheeseburger in flavor and ingredients, but the key differences are that the meat is loose rather than formed into a patty, and it’s served on an oblong roll rather than a round bun.
There’s debate about exactly where in NYC the chopped cheese originated—many say it was first made by the Blue Sky Deli in Harlem—but these days, it’s found in bodegas across the city.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why this chopped cheese is destined to become a favourite:
- Quick and Easy . There’s really nothing to this recipe! Plus, the loose vegan ground beef cooks up much faster than a patty.
- Delicious . If you love a classic burger, then you’ll love a chopped cheese too!
- Vegan . While there are now many vegan bodega options in NYC, if you aren’t local now you can make one yourself.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Hoagie buns – in a pinch you can use hot dog buns.
- Vegan butter – Store-bought or homemade vegan butter .
- Ketchup
- Vegan mayonnaise – Buy your favourite brand or make your own vegan mayonnaise .
- Vegan cheddar cheese – I used Violife.
- Onion
- Vegan ground beef – I used Beyond Meat.
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped lettuce – Save yourself some prep time and buy a bag of pre-chopped lettuce or grab some from your grocery store’s salad bar.
- Tomatoes
How to Make a Chopped Cheese Sandwich
Here’s how simple it is to make a vegan chopped cheese sandwich:
- Prepare the buns . Slice the buns in half. Toast them lightly, then spread a tablespoon of ketchup on one half and a tablespoon of mayonnaise on the other.
- Cook the onion . Melt the butter in a skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 3 minutes, or until softened.
- Cook the vegan beef . Transfer the onion to a small bowl, then cook the ground beef in the skillet according to the package directions.
- Finish the vegan beef . Add the onion back to the skillet. Stir it in with the beef and break up any clumps of meat with a wooden spoon.
- Melt the cheese . Add the sliced cheese on top of the beef mixture. Cover the skillet, turn off the heat, and let the steam melt the cheese.
- Assemble . Divide the meat mixture onto the halves of the buns with the mayo and add the lettuce and tomatoes to the other halves. Press the two halves together and serve.
Tips for Success
These hints and tips will help you achieve chopped cheese perfection!
- Toast the buns in the skillet . When toasting buns, you want the tops to remain soft, which means popping them in the toaster oven won’t work because it will toast both sides. The best way to toast buns is in the skillet before you start the rest of the recipe.
- Don’t skip the mayo . It will help keep your chopped cheese filling from falling out!
- Use a vegan cheese that melts . This is also important for keeping your filling together. Some vegan cheeses are better melters than others.
Variations
Just like a traditional veggie burger, there are endless ways to make this chopped cheese sandwich recipe your own.
- Add some heat with hot sauce or pickled jalapeños.
- Sauté the onion with sliced mushrooms to work in some extra veggies.
- Top your chopped cheese with pickles or relish.
- Swap the vegan ground beef with crumbled tempeh for a less-processed version of this recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Chopped cheese sandwiches are best served warm with a side of chips or fries. You can use store-bought, but if you’re feeling ambitious, try my Air Fryer Veggie Chips , Sweet Potato Fries , or Air Fryer Shoestring Fries .
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover chopped cheese filling can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Warm it up in the microwave or in a skillet, then assemble your sandwiches.
Can Chopped Cheese Sandwiches Be Frozen?
Chopped cheese filling can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat according to the instructions above.
More Vegan Sandwich Ideas
- Vegan BLT Sandwich
- Caprese Sandwich with Parsley Pesto
- Vegan Pulled Mushroom Sandwiches
- Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich
- Vegan Quinoa Cauliflower Burgers
Ingredients
- 4 hoagie buns
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter , 30g
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 4 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
- 4 slices vegan cheddar cheese , sliced in half (used violife)
- 1 small onion , sliced, (4 oz/115g)
- 0.8 pound vegan ground beef , used beyond meat (350 g)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups chopped lettuce , 75g
- 2 tomatoes , sliced (250g)
Instructions
- Cut the buns in half and toast lightly. Spread 1 tablespoon of ketchup on one half and 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the other.
- Melt butter in a pan, add sliced onion and cook on medium, stirring a few times. Onion should get soft and caramelize slightly, this will take about 3 minutes. Remove it from the pan.
- In the same pan cook vegan beef according to the time stated on the package.
- When ready add onion back to the pan and break the beef with a spoon into small pieces. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Add sliced cheese on top, cover with a lid, turn off the heat and let the cheese melt for a few minutes.
- To assemble, place 1⁄4 of the meat and cheese on top of each bun half covered with mayonnaise.
- On the other half place chopped lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
- Combine two parts together and enjoy!
Notes
Chopped Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 hoagie buns
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter 30g
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 4 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
- 4 slices vegan cheddar cheese sliced in half (used violife)
- 1 small onion sliced, (4 oz/115g)
- 0.8 pound vegan ground beef used beyond meat (350 g)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups chopped lettuce 75g
- 2 tomatoes sliced (250g)
Instructions
- Cut the buns in half and toast lightly. Spread 1 tablespoon of ketchup on one half and 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the other.
- Melt butter in a pan, add sliced onion and cook on medium, stirring a few times. Onion should get soft and caramelize slightly, this will take about 3 minutes. Remove it from the pan.
- In the same pan cook vegan beef according to the time stated on the package.
- When ready add onion back to the pan and break the beef with a spoon into small pieces. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Add sliced cheese on top, cover with a lid, turn off the heat and let the cheese melt for a few minutes.
- To assemble, place 1⁄4 of the meat and cheese on top of each bun half covered with mayonnaise.
- On the other half place chopped lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
- Combine two parts together and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Chopped Cheese Sandwich https://jessicainthekitchen.com/chopped-cheese-sandwich/ October 30, 2023
Sweet, tart, and loaded with cinnamon, these apple chips are the perfect fall snack. The apples are crispy and chewy, and they’re so easy to make.
One of my favorite things about fall and winter is the food. There are so many recipes to make that are cozy, comforting, and so delicious. These homemade apple chips are one of those recipes and have quickly become my go-to snack in the fall. I’ve been making a lot of chips lately, like Air Fryer Veggie Chips and Homemade Pita Chips , and I love having a sweet option.
These dehydrated apples are chewy, crunchy, and have a rich sweetness. They’re seasoned with spicy cinnamon and a dusting of sugar, which makes them taste a little bit like an apple pie. This is an easy and affordable snack that everyone will love!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Chips Recipe
I make these cinnamon apple chips all the time, and they never seem to last very long. They’re that good! Here’s why you’ve got to try this recipe.
- So easy. This recipe is as straightforward and simple as it gets. There are only 3 ingredients, and all you need to do is season the apples with cinnamon and sugar and let them bake. That’s it!
- A great way to use leftover apples. We all hate wasting food, but sometimes it’s hard to use up ingredients. If you have a lot of apples around your home that you’re trying to use, this is a great recipe.
- Full of fall flavors. This recipe just screams fall. What’s more autumnal than dried apples covered in cinnamon and sugar? It’s the perfect snack for a brisk fall day.
- Better than store-bought. This apple chips recipe tastes so much better than the apple chips you’ll find at the store. The flavor and texture are a lot better, and they taste fresher. Plus, they’re much more affordable!
Notes on Ingredients
You only need 3 ingredients to make this perfect fall snack. Scroll to the recipe card at the end of the page to see the exact amounts for each of the ingredients.
- Apples – I recommend using small apples, and it’s important to use apples that are ripe. If they’re not yet ripe, the apple chips will be too sour and bitter. And if they’re mushy, the apple chips won’t get as crispy or chewy.
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon gives the apples a warm spiciness.
- Sugar – You can use any type of sugar for this recipe. If you want a rich sweetness that tastes like caramel, try using brown sugar.
What Kind of Apples To Use
You can use any type of apple for apple chips. As the apples dehydrate, the natural flavors will get stronger, so sweet apples will become even more sweet, and tart apples will become even more tart. I like to use Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Golden Delicious apples.
How to Make Apple Chips
Ready to see just how easy this recipe is? There’s nothing to it!
- Prep. Preheat your oven to 200F, and line some baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Add the apples. Place your thinly sliced apples on the baking sheet.
- Make the cinnamon sugar. Add the cinnamon and the sugar to a small bowl, and mix to combine.
- Add the cinnamon sugar. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the apple slices. You don’t need to worry about seasoning on both sides.
- Bake. Put the baking sheets on the highest racks in your oven and bake for 2 ½ hours. Switch the positions of the baking sheets halfway through, to keep them cooking evenly.
- Turn the oven off. Turn off the oven, but leave the apple chips in the oven for another hour so they can finish dehydrating.
- Cool. Remove the apples from the oven, and let them cool before eating.
How to Cut Thin Apple Slices
The best way to cut apple slices thinly is to use a mandolin. Start by removing the core from the apples, then carefully slice it with a thin setting on your mandolin. Use a guard to keep your fingers safe.
If you don’t have a mandolin, just use a kitchen knife to cut the apples into as thin of slices as you’re comfortable cutting.
Tips for Success
Here are some of my favorite tricks and tips for when you make these crispy cinnamon apple chips.
- Don’t crowd. When you put the apple slices on the baking sheet, make sure that the apples aren’t touching. If the apples are crowded, they won’t be able to dry out as well in the oven, so the texture won’t be as good. Plus, they’ll get stuck to each other.
- Cool completely. Your home will smell amazing when you bake these apple chips, so it’s tempting to eat them as soon as they come out of the oven. For best results though, let the apple chips cool completely before you eat them. That will allow the chips to firm up and become chewy and crispy.
- Make consistent cuts. It’s really important that you cut all the apple slices to the same size. If the apples are different sizes, then some will be undercooked and some will be overcooked. So if you’re slicing the apples with a mandolin, make sure you keep the mandolin on the same setting the entire time. If you’re using a knife, try to make sure that each slice is a similar size.
- Peel the apples if you want to. I don’t peel my apples when making this sweet apple chips recipe, because I like the flavor and the texture of the peel. Not everyone likes dried apple peels though, so peel the apples before slicing them if you want.
How to Store Homemade Apple Chips
Here’s how to store these crunchy cinnamon apple chips.
- Room temperature. Store the apple slices in an airtight container or bag, and keep them out of direct sunlight. They’ll last at room temperature for 3 days.
- Refrigerate. If you want your apples to last a little longer, store them in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freeze. You can also store apple chips in the freezer. Store them in a double layer of airtight bags, making sure to remove the excess air from the bags. They’ll last in the freezer for 6 months. Thaw the apple chips in the fridge overnight, or eat them straight from the freezer.
More Apple Recipes to Try
Apples are one of my favorite ingredients to cook with, especially in the fall. Here are a few more easy apple recipes for you to make.
- Kale, Apple, and Chickpea Salad with Vegan Feta
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Pecans
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Quinoa, and Apple Salad with Sweet Orange Vinaigrette
- Apple and Blue Cheese Salad with Honey Apple Dressing
- Baked Apples Stuffed with Cinnamon Oat Crisp
Ingredients
- 3-5 small apples
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons sugar , any type of sugar will work
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200F, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Core the apples and then thinly slice them with a mandolin.
- Place the apple slices on the baking sheets, making sure that they’re not overlapping.
- Add the cinnamon and sugar to a small bowl, and stir to combine. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of the apples.
- Put the baking sheets in the oven, one on the top rack and one right below it. Bake for 2½ hours, switching the position of the racks halfway through.
- Turn off the oven, and leave the apple chips in the oven for another hour while they finish cooking and drying.
- Remove the apple chips from the oven and let them cool completely before eating.
Notes
- Store leftover apple chips in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for 6 months.
- You can scale up or down the recipe as much as you want.
