The ultimate cheese toastie is easily the most satisfying sandwich going. Loaded with cheese and smeared in butter, it really is a delicious treat! But healthy? Hmm no, not really… And that’s why you really need to know these 15 healthy ways to create awesomely delicious toasties, that do more to your lovely body than just satisfy those hunger cravings!

#1 Know Your Cheese

Needless to say the cheese toastie is incomplete without cheese. However, piling on the cheese isn’t the best idea because it means intaking a lot of fat. Stick to low-fat cheese, and minimize to three small slices or one big slice per piece of bread. Halloumi is a tasty and healthy alternative to mozzarella, and works great for Greek flavours.

Photo: Shutterstock

#2 The Breakfast Toastie

Why not make the most of your morning and eat your breakfast between the two slices of toast instead! A soft fried egg, a low-fat sausage cut in half, fatless bacon and fresh cherry tomatoes with a chutney (not ketchup!) are a great selection for a fuel-packed breakfast. Go hard or go home, eh!

Photo: Lickey Kitchen

#3 Oil Not Butter

If you opt to fry off your toastie (oh so bold), then use a healthy oil instead of salted butter. Camelina, rapeseed, peanut oils are brilliant alternatives that are also high in Omega-3s. Don’t overdo it on the pan either, and ensure the heat isn’t too high or you’ll burn the oil and your toastie.

Photo: Men’s Journal

#4 Up With Butternut Squash and Sage!

Not only is this a stellar combination, but butternut squash is a brilliant vegetable that gives you zero fats, very little calories and an amazing boost in vitamin A – 212%! Meanwhile, sage is a magical little herb with high fiber, vitamins A, B6 & C as well as iron and calcium!

Photo: The Live-In Kitchen

#5 Chutney, Chutney, Chutney!

Making your own chutney sauces is not only very satisfying, but they also last for a long time and can be used as condiments for dinners. Using chutney for your toastie adds extra depth and flavour, and if you opt for a tomato one, you’re upping your intake of vitamins C, A & K, folate and potassium.

Photo: Josh Eggleton/Great British Chefs

#6 Hello Herb Butter

Okay…well if you’re going to use butter in any way for your toastie, at least ensure it’s infused with fresh herbs. Parsley is extremely high in vitamins A & C; while mint contains is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamins A, B6 & C, calcium, iron and magnesium! Chives are also great for vitamins A & C; and tarragon is amazing for iron, calcium, vitamins A & C, magnesium, potassium, protein and fiber!

Photo: Brit + Co

#7 Fruity Five-A-Day

It may not seem common to include fruit in a toastie, with all that meat and cheese, but actually apples are great for cutting through savoury food without being too sweet. Strawberries and chicken are a tasty combo that many of us don’t know about…until now!

Photo: Delish

#8 Getting Saucy

Making your sandwich, we tend to squeeze the condiments bottle like there’s no tomorrow. Instead, you should use a leveled teaspoon to measure your ketchup or mayo, or better yet make your own sauce! Homemade mayo, aioli, gravy and peppercorn sauces are all delicious alternatives.

Photo: Cuisine Actuelle

#9 More Is Better

How about an open toastie sandwich? The more ingredients and layers of delicious flavours, the better. Plus, you’ll need less melted cheese, because otherwise what’s the point in all those lovely ingredients?

#10 Make It a Quesadilla

Take a note from Mexican cuisine and try your handiwork at a quesadilla! They’re fun to make, you can opt for meaty or vegetarian fillings, and again you won’t need so much cheese. A big pan is preferred, and using whole wheat tortilla wraps will benefit your health too. They also require less oil!

Photo: Jo Cooks

#11 Cutlery Etiquette

I’m sure if the Queen of England were to have a toastie, she would surely use a knife & fork. Cutting up your toastie, eating from a plate and cutlery actually helps you digest your food better – plus no greasy fingers!

#12 Viva La Croissant

Have you ever had a savoury croissant? If so, then you know how delicious these can be when adding in ham and cheese, and other savoury ingredients. A few minutes under the grill or on the pan, and voila! Oh how we love the French and their pastry expertise.

Photo: Life With The Crust Cut Off

#13 All Year Round Christmas

Embrace the seasonal combo of brie, cranberries and turkey by layering them between two pieces of wholesome bread. Though this French cheese may be more fatty than others, it still provides vitamins B12 and calcium. Combined with cranberries’ beneficial vitamin C and fiber, natural antioxidant and helping lower the risk of urinary tract infections – this sambo is pretty damn good for you. Turkey is a leaner meat than chicken and ham too.

Photo: Aberdeen’s Kitchen

#14 Using Your Leftovers

Creating a leftovers toastie is much easier than you think. Leftover meatballs? Roast chicken Sunday dinner? Steak? Ratatouille? Bean salsa? Any of these are delicious in between bread with a little cheese (or even a mix of leftover cheeses). Boom!

Photo: Woman’s Day

#15 Brown Over White

We can’t stress choosing brown, whole wheat and nutty breads over the generic white pan loaf. Nutritionally it’s much better, but opting for a seeded bread, for example, also gives your meal extra oomph.

Photo: Barefoot Contessa