National Cheese Toast Day (September 15th)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every September 15th
Tagged as:	Bread Cheese Food & Drink
What's the hashtag?	#NationalCheeseToastDay
Who founded it?	Sizzler
We first published this page on:	Dec 23rd, 2017
We last updated this page:	Apr 7th, 2025

Contents

When I was 13 or 14, my parents had a bit of a windfall so bought a lovely new kitchen, but I burnt it down. I was making cheese on toast when flames escaped from the grill. My father stopped the fire with blind panic and excessive water. I was forgiven, but it put me off cooking for years.
Erin O’Connor

Cheese Toast is a delicious dish. It’s a California-born favorite that has grown in popularity and is now beloved by many people all over the world.

It is simple and easy to make (depending on who is cooking, of course), and it is usually very filling. In fact, it is easy for people to search all over the internet for recipes–and they will probably all be good.

Following are some interesting facts and ideas about this tasty day. Get ready to celebrate!

How to Celebrate National Cheese Toast Day

Enjoying this day has everything to do with putting cheese on buttery bread, toasting it and then browning it in the oven until it’s golden and delicious. Try these ideas for celebrating the day:

Enjoy Cheese Toast at Sizzler

Perhaps it would be a good idea to go back to the beginning where it all began. Try to find a Sizzler nearby where their famous cheese toast can be ordered and enjoyed.

Don’t forget to ask if they have a special discount in honor of National Cheese Toast Day! While at the restaurant, be sure to take a cheese toast selfie and share it with friends.

Try Making Cheese Toast at Home

Probably just as easy as going to Sizzler, cheese toast is possibly the easiest thing that a person can make at home in their own kitchen.

All it takes to make it at home is to spread butter or margarine on it. To get a little fancier, go ahead and put herbs in the butter also. It’s possible to get as creative with it as you want, but putting it in the oven and making the toast toasty is what matters!

Once it is made, Cheese Toast can be eaten for a snack, enjoyed as an appetizer, or used as a side dish to sop up extra pasta sauce. Try it dipped in tomato soup or eat it with a green salad to add some flavor and crunch.

Get Creative Making Cheese Toast

To really celebrate this day, try out some interesting cheese toast recipes that can be made at home. Depending on what mood strikes at the moment, it’s possible to go for almost any style.

There are all different kinds of options for cheese, such as cheddar, Swiss, provolone, goat cheese, etc. In addition, a variety of bread options are available, including white, rye, wheat, French, Italian, or just any kind of bread.

The tastiest versions will be made with hearty, artisan breads. Some people like to add toppings such as roasted peppers, salami, avocado, spinach leaves, and so much more. The options are virtually endless when it comes to National Cheese Toast Day.

Consider these interesting, unique options for Cheese Toast, or come up with your own:

Welsh Rarebit Cheese Toast. Turn that boring cheese toast into something delicious by creating a cheesy bechamel sauce and mixing it with canned asparagus. Pour on top of the toast and serve (before it gets soggy!).
Bacon and Raisin Cheddar Toast. This delightful treat tastes like its invention may have been a happy accident when the creator had run out of normal bread. Place cheddar cheese slices and bacon slices on buttered Raisin Bread and bake in the oven until toasty.
Onion Apple Cheese Toast. This one also sounds a little strange, but it’s delicious. Simply grill some onions until soft and golden while pre-toasting slices of Rye Bread in the oven. Pile onions, apple slices and sliced Gruyere cheese, then broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cheese Toast and Toasted Cheese: Know the Difference

With the purity of the day at risk, it is important to understand that this is National Cheese Toast Day and not a day for a “toasted cheese” or a “cheese toastie”. Although they do sound similar, a toasted cheese/cheese toastie is a sandwich–the same one that is also sometimes called “grilled cheese”.

Toasted cheese is different from Cheese Toast in two ways. First, a toasted cheese is two pieces of bread stacked together with cheese and other ingredients in the middle. Cheese Toast only has one piece of bread.

Second, the sandwich is made on the stovetop by grilling it in a pan–leaving the cheese gooey. Cheese Toast is made by broiling the open-face bread on a pan in the oven, which leaves the cheese golden and delicious.

Whether plain and simple or fancy and gourmet, just eating cheese toast sounds good, doesn’t it? Sometimes the simplest recipe is the best way to go.

History of National Cheese Toast Day

This creative and unique day was created by Del Johnson of Los Angeles in 1958 when he opened his first Sizzler restaurant. Sizzler’s cheese toast was originally made using an egg bread and then it used a Parmesan cheese mixture on top.

Then, over time, the chefs switched from a white egg-based bread to a French bread that had a margarine base.

Nowadays, Sizzler has expanded its restaurants to more than 250 in the United States. Plus they also have restaurants all over the world in countries such as Australia, China, Japan, Thailand, and Puerto Rico.

In connection to this special day, Sizzler has dedicated this day as their National Cheese Toast Day, in which they usually give out free cheese toast at many of their restaurant locations! This toast recipe, despite its, is a classic that has been around for over five decades–which is quite impressive.

National Cheese Toast Day FAQs

How did cheese toast inspire a popular snack in the 1990s?

In the 1990s, the concept of cheese toast led to the creation of “Cheez-It” crackers.

These small, square snacks aimed to capture the essence of cheese toast in a convenient, bite-sized form. They became a favorite among those seeking a quick cheese-flavored treat.

Is there a connection between cheese toast and any traditional festivals?

In Switzerland, during the annual “Chästeilet” festival, locals celebrate the division of cheese among farmers.

A highlight is the communal sharing of “Chäsbrot,” which is essentially cheese melted on toasted bread, reminiscent of cheese toast.

This tradition underscores the communal and celebratory aspects of simple cheese dishes.

How has cheese toast been adapted in vegan cuisine?

Vegan chefs have crafted plant-based versions of cheese toast using cashew or almond-based cheeses.

These alternatives melt similarly to dairy cheese and are spread over toasted sourdough or whole grain bread, offering a cruelty-free twist on the classic snack.

Are there any superstitions associated with cheese toast?

In some cultures, it’s believed that placing a piece of cheese toast under one’s pillow can inspire creative dreams.

This stems from the idea that cheese, being a fermented product, can influence the subconscious mind, leading to vivid and imaginative dreams.

How did cheese toast play a role in space exploration?

During the 1980s, NASA included a dehydrated version of cheese toast in astronauts’ meal packs.

This provided a comforting and familiar food option, helping astronauts feel more connected to Earth while on extended missions.

What’s the significance of cheese toast in literature?

In the novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist Holden Caulfield mentions eating cheese toast during a moment of introspection.

This simple meal symbolizes comfort and normalcy amidst his turbulent experiences.

How is cheese toast used in competitive eating?

Competitive eating contests in some countries feature cheese toast as the main challenge.

Participants aim to consume the most slices within a set time, highlighting the dish’s popularity and versatility as both a comfort food and a competitive staple.

Are there any health benefits associated with cheese toast?

When made with whole grain bread and paired with a side of fresh vegetables or a salad, cheese toast can offer a balanced meal.

The combination provides carbohydrates, protein, and essential nutrients, making it a quick and nutritious option.

How has cheese toast influenced modern culinary trends?

The simplicity of cheese toast has inspired modern culinary trends like “open-faced” sandwiches and artisanal toasts topped with gourmet ingredients.

Chefs often start with the basic concept of cheese on toast and elevate it with additions like truffle oil, heirloom tomatoes, or exotic herbs.

What’s the environmental impact of choosing cheese toast as a meal?

Opting for cheese toast, especially when made with locally sourced ingredients, can have a lower environmental footprint compared to more resource-intensive meals.

Its simplicity reduces the need for extensive packaging and transportation, making it an eco-friendly choice for conscious consumers.

Need some inspiration?

Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!

National Cheese Toast Day