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Tillamook hot honey cheesy grit sandwich

Hot Honey Cheesy Grit Cake Sandwich

Name: Hot Honey Cheesy Grit Cake Sandwich
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 5
Ingredients: Grits Cakes (the “buns”)32 oz can chicken broth; 2 cups water; 8 tbsp https://www.tillamook.com/products/butter/unsalted-butter, divided; 1½ cups quick grits; 2 cups https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/whole-milk-mozzarella-block, shredded; 2 cups https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/sharp-cheddar-block, shredded; 1 cup heavy cream; Kosher salt, to taste; 3 large eggs, beaten; 2 cups panko bread crumbs; 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying); Fried Chicken5 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs; 2 cups buttermilk; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp onion powder; ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning; 2 tsp salt; 2 cups flour; Neutral oil, for frying; Apple Slaw1 small crisp apple (Granny Smith) matchstick sliced; 1 small carrot, shredded; ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp honey; Salt to taste; To FinishHot honey, for drizzling; https://www.tillamook.com/products/cheese/sharp-cheddar-cheese-thin-slices

By: Brandon Gouveia

Golden, cheesy grits cakes stacked high with crispy hot honey fried chicken, melty Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and a refreshing apple slaw. This sandwich is bold, comforting, and packed with flavor where the buns are made of cheese-loaded grits for the ultimate Southern twist.

40MINserves 5

Ingredients

Grits Cakes (the “buns”)

32 oz can chicken broth
2 cups water
8 tbsp Tillamook Extra Creamy Unsalted Butter, divided
1½ cups quick grits
2 cups Tillamook Whole Milk Mozzarella, shredded
2 cups Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, shredded
1 cup heavy cream
Kosher salt, to taste
3 large eggs, beaten
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

Fried Chicken

5 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
2 cups buttermilk
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
Neutral oil, for frying

Apple Slaw

1 small crisp apple (Granny Smith) matchstick sliced
1 small carrot, shredded
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
Salt to taste

To Finish

Hot honey, for drizzling
Tillamook Sharp Cheddar cheese slices

In a large pot, bring chicken broth and water to a simmer. Stir in 4 tbsp butter and season with salt.
Whisk in grits and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in heavy cream, mozzarella, and sharp cheddar until creamy and smooth.
- Tip: Short on time? Grab a bag of our Whole Milk Mozzarella Shreds and Sharp Cheddar Shreds.
Pour grits into a sheet pan, spread evenly, and chill until firm (at least 3 hours or overnight).
Once set, cut into round “bun” shapes with a biscuit cutter.
Dredge each cake in flour, dip into beaten eggs, then coat in panko.
Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry grits cakes until golden and crispy on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

Prepare the Fried Chicken

In a bowl, combine buttermilk with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Add chicken thighs and marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight is best).
Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F.
Dredge marinated chicken in seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
Fry chicken until golden and crispy, about 6–8 minutes, ensuring it reaches 165°F internally. Drain on a wire rack.

Make the Apple Slaw

In a bowl, toss apples, carrot, and cilantro.
Drizzle with apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Toss until well coated. Chill until ready to use.

Assemble the Sandwich

Place one crispy grits cake on the bottom as the bun.
Top with a piece of fried chicken, drizzle generously with hot honey, and immediately place a slice of Tillamook Sharp Cheddar on to place in the oven to melt

Shop this recipe

Tillamook Extra Creamy Unsalted Butter
Tillamook Whole Milk Mozzarella
Tillamook Sharp Cheddar
Tillamook Sharp Cheddar

Meet the chef

Brandon Gouveia

Chef Brandon Gouveia has gained widespread recognition with partnerships spanning across platforms like Facebook Watch and Buzzfeed’s Cocoa Butter. His influence extends to top food brands, including Our Place and Jack-in-the-Box, earning him a place among the most respected figures in the culinary world. He thrives in creating innovative, non-traditional recipes by fusing ingredients and concepts from scratch, bringing fresh ideas to life in both professional kitchens and digital spaces.