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Our Favorite Cheese Meltaways Recipe

These easy cheese meltaways made with Kraft Old English Spread are a crowd favorite at all of our neighborhood parties. Made with just four ingredients, you can prep them and have them in the oven in just a few minutes!

I remember the first time our neighbor Nikki made these cheese meltaways for a party. I had no clue what they were and I totally underestimated them.

Then, I tried one…then two…then three. Turns out, these are literally the next best thing after sliced bread. (Or English muffins as the case may be.)

Cheese Meltaways Recipe Photo

What Are Cheese Meltaways?

These super simple cheese meltaways are a variation of crab and cheese meltaways. They are also known as cheese melts or crab and cheese melts.

Traditionally they are made with a cheese spread made with Kraft Old English Spread and crab, either fresh or canned. This version is a vegetarian version sans crab.

Whether you make them with or without crab, the basis is the same. English muffins topped with a cheesy, delicious spread that will have you wanting seconds.

Cheese Meltaways Recipe Picture

This recipe (which Nikki originally got from her mom, Denise) is a total favorite. The resulting English muffins bites are crunchy, cheesy, slightly salty and so simple.

I’ve watched Nikki make them so many times, but recently made them myself for the first time. This recipe is the definition of easy, friends.

Cheese Meltaways Recipe

Ingredients for Cheese Meltaways

  • Kraft Old English Spread – The star of this show is the Kraft Old English Spread, which you can find at most grocery stores. It’s also referred to as Kraft Old English Sharp Cheddar Cheese spread and it’s a soft, spreadable cheese that cooks and bakes nicely, and also works beautifully in dip recipes. 
  • English muffins – The cheese spread mixture is smeared over the tops of English muffins and baked until bubbly and sightly golden and browned on top.
  • Mayonnaise – The mayonnaise boosts the flavor and also makes it even easier to spread the Old English across the cut side of your English muffins. Also, mayo makes everything better.
  • Seasoned salt – A touch of seasoned salt packs a ton of flavor into this easy, savory appetizer recipe.

Crab and Cheese Meltaways

How to Make Cheese Meltaways

One of my favorite things about this appetizer recipe is how quickly it comes together. Sometimes food bloggers (myself included) overuse the word “easy,”  but this one truly fits the bill.

Cheese Meltaways Recipe

Step 1. Add a jar of Kraft Old English Spread, mayonnaise and seasoned salt to a mixing bowl.

Crab and Cheese Meltaways

Step 2. Use a hand mixer or whisk to mix everything up until smooth, well combined and creamy.

Crab and Cheese Meltaways

Step 3. Spread the cheese mixture across the top of halved English muffins. If you use approximately 1-1/2 tablespoons per half of English muffin, you should have enough to top all twelve halves from a standard package of six English muffins.

Cheese Meltaways Recipe

Step 4. Bake on a baking sheet, with or without parchment paper, at 350° until bubbly and slightly browned on top, about 15 to 18 minutes.

Crab and Cheese Meltaways

How to Serve Cheese Meltaways

For a smaller crowd, you can simply stack the baked English muffins on a platter. They could even make a great dinner side for a family dinner.

It’s Nikki’s practice (and therefore mine) to cut each English muffin half into quarters, then move them to a platter. You can garnish them with herbs or whatever else might strike your fancy to dress the plate up a bit as I did here.

Cheese Meltaways

How to Make Crab and Cheese Meltaways

To adapt this recipe to reflect the addition of crab to make the original recipe for crab and cheese meltaways, add a can of crab meat by first draining it onto paper towel.

Carefully work through the crab meat to be sure there are no bits of shells, then add it to the cheese mixture with the Kraft Old English Spread, mayonnaise and seasoned salt.

Then proceed with the recipe by spreading a bit of the cheese and crab combination to each English muffin.

Alternately, you could use fresh or frozen crab that has been thawed. Be sure to check for shells in either instance.

Cheese Meltaways

How to Store Cheese Meltaways

Any leftovers (which probably won’t exist) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day or two. Beyond that they get pretty hard and dried out and won’t be much good.

To reheat them, place them back on a baking sheet and warm in a 350° oven until warmed through. They can also easily be reheated in a toaster oven.

Cheese Meltaways Recipe

Looking for More Easy Appetizer Recipes?

I’m such a fan of an easy appetizer recipe. They’re great when entertaining, bringing to a potluck or for a fun dinner at home. Try these favorites!

[Photos by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion.]

Cheese Meltaways

Cheese Meltaways

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

These easy cheese meltaways made with Kraft Old English Spread are a crowd favorite. Made with just four ingredients, you can prep them and have them in the oven in just a few minutes!

Ingredients

  • 1 (5 oz) jar of Kraft Old English Spread
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 6 English muffins, halved

Instructions

    1. Add Kraft Old English Spread, mayonnaise and seasoned salt to a mixing bowl.

      Cheese Meltaways Recipe
    2. Use a hand mixer or whisk to mix everything up until smooth, well combined and creamy.

      Crab and Cheese Meltaways
    3. Spread the cheese mixture across the top of halved English muffins. If you use approximately 1-1/2 tablespoons per half of English muffin, you should have enough to top all twelve halves from a standard package of six English muffins.

      Crab and Cheese Meltaways
    4. Bake on a baking sheet, with or without parchment paper, at 350° until bubbly and slightly browned on top, about 15 to 18 minutes.

      Cheese Meltaways Recipe
    5. Remove from the oven, cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then cut into quarters. Serve on a platter.

      Cheese Meltaways

Notes

To make crab and cheese meltaways, add one can of drained crab meat before mixing together the Kraft Old English Spread, mayonnaise and seasoned salt. Be sure to check for shells in the crab meat before adding to the other ingredients.

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Catherine

Tuesday 19th of January 2021

These look delicious and so simple!

P.S. I tried to send an email to [email protected], but the "address was not found". I thought you'd like to know.

Cyd Converse

Friday 29th of January 2021

Thank you, Catherine!

Toni

Thursday 31st of December 2020

My kids really enjoyed this!! Such a huge hit!

Cyd Converse

Thursday 31st of December 2020

Thanks, Toni! Love to hear that!

Beth

Thursday 31st of December 2020

This looks so delicious and yummy! I can't wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this!

Cyd Converse

Thursday 31st of December 2020

Thanks, Beth! Hope you guys love it!

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