Toasties worth toasting

To make anything taste better, simply put it in a sandwich and hit toast.

Source: Danielle Abou Karam

This one is for the comfort eaters, the breakfast-for-dinner pros, the couldn't-be-bothered-making-dinner moaners, and the leftover lovers. It's also for anyone who simply knows the power of a darn good jaffle or panini or grilled cheese sandwich or melt or... let's just settle on toastie.

The combo of tasty, quick, convenient and easy has always kept toasties at the top of the snack chain. Even better when they find their way into breakfast (Korean egg toast, anyone?), lunch (hello croque monsieur) and dinner (whatever you've got). Oh, and did we mention the dessert toastie? Read on!

Hello sweets

You bet we're starting with dessert! Source: The Chocolate Queen

Who said toasties had to be savoury? Not us! This chocolate version gets the full dessert treatment: custard-soaked bread, fresh banana, oozing melted chocolate and a dusting of icing sugar for good measure.

Kick start

Only a toastie could take day old bread and turn it into a breakfast treat. Source: Kitti Gould

AKA French toast, the pain perdue is a classic in the dessert-for-breakfast toastie hall of fame. This version adds a thick smear of Nutella and a salted caramel sauce to really get your day off to a good start.

Hong Kong-style

This is a popular dessert dish in Hong Kong cafes, but it's equally good for brunch. Source: Donal's Asian Baking Adventure

Last one on the sweet front (we are equally as disappointed), but you can't go wrong with this unconventional take on French toast. It tips both the brioche loaf and the ingredients on their head with crunchy peanut butter, condensed milk and five spice all making an appearance.

Cheese, please

This is an example of a fried toastie - no special press required, just a frypan and some oil. Source: Paola Bacchia

The only thing better than dessert is cheese - something toasties also excel at. None more so than the Campanian mozzarella in carrozza, which is pretty much just bread with cheese and more cheese.

Bare fridge essential

The good ol’ tuna melt – filling up individuals for as long as humans have been putting fish in a tin. Source: In Bread

The humble tuna melt may well be the dish du jour when money is tight, but that won't stop you from enjoying it no matter where you are in your pay cycle. If it's been a while since you hit the bottom of the fridge, the time is now.

Cosy overload

Mac 'n' cheese in a hot, buttery toastie is just as luscious as it sounds. Source: Richo's Bar Snacks

Another comfort food staple is mac 'n' cheese, but the ante is up when it's loaded into a toastie. Too much comfort? Never!

Well sprouted

Proof that there is nothing a toastie can't fix. Source: Desiree Nielsen

Even if you think you hate Brussels sprouts, make this toastie. They pair so perfectly with Havarti cheese and crunchy sourdough you'll take one bite and finally know why people actually love Brussels sprouts.

Salmon glow up

A successful redesign sees the traditional ham in a croque monsieur replaced with smoked salmon. Source: Chris Abbott

Speaking of the unusual ingredient combinations that a toastie can magically mesh, try this smoked salmon croque monsieur. Cheese and fish are seen as an unlikely pairing, but this hotted-up French classic really works. See also, tuna melt!

Combo win

A seemingly crazy combination for a sandwich, you'll just have to trust us on this one and bite into Sudan's delicious toastie! Source: Shane Delia's Recipe For Life

Another odd-combo entry is this beef and peanut butter toasted sambo. It's packed with giant flavours that only flatbread can contain.

No mess classic

Layers of mustard and béchamel sauce turn a humble ham and cheese toastie into a French icon. Source: Kitti Gould

Of course, if it's the classics you crave, consider yourself sated. Or simply add an egg on top for a croque madame.

Brisket beauty

Brisket and classic coleslaw toastie Source: Adam Liaw

The slow-cooked brisket is meltingly tender, and using it in these brisket and classic coleslaw toastie creates the kind of hearty comfort food that will have you thanking past you for cooking the brisket.

Greek fave

Hellllo spinach and feta. Source: Danielle Abou Karam

Set down in Greece for a little spanakopita magic. All the bold flavours of yiayia's favourite pie are here in quick and easy toastie form.

Korea(ish)

Let's face it, kimchi in a toastie was always going to happen. Source: Adam Liaw

Onward to Korea where kimchi cheese toast has been satisfying Korean kids since... well, probably never, but that doesn't take away from the amazingness that is the spiciness of kimchi melting with the creaminess of the cheese.

Korea(definitely)

A little bit sweet, a little bit savoury, a little bit soft and a little bit crunchy... but eveyr bit toastie-good. Source: SBS FOOD

Gaeran to su tu is sold by vendors all over Korea to cater for the rushed breakfast crowd. These pan-fried white bread toasted egg sandwiches are a fusion of Asian flavours and Western influences.

China(maybe)

The classic Sichuan street food made even more portable. Source: Alan Benson

Likewise, we can't exactly state that the dan dan noodle jaffle is an authentic Chinese dish, but we're pretty sure they would claim it if they could. Fiery, mouth-puckery noodles are tempered by a couple of slices of plain white bread.

Welsh(yes!)

Melted cheese, beer, mustard and Worcestershire sauce, poured over a ham toastie and grilled until bubbling and brown. Source: Adam Liaw

At last, we've arrived at the Welsh rarebit. No, it has nothing to do with bunnies and everything to do with getting maximum flavour into a grilled ham and cheese sambo.

Leftover no more

Where would Australia be without the Bolognese toastie? Source: Danielle Abou Karam

The spag bol toastie is such a triumph that you'll make double your bolognese recipe every time. This one is great cold in a school lunchbox, as any kid from the eighties will attest. Now, who's craving a toastie?