Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

This air fryer grilled cheese recipe comes together in just 10 minutes with only 3 ingredients! It’s the absolute easiest way to make multiple grilled cheese sandwiches at one time AND get the most perfectly delicious crispy golden brown exterior with perfectly melted cheddar cheese inside.

 

You Will Love This

• No stove top required! The air fryer saves the small hassle of using a griddle or pan, but more importantly it makes sure that both sides of the grilled cheese are perfectly and evenly browned because of the circulating air that moves around inside the air fryer. This ensures that the outside of the grilled cheese is crispy and the inside is filled with ooey gooey melty cheese – with minimal effort on your part!
• It’s comfort food at its finest. Classic grilled cheese is famously an easy meal, but the air fryer method adds another level of ease because you don’t have to stand over the stove while it cooks. Just set the temp and timer and wait for the beep! Gooey melted cheese and crispy, buttered bread feel indulgent, but it never hurts to treat yourself to some comfort food for a quick lunch! 
• If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment for the best grilled cheese sandwich, be sure to check out my:
  • Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
  • Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup
  • Vegan Tomato Gnochhi Soup
  • One Pot Tomato Tortellini Soup

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Bread – Most breads will work for this air fryer grilled cheese recipe, but try to find one with a nice, sturdy crust that will hold up to the cooking process and the melty cheese.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Cheddar cheese makes a fantastic grilled cheese sandwich. I usually buy a block and shred it myself as it typically melts smoother than pre-shredded cheeses. I also prefer shredded cheese because you can get a nice, even layer all the way out to the edges of the bread. A slice of cheddar or pepper jack would also work in place of the shredded cheese.
• Softened Butter – Softened butter is best for this air fryer grilled cheese so that you can easily spread it across the bread. I typically use unsalted butter, but salted butter works just fine too. You could also try mayo in place of the butter for a crispy crust with a zing!

Instructions

Spread softened butter across one side of two slices of sandwich bread and place butter side down on the air fryer tray or in the air fryer basket. Divide cheese between the two bread slices.

Spread softened butter across the two remaining pieces of bread and place on top of the cheese, butter side up.

Air fry at 375 degrees for 3-5 minutes. Flip sandwiches over and bake for another 3-5 minutes.

Tips

• The amount of butter and cheese may differ depending on how large your bread is. Take the measurements in the recipe card as suggestions and starting points. Depending on what type of bread you use, your slices may be bigger or smaller, so adjust the ingredients as needed. 
• Each air fryer cooks slightly differently. You may need to adjust the time or temperature to get the grilled cheese dark golden brown on the outside. If you aren’t sure if your temperature is too high or low, check your sandwiches a few times to see how quickly they are browning. I have the Instant Vortex and absolutely love the versatility that it offers! It allows me to air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate all with one appliance.
• If you’re using thiny sliced bread, you may want to stick a toothpick or two through your grilled cheese to hold the bread in place. As the air circulates, it may move your bread around as it cooks.

Variations

The best cheeses for grilled cheese are those that melt easily. Some of our family’s favorites include:

• Provolone
• Fresh mozzarella
• Smoked Gouda
• Monterey Jack
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Pepperjack
• Colby Jack

Regular sandwich bread works well for grilled cheese, but you can also use:

• Sourdough bread
• Ciabatta
• Pumpernickel
• English muffin bread
• Brioche
• Rye
• Italian loaf or country loaf

Butter is my favorite spread to get that extra crispy crust on the outside of the grilled cheese, but you could also try:

• Olive oil spray
• Mayonnaise
• basil pesto

If you’d like to add some protein to this grilled cheese sandwich, feel free to add:

• deli sliced turkey
• deli sliced ham
• shredded chicken breast
• salami

FAQ

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

• Make-Ahead: These grilled cheese sandwiches are best straight from the air fryer, but you can prep them ahead and then warm them up in the air fryer when you’re ready to eat. 
• Storage: Wrap leftover sandwiches in aluminum foil and keep them in the fridge for up to a week. 
• Reheating: You can reheat your air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches the same way they were made – in the air fryer! Put the air fryer on a low heat (320 degrees) for a few minutes until the cheese is melted again and the sandwich is warm through. 

Serve Grilled Cheese With

• Crispy Oven Baked French Fries
• Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad
• One Pot Minestrone Soup
• Vegan Chickpea Noodle Soup
• Caesar Pasta Salad

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