Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is one of the most classic foods, just as enjoyable as a quick and tasty snack or a hearty lunch. When we think of grilled cheese, we think of perfectly melted gooey cheese and golden, toasty bread. We traditionally do this on our stove top in a skillet or frying pan, but using the air fryer creates a whole new level of opportunity.

We want a grilled cheese that is crunchy or golden but not burned, and that is sometimes hard to manage in a skillet. We also want cheese that is properly and evenly melted for a delicious cheese pull; this is also hard to do evenly.

An air fryer makes both of these factors easier than ever before. And because we aren’t buttering or greasing a pan, only the bread, the sandwich will be toasty and buttery but not greasy. It’s a streamlined, hands-free, but just as delicious way of enjoying a classic toasty grilled cheese.

What Is the Best Way To Prepare a Grilled Cheese?

We all know that melting cheese on bread in the microwave is sad and wrong, and not the way to go. For years, I made my own grilled cheese on the stove in a skillet, and there is an element of nostalgia to that.

However, that requires a lot of hands-on attention. The air fryer is easier, usually faster, and keeps you from having to clean a pot. Cooking in a skillet on a stove usually requires some sort of butter or oil to get that crispy exterior, but you can skip that in the air fryer and still be golden and inviting.

Remember, every air fryer, just like any oven or convection oven, is going to cook food differently, so you may have to do some trial and error to find the right timing and temperature for your own air fryer. The perfect temperature and time will cook at a speed and heat that keeps the bread from burning before the cheese melts.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Yes, there’s a very simple and basic number of ingredients in an air fryer grilled cheese, but don’t let that fool you. When there’s just a few ingredients in a simple dish, it’s important to pay careful attention to those ingredients. The right bread and the right cheese, in the right proportions, will make all the difference.

For this dish, you'll need:

• Bread: We like sourdough, but you can use whatever you prefer.
• Cheese: Again, use your favorites, but classic Cheddar is never a bad idea.
• Salted butter; We like the extra burst of saltiness, but if you only have unsalted butter, use it and sprinkle a bit of salt on the crust after it's cooked.

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Variations

Grilled cheese does not have to be just cheese and bread. Bacon or tomatoes are popular add-ins, but don’t be limited to that. Pickle slices, pickled jalapeños, pickled onions, or other favorites can all be delicious when added to an air fryer grilled cheese.

How To Make Grilled Cheese in an Air Fryer

Making air fryer grilled cheese could not be more simple. In its purest form, it’s really just your favorite bread and your favorite cheese, perhaps paired with some sort of spread.

• Two slices of your favorite bread: You can grab bread at the grocery store, but a good bakery bread will serve you well here. I love a good sourdough for my grilled cheese.
• Spread of choice: This could be butter, margarine, or mayo, or even something like a savory Dijon mustard. Shake things up by using a flavored mayo or butter, such as garlic or pesto or chili, for added flavor. Try cowboy butter.
• A few pieces of cheese: I like to go with two slices of cheese—one for each side of the bread, but up to four is great without it getting too thick. Use your favorite cheese, but much like mac and cheese, a variety here will serve you well. While slices of cheese are fine, grating cheese can also lead to a great, even cheese pull. But don’t buy pre-grated; they can cake up and don’t melt as well. Take the time to grate it yourself for best results.

Make Several Grilled Cheese in the Air Fryer at Once

Whether making sandwiches for the family or just a few for yourself on a hungry day, this is possible in the air fryer. But it’s important not to crowd the basket. Crowding the basket will result in uneven cooking. Depending on your air fryer’s basket size, you will likely not want to make more than two sandwiches at a time. That’s fine, though. You’ll be able to make the next one in just a few minutes!

The Best Kind of Bread for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

It’s really whatever bread you like, but I find that sturdier, heartier bread holds up to the cheese and spreads better and just leads to a tastier sandwich. Consider a nice artisan seeded loaf or a delicious fresh-baked sourdough.

The Best Cheese for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

The answer here is whatever cheese you enjoy! I like a cheese that has a good creamy quality and melts well, but you of course also want a good amount of flavor. You can never go wrong with a good Cheddar, but adding in a spicy element, such as a pepperjack, is fun as well.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Grilled Cheese

While it’s rare we have leftover grilled cheese around here, it’s pretty easy to reheat if it does happen. You can store it in a covered container in the refrigerator for a few days. Then, just go ahead and re-toast it in the air fryer at around 350°F for a few minutes until warm and toasty.

Leftover sandwiches can also be cubed up and toasted and used as grilled cheese croutons in soups or salads.