10-Minute Air Fryer Grilled Cheese has a super crispy exterior with gooey, melty cheese inside, and is simple enough for the kids to make. Once you try making grilled cheese in the air fryer I promise there’s no going back!
This Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is so easy to make and turns out golden, toasty, and crispy on the outside with ooey-gooey melted cheese inside. You’ll never use your stovetop again to make a grilled cheese sandwich!
Reasons to make this recipe
- Incredibly delicious: Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best! You only need 3 ingredients to make these and they cook up warm, comforting, and super flavorful!
- Quick & easy: Making grilled cheese in the air fryer is safe and easy enough that the kiddos can make their own lunch!
- Great for lunch: Pair this with your favorite soup or chips and you’ve got yourself a tasty, satisfying lunch that you’ll want to eat all of the time.
- Loved by all: Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? Especially, when it’s perfectly cooked with golden brown, crispy bread and melted cheesy goodness! This recipe is one that both kids and adults crave!
Ingredients needed
For this air fryer grilled cheese recipe, you just need 3 simple ingredients. You probably have all of them in your kitchen right now! Here’s the list:
- Sandwich bread: Any favorite bread will work, as long as it has plenty of surface area for that delicious cheese. We prefer thick slices of sourdough bread!
- Cheese: Use a good-quality cheese that melts well. Some great options are sharp cheddar cheese, American cheese, provolone, gouda, havarti, gruyere, or Swiss.
- Butter: Lightly spread any type of butter on the bread. Alternatively, you could use a butter spray, or cooking spray, and some people even prefer mayonnaise.
How to make this recipe
- Add butter: Spread butter on one side of a piece of bread and place buttered side down in the air fryer.
- Add cheese slices: Top with 2 slices of cheese and another slice of bread. Butter the top of the 2nd slice of bread.
- Cook: Air fry at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, flip the sandwiches and cook for another 5 minutes or until desired toast.
Expert tips
- Best melty cheese: For maximum melting, do NOT use pre-shredded cheese from a bag. They contain powder to keep the cheese from clumping, and won’t melt as smoothly. Instead, use freshly grated cheese or cheese cut fresh from a block. This variety will have richer flavor and will melt the best.
- Watch closely while cooking: All air fryers cook a bit differently. If you’re new to making grilled cheese in an air fryer, check on the sandwich often as it gets close to the 10-minute mark, so it doesn’t burn.
- Make more: As written, this recipe makes 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. If you’d like to make enough for your whole family, feel free to simply double the recipe.
Frequently asked questions
Is grilled cheese better in an air fryer or stove?
No matter how you cook grilled cheese, it’s usually pretty delicious. We really enjoy the texture of a grilled cheese sandwich prepared in an air fryer, though. The bread gets nice and crunchy, which compliments the rich, melty cheese and butter.
What is the best temperature for grilled cheese?
The ideal air fryer temperature for cooking grilled cheese is 400°F for 5 minutes on one side and 5 minutes on the other. This level of heat will allow the bread to get crispy, not soggy, and the cheese to have enough time for melting. It will come out perfect every time!
Should grilled cheese be 1 or 2 slices?
While you can use 1 slice of cheese on an air fryer grilled cheese sandwich, we love the way it’s melty and extra cheesy with 2 slices of cheese.
Recipe variations
- Add meat: A few slices of crisp bacon or turkey combined with the melty cheese would be delicious.
- Different spreads: Before laying the cheese over the bread, spread some pesto, spicy mayo or burger sauce over each slice of bread.
- Dairy-free option: To make a vegan, dairy-free grilled cheese, simply use plant-based butter and cheese.
- Gluten-free option: To make a gluten-free grilled cheese, use any favorite gluten-free bread.
Serving suggestions
The most classic pairing with grilled cheese is warm and cozy tomato soup! This would also be delicious with my creamy roasted butternut squash soup. For a light meal, serve this grilled cheese with a kale salad. Sandwiches are also always great with French fries or potato chips, too!
Storage Tips
- Storing: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed just after making, but they can be re-toasted in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes.
More air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 pieces sandwich bread
- 4 slices cheese of choice, cheddar, American, Gouda, Havarti, provolone
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Spread butter on one side of a piece of bread and place buttered side down in the air fryer.
- Top with 2 slices of cheese and another slice of bread. Butter the top of the 2nd slice of bread.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, flip the sandwiches and cook for another 5 minutes or until desired toast.
Equipment
Notes
- Storing: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed just after making, but they can be re-toasted in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
