Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

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This Air Fryer Grilled Cheese takes less than 10 minutes to cook, is crispy on the outside, and gooey on the inside. It does not get much better than bread and cheese. And the air fryer cooks this classic sandwich to perfection.

What is your favorite food? Whenever I am asked this question cheese immediately comes to mind. Hence why so many of my recipes involve lots of cheese. This recipe is no exception.

And if you have clicked on this recipe, I am sure you love your air fryer as much as I do. Is there anything it can't do?

I tested so many different cooking temperatures and times combos to determine the perfect way to make a grilled cheese in the air fryer. They key is to melt the cheese on the inside but not over cook the outside.

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Highlights
Ingredients
Instructions
Expert Tips
FAQs
Related Recipes
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Highlights

Fully cooked in the air fryer
Cooks in less than 10 minutes
All you need is cheese, butter, and bread
Buttery and crispy on the outside, but melty, gooey, stringy, and cheesy on the inside
The perfect easy lunch

Ingredients

Good quality bread - I like to use sourdough or any crusty white round loaf of bread. Traditional sandwich bread also works.
Cheese - There are so many different cheeses that are great for a good grilled cheese sandwich. I love to use a combo of a couple of the following, white/yellow american, cheddar, colby jack, fontina, gruyere, or swiss. Use whatever is in your fridge.
Butter - Real butter works best (salted or unsalted).

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

Instructions

before you start

Make sure you have an air fryer! I use this one.
Soften your butter. If you store your butter room temperature than your butter is good to go. If your butter is store in the fridge, you can use your microwave to soften it. Place the stick of butter (wrapper on) on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 8-10 seconds on 50% power. Flip the stick of butter to the opposite side. Microwave for another 8-10 seconds on 50% power. This will ensure it is easy to spread!
Slice your bread and shredded/slice your cheese. Bagged shredded cheese will work but shredding/slicing cheese from a block is better. It melts much nicer.

Step 1: Spread butter generously on one side of both pieces of bread.

Step 2: Spray the airfryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place one piece of bread butter side down in the basket. Next, pile on all the cheese.

steps 1 & 2. bread with butter & Half of the sandwich in the air fryer

Step 3: Place the other piece of bread butter side up on top of the cheese.

Step 4: Cook the sandwich at 380° for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Flip the sandwich and cook for another 3 minutes.

Step 6: Finish with fresh parmesan and serve.

TIP - Scrape any melty brown pieces of cheese out of the basket and enjoy! 😉

Expert Tips

Check on your sandwich as it cooks. Every air fryer cooks a little different. This will ensure that it does not end up over done.
Don't be shy with the butter! The butter helps the bread turn a beautiful golden color and keeps it moist.
Slice your bread and shredded/slice your cheese. Bagged shredded cheese will work but shredding/slicing cheese from a block is better. It melts much nicer.
Customize it. Feel free to mix up the cheeses or add meat/spreads. I love adding fig jam or a drizzle of honey at the end. Pesto is also a great addition.

FAQs

Can I cook more than one sandwich at a time?

I have a small air fryer that comfortably only fits one sandwich so I have not tested this recipe cooking multiple at once. However, if you have a large air fryer, I don't see why it would be a problem.

Why does store-bought shredded cheese not melt as well?

It contains potato starch to prevent the cheese from clumping. This also prevents it from melting together when heated.

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5 from 11 votes