Air Fryer Cheese Toast: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can make cheese toast in an air fryer! It's a simple process that only requires a few ingredients and around 10 minutes of your time. The air fryer's strong fan will crisp up the bread and melt the cheese evenly, without the risk of burning that comes with using a grill.

Should you pre-toast the bread?

Pre-toasting the bread is a crucial step in achieving the perfect texture for your cheese toast. While it is not mandatory, skipping this step will result in a softer toast with a bready texture underneath the cheese. Pre-toasting gives the bread a slight crispness throughout, enhancing the overall taste and mouthfeel.

The pre-toasting time can be adjusted based on your preference and the type of bread used. For thicker slices or denser varieties like sourdough, a little extra time in the air fryer before adding the cheese is recommended. This initial step ensures that the bread is lightly toasted and firm, providing a better base for the cheese.

Additionally, pre-toasting helps prevent the cheese from flying away due to the strong air fryer fan. By giving the bread a head start, you reduce the chances of loose cheese toppings being blown around by the powerful air circulation.

However, it's important to note that different air fryer models may yield varying results. Some air fryers with stronger fans might still cause the cheese to blow off, even with pre-toasting. In such cases, it's advisable to gently press the cheese onto the bread or use a rack to double-stack the cheese toasts, being mindful of the increased risk of flying cheese on the higher level.

In conclusion, pre-toasting the bread is a recommended step in making cheese toast in an air fryer. It improves the texture, reduces the chances of messy cheese blow-offs, and ensures a more even cooking experience. However, adjustments may be necessary based on your specific air fryer model and the type of bread used.

Butter or no butter?

Buttering the bread is a key step in making cheese on toast in an air fryer. Buttering the bread before toasting it will help the toast to crisp up and give it a buttery flavour.

Some recipes suggest buttering both sides of the bread, while others only butter one side. If you are only buttering one side, it should be the side that goes down in the air fryer first. This will help the bread to crisp up and stop it from becoming soggy.

If you don't want to use butter, you can use a cooking oil spray to reduce the fat content, or a drizzle of olive oil or another oil.

What type of cheese is best?

When it comes to choosing the best cheese for your air fryer cheese toast, the good news is that you can use pretty much any cheese you like! The only requirement is that it melts well. Here are some popular options:

• Cheddar (especially extra mature)
• Gruyere
• Brie
• Swiss
• Provolone
• American
• Monterey Jack
• Fontina
• Havarti
• Mozzarella
• Gouda

However, it's best to avoid pre-grated or pre-sliced cheese, as this can affect the cooking time and texture of your toast. Instead, grate the cheese yourself from a block.

How long should you cook it for?

The cooking time for cheese toast in an air fryer depends on the type of bread and cheese used, as well as your personal preference for the level of browning. Here is a step-by-step guide with time estimates:

Step 1: Pre-toasting the Bread

Pre-toasting the bread is recommended to ensure that it has a slight crisp throughout. Place the bread slices buttered-side down in the air fryer and cook for 2-3 minutes at 180°C/350°F until lightly toasted.

Step 2: Adding Cheese and Cooking

After pre-toasting, flip the bread and add your desired cheese. Place the bread back into the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes at 180°C/350°F for a classic UK-style cheddar cheese on toast. The cooking time may vary depending on the type of cheese used, so keep an eye on it after the 4-minute mark. For a grilled cheese sandwich, cook for 2-3 minutes at 370°F, flip the sandwich, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired level of browning.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Use grated cheese instead of sliced cheese to prevent it from flying off due to the strong fan in the air fryer.
• If using sliced cheese, press it gently onto the bread to ensure it stays in place during cooking.
• Pre-toasting the bread is optional but recommended for a crispier texture.
• Different types of bread and cheese may require slight adjustments to the cooking time, so keep an eye on your cheese toast to avoid overcooking.

Can you cook it from frozen?

Yes, you can cook cheese toast from frozen in an air fryer. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get the best results. Here are some tips and instructions for making cheese toast from frozen:

• If you are using frozen cheese slices, it is best to let them thaw slightly before placing them on the bread. This will help them stick to the bread better and reduce the chances of them flying off during cooking.
• Preheat your air fryer to a lower temperature than you would normally use for cheese toast. This will help ensure that the bread and cheese cook evenly without burning.
• Place the frozen bread slices in the air fryer basket and cook for a few minutes until they are slightly toasted. This will help the cheese stick to the bread and prevent it from sliding off during cooking.
• If your air fryer has a "bake" setting, use this function to cook the cheese toast. The bake setting does not use the fan, which can blow the cheese off the bread.
• Alternatively, you can use toothpicks to secure the cheese to the bread. This will help keep the cheese in place while it melts.
• Keep an eye on the cheese toast while it is cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the bread and cheese.
• If you are using grated cheese, it is best to use fresh cheese grated from a block rather than pre-grated cheese. Pre-grated cheese is more likely to fly off during cooking.
• You can also try mixing the grated cheese with a small amount of milk to make a cheese sauce before spreading it on the bread. This will help it stick to the bread and reduce mess.
• If you don't want to use toothpicks, you can try buttering or spreading mayonnaise on both sides of the bread to help the cheese stick.

Frequently asked questions