Air Fryer Sliced Cheese: What You Need To Know

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason—they can cook a variety of foods to crispy perfection in no time. But can you cook sliced cheese in an air fryer? The short answer is yes, but with some important caveats. While it's true that air fryers can create deliciously crispy, gooey cheese, simply throwing a slice of cheese into an air fryer will likely result in a mess. The key is to choose the right recipes and cooking methods to avoid a sticky disaster.

Can sliced cheese be cooked in an air fryer?

Air fryer grilled cheese

While it is possible to cook sliced cheese in an air fryer, it is not recommended as it could lead to a big mess. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If you use a baking pan for your air fryer, you can air fry cheeses with high melting points, such as halloumi, feta, and ricotta. These cheeses will not melt away and will have a soft, gooey inside.

Now, if you are craving a grilled cheese sandwich, the air fryer is the answer to always crispy, always gooey grilled cheese sandwiches. They are incredibly easy to make, and you can get creative with the type of bread and cheese you use. For the bread, it is recommended to use something thicker, like Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano bread. Sourdough bread, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread are also delicious options, but they may not toast and turn golden as easily.

For the cheese, a combination of flavorful cheese like sharp cheddar and a nice melting cheese, like Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella, is ideal. You can also experiment with other types of cheese, such as Swiss, provolone, American, Fontina, or Havarti.

To make the grilled cheese sandwich, start by preheating your air fryer to 370-380oF. Next, butter one side of each slice of bread and place one slice, buttered side down, in the air fryer. Add two slices of cheese on top, followed by the second slice of bread, with the buttered side facing up. Air fry the sandwich for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Then, flip the sandwich and air fry for an additional 1-3 minutes, depending on your desired level of brownness.

You can also get creative with your grilled cheese sandwich by adding a thin slice of ham between the two slices of cheese or spreading a light layer of mayo on the insides of the bread. Another option is to make a pimento cheese grilled cheese by spreading a light layer of pimento cheese on the insides of the bread. Serve your grilled cheese sandwich with roasted tomato soup, creamy tomato basil soup, or creamy tomato and spinach tortellini soup for a comforting meal.

Air fryer cheese crisp

Recipe

To make cheese crisps in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 350–400°F (180–200°C). While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your cheese. You can use either sliced or shredded cheese. If using sliced cheese, place the cheese directly on a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket. If using shredded cheese, place a light handful on the parchment paper and flatten it out.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the basket inside and cook for 5–8 minutes, checking every minute or two, until the cheese is lightly browned and crispy. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the thickness of the cheese.

When the cheese is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool. The cheese will harden as it cools. If your cheese crisp is soft, it may not have cooked long enough or hot enough. You can always put it back in the air fryer for a little longer.

Tips

• Use parchment paper in the air fryer basket to make cleanup easier. Just make sure the parchment paper you use is oven-safe and can withstand the temperature of your air fryer.
• If you're making grilled cheese sandwiches in the air fryer, butter the outside of the bread to get a crispy, golden colour and flavour.
• If making a grilled cheese sandwich, use a toothpick to secure the sandwich so that the bread doesn't fly off while air frying.

Air fryer cheese melt

Air fryers are a great way to make a cheese melt sandwich. They are easy to make, quick, and delicious. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or American cheese. It is important to note that the cheese should be sliced thinly and softened at room temperature to ensure even melting.

To make an air fryer cheese melt sandwich, start by spreading butter or mayonnaise on one side of two slices of bread. You can also use a light spray of olive oil instead. Then, lay slices of cheese in the center of one slice of bread, and close the sandwich. Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket, and cook at around 375ºF for about 3-5 minutes. If your air fryer has a strong fan, you may need to use toothpicks to secure the sandwich and prevent it from flying off.

Once the cheese has melted, flip the sandwich and increase the heat to about 380ºF to toast the bread. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the sandwich is golden brown and has reached your desired level of crispness. Remove the toothpicks before serving, and allow the sandwich to cool slightly before eating.

You can also add extra ingredients to your air fryer cheese melt sandwich, such as tuna, ham, or balogna for extra protein. Additionally, you can use English muffins or sourdough, multi-grain, or artisan bread instead of sandwich bread for a different flavor and texture.

Air fryer cheese sandwich

Yes, you can cook sliced cheese in an air fryer, and it is a great way to make a grilled cheese sandwich with a crispy exterior and gooey, melted cheese inside.

Ingredients

• Bread: rustic bread, country white, whole-wheat sandwich bread, sourdough, or multi-grain bread are all good options.
• Butter: salted or unsalted butter will work.
• Cheese: cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use Monterey Jack, Gruyère, Fontina, Havarti, Mozzarella, or a combination of cheeses.

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to between 370-380°F.
• Let the butter sit at room temperature until softened, then spread it on one side of each slice of bread.
• Assemble the sandwich by placing the cheese on the non-buttered side of a slice of bread, then topping it with another slice of bread, with the buttered side facing out.
• Secure the sandwich with a toothpick to prevent the top slice from flying off during cooking.
• Place the sandwich in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes.
• Flip the sandwich and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. If you want it browner, you can cook it for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Remove the toothpick and serve.

You can also add extra ingredients to your sandwich, such as ham or tomato soup, or even use mayonnaise instead of butter.

Grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer are quick, easy, and always turn out great, with crispy bread and gooey, melted cheese.

Air fryer cheese recipes

While it is possible to cook cheese in an air fryer, it is important to be cautious. Putting cheese directly into an air fryer will likely result in a sticky mess. However, there are ways to cook cheese in an air fryer successfully, and many recipes to try out.

Cheese can be air-fried in small amounts, as long as it is contained and cannot ooze out into the appliance. Therefore, recipes that involve wrapping or containing the cheese in some way are best. For example, mozzarella sticks, mac and cheese balls, and grilled cheese sandwiches are all possible to make in an air fryer.

One recipe for grilled cheese involves buttering both sides of two slices of bread, placing them in the air fryer, and removing them once toasted. Then, add cheese to the toasted sides, and place the bread back in the air fryer until the remaining sides are toasted.

Another recipe for grilled cheese involves preheating the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit, buttering one side of each slice of bread, and adding a slice of cheddar cheese to the non-buttered side. Then, add a slice of your favorite melty cheese, such as Swiss, provolone, or Gruyere, and top with the other slice of bread, ensuring the buttered sides are facing out. Secure the sandwich with a toothpick, and place it in the air fryer basket for around 10 minutes, flipping it over after a few minutes to achieve an even level of brownness.

If you want to cook cheese on its own in an air fryer, it is possible, but more difficult. One viral recipe involves placing a pinch or handful of shredded cheese on parchment paper in the air fryer basket and cooking it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until it is brown and crispy, which should take around 6-8 minutes. However, this method can be messy, and it is important to ensure the cheese doesn't melt and stick to the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions