Air Fryer Cheese Toastie: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Yes, you can cook a cheese toastie in an air fryer! In fact, it's a great way to make a toastie, as the air fryer circulates hot air around the sandwich, making the bread crispy and springy without squashing it down. You can use any type of bread and cheese, and add fillings like ham, spinach, tomato, or beans. To make a cheese toastie in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 180-190°C, butter the bread, add your fillings, and cook for 5-8 minutes until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.

Filling ideas

You can fill your cheese toastie with any type of cheese you like. Melting cheeses like cheddar, gouda, gruyère, and mozzarella work particularly well. You can also add a variety of other ingredients to create different flavour combinations. Here are some filling ideas to get you started:

• Spinach, ham, and sandwich seasoning
• Chicken tikka with mango chutney
• Sweetcorn, mozzarella, and chipotle paste (serve with a squeeze of lime for a Mexican twist)
• Tomato chutney (for added sweetness)
• Kimchi
• Fig, spicy salami, and goats' cheese with honey
• Sauerkraut and pickled beef
• Mustard
• Chilli flakes and parsley
• Bacon

Bread type

The type of bread you use for your cheese toastie will depend on your personal preference and the type of air fryer you have. White sandwich bread is a great traditional choice, but you can also use brown bread. If you want to use something thicker, like Texas toast, sourdough, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread, you may need to increase the pre-toasting time, as these types of bread may not toast as evenly or turn as golden in the air fryer.

It's also important to note that the size of your air fryer may affect the cooking time and the crispiness of the bread. Smaller air fryers with stronger fans that are closer to the food may result in crispier toast, and the bread may curl up a little more.

When preparing your bread, it's recommended to butter both slices, but only on one side each, which will face outwards when the sandwich is assembled. You can also add other ingredients, like mustard, chives, or spinach, to one slice of bread before adding the cheese.

Once your sandwich is assembled, cook it in the air fryer at a temperature between 180°C and 370°C for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the type of bread and the power of your air fryer, so it's important to keep an eye on your toastie to ensure it doesn't burn.

Cheese type

When it comes to cheese, you have a wide variety of options to choose from when making a toastie in your air fryer. The type of cheese you use will depend on your personal preference and taste. Here are some popular choices:

Cheddar Cheese: This is a classic choice for a cheese toastie, offering a sharp and tangy flavour. Cheddar melts well and pairs nicely with other ingredients such as ham, tomato, or spinach. It is a versatile option that forms the base of many toastie recipes.

Gruyère Cheese: Gruyère is a Swiss cheese that has a slightly sweet and nutty flavour. It melts incredibly well, making it a great option for toasties. Try using gruyère instead of cheddar in your toastie for a more complex flavour profile.

Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella is a soft and stretchy cheese that is commonly used in toasted sandwiches. It has a mild flavour and pairs well with other ingredients. Try using half mozzarella and half cheddar for a combination of melting capabilities and flavour.

Goat's Cheese: For something a little different, goat's cheese offers a tangy and creamy flavour. It pairs well with sweet and spicy ingredients. Try a combination of fig, spicy salami, and goat's cheese drizzled with honey for a unique flavour profile.

When choosing the type of cheese for your toastie, consider the melting properties of the cheese. Some cheeses, such as cheddar, tend to melt more easily than others. Grated cheese also tends to melt better than sliced cheese. However, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite combination!

Temperature and timing

Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, it's time to cook the toastie. The cooking time will depend on the specific model of your air fryer and the type of bread and cheese used. However, most recipes suggest cooking the toastie for 5 to 8 minutes at 180°C or 190°C, flipping it halfway through cooking, and then cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. This will result in a toastie with a golden brown, crispy exterior and a gooey, melted cheese interior.

It is important to keep a close eye on the toastie while it is cooking, as the high heat of the air fryer can cause it to cook quickly. The toastie is ready when the bread is toasted to a golden brown and the cheese is melted. If you are using a thicker bread or a cheese with different melting properties, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

For a creamier cheese toastie, you can mix the cheese with a small amount of milk before adding it to the bread. However, this may require a longer cooking time, as the mixture will be wetter. Similarly, if you are using hot ingredients as your filling, you may need to increase the cooking time to ensure the toastie is heated through.

Flipping

To flip the toastie, use tongs or a spatula to carefully lift the sandwich from the air fryer basket and turn it over. It is important to be cautious during this step to avoid burning yourself on the hot air fryer or the toastie.

After flipping the toastie, return it to the air fryer basket and continue cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. This will allow the other side of the toastie to become golden brown and crispy.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific model of your air fryer, the type of bread used, and the number of toasties cooked at once. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on the toastie during the cooking process to ensure it doesn't burn.

Frequently asked questions