Air Fryer Hack: Cheesy Toasties

Yes, you can make a cheese toastie in an air fryer! It's an easy way to make a comforting snack or light meal with a crunchy exterior and a gooey, melted cheese interior. The air fryer's strong fan and circulated heat cook the sandwich evenly, making it perfectly crispy and melting the cheese without burning it. You can use any type of bread and cheese, and add extra ingredients like ham, mustard, chutney, or tomato. The cooking time is usually around 10 minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer model.

How to make a cheese toastie in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread (any type, but sturdy bread such as sourdough or rye works best)
• Butter or margarine
• Cheese (cheddar, gouda, gruyere, or any other variety that melts well)
• Optional fillings: ham, tomato, mustard, chutney, etc.

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C.
• Butter one side of each slice of bread.
• Place your desired fillings (such as cheese, ham, or tomato) on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread.
• Place the second slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing outwards.
• Carefully transfer the toastie to the air fryer basket. You can make 1 or 2 at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry for 5-8 minutes at 180°C until the bread is golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted. The cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer.
• Remove the toastie from the air fryer and leave it to cool for a minute before serving.

Tips

• Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-grated cheese, as this will ensure it melts more evenly.
• Pre-toasting the bread can help to create a crispier texture.
• If you want to add extra flavour, you can season the butter or add crushed garlic to the toastie.
• For a healthier option, use reduced-fat cheese and a cooking oil spray instead of butter.

The best bread for a cheese toastie

There are many options for the best bread to use for a cheese toastie. The type of bread you choose will depend on your personal preference, the filling you are using, and the desired texture of your toastie. Here are some options to consider:

Sourdough

Sourdough bread is a popular choice for cheese toasties as it has a thick cut and a slightly lower moisture content, resulting in a crispier crust. The flavour of sourdough also improves after a day, so using day-old sourdough can enhance the taste of your toastie.

Sandwich Bread

Sandwich bread, also known as sliced bread, is a convenient option for cheese toasties. It is typically softer and thinner than other types of bread, so it may not create as crispy of a crust. However, it is easily available and can be used to make a quick and simple toastie.

Thick-cut Bread

Using a thick-cut bread will give your toastie a heartier texture. You can choose any type of thick-cut bread you prefer, such as sourdough, rye, or a sandwich-style loaf. Just ensure that the bread is not too soft, as this can affect the crispness of the crust.

White Bread

White bread is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses and creates a comforting, indulgent experience. Look for thick slices of crusty white bread to create a satisfying toastie.

Rye Bread

Rye bread offers a unique flavour and texture to your toastie. It has a distinct taste that can complement strong cheeses, and its dense texture can hold up to melted cheese and hearty fillings.

Bread Thickness

Consider the thickness of your bread slices. Thicker slices, such as crusty white bread or thick-cut options, provide a more substantial base for your toastie and can create a satisfying texture contrast. Thinner slices, like sandwich bread, may result in a softer toastie.

Bread Freshness

The freshness of your bread can also impact the taste and texture of your toastie. Day-old bread, especially sourdough, can result in a crispier crust as it has a lower moisture content. Freshly baked bread may be softer and less crispy, but it can still work well for a more delicate toastie.

The best cheese for a cheese toastie

There are a few factors to consider when choosing the best cheese for a cheese toastie: taste, meltability, and how well it combines with other ingredients. Here are some of the top cheeses to consider:

Cheddar

Cheddar is a popular choice for cheese toasties due to its strong flavour and melting properties. It is a semi-hard, crumbly cheese that can add a sharp, rich taste to your toastie. Cheddar is also versatile and combines well with other cheeses and ingredients. For example, you could pair it with Gruyère for a classic combination or try something different like cornichons, chives, or spring onions.

Gruyère

Gruyère is a Swiss cheese that is known for its excellent melting properties. It has a slightly sweet, nutty flavour and a creamy texture, making it a delicious addition to any toastie. Gruyère pairs well with sourdough bread and can be used as a substitute for cheddar in a classic ham and cheese toastie.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a mild-flavoured, stretchy, and melty cheese that can be used in a toastie. Its mild flavour makes it a good choice when pairing with stronger-tasting ingredients like char-grilled vegetables or meats. It also works well with other cheeses, such as cheddar, to create a super-melty toastie.

Red Leicester

Red Leicester is an English cheese with a strong, nutty flavour and a crumbly texture. It has a similar melting point to cheddar, so it's great for creating that gooey, stretchy cheese toastie filling. Red Leicester can also add a vibrant orange colour to your toastie.

Chives, Spring Onions, and Raw Onion

While not a cheese, these ingredients are worth a mention as they are recommended by experts to add a punch of flavour to your toastie. Finely chop and sprinkle them onto your cheese toastie for an extra bite.

How to adapt a cheese toastie for vegans

A cheese toastie is a classic comfort food and a delicious snack or meal. It is typically made with bread, butter, and cheese, but there are many ways to adapt it, including for vegans. Here is how to adapt a cheese toastie for vegans:

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make a vegan cheese toastie in an air fryer:

• Bread: White, wholemeal, sourdough, or seeded bread are good options.
• Vegan cheese: Opt for a variety that melts well, such as vegan cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda. You can also use smoked vegan cheese or mix in some vegan cream cheese for extra creaminess.
• Tomato puree (optional): Spread it on the bread for a pizza-like flavour.
• Pizza seasoning or dried oregano (optional): Sprinkle on top of the cheese for extra flavour.
• Oil (optional): Lightly spray or brush the outside of the bread for a crispier toastie.
• Other fillings (optional): Try sliced tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, or gherkins. You can also add condiments like vegan mayonnaise, mustard, or hot sauce.

Instructions

• Mix the grated vegan cheese with vegan cream cheese, tomato puree (if using), and seasonings.
• Lightly spray or brush the outside of each slice of bread with oil (optional).
• Spread the cheese mixture on the inside of the bread slices. If using, add other fillings like sliced vegetables or condiments.
• Place the topped bread slices in the air fryer, cooking one slice at a time if your air fryer doesn't have shelves.
• Cook at 180°C for 3 minutes to melt the cheese before adding the top slice.
• Add the top slice and cook for another 4 minutes until the toastie is golden and crispy.
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips

• Pre-toasting the bread can help improve the texture and ensure it is crispy.
• Grate the cheese yourself instead of using pre-grated cheese for better melting.
• If your air fryer has strong fan settings, weigh down the bread and cheese with skewers or a trivet to prevent the cheese from flying off.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread, but note that it may not hold together as well.

What to serve with a cheese toastie

Yes, you can make a cheese toastie in an air fryer! Here are some ideas for what to serve with it:

Sauces and Condiments

Serve your cheese toastie with a variety of sauces and condiments on the side. Tomato ketchup, brown sauce, Tabasco, hot sauce, mango chutney, chilli jam, cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce are all great choices. You could also serve a pickle on the side.

Salads and Vegetables

A baby spinach, watercress, and apple salad would pair well with a cheese toastie, especially if the sandwich includes dry-cured smoked ham. You could also serve cornichons or a simple side salad of sliced tomatoes.

Sides

Sweet potato fries are a great side dish, especially if you toss them in sweet smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, or BBQ seasoning.

Drinks

A cheese toastie is a good choice for lunch with a cup of tea, or as a quick dinner before or after a night out. If you're serving your toastie for brunch, you might want to offer a mimosa or a Bloody Mary.

Dessert

If you're serving your cheese toastie for brunch, you could offer a sweet baked good like muffins or cinnamon rolls.

More Toasties!

If you're making one toastie, you might as well make two! Experiment with different types of bread, cheese, and fillings. You could even make a dessert toastie with ricotta, blackcurrant jam, fig, and a crumbled sesame snap for texture.

Frequently asked questions