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

Making cheese on toast in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to prepare this classic snack. It is also a lot simpler than using a grill, with better results. The circulating heat and fan of the air fryer ensure the cheese melts to perfection and the bread is evenly toasted, with no burnt corners or a soggy middle.

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 possible to skip this step, pre-toasting ensures that the bread has a slight crispness throughout, enhancing the overall experience.

The air fryer's strong fan can cause loose cheese toppings to fly away, landing on the heating element or sticking to the basket. Pre-toasting the bread provides a stable base for the cheese, reducing the chances of a messy air fryer. It also helps to gently press the cheese onto the bread before placing it in the air fryer, compacting it and minimising flyaway cheese.

Additionally, pre-toasting helps achieve a more even cook. The air fryer circulates heat, cooking the cheese and bread evenly, but pre-toasting ensures that the bread is cooked through, resulting in a slight crispness that complements the melted cheese.

However, the decision to pre-toast depends on personal preference and the type of bread used. Thicker bread may benefit from extra pre-toasting time, while thinner slices might not require it at all. Ultimately, experimentation is key to finding the ideal balance for your cheese toast in the air fryer.

Butter or no butter?

Buttering the bread is a crucial step in making cheese on toast in an air fryer. It adds flavour and helps the bread crisp up. However, you can choose to skip this step and make a lower-fat version of the dish.

If you do decide to butter your bread, you can use either regular butter or a spreadable butter/margarine. Homemade butter is also an option, and garlic butter is highly recommended. If you don't want to use butter, you can use a drizzle of olive oil or another oil instead.

When preparing your cheese on toast, spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread. If you're making a sandwich, the buttered sides should face outwards. If you're making open-faced cheese on toast, place the bread butter-side down in the air fryer first to toast the buttered side, then add the cheese and toast until the cheese is melted.

Some recipes also include a spread made of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. In this case, the mayo mixture is spread on the non-buttered side of the bread, and then the cheese is added on top.

What type of cheese is best?

When it comes to the type of cheese to use for air fryer cheese toast, the options are endless! The best type of cheese is one that melts well and suits your taste. Here are some popular choices:

• Cheddar: A classic option that works well in an air fryer. It comes in various shades, from orange to white, and offers a sharp, distinct flavour.
• Mozzarella: A mild, stretchy cheese that works well, but opt for the drier versions designed for pizzas to avoid sogginess.
• Semi-hard cheeses: Options like red Leicester, double Gloucester, creamy Lancashire, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Edam, and Gruyère are great melting choices that add a nice touch to your toast.
• Flavoured semi-hard cheeses: For an extra kick, try spiced Mexicana, pepper jack, smoked cheddar, or a variety with garlic and herbs.
• Softer cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Port Salut, Fontina, or Taleggio will melt but result in a different texture than harder cheeses.

While these options are great, some cheeses are best avoided for cheese toast, such as dry and crumbly cheeses (e.g. Wensleydale), very hard cheeses (e.g. Parmesan, Manchego), cream cheeses (e.g. Ricotta, Mascarpone), and squeaky cheeses (e.g. Paneer, Halloumi).

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 the desired level of crispness. For a simple cheese toast with sliced or grated cheese on top of bread, the cooking time is generally between 4 and 10 minutes at temperatures ranging from 180°C to 380°F.

For example, one recipe suggests cooking the bread for 3 minutes, then adding the cheese and cooking for an additional 5 minutes at 200°C. Another recipe recommends cooking the sandwich for a total of 5 to 6 minutes at 370°F, flipping it halfway through to ensure even cooking.

It's important to note that different types of bread and cheese may require adjustments to the cooking time and temperature. For instance, thicker slices of bread or denser cheeses may take longer to cook. Additionally, air fryers can vary in their cooking performance, so it's recommended to keep a close eye on the cheese toast during the cooking process to prevent overcooking or burning.

To achieve the perfect level of crispness and melting, it's best to monitor the cheese toast and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

What can you serve it with?

There are many ways to serve air fryer cheese toast. It can be served on its own as a snack or light meal, or paired with a variety of side dishes and toppings for a more indulgent treat. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Soups: Cheese on toast is a classic pairing with soup, especially tomato soup. Try it with a creamy tomato soup, roasted tomato soup, pumpkin soup, roasted swede soup, or parsnip soup.
• Fries: For a true cheese lover's delight, serve your cheese toast with pizza fries, halloumi fries, sweet potato fries, or baked carrot fries.
• Meat: For a heartier snack, add a slice of ham or some crispy bacon to your cheese toast. You could also try a thin slice of ham in between the two slices of cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich.
• Condiments: Spread a small amount of Marmite, Vegemite, or Worcestershire sauce on top of the cheese before serving. You could also add a layer of pesto or red onion chutney to your toast before adding the cheese.
• Cheese: Instead of using cheddar, try sliced brie or crumbled blue cheese on your toast. You can also experiment with different types of cheese in your grilled cheese sandwich, such as Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti.
• Eggs: For a classic British breakfast, serve your cheese on toast with a fried or poached egg on top.
• Salads: Cheese toast can also be served as an accompaniment to a salad. Try a tangy tomato salad or a fresh green salad to balance out the richness of the cheese.
• Beverages: A hot cup of tea or a cold glass of milk can be the perfect pairing with your cheese toast, especially if you're enjoying it as a snack or light breakfast.

Frequently asked questions