Air Fryer Grilled Cheese: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic comfort food, and an air fryer might be the perfect way to cook them. The air fryer method is quick, easy, and safe, and it results in a crispy, golden, and gooey sandwich. The circulating heat of the air fryer works best with sturdy, thickly-sliced bread, like sourdough or rustic Italian, and a combination of cheeses with good melting properties, like sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or Monterey Jack. To make a grilled cheese sandwich in an air fryer, simply assemble the sandwich, butter both sides, and cook in the air fryer for around 7-16 minutes, flipping the sandwich once to ensure even cooking.

Best type of bread for grilled cheese sandwiches

When it comes to choosing the best bread for grilled cheese sandwiches, several factors come into play to ensure a delicious, crispy, and gooey result. The ideal bread should be able to withstand the heat of the air fryer and have a texture that toasts well without becoming too hard or soft. Here are some options to consider:

Go for a Thick-Cut, Hearty Bread: Opting for a thicker-sliced bread will give your grilled cheese sandwich a sturdier base. Thick-cut breads tend to hold up better in the air fryer, ensuring that the bread doesn't become soggy from the melted cheese. Choose a hearty variety, such as a rustic sourdough, a country-style white bread, or a thick-sliced multigrain loaf. These breads have a robust texture that toasts beautifully and provides a satisfying chew.

Consider the Crust: The crust of your bread also plays a role in the overall taste and texture of your grilled cheese. A thicker, chewier crust, like that found on a sourdough loaf, can add a nice contrast to the creamy cheese filling. Alternatively, a softer crust, such as on a white sandwich bread, will yield a more uniform texture throughout the sandwich. If you prefer a crispier crust, look for a bread with a dusting of flour or cornmeal on the exterior, as this can enhance the golden color and crispness when toasted in the air fryer.

Avoid Pre-sliced, Soft Breads: While soft, pre-sliced white bread may be a go-to for traditional toast, it's not ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches in the air fryer. These breads tend to be too thin and delicate, often resulting in a soggy or burnt sandwich. Instead, opt for a bread with a firmer texture and a thicker slice that can stand up to the heat and weight of the melted cheese.

Try Artisan Breads for Variety: Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of artisan breads. A crusty baguette, a nutty rye loaf, or even a sweet raisin bread can add interesting flavors and textures to your grilled cheese creation. Just be mindful that some denser breads may require slightly longer cooking times to ensure they are heated through without drying out.

Ultimately, the best bread for your grilled cheese sandwich comes down to personal preference. Experiment with different options to find the one that delivers the perfect balance of crispiness on the outside and meltiness on the inside. With the right bread and your air fryer, you'll be well on your way to grilled cheese perfection!

Best type of cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches

When it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches, the best type of cheese depends on your personal preference for texture and flavour. Here are some top cheese choices to consider for your next grilled cheese sandwich:

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches due to its excellent meltability and stretch. It is a fresh Italian cheese with a mild, milky flavour that serves as a blank slate for adding other ingredients. Its curds are heated and pulled during production, creating a "muscle memory" for stretching when melted.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a popular option for grilled cheese, especially when paired with another cheese like mozzarella. Vintage or sharp cheddar adds a tanginess to your sandwich. However, note that cheddar may not be the best melter due to its tendency to crumble, so combining it with a more meltable cheese can be a good idea.

Gruyère

Gruyère is another excellent melting cheese with a bold, robust flavour. It is an Alpine-style cheese, known for its gooey texture and used in dishes like French onion soup and fondue. Its curds are heat-treated during production, contributing to its smooth melting qualities.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a versatile cheese that pairs well with sharper cheeses like cheddar. It has a mild, creamy flavour and melts nicely, making it a good choice for grilled cheese sandwiches.

Gouda

Young gouda is a sweet, creamy, and meltable cheese that works well in grilled cheese sandwiches. As gouda ages, it becomes more crumbly and granular, so opt for younger varieties. Its sweetness also blends well with other cheeses, creating complex flavour profiles.

American Cheese

While American cheese is processed and not traditionally made with actual cheese cultures, it is designed for easy melting and has a familiar, comforting flavour. It is a good choice if you're looking for that classic, gooey grilled cheese texture.

Brie

Brie is a young, bloomy rind cheese that ripens quickly and develops a creamy, gooey texture—perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. Its rind protects the cheese, allowing it to melt evenly and creating a delightful oozy centre for your sandwich.

When making grilled cheese sandwiches, it is generally recommended to grate your cheese fresh from whole pieces, as pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can interfere with melting. Additionally, using a combination of cheeses can create a balance of flavour and meltability.

How to stop the bread from flying off in the air fryer

Yes, you can make grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer! However, the powerful fan in the air fryer can cause lightweight food items to start flying around in the basket. Here are some tips to prevent your bread from flying off while making grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer:

• Use a stainless steel mesh or toothpicks to hold the sandwich down while cooking. The weight of the mesh is usually enough to keep the sandwich from floating inside the basket.
• If your air fryer comes with a crisper plate, you can place it over the sandwich to weigh it down and prevent it from flying around.
• Use the air fryer basket rack by turning it upside down and placing it over the sandwich to keep it in place.
• If you are making an open-faced sandwich, preheat the air fryer first, then put the bread and cheese in. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to slightly melt and cling to the bread before turning it on.
• Use a piece of cutlery, such as a fork or butter knife, to hold down the sandwich. This will leave a mark on the surface, but it will prevent the sandwich from flying off and causing damage to the air fryer.

How long to cook grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer

How to Make Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

Before you start, you'll need to gather your ingredients. For grilled cheese sandwiches, you'll need bread, cheese, and butter or mayonnaise.

For the bread, a sturdy variety like sourdough or rustic Italian, cut at least 1/2-inch thick, works well in the air fryer. If you're using square slices, you may only be able to cook one sandwich at a time, so keep that in mind. As for cheese, a sharper, slightly aged cheese like cheddar pairs well with a milder, creamier cheese like Havarti or Monterey Jack. If you're using slices, you'll need 3 to 4 slices per sandwich, depending on the thickness. Finally, you can use either butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread to promote browning.

Method

Now that you have your ingredients, it's time to start cooking!

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375-390°F.
• Prepare your sandwiches: Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices of bread, butter or mayo side down, in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them. Add your cheese, then top with the remaining slices of bread, butter or mayo side up.
• Cook the sandwiches: Air fry for 3-4 minutes, then flip and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden and toasted. If the bottom of the sandwich isn't golden brown after the initial cooking time, you may need to flip it again and air fry for another 1-2 minutes.
• Serve: Let the sandwiches cool for 1-2 minutes, then slice and serve.

And that's it! You now have perfectly crispy and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches made in your air fryer. Enjoy!

What to serve with grilled cheese sandwiches

There are endless options for what to serve with grilled cheese sandwiches, from dips and soups to salads and desserts. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Dips

• Pizza sauce
• Hummus (especially dill pickle hummus)
• Santa Fe Ranch dip
• Barbecue sauce
• Tomato jam
• Applesauce
• Spicy tomato jam
• Bacon aioli
• Salsa
• Chilli crisp
• Cheese sauce
• Feijoa chutney
• Maple bacon onion jam
• Sriracha aioli

Garnishes

• Fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil, chives, dill, or cilantro)
• Pickles (dill, sweet, or a different type of pickled vegetable like onions, beets, or carrots)
• Sliced tomatoes

Finger foods

• French fries or potato wedges
• Baked sweet plantains
• Sweet potato fries
• Onion rings
• Fresh vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, etc.) with a dip like cashew queso
• Chips (potato, veggie, or truffle)
• Arby's fries
• Potato cheese sticks

Salads

• Caesar salad
• Spinach salad with balsamic vinegar poppy seed dressing, mixed berries, and crunchy nuts
• Potato salad
• Mediterranean salad
• Pasta salad
• Santa Fe Salad
• Slaw (classic, Chimichurri, or Lemon Tahini Slaw)
• Broccoli salad
• Arugula salad
• Apple kale slaw
• Garden salad with orange vinaigrette
• Rocket and pear salad
• Zucchini feta salad with hazelnuts

Soups

• Tomato soup (hot, cold, or gourmet)
• Pumpkin soup
• Borscht
• Chicken noodle soup
• Potato soup
• Butternut squash soup
• Broccoli cheese soup
• Light vegetable soup
• Broth-based meat soup
• Corn chowder
• Creamy hazelnut soup
• Summer zucchini soup
• Roasted red pepper soup
• Creamy tomato bisque
• Heirloom tomato gazpacho
• Roasted fennel and white bean tomato soup

Sweet sides

• Fresh fruit (apples, strawberries, cherries, peaches, pears, grapes, etc.)
• Apple nachos
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Fruit salad
• Rice paper candy straws
• Chocolate hummus with fresh fruit

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides to elevate your meal and impress your guests.

Frequently asked questions