Toasted Cheese In An Air Fryer: A Quick Snack?

Air fryers are a great way to make toasted cheese. The circulating heat and fan of an air fryer ensure that the bread and cheese are cooked to perfection, with no burnt corners or a soggy middle. It is also safer than using a grill, and easier to get right. You can use any type of cheese and bread, but harder cheeses like cheddar tend to work better, and thicker slices of bread are preferable. You can also add extras like ham, bacon, or mustard. The typical cooking time is around 10 minutes, but this can vary depending on your air fryer.

Bread options: sourdough, rustic Italian, white, whole-wheat sandwich bread, multi-grain, leftover artisan bread, etc

Bread Options for Air Fryer Toasted Cheese

There are several types of bread that can be used to make toasted cheese in an air fryer. Here are some options:

• Sourdough: Sourdough bread has a tangy, nutty flavour and a chewy texture. It pairs well with melted cheese and can add a unique taste to your toasted cheese sandwich.
• Rustic Italian: Rustic Italian bread, also known as ciabatta, is characterized by its crusty exterior and soft interior. It has a dense texture that can hold up to the weight of the cheese.
• White: White sandwich bread is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is soft and mild in flavour, allowing the cheese to shine.
• Whole-wheat sandwich bread: Whole-wheat bread adds a nutty flavour and a chewier texture to your sandwich. It is a healthier option that still pairs well with melted cheese.
• Multi-grain: Multi-grain bread contains a variety of grains, adding texture and flavour to your sandwich. It is a hearty option that can complement the cheese nicely.
• Leftover artisan bread: Using leftover artisan bread is a great way to reduce food waste. Artisan bread often has a thick crust and a chewy texture, making it a good option for air fryer toasted cheese.

When choosing bread for air fryer toasted cheese, consider the thickness of the slices. Thicker slices, such as Texas toast, can provide a better base for the melted cheese and prevent sogginess. Additionally, the type of bread you choose may affect the cooking time and browning in the air fryer, so it is important to keep an eye on your sandwich while it cooks.

Butter or no butter: the choice is yours

Whether you butter your bread or not before making toasted cheese in an air fryer is entirely up to you.

Butter

If you're a butter lover, you'll be pleased to know that many recipes recommend buttering your bread before toasting it in the air fryer. This will give your toast a golden, crispy texture.

No butter

If you'd prefer not to use butter, you can simply leave it out. Your toast might not be as crispy, but it will still be delicious. Alternatively, you could use a cooking oil spray to help reduce the fat content while maintaining a crispy texture.

Cheese options: cheddar, Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, Havarti, mozzarella, gouda, edam, etc

When making toasted cheese in an air fryer, you can use almost any type of cheese, but some will work better than others. The best melting cheeses include:

• Mozzarella
• Provolone
• Fontina
• Monterey Jack
• Gruyere
• Swiss
• Mueller
• Havarti
• Gouda
• Edam
• Colby
• American
• Cheddar

Mozzarella is an obvious choice, but it's better to use the drier versions designed for pizzas. Fresh mozzarella balls tend to make the toast soggy.

Semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, red Leicester, double Gloucester, creamy Lancashire, Monterey Jack, gouda, edam, and gruyere are all great classic options.

Fontina is buttery and smooth, with a rich and creamy finish that makes it ideal for melting into sauces and soups.

Gruyere is a firm Swiss cheese that's been aged for about six months. It becomes creamy and rich when melted and is perfect for topping French onion soup or croque-madame sandwiches.

For a mild, almost sweet melting cheese, go for gouda. It is reminiscent of cheddar but without the sharp edges.

Havarti is super buttery and similar to Monterey Jack, but it has a light acidity that makes it useful for sweet and savoury applications.

Cheddar is a must for grilled cheese sandwiches. It can be white or orange and has a sharp, nutty taste. Young cheddar will melt smoothly, while aged cheddar can become oily and grainy with heat.

Grated or sliced cheese: grated cheese melts faster and gives a better cheese pull

Grated or sliced cheese: the great debate!

When it comes to making toasted cheese, there are two schools of thought on the type of cheese to use: grated or sliced. Both have their pros and cons, and ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference. Here are some things to consider when choosing between grated and sliced cheese for your toasted cheese:

Grated cheese

Grated cheese is a popular choice for those seeking the perfect melt as it tends to melt faster and more evenly than sliced cheese, resulting in a better cheese pull. Grating the cheese yourself is ideal, as pre-grated cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can affect its melting properties. Grated cheese also offers versatility in texture, ranging from fine to coarse grates, which can enhance both the flavour and visual appeal of your toasted cheese.

However, grated cheese can be a bit messier and more time-consuming to prepare. It may also clump together when melted, making it challenging to achieve an even distribution across your sandwich. Additionally, grated cheese can be more difficult to handle, especially if it is not mixed well with other ingredients.

Sliced cheese

Sliced cheese is a convenient option as it is pre-packaged and readily available in various flavours and sharpness levels. It is generally easier to handle and melt than grated cheese, making it a good choice for beginners.

However, sliced cheese may not provide the desired cheese pull, as it often doesn't melt as well or evenly as grated cheese. Sliced cheese tends to be thicker, which can lead to uneven melting and make the sandwich more challenging to handle during preparation.

Whether you choose grated or sliced cheese for your toasted cheese, the most important consideration is to select a cheese that you enjoy and that pairs well with the other ingredients in your sandwich. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks, so feel free to experiment to find the perfect combination for your taste preferences and culinary skills!

Temperature and timing: preheat the air fryer to 370-390°F and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side

To make the perfect toasted cheese in an air fryer, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to between 370-390°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model and the type of bread and cheese you're using. For example, if your air fryer runs hot, you may want to use a lower temperature.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place your assembled sandwich in the basket and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of brownness.

The total cooking time will depend on your ingredients and air fryer model, so be sure to keep an eye on your sandwich to avoid overcooking.

Frequently asked questions