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

Making cheese on toast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a classic snack with a crispy texture and melted cheese. It's a simple recipe that can be adapted to your preferences, and is a great alternative to using a grill or toaster.

Choosing the right bread

For a classic cheese on toast, sandwich bread or sliced bread works well. White or brown bread can be used, but thicker slices, such as Texas toast or a bloomer, may require longer pre-toasting times. If you're using an air fryer with a small basket, consider the size and shape of your bread to ensure it fits well and allows air to circulate.

If you prefer a more robust bread, sourdough, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread are great options. However, these denser breads may not toast and turn golden as easily in the air fryer.

Ultimately, the key to choosing the right bread is to select a type that will fit well in your air fryer, toast to your desired level of crispiness, and complement the cheese and other toppings you plan to use.

Selecting the perfect cheese

The cheese you choose for your air fryer cheese toast will make or break the dish. You want a cheese that melts well and has a good flavour. Here are some options to consider:

Semi-Hard Cheeses

Semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, red Leicester, double Gloucester, creamy Lancashire, Monterey Jack, gouda, Edam and Gruyère are all great classic options. These cheeses melt well and have a good flavour. A mix of these cheeses will also work well.

Flavoured Semi-Hard Cheeses

For something a little different, try a flavoured semi-hard cheese. Options include spicy Mexicana, pepper jack, smoked cheddar, or a cheese with garlic and herbs. These cheeses will add a bit of extra flavour to your dish.

Softer Cheeses

Softer cheeses like brie, Camembert, port Salut, fontina, taleggio or stinking bishop can also be used, but they will have a different texture to the harder cheeses. These cheeses may not melt as well, but they will still be delicious.

Other Cheeses to Consider

Mozzarella is a good option if you want something mild. Just make sure you use the drier versions designed for pizzas, as the fresh mozzarella balls can make the toast soggy. You could also use a mix of mozzarella and a more flavoursome cheese.

Cheeses to Avoid

Some cheeses are best avoided for cheese toast. Dryer, crumbly cheeses like Wensleydale (especially the flavoured options with cranberry) don't melt well. Feta is another option that isn't ideal. Very hard cheeses like Parmesan, granda Padano, cotija and Manchego also don't melt well. Cream cheeses like ricotta, mascarpone and regular cream cheese are best served raw, as they don't melt. And finally, squeaky cheeses like paneer and halloumi are great served hot, but they won't melt.

Butter or oil?

When making cheese toast in an air fryer, you can use either butter or oil. Butter is the more traditional option and will give your toast a rich, crispy texture. However, if you're looking for a healthier alternative, you can use a cooking oil spray to reduce the fat content while still achieving a crispy texture.

Butter

If you decide to use butter, it is best to use softened butter so that it can be easily spread onto the bread. You can also use garlic butter to add extra flavour to your cheese toast.

When using butter, it is recommended to spread it on one side of the bread, with the buttered side facing down in the air fryer. This will ensure that the bread becomes golden and crispy.

Oil

If you prefer oil, olive oil is a good option, as it can add a subtle flavour to your toast. You can also use other types of oil, such as avocado oil, or even a spray oil to reduce the amount used.

Dairy-Free Alternatives

For those who are dairy-free or lactose intolerant, there are alternatives to butter that can be used. These include olive oil, coconut oil, vegan butter, or ghee (which is lactose-free).

Whether you choose butter or oil for your air fryer cheese toast is a matter of personal preference. Both options will give you a delicious, crispy result, and you can always experiment to see which one you prefer.

Grated or sliced cheese?

The answer depends on the type of air fryer you have. If you have the kind of air fryer where the fan is extra effective, sliced cheese is the way to go. Grated cheese can be blown away by the fan and get stuck in the air fryer elements. If you only have grated cheese, don't worry. Just make sure to press it down gently on the bread so it sticks together.

However, if you have a less powerful air fryer, grated cheese is the best option. It will melt more evenly and give you that slight crisp that is so desirable in cheese on toast.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Both grated and sliced cheese can work in an air fryer, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature to get the desired result.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer cheese toast. Here are some suggestions:

• With Soup: Pairing cheese on toast with soup is a classic combination. Try it with tomato, pumpkin, roasted swede, or parsnip soup.
• As a Side: Serve it as a side with pizza fries, halloumi fries, sweet potato fries, or baked carrot fries for a cheesy feast.
• On Its Own: Cheese on toast can be enjoyed as a quick and easy snack on its own, with or without baked beans.
• With a Twist: Spread a small amount of Marmite, Vegemite, or Worcestershire sauce on top of the cheese before serving, or add a slice of ham or cooked bacon underneath.
• For a Tangy Kick: Swap out the mustard mayo and try red onion chutney instead. This will add a sweet and tangy flavour to your cheese snack.
• Bruschetta-Style: Spread a layer of pesto on the bread before adding the cheese. Top with slices of fresh tomato and mozzarella cheese, then air fry until melted and roasted.
• Go Hearty: For a more filling option, try making Welsh rarebit in the air fryer.

Frequently asked questions