Melting Cheese In An Air Fryer: Quick And Easy

Melting cheese in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack or meal. The powerful convection heat of an air fryer can melt cheese to perfection in just a few minutes, creating a crispy exterior and a gooey, cheesy interior. Whether you're making a classic grilled cheese sandwich or getting creative with different types of cheese and bread, there are a few key steps to follow for perfect results.

Air fryer grilled cheese

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread (white, sourdough, rustic, or sandwich bread)
• 2-4 slices of melting cheese (such as sharp cheddar, Swiss, American, pepper jack, or creamery Swiss)
• Butter or mayonnaise
• Optional: mustard, ham, or other toppings of your choice

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F (180°C).
• Lightly butter or spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Some recipes suggest a combination of butter and mayonnaise, or even a mix of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
• Place one slice of bread, buttered/mayo side down, in the air fryer basket.
• Add your desired amount of cheese to the slice of bread. For a classic grilled cheese, use 2-3 slices. For an extra cheesy treat, add another slice of a different variety.
• Top with the second slice of bread, buttered/mayo side up.
• Air fry for 3-4 minutes, then flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-4 minutes, or until the sandwich is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Remove the sandwich from the air fryer, cut in half, and serve.

Tips

• If your air fryer moves things around, consider using a toothpick to hold the sandwich together while cooking.
• If you're making more than one sandwich, you'll likely need to cook them in batches.
• The total cook time will depend on the type of bread and cheese used, as well as your air fryer's settings. Check on your sandwich periodically to ensure it doesn't burn.
• For a healthier version, use reduced-fat cheese and a cooking oil spray instead of butter or mayonnaise.

Air fryer cheese-on-toast

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread (white, wholemeal, sourdough, or granary)
• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti)
• Mayonnaise (optional)
• Dijon mustard (optional)

Optional extras

• Ham
• Bacon
• Tomato
• Mozzarella
• Pesto
• Marmite
• Vegemite
• Worcestershire sauce
• Red onion chutney

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
• Place the two slices of bread on a board and butter one side of each slice.
• (Optional) Mix together equal parts mayonnaise and Dijon mustard in a small bowl, flip the bread slices over, then spread the mayo-mustard mixture onto each slice of bread.
• Top the two slices of bread with grated cheese or cheese slices.
• Place the cheesy-topped bread slices in your air fryer, butter-side down, and cheese-side up.
• Air fry for 4-6 minutes, keeping a close eye on the cheese-on-toast to ensure it doesn't burn.
• (Optional) If you want to add ham or bacon, do so now, then return to the air fryer for a further 2 minutes.
• Serve with soup, sweet potato fries, or baked carrot fries.

Tips

• If you're making a grilled cheese sandwich, use a toothpick to secure the sandwich and prevent the bread from flying off.
• Preheat your air fryer to the hottest setting for 3-4 minutes, then let the food sit in the hot basket for a minute or two to help the cheese melt and stick to the bread.
• If you're using shredded cheese, consider using toothpicks to hold it in place.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for melting cheese in an air fryer depend on the type of cheese, the thickness of the bread, and the desired level of browning. It is important to note that different air fryers may vary in terms of cooking time and temperature, so adjustments may be necessary.

For melting cheese on toast, preheat the air fryer to between 180°C (350°F) and 200°C. Place the cheese-topped bread slices in the air fryer and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure the cheese melts without burning.

For a grilled cheese sandwich, preheat the air fryer to between 350°F (180°C) and 400°F. Assemble the sandwich with buttered or mayonnaise-spread bread and the desired cheese filling. Place the sandwich in the air fryer basket, leaving some space around it, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwich and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until it reaches the desired level of brownness.

To prevent the cheese from blowing off or the bread from flying off during cooking, consider using toothpicks to secure the sandwich together. Alternatively, start by preheating the air fryer to its hottest setting for 3 to 4 minutes, then place the food in the hot basket for a minute or two to allow the cheese to melt and adhere before turning on the air fryer again.

Air fryer cheese sandwich assembly

Ingredients

Before assembling your cheese sandwich, you will need to gather the following ingredients:

• Bread (white, sourdough, multi-grain, brioche, or leftover artisan bread)
• Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti)
• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Mayonnaise
• Other condiments of your choice (optional)

Assembly

• Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F (180°C).
• Butter one side of each slice of bread. Some recipes suggest spreading mayonnaise on the bread instead of butter, or in addition to it.
• Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in the air fryer basket.
• Top the bread with your desired amount of cheese. For a classic grilled cheese, use sliced or shredded cheddar. For extra flavour, add another type of cheese, such as Swiss or American.
• Place the second slice of bread on top, with the buttered side facing up.
• Secure the sandwich with toothpicks to prevent the top slice from blowing off during cooking.
• Air-fry for 3-4 minutes, then flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-4 minutes, or until the sandwich is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on the sandwich to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Remove the toothpicks and serve warm.

Tips

• If your cheese is shredded or sliced, you may want to preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the sandwich to help the cheese melt and stick to the bread.
• If you are using sliced cheese, you can add a thin slice of ham or bacon between the cheese slices for a heartier sandwich.
• Experiment with different types of bread and cheese to find your favourite combination.
• If you don't want to use butter, you can spray the top of the bread with oil after placing the sandwich in the air fryer, and again after flipping it.

Air fryer cheese sandwich alternatives

Air fryers are a great way to make a grilled cheese sandwich with melted cheese and crispy bread. However, if you're looking for alternatives to a cheese sandwich in the air fryer, here are some ideas:

Grilled Ham and Cheese

As suggested by several sources, adding a slice of ham to your grilled cheese sandwich is a great way to mix things up. The thin slice of ham can be placed in between the two slices of cheese to add some extra flavour to your sandwich.

Grilled Cheese with Mayo

Instead of using butter, you can spread a light layer of mayonnaise on the inside of your bread slices. This gives the sandwich an incredible flavour and makes the bread nice and crispy. It's also much easier to spread than butter.

Pimento Cheese Grilled Cheese

For another twist on the classic grilled cheese, try spreading a light layer of pimento cheese on the inside of the bread. This adds some extra flavour and creaminess to your sandwich.

Air Fryer Chicken and Gravy Biscuit Sandwich

If you're looking for a more substantial sandwich, this chicken and gravy option is a great choice. It's a hearty and comforting meal that can be easily made in your air fryer.

Air Fryer Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

For a sweet alternative to a grilled cheese sandwich, try making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in your air fryer. It's a classic combination that can be made even more indulgent with the crispy texture from the air fryer.

Air Fryer Rainbow Grilled Cheese

Get creative with your grilled cheese by adding different types of cheese to create a rainbow effect. This is a fun way to mix things up and explore new flavour combinations.

Air Fryer Mushrooms & Thyme Grilled Cheese

Add some mushrooms and thyme to your grilled cheese sandwich for an earthy and aromatic twist. It's a great way to add some extra flavour and texture to your classic sandwich.

Other Ideas

You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as sourdough, multi-grain, or brioche. Additionally, you can try using different combinations of cheese, such as Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti. Get creative and enjoy exploring new flavours and textures with your air fryer sandwiches!

Frequently asked questions