Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese: Crispy Without Butter

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic, comforting meal that can be made in an air fryer with minimal effort. The air fryer's convection heat results in the ideal grilled cheese sandwich with a crispy exterior, crunchy frico edges, and a perfectly melted middle. While butter is traditionally used to achieve the desired golden colour and flavour, it is possible to make grilled cheese in an air fryer without butter by spraying the bread with oil or using mayonnaise.

How to Make Grilled Cheese in an Air Fryer Without Butter

Bread options: sourdough, whole-grain, rustic Italian, or Texas toast

When making grilled cheese in an air fryer, the type of bread you use is important. While you can use standard sandwich bread, a higher-quality, thicker-cut loaf will elevate your grilled cheese. A sturdy bread, cut at least 1/2-inch thick, will stand up better to the circulating heat of the air fryer.

• Sourdough: Sourdough bread has a tangy flavour and a chewy texture that makes it a great choice for grilled cheese. It's a sturdy bread that can hold up to the heat of the air fryer.
• Whole-grain: Whole-grain bread will add a nutty flavour and a hearty texture to your grilled cheese. Look for a good-quality, thick-cut loaf for the best results.
• Rustic Italian: This type of bread has a thick crust and a soft, airy interior. It pairs well with the melted cheese and can add a rustic charm to your grilled cheese.
• Texas toast: Texas toast is a thick-cut bread that is often used for grilled cheese. It has a soft texture and a buttery flavour that complements the cheese.

When selecting your bread, consider the shape as well. If you have a square-shaped loaf, it may be tricky to fit more than one sandwich in your air fryer at a time. Slices from a round, boule-shaped loaf might be a better option if you're feeding a crowd.

Cheese options: sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or Fontina

When it comes to cheese, you have several options to choose from when making grilled cheese in an air fryer without butter: sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or Fontina. Each of these cheeses has distinct characteristics that can enhance the flavour and texture of your grilled cheese sandwich.

Sharp cheddar cheese is known for its robust flavour, which intensifies with age. Cheddar is considered sharp when it reaches a minimum of 9 months of age, and the older the cheddar, the sharper its flavour. Its strong flavour can add a nice kick to your grilled cheese sandwich.

Monterey Jack, often shortened to just Jack, is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a mild flavour and a slight sweetness. This cheese is known for its excellent melting quality, making it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It pairs well with other cheeses, such as Colby or cheddar, and can be flavoured with chilli peppers and herbs for a spicier option.

Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese that originated in the cantons of Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura, and Berne. It has a sweet and slightly salty flavour that becomes more complex as it matures. Gruyère is a good melting cheese, making it suitable for dishes like fondue and French onion soup. Its distinctive yet not overpowering taste makes it a versatile choice for grilled cheese sandwiches.

Fontina is a cow's milk cheese that was first produced in Italy, specifically in the Aosta Valley in the Alps, and has since spread worldwide. It has a semi-soft to hard texture and a mild to medium-sharp flavour, with a distinctively savoury and nutty taste. Younger Fontina has a softer texture and is suitable for fondue, while aged Fontina develops a natural rind and a more intense flavour.

Each of these cheeses offers something unique to your grilled cheese sandwich. You can experiment with different combinations of these cheeses to find your favourite flavour profile. Remember to grate the cheese to ensure it melts evenly and gives you that desirable cheese pull.

No butter alternatives: oil or mayonnaise

No butter? No problem!

If you're out of butter or just looking for an alternative, you can still achieve that golden, crispy grilled cheese sandwich in your air fryer. Here are some easy alternatives to using butter:

Oil

A thin coat of oil on the outside of your sandwich will help you achieve that golden, crispy exterior. You can use a brush to apply the oil or spray it on. This method is a great alternative if you don't want to use butter or if you're looking for a vegan option.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is another excellent option for achieving a golden crust on your grilled cheese sandwich. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside of your bread before placing it in the air fryer. You can also try a combination of mayonnaise and mustard for a sharper flavour.

Tips for the perfect grilled cheese:

• Use sturdy bread: Sourdough or rustic Italian bread works great and cut it at least 1/2-inch thick.
• Grate your own cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better and has a richer flavour.
• Secure your sandwich: Use toothpicks to secure your sandwich and prevent it from falling apart in the air fryer.
• Keep an eye on it: Every air fryer is different, so keep an eye on your sandwich to ensure it doesn't burn.

Toothpicks to hold the sandwich together

Toothpicks are a handy tool to keep your grilled cheese sandwich intact while it cooks in the air fryer. This is especially important if you are using thinner, softer bread, which is more prone to falling apart.

To use this method, simply secure the sandwich by sticking a toothpick into two of the opposite corners of the bread. This will prevent the top slice of bread from flying off due to the strong fan of the air fryer.

It is safe to put a toothpick in the air fryer, but remember to remove it before serving. If you are making multiple sandwiches, you might need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

By using toothpicks, you can ensure that your grilled cheese sandwich stays together and comes out perfectly melted and crispy every time!

Flip the sandwich for even browning

Flipping the sandwich is an important step in achieving even browning and ensuring your grilled cheese is cooked to perfection. Depending on your air fryer model, the sandwich should be flipped after 3 to 6 minutes on the first side. This will allow the sandwich to cook evenly and achieve the desired level of browning on both sides.

When flipping the sandwich, it is important to be careful and use a spatula or tongs to avoid burning yourself. Once flipped, return the sandwich to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3 to 6 minutes, depending on your desired level of browning.

If you are using a toothpick to secure the sandwich, remember to remove it before flipping. This will ensure that the sandwich cooks evenly on both sides and doesn't fall apart.

Additionally, if you are cooking multiple sandwiches in batches, make sure to leave a little space between them in the air fryer basket. This will allow for even cooking and browning on all sides.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your grilled cheese sandwich is cooked evenly and has a delicious golden brown colour on both sides.

Frequently asked questions