Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, Emeril Lagasse Style

The Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer 360 is a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a variety of dishes, including grilled cheese sandwiches. To make grilled cheese in this air fryer, you'll need bread, butter, and cheese. You can also add extra ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, or bacon for extra flavour. Assemble the sandwich, set the air fryer to the desired temperature, and cook for around 4-8 minutes, flipping the sandwich halfway through.

Choosing the right bread

The bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich is essential to its success in the Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer. The bread needs to be able to withstand the circulating hot air of the air fryer and emerge with a golden, crispy texture. A sturdy, thick-cut slice of bread is best; something like sourdough or a rustic Italian loaf is ideal. The thickness of the bread will ensure it doesn't burn, and the sturdiness will ensure it doesn't fall apart under the weight of the cheese.

The shape of the bread is also something to consider. If you have a square-shaped loaf, you may only be able to fit one sandwich in your air fryer at a time. A round, boule-shaped loaf, however, will give you slices that are the perfect size for two sandwiches to fit snugly in the basket. This is a great option if you're cooking for a larger group.

Before assembling your sandwich, you'll want to prepare your bread by spreading butter on the outside. You can also add mayonnaise, mustard, or both to the inside of the sandwich for extra flavour.

Selecting the best cheese

The cheese you select for your grilled cheese sandwich in the Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer will depend on your taste preferences and the type of sandwich you want to make. Here are some tips and recommendations for choosing the best cheese:

Classic options

If you prefer a traditional grilled cheese sandwich, opt for classic melting cheeses such as American cheese, cheddar cheese, or Monterey Jack. These cheeses have a mild flavour and melt easily, creating a creamy and gooey texture.

Flavourful varieties

For those who want to amp up the flavour, consider using sharper and more robust cheeses. Sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or Havarti are excellent choices that add a nice kick to your sandwich. Blue cheese is another option if you're feeling adventurous. Its strong, tangy flavour can take your grilled cheese to the next level.

Combinations

Don't be afraid to experiment with cheese combinations to create unique flavour profiles. For instance, you can pair a sharp cheddar with a mild melting cheese like Monterey Jack or mozzarella. This combination provides a nice balance of flavour and meltability. You can also mix and match different cheeses to find your favourite blend.

Quantity

The amount of cheese you use will depend on your preference for cheesiness. A standard grilled cheese sandwich typically uses two slices of cheese between two pieces of bread. However, feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste. Grate the cheese for faster melting and to achieve that desirable cheese pull when you bite into your sandwich.

Storage

When storing your cheese, keep it properly wrapped or sealed to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odours from other foods in your refrigerator. Grated cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ready for your next grilled cheese sandwich in the Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer.

Buttering the bread

First, gather your ingredients. You'll need butter, preferably softened, and bread. For the best results, choose a sturdy bread like sourdough or rustic Italian, cut at least 1/2-inch thick. This type of bread will stand up well to the circulating heat of the air fryer.

Now, take your butter knife and spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Make sure to get into the nooks and crannies, spreading the butter evenly for that golden brown and crispy texture.

If you're making a grilled cheese sandwich with two slices of bread, you'll want to butter the outside of the sandwich, which will come into contact with the air fryer's tray or basket. This will ensure that the sandwich gets that delicious, crispy texture on the outside.

If you're making a grilled cheese with multiple slices of bread, such as a grilled cheese stack or a stuffed sandwich, you'll want to butter the sides of the bread that will touch the air fryer's surface, as well as any other slices that will be in contact with the cheese. This will help create that gooey, melted cheese texture that makes grilled cheese so delicious.

Once you've buttered your bread, you're ready to assemble your sandwich and move on to the next steps of cooking it in your Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer!

Adding extra ingredients

While grilled cheese is a classic, you can always spice things up by adding extra ingredients to your sandwich. The beauty of a grilled cheese sandwich is that it lends itself to so many different combinations of flavours and textures.

If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some savoury ingredients to your grilled cheese. Sliced tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or even some candied jalapeños (for a little kick) can take your sandwich to the next level. For meat lovers, slices of bacon or ham can add a nice, salty contrast to the creamy cheese. If you're a fan of pickles, why not throw some of those in there, or maybe a scoop of sauerkraut for a tangy twist.

To make your grilled cheese extra creamy, spread some mayonnaise and mustard on the inside of the bread. This adds a sharp, horseradish-like bite to your sandwich. For those with a sweet tooth, you could even try a smear of jam on the inside of your sandwich—a sweet and savoury combination that is sure to satisfy.

When adding extra ingredients to your grilled cheese, it's important to consider flavour combinations that complement each other. You don't want to add too many ingredients and end up with a muddled mess. Keep it simple, and let the flavours shine.

With an Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer, the possibilities are endless for creating delicious, crispy, and cheesy grilled cheese sandwiches with your own unique twist.

Cooking time and temperature

When using the Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer 360, it's important to properly set up and preheat the appliance before cooking. The cooking time and temperature will depend on the recipe you are following and the type of sandwich you're making.

To make grilled cheese in an air fryer, preheat your appliance to 350°F. Place the assembled sandwich—with buttered or mayonnaise-spread bread and your chosen cheese filling—in the air fryer basket. You may wish to use cocktail sticks to hold the sandwich together. Set the timer for 7 to 8 minutes, flipping the sandwich halfway through. If you prefer your grilled cheese extra crispy, you can increase the temperature to 390°F and cook for 4 minutes on each side.

The Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer 360 offers a range of cooking modes, including air fry, bake, rotisserie, and dehydrate. When making grilled cheese, you will want to select the air fry setting.

Air frying often requires a lower temperature and shorter cooking time than traditional frying methods, so it's important to consult your recipe and keep an eye on your sandwich to avoid overcooking.

Frequently asked questions