Air Fryer Grilled Cheese: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve the perfect texture and taste. This method is also safer for kids who are not yet ready to use the stove. The key to success is to grate the cheese, which helps it melt faster and gives you that delicious cheese pull. You can also secure the sandwich with toothpicks to prevent the top slice of bread from flying off due to the strong fan of the air fryer. The ideal temperature to air fry your grilled cheese sandwich is between 370°F and 400°F for about 3 to 6 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Choosing the right bread

The bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich in an air fryer is important. The circulating heat of the air fryer means that a sturdy bread is the best option. Breads like sourdough, rustic Italian, or rustic bread are good choices. You can also use country white or whole-wheat sandwich bread.

It is also important to consider the thickness of your bread. For even cooking, choose bread that is at least 1/2-inch thick. If you are using square slices, it may be tricky to cook more than one sandwich at a time. Slices from a round, boule-shaped loaf are a better option if you are cooking for a crowd.

If you are looking for a traditional option, white sandwich bread is a good choice. However, thicker-cut bread, like Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano bread, will give your sandwich a better texture. Sourdough, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread are also delicious options, but they may not toast as evenly in the air fryer.

To avoid a soggy sandwich, it is important not to use too much butter or spread. A thin layer of butter, mayonnaise, or another spread of your choice is all you need.

Selecting the best cheese

The cheese is the star of the show when it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches, so it's important to select the right one. Here are some tips and recommendations for choosing the best cheese for your air fryer grilled cheese sandwich:

Type of Cheese

When it comes to grilled cheese sandwiches, you want to use a combination of cheeses that will give you the perfect balance of flavour and meltability. Here are some popular options:

• Cheddar is a classic choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a sharp, tangy flavour and melts reasonably well. Go for a block of cheese and grate it yourself, as pre-shredded cheddar often contains additives that can affect its melting properties.
• Monterey Jack is a great melting cheese and pairs well with sharper cheeses like cheddar.
• Mozzarella is perfect for that desirable cheese pull. It melts easily and has a stretchy, non-greasy texture. However, as it has a mild flavour, it's best combined with a stronger-tasting cheese.
• Gruyère is another excellent melting cheese with a more pronounced flavour than mozzarella. It's a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and pairs well with mozzarella.
• American cheese is often considered the "objective" best cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a classic flavour and is melty without being too runny.

Other cheeses that work well in grilled cheese sandwiches include Swiss, provolone, gouda, havarti, fontina, and muenster. You can also experiment with combinations of cheeses to find your favourite pairing.

Freshness

For the best melting results, it's recommended to grate your own cheese. Pre-grated cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly, resulting in a gloopier, rubbery texture. Freshly grated cheese will give you a smoother, more even melt.

Quantity

A grilled cheese sandwich should be generous with the cheese. The exact amount you'll need depends on the size of your bread slices, but it's generally better to use more rather than less. You want to ensure that every bite is gooey and cheesy.

Butter or mayo?

When making grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer, you can use either butter or mayonnaise. Both options have their advantages.

Butter

Butter is a great option if you want to achieve a buttery, crispy golden colour and flavour on your grilled cheese sandwich. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, and it should be at room temperature to make it easier to spread.

Mayo

Mayonnaise is a good alternative if you want a crisp sandwich with a slight change in flavour. It's also convenient because it's ready to spread straight from the fridge, whereas butter usually needs to be softened first.

Tips for Using Butter or Mayo in Your Grilled Cheese

• If using butter, let it sit at room temperature until softened for easier spreading.
• For mayonnaise, be careful not to saturate the bread, as this can make the sandwich soggy and affect how well it toasts.
• Both butter and mayonnaise can be spread on the inside of the sandwich, with the buttered or mayonnaise-covered sides facing the heat source.
• For extra flavour, try using a combination of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella.

How to stop the cheese from flying off

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich in an Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter (softened)
• Bread (thicker slices, such as Texas toast, are recommended)
• Cheese (a combination of sharp cheddar and a good melting cheese like Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella)

Steps:

• Heat your air fryer to 375-380°F.
• Let the butter sit at room temperature until softened.
• Grate the cheese. Grating helps it melt faster and gives you a better cheese pull.
• Assemble the sandwiches. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice butter-side down in the air fryer. Add your cheese, then place the second slice of bread on top, butter-side up.
• Secure the sandwich with a toothpick to prevent the top slice from flying off during cooking.
• Air fry for 3-4 minutes.
• Flip the sandwich and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the sandwich is golden brown.
• Remove the toothpick and serve.

Tips to Prevent Cheese from Flying Off:

• Secure the sandwich with a toothpick before placing it in the air fryer. This will help keep the bread from flying off during cooking.
• Use thicker-cut bread, such as Texas toast, which provides more structure and stability to the sandwich.
• Grate the cheese to ensure even melting and reduce the chances of it flying off.
• Don't overload the sandwich with too much cheese, which can cause it to spill out.
• If your air fryer has a strong fan, you can try placing a small piece of foil over the sandwich to prevent the top slice from flying off.
• Alternatively, you can cook the sandwich in a panini press or a grill, which will apply pressure to the sandwich and reduce the chances of the cheese flying off.

What to serve with grilled cheese sandwiches

There are many options for what to serve alongside grilled cheese sandwiches. Here are some ideas:

Soups

Soups are a classic pairing with grilled cheese sandwiches. Options include tomato soup, butternut squash soup, broccoli cheese soup, creamy tomato basil soup, creamy tomato and spinach tortellini soup, vegetable soup, and beef vegetable soup.

Salads

Salads can provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of grilled cheese. Try a simple green salad, a cucumber avocado tomato salad with pesto, a watermelon feta salad, a Mediterranean quinoa salad, a Mexican street corn salad, or a zucchini feta salad.

Sides

Other sides that can complement grilled cheese sandwiches include sweet potato fries, potato chips, and dill pickles.

Frequently asked questions