Marianne Martinez
The air fryer is a popular choice for making grilled cheese sandwiches, as it yields an evenly toasted exterior, crisped frico edges, and a perfectly melted middle. The ideal temperature for cooking grilled cheese in an air fryer is around 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the exterior to quickly crisp up while keeping the cheese filling gooey. Depending on the desired level of brownness, the sandwich should be cooked for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until it reaches the desired level of toastedness.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwich
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 360-400°F (180-200°C) |
| Cook Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Bread | White sandwich bread, rustic bread, country white, whole-wheat sandwich bread, sourdough bread, multi-grain bread, leftover artisan bread, Texas toast, or Sara Lee Artesano |
| Cheese | Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, low-moisture mozzarella, Swiss, provolone, American, Fontina, or Havarti |
| Condiments | Mayonnaise, butter, oil, gochujang, kimchi, or sauerkraut |
| Additional Ingredients | Ham |
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What You'll Learn
Recommended temperature settings
The recommended temperature to cook grilled cheese in an air fryer is between 360 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sources suggest preheating the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the grilled cheese should cook in around 2 to 3 minutes. One source recommends cooking the sandwich for 3 minutes on each side, while another suggests cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, flipping the sandwich, and then cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes. This source also recommends checking the sandwich often to ensure it doesn't burn.
Other sources suggest cooking the sandwich at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 4 minutes, and then flipping the sandwich and cooking for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
One source recommends cooking the sandwich at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 9 minutes, flipping the sandwich halfway through.
It is important to note that the total cook time will depend on the type of bread and cheese used, as well as the specific air fryer being used. It is recommended to check the sandwich periodically and adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve the desired level of toasted bread and melted cheese.
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Bread type and preparation
The bread you use for your grilled cheese sandwich can make a difference in the final outcome. While white sandwich bread is a great traditional choice, thicker-cut options like Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano are also good options. You can also use sourdough bread, multi-grain bread, or leftover artisan bread, but these may not toast as evenly in the air fryer. Rustic bread, country white, or whole-wheat sandwich bread are also recommended.
It's important to note that the total cook time will depend on the type of bread you use. Check on your sandwich periodically and continue cooking until it reaches your desired level of toastedness. If you're using thin bread, you may need to use a toothpick to secure the sandwich together to prevent the top piece from blowing off during cooking.
Before placing the bread in the air fryer, you can spread mayonnaise and butter on the outside of the sandwich to give it a golden, crusty texture. Alternatively, you can spray the top of the bread with oil after placing the sandwich in the air fryer and again after flipping it. This will help achieve the desired crispy texture.
When preparing the sandwich, grate the cheese beforehand to help it melt faster and give you that desirable cheese pull when you bite into the sandwich. You can use a combination of cheeses like sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella.
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Cheese type and preparation
The type of cheese you use for your grilled cheese sandwich is important. A combination of two different types of cheese is recommended for depth of flavour. Try using Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, Havarti, sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, or low-moisture mozzarella. It is best to grate the cheese, as this helps it melt faster and gives you that satisfying cheese pull. Avoid pre-sliced or pre-shredded packaged cheese.
You can also add extra ingredients to your grilled cheese sandwich. Try adding a thin slice of ham between the two slices of cheese, or spread a light layer of mayo or pimento cheese on the inside of the bread. You could also add a condiment such as gochujang, kimchi, or sauerkraut.
When preparing your grilled cheese sandwich, spread butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the bread slices. Assemble the sandwich with the cheese in the centre. Use a toothpick to secure the sandwich together, especially if your bread is thin, as the top piece may blow off during cooking.
The total cook time will depend on the type of bread you use. If you are using white sandwich bread, choose a thicker cut such as Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano. Sourdough, multi-grain, or leftover artisan bread will also work, but may not toast as evenly.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for grilled cheese in an air fryer depends on the temperature you set and the number of sandwiches you are cooking. It is important to keep an eye on your sandwiches while they are cooking, to ensure they do not burn and to achieve your desired level of brownness.
Most sources recommend cooking your grilled cheese sandwich for around 3 minutes on each side. One source recommends cooking at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes on each side, while another suggests cooking at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes and then 1-2 minutes on the other side. It is worth noting that the latter source does not specify the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
If you are cooking at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, you may need to cook your sandwich for 5-8 minutes on each side, depending on how brown you like it. If you are cooking at 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit, your sandwich will be ready in 8-9 minutes, flipping it halfway through.
The total cooking time will also depend on the type of bread you use. If you are cooking with a thicker slice of bread, it may take a little longer to toast.
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$4.32
Serving suggestions
The ultimate comfort food, air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are best served hot. They go well with a variety of soups, including roasted tomato, creamy tomato basil, and creamy tomato and spinach tortellini. You can also serve them with a side of ham and a thin slice of ham in the sandwich.
For a lighter meal, serve your grilled cheese with a side salad, such as a tomato and mozzarella salad with basil, or a simple garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing. If you're feeling adventurous, try a kimchi side or sauerkraut.
For a more indulgent meal, you could serve your grilled cheese with some crispy, oven-baked fries or sweet potato wedges. You could also experiment with different types of bread, such as rustic bread, country white, or whole-wheat sandwich bread.
If you're feeding a crowd, you can easily double the recipe and cook multiple sandwiches in your air fryer, depending on its size. This is a great way to feed a group of people with minimal effort and maximum taste!
Finally, don't forget that you can reheat any leftovers in your air fryer or a frying pan—no need to add any extra oil.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook grilled cheese in an air fryer at a temperature of 370-375°F. However, some people have also tried cooking at 400°F or 360°F.
The cooking time for grilled cheese in an air fryer depends on the desired level of brownness. On average, it takes 2-3 minutes on each side, or 8-9 minutes in total.
White sandwich bread is a traditional choice for grilled cheese. However, thicker-cut bread, such as Texas toast or Sara Lee Artesano, may yield better results in an air fryer. Sourdough, multi-grain, or leftover artisan bread are also good options but may not toast as evenly.
