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A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic for good reason. This childhood favorite is quick, easy, comfort food.
Making a grilled cheese sandwich in the air fryer is so fast and easy. They’re a little crisp with lots melty cheese – no flipping required!
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is a Simple Comfort
Loved by kids and adults alike, grilled cheese are perfect for an easy lunch or dinner with soup or salad!
- You can make 4 sandwiches at once (I have a Cosori XL 5.8qt).
- The air fryer toasts both sides evenly and the sandwiches are perfectly crispy with gooey melted cheese.
- Cleanup is a breeze, just a wipe of the basket!
Pair with homemade fresh tomato soup for a delicious and comforting meal.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Bread – Any type bread will work. Try white sandwich bread, French bread, or sour dough.
Butter – Lightly spread butter or mayonnaise on the outside of each slice. Replace butter with cooking spray or olive oil.
Cheese – Choose cheese slices over shredded cheese if possible – real sharp cheddar cheese or processed cheese slices are both great (my favorite is to include a slice of each).
Variations
- Swap out cheddar cheese for American cheese, provolone, gouda, gruyere, or Swiss.
- Add thin slices of apple or pears – sharp or bold flavors are the best cheeses with fruit.
- Add a tomato slice, crispy bacon, thin slices of ham, or jalapenos.
How to Make Grilled Cheese in the Air Fryer
- Butter both slices of bread and place two slices in the air fryer basket, butter side down.
- Top with cheese and another piece of buttered bread.
- Air fry for 4-6 minutes until golden brown.
Cooking time can vary slightly based on your air fryer so check it early.
Quick Tips
- No need to flip the sandwiches, the air fryer will toast it evenly on both sides.
- Mayo can be used in place of butter.
- Use a toothpick to secure the layers until the cheese melts.
Reheating Leftovers
- Keep leftover sandwiches in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat them in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
Cube leftover sandwiches, toast them in the oven, and make them into cheesy croutons for tomato soup!
Grilled Cheese Variations
Did you love these Air Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwiches? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices white bread or sourdough bread
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese sliced, or slices of processed cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the cheese between the pieces of bread, with the buttered side facing out.
- Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Optional: Add a toothpick to each sandwich to hold the bread in place until the cheese melts.
- Cook at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Turned out great! I didn’t need to secure my bread at all, everything stayed exactly where out and turned out delicious. That was the fastest and easiest I’ve ever made grilled cheese. Saved me so much time and effort. Usually when I pan fry my grilled cheese every sandwhich comes out different and I have to constantly keep an eye on it. I did 6 minutes in mine and they came out perfectly crispy and buttery. Next time I’ll try using mayonnaise instead of butter and see if it still works. That’s how my momma made grilled cheese and it added so much extra flavor. Thank you for sharing this!
So glad it worked out for you, Stephanie. Using the air fryer really does make grilled cheese so much easier and consistent. Let me know how it goes with the mayo next time—that touch of flavor from your mom’s recipe sounds amazing.
These are great! Made one using a crunchy bread and a favorite cheese. So easy and quick to make! Plan to do again!
That sounds delicious, Jan! Love the idea of using crunchy bread and your favorite cheese—simple but so tasty. Enjoy making it again!
This recipe is fantastic! I tried it last night, and the results were amazing. The step-by-step instructions were super easy to follow, and the tips for enhancing flavor really made a difference.
GREAT
Thanks for leaving a comment, Dave!
I would love to try this but there is no mention of what temperature to cook them at in an Air Fryer.
Hi Joanne, the first step indicates to “Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.” Enjoy the grilled cheese!
I made this in my Cuisiniart Airfryer Toaster Oven and the bottom of the bread did not toast. The top browned nicely and cheese half melted. Any ideas on why bottom didnt melt?
Did you use the baking tray? If there are no holes in the tray there would be no way for the air to circulate and that could be why the bottom of the bread did not toast.
discovered this too….i only use 1 slice of bread…but omg its crunchy and buttery and cheesey.
whats not to like?
I agree, it’s definitely my favorite way to make grilled cheese!
it would be nice to be able to purchase a recipe book with the recipes in it. thanks james
I hope to have a cookbook one day soon James!
My son love this. He’s constantly asking for “toasties”
Was looking forward to making these grilled cheese.
Did exactly what recipe stated.
After 3minutes I checked on them, the lids had flown off and cheese was all over airfryer basket. What a mess.
Another 3minutes the bread was still not toastie, turned them over and cooked another 4minutes and they were done a beautiful golden colour but dry and not edible.
So disappointing and a waste of good ingredients
So sorry that happened to your grilled cheese, Peony. We have not had that issue when making this recipe. You can definitely use toothpicks to hold the bread together or we have a delicious classic grilled cheese recipe that you may enjoy more!
I love sandwiches made in the air fryer but I have to put toothpicks through the bread to keep the top bread from flying off.
That’s a really great tip Vicki, thank you for sharing!
Thanks Vicki, great tip but won’t be making in airfryer again.