Description
The Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is a quick and easy recipe that delivers a perfectly crispy exterior and gooey cheesy interior using an air fryer. Ready in under 10 minutes, this sandwich offers speedy comfort food with minimal mess, even crispiness, and customizable ingredients, making it a delicious and hassle-free snack or meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 2 thick slices of bread (sourdough, white sandwich bread, multigrain, or Texas toast)
Cheese
- 2–3 slices or about 2-3 oz of melting cheese (cheddar, American, mozzarella, or a blend)
Butter
- 2 tablespoons softened butter (or mayonnaise/olive oil as alternatives)
Optional Fillings
- Tomato slices
- Cooked bacon
- Avocado slices
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Spinach
- Roasted peppers
- Turkey or ham slices
- Chili flakes or jalapeño slices
- Brie with cranberry sauce
- Gruyere with caramelized onions
Instructions
- Prep Your Bread and Cheese: Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice. Place your chosen cheese and any additional fillings on the unbuttered side of one slice, then top with the second slice, ensuring the buttered sides face outwards.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 370°F (about 188°C) and preheat for 3-5 minutes to ensure even crisping.
- Cook the Sandwich: Place the assembled sandwich in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through to achieve a golden, crispy crust on both sides.
- Check and Serve: Once the cheese is melted and the bread toasted, carefully remove the sandwich from the air fryer. Let it cool for a minute before slicing to preserve the gooey texture inside.
Notes
- Use thick bread slices to prevent sogginess and hold fillings better.
- Preheating the air fryer results in a crunchier, more evenly cooked sandwich.
- Avoid overfilling to prevent uneven cooking and cheese leakage.
- Flipping the sandwich halfway ensures a perfect golden crust on both sides.
- Experiment with mixing different cheeses for richer flavor profiles.
- Mayonnaise or olive oil can be used instead of butter for a crispy crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: air fryer grilled cheese, crispy grilled cheese, quick sandwich, melty cheese sandwich, air fryer recipe, easy lunch, comfort food