Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is a simple recipe that even the kids can make. Perfectly toasted bread with melted cheese, a classic sandwich that can be paired with many different side dishes for a delicious meal.
We love serving this air fryer sandwich with Air Fryer French Fries or Air Fryer Tator Tots for a fun family dinner.
My air fryer has been working overtime lately. There are so many things you can easily make in it and best of all, even my kids can use it to cook. I like that they don’t have to turn on the gas stove, they just add food to the fryer basket and go.
After making these grilled cheese in the air fryer, I don’t think I will be going back to the skillet.
Why these sandwiches are delicious
- Forget the skillet, the bread get beautifully toasty in the air fryer.
- A quick and satisfying snack or meal.
Ingredients needed
I have found that there are two different kinds of people, those who make grilled cheese with butter and those that make it with mayonnaise. I’m still not sure which way I prefer so this recipe includes both in the ingredient list.
Bread – Use your favorite like sandwich bread, french bread or sourdough.
Cheese – For this recipe I used one slice cheddar and one slice Havarti. Some of the best cheeses to use are ones that melt well like Provolone, Mozzarella, Swiss and American. Feel free to also use your favorite shredded cheese.
Butter OR Mayonnaise – They are both so good, you can’t go wrong.
How to make air fryer grilled cheese
Scroll to bottom for full printable recipe, ingredients and video.
- Spread: Spread one side of each piece of bread with either softened butter or mayonnaise.
- Build: Place bread spread side down in the fryer basket. Top with cheese and then top with another piece of bread, spread side up.
- Cook: Air fryer on 370 degrees F for 4 minutes, flip the sandwiches over and cook at 370 degrees for another 4 minutes.
Recipe tips
- I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe but if you machine requires it, preheat for 3-5 minutes.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the basket. Two sandwiches should be able to fit depending on the bread size.
- If the bread you are using is thin, you might want to insert a toothpick in the center of the sandwich to prevent the bread from coming off while cooking. Air fryers cook by circulating hot air and if the bread is light and then it could possibly blow off.
Variations
- To reduce calories and fat, replace butter with a light spray of olive oil.
- Change it up by trying different breads and cheeses.
- Try adding bacon or mustard to the sandwich.
Best air fryer to use
There are so many great options on the market today. I use a Cosori 5.8 quart, you can read all about my experience and review here. A few other options to consider:
- OMORC – 5.8 quart basket with a great price point.
- Ninja Foodie – This machine is an air fryer, slow cooker and pressure cooker in one.
- Instant Vortex – Made by Instant Pot, this is a 6-quart fryer.
More easy air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs – Tender, meatballs that work well for a variety of recipes.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – A wonderful side dish to impress guests.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies – A favorite appetizer for parties.
- Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken – Make your own rotisserie style chicken at home
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts – These cook up fast.
- Air Fryer Meatloaf – Tender meat with a slightly sweet sauce.
***If you made this sandwich recipe, feel free to leave a comment and star rating below.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 pieces sandwich bread
- 4 slices cheese I used 2 cheddar and 2 Havarti
- 3 tablespoons butter could also use mayonnaise
Instructions
- Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each piece of bread.
- Lay a piece of bread, spread side down, in air fryer basket. Top with 2 slices of cheese and place another piece of bread, spread side up, on top of cheese.
- Cook sandwiches at 370 degrees F for 4 minutes, flip the sandwiches over and cook at 370 degrees for another 4 minutes or until desired toast.
- Serve warm.
Denise Gendreau
I love to spread the snide of my bread with Boursin cheese, add Havarti cheese slice, then bake or fry. I love to make my own cream of tomato soup. Use a large can of petite diced tomatoes, a small can of mild green peppers. Microwave until hot, add 1/2 cup of whole milk, heavy cream, or half and half. The milk cools it off enough to drink from a mug or dip grilled cheese quarters. It’s very delicious. If you’re feeding a bunch of kids, bake the sandwiches in the oven. I put non stick foil on a baking sheet. Then, put Boursin cheese on inside of bread slices, shredded cheese sticks well to the soft cheese. Then add Mayo or butter to outside. Close sandwiches, then bake for 5 mins each side at 350F there’s plenty of time to make creamed tomato soup. This makes a fast and easy meal. I just thought that since I don’t not use heavy cream very often, I could make cream ice cubes, then drop one in the bottom of the cup for kiddos, so they don’t burn themselves on hot soup, it cools it fast. Plus it adds the creamy texture. Next cut sandwiches into fingers vs quarters, this makes very handy dipping pieces for little ones. I enjoy making up a whole tray of grilled cheese fingers, and leave them in the oven as it cools. Kiddos eat one sandwich for lunch, then I can give her another finger when she says she’s hungry an hour later.
Susan Vanden Hull
What bread do you use for only 2 carbs?
Kk
I don’t know what she used, but I use weight watchers white if I’m in the mood for real bread- tastes just like wonder bread 😊
Joni
So good 😊!!! I love how the bread has a crunch. So delicious 😋
Teresa
Best ever I did mozzarella and pepperoni.
The cheese pull was great.
Thank you for sharing.
Definitely doing again and again.
Next to the instapot, crockpot the air fryer is best thing invented. ❤️
Jessica
Awesomely easy! I added a sprinkle granulated garlic in the middle of the cheese, yum! For me, it worked with better with the Mayo option rather than the first time where I used butter – crisped up great even with my gluten-free bread. Thanks!
Denise gendreau
A spritz of butter flavored PAM or equivalent store brand makes a wonderful flavor and crunch to outside of grilled cheese sandwiches. Adding a can of mild green peppers to the blender when you’re making up a pitcher of Nutribullet soup, adds no heat, but a great tang. My kiddos always loved this fast and delicious meal. I fully agree to pin together layers, especially when you use Boursin soft cream cheese. I like adding grated 4 cheese or Asiago cheese on top of the soft cheese. Once you pin together layers with toothpicks, it keeps the meaty layers from slipping off. I let them cool a bit before cutting into their toast -fingers for toddlers to dip into a mug or a bowl. I buy handled soup bowls when I find them at the dollar store, since my kids love soup and sandwiches for lunch in the wintertime, especially after playing outdoors in the snow.
Jerseypaul318
Hey all of you that have stupid comments post your own recipes on line. The rating is on this recipe not on how you rearranged it! I thought it came out awesome like the person that posted it ;).
Bob
Best grilled cheese sandwich bar none. I may add a bit of garlic salt on the outside next time to try.
Michelle
I used this recipe as a guide as I’m an air fryer newbie. I didn’t butter bread. Only used one slice American cheese. Cook 3 minutes at 375 for each side. Delicious quick bite.
Bev Furnell
I’m wondering why you didn’t oil, butter or mayonnaise the bread? It is those ingredients which make the sandwich toasty and crispy..
heather
Hi Bev, I did use butter (in the ingredients). I also noted that you can use mayonnaise instead. Hope this helps.
Kenneth
🤤🤤🤤
David
Loved it, but added a slice of ham and tomato to really make it special.
Muriel
Just seen this recipe and definitely going to try it
Wayne
I just love this recipe. It’s so much easier than pan frying and tastes great. It is also very adaptable if you want to change things up a bit. I have already tried some different variations using pepperoni, bacon, and even sliced meatballs between the two slices of cheese and all turned out excellent.
Kathleen
Do you not toast both sides of the bread before you put the cheese on?
Susan
Not needed. The air fryer toasts a d crisps the bread.
Sharon Linger
Followed recipe exactly. Used mayo. Delicious!!!
Tracy
I’ll use 350 for 6 minutes next time – it was too hard.
David
Excellent recipe!! Use mayo!! Makes it more crispy!
ThickLilMiss
Love building recipes off others. You can’t go wrong with traditional grilled cheese ever, but you can take this 5 star recipe and make it 10+ stars!
Allow me to introduce you to ‘The Ultimate Grilled Cheese’ AKA BLT+… Allow both pieces of buttered/mayo bread to cook next to each other both topped with your cheese of choice, once finished layer bacon, lettuce and tomato on one side and then place the other piece of bread on top to complete your sandwich and ENJOY!! (Remember you can make every recipe your own by adding, subtracting or substituting any ingredients)
Lisa
Sounds delicious!