Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Jun 18, 2020, Updated May 29, 2025
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My air fryer grilled cheese is one of the top made recipes on this website. If you’re craving golden, buttery bread with gooey cheese inside (and zero stovetop babysitting), you’re in the right place. This method is foolproof, fast, and totally crave-worthy. Let’s make your grilled cheese game next-level.
Make it a meal and serve it with one of these 25 sides for grilled cheese.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy lunch idea. The perfect quick lunch you can make in under 10 minutes with pantry staples.
- Air fryer recipe for beginners. A great starter recipe if you are new to using the air fryer.
- Perfectly toasty. Forget the skillet, the bread gets beautifully toasty in the air fryer.
- A family favorite. Everyone loves this air fryer grilled cheese. It’s easy to customize with your favorite cheese and is always a hit with family and friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Reader Review: Made this for me and my bf and he loves it! I can officially say no more skillet grilled cheese. – Ej Marie
This sandwich is the lazy genius move you didn’t know your lunch routine needed. It’s everything you love—crispy, golden bread and melty cheese—without the stovetop babysitting. Just assemble, toss it in the basket, and let the air fryer do the work. This grilled cheese in the air fryer is faster, easier, and honestly, more foolproof than the pan. Perfect for busy weekdays, picky eaters, or anytime you’re craving serious comfort food in minutes.
If you are looking for more air fryer recipes be sure to try my air fryer meatloaf, air fryer thin chicken breasts, and air fryer Alexia sweet potato fries.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make the best grilled cheese sandwich, and chances are they’re already in your kitchen. Here’s what to grab and a few tips to help you get the best results every time:
- Bread: Stick with classic white or sourdough for that golden crunch, but feel free to use what you love. Avoid anything too thin or flimsy.
- Cheese: Cheddar is the go-to, but don’t stop there. Try American for ultra-melty goodness, or mix in a little mozzarella for a stretchier bite.
- Butter or mayonnaise: Butter gives that rich, classic flavor, but mayo spreads easier and browns beautifully. Either works like a charm.
That’s it! Simple ingredients, big grilled cheese energy. Now let’s throw it all together and let the air fryer work its magic.
Heather’s Review
This air fryer sandwich is a total game-changer. I’ve made it at least a dozen times and it never disappoints. The bread comes out perfectly crisp, the cheese melts like a dream, and there’s zero need to hover over a skillet. It’s the kind of no-fuss comfort food that makes lunchtime feel a little extra cozy.
Want ultra-melty cheese? Let your slices sit at room temp for 5–10 minutes before assembling the sandwich. It melts faster and more evenly in the air fryer.
How to make air fryer grilled cheese
Here’s an overview of how to make this recipe. You can jump to the recipe for full instructions.
- Spread: Spread one side of each piece of bread with either softened butter or mayonnaise.
- Build: Place the bread spread side down in the air fryer basket. Top with the cheese slices and then top with another piece of bread, spread side up.
- Cook: Set the air fryer on 370 degrees F an cook for 4 minutes. Flip the sandwiches over and cook at 370 degrees for another 4 minutes.
That’s it! Crisp on the outside, melty on the inside, and no stove required. Perfect for a fast lunch or snack.
Recipe tips
- I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe but if your machine requires it, preheat for 2-3 minutes.
- Use sturdy bread. Thicker sliced bread like white bread, sourdough, potato bread, and Texas toast hold up well to the air fryer.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the basket. I can usually fit two sandwiches in my air fryer basket depending on the bread size.
- Check early the first time cooking. Each air fryer cooks a little different so you might want to check the sandwich a minute or two before it’s done.
- Use a toothpick to prevent the bread from moving. 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, it could possibly blow off.
Substitutions and variations
Want to mix things up? This air fryer grilled cheese recipe is super customizable. Whether you’re out of an ingredient or just in the mood to switch it up, here are a few easy swaps and fun variations to try:
- Swap the bread: No white bread? No problem. Try sourdough for extra crunch, whole wheat for a healthier spin, or even a croissant for an upgraded twist.
- Change the cheese: Go beyond cheddar with gouda, Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack. Mixing two kinds (like sharp cheddar and mozzarella) adds extra flavor and melt.
- Use mayonnaise instead of butter: It spreads easier, doesn’t tear the bread, and gives a beautiful golden crust. You can even brush on olive oil to help get the bread golden brown.
- Add fillings. Try adding dijon mustard, pesto, ham, turkey, or even a slice of tomato.
- Make it a pizza. Add a thin layer of marinara sauce, pepperoni, and sliced mozzarella.
Don’t be afraid to get creative. This sandwich is the ultimate blank canvas.
Serving suggestions
After making and testing so many air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches, I decided to come up with a list of side dishes to make a complete meal. Things like french fries, onion rings, pasta salads, and more. Be sure to check out this list of 25 sides for grilled cheese for more options.
Storage instructions
Grilled cheese is best fresh, but if you’ve got leftovers or want to prep ahead, here’s how to make it work:
Store: Let the sandwich cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil or place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Pop it back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes, flipping once, until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave. It’ll make the bread soggy.
Make-ahead: Assemble the sandwiches (but don’t cook them), then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, air fry straight from the fridge. Add an extra 1–2 minutes to the cook time.
Recipe FAQ’s
There are many different cheeses you can use for this recipe. I recommend using a cheese that melts well. Some of my favorites include American, mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, havarti, monterey jack or colby jack.
Yes, you can make multiple sandwiches at one time as long as they fit in the air fryer basket in a single layer. I can fit about 2 sandwiches at one time.
Uneven browning can happen if you didn’t butter the bread evenly. Make sure to spread the butter or mayonnaise over the whole piece of bread.
Be sure to keep the cheese slices within the edges of the bread and be careful not to put too much cheese. Securing the bread with a toothpick before cooking can help keep everything together.
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 parites.
- Air fryer rotisserie chicken – Make your own rotisserie style chicken and home.
- Air fryer bbq chicken breasts – A simple dinner idea.
- Air fryer meatloaf – Tender meatloaf with a sweet glaze.
If you made this sandwich recipe, feel free to leave a comment and star rating below.
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
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.
Video
Notes
- I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe but if your machine requires it, preheat for 2-3 minutes.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the basket. I can usually fit two sandwiches in my air fryer basket depending on the bread size.
- Use a toothpick to prevent the bread from moving. 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, it could possibly blow off.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
THE BEST GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH. EVER. Omg it’s delicious!!!!!!!! Thank you for this recipe!!!!!!! I followed it and it is PERFECTION. The cheese pull is DIVINE.
I used traditional brand name cheese cut at about 3 slices thick of individually wrap processed awful cheese. Used normal bread @370 4min in my consortia. It was not browned at all at 4 mins when I flipped it. Set it at 380 for 6 mins. Checked @4 min still not brown enough. At 6 min it came out beautifully brown and crisp perfect for a magazine front cover. Cut it diagonally and the cheese melted perfectly bulging out to show how yummy it was. The problem I found was the bread although crisp was dry. Not Carmelized as it would be when cooked in a Skillet. Like how toast is when you use a toaster oven instead of a toaster. It was not at all bad tasting, just not a mouth-watering as a proper grilled cheese. One upside is it more hands off than the Skillet method.
Used Wheat, didn’t have Havarti my favorite , used cheddar Sargento‘s, I brush the bread with olive oil, have for decades, grill’s crispy
I have the Cosori Dual Blaze elements top and bottom, no flipping, 380 4 minutes. Tasty crispy cheesy with homemade chili.
I used a garlic butter spread mixed with mayo and a couple drops of hot sauce. Worked perfect. I have a nu wave 1800 w air fryer. Love this recipe.
Fantastic sandwich. Love it with a slice of ham.
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.
so basically you didn’t use her method at all and you thought you would share yours instead?
What bread do you use for only 2 carbs?
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 😊
It was awesome!! My husband loved it. Served it with tomato soup I’ve also tried your air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus!! Loved them 2
Yes I sit here eating this grilled cheese, the recipe is definitely a keeper. I made with havarti cheese and Dave’s killer bread. Temperature and time was spot on. Thank you for this recipe!
I used the ninja 12 in 1 air fryer at 370 for 8min then flip for another 8 min came out perfect
So good 😊!!! I love how the bread has a crunch. So delicious 😋
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. ❤️
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!
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.
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 ;).