My air fryer grilled cheese is one of the top made recipes on this website. It’s a simple recipe that can be made in less than 10 minutes. Perfectly toasted bread with melted cheese, a classic sandwich that can be paired with many different sides for a delicious meal.

I have been making grilled cheese in the air fryer for years now and in fact it’s one of the most popular recipes on Food Lovin’ Family. After lots of trial and error, I think I have found the best time and temperature for making the best grilled cheese sandwich.

Even though this is a simple recipe, I am sharing a few tips and tricks to help you, along with thousands of other readers who have made this recipe, achieve a beautiful, delicious, cheesy grilled cheese.

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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Reader Review: Made this for me and my bf and he loves it! I can officially say no more skillet grilled cheese. – Ej Marie

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Perfectly toasty. Forget the skillet, the bread gets beautifully toasty in the air fryer.
• Fast and satisfying. Air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches can be made in minutes and are the perfect quick meal or snack.
• 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.

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 mine so this recipe includes both in the ingredient list.

• Bread – Use your favorite bread like a white sandwich bread, french bread, whole wheat, or sourdough bread.
• Cheese – I am using one slice of cheddar and once slice of Havarti cheese. Some other options of cheese that melt well are provolone, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, and American cheese.
• Butter or mayonnaise – They are both so good. You can’t go wrong.

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.

1. Spread: Spread one side of each piece of bread with either softened butter or mayonnaise.
2. 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.

3. 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.

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.

Variations

It’s easy to make this grilled cheese in the air fryer your own. Here are a few ways to switch it up:

• Swap out the butter. You can use mayonnaise or 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.
• Different cheese. Replace the American cheese with a different cheese.
• Make it a pizza. Add a thin layer of marinara sauce, pepperoni, and sliced mozzarella.

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

Store: If you have any leftover air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches you can place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 for 3-4 minutes.

Reheating: The air fryer is the best way to reheat grilled cheese. Cook any leftover sandwichs for about 2 minutes per side at 350 degrees F.

I don’t recommend freezing any leftovers. They become mushy when thawed.

Recipe FAQ’s

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.