Perfect Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Looking for more fun air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer French toast, air fryer bagels, air fryer bagel bites, and air fryer bacon next. What can you cook in an air fryer? Literally, ANYTHING! We do anything and everything in it, including classics. My favorite thing to make, though, is a crispy and cheesy grilled cheese sandwich. It’s so much faster than the stovetop, and there is almost ZERO risk of it burning or overcooking.

Why I love this recipe

Quick and easy. Like a traditional grilled cheese, this air fryer version is super speedy and needs just a handful of sandwich staples. Mess-free. No oil splutter, messy stovetops, or excessive clean-up is needed. Everyone loves it. My family reckons my grilled cheese is the best ever, and I often make it for them as a quick and easy dinner with some salads or tomato soup.

Ingredients needed

Sandwich bread. I used white bread, but you can also use sourdough, whole wheat, or any other type of bread. Mayonnaise. The secret ingredient that guarantees the exterior to be extra crispy and delicious. I used whole egg mayo as it has the richest flavor, but use whatever you like. Butter. Unsalted and softened to room temperature. Mozzarella and cheddar cheese. With any recipe that calls for melted cheese, it’s super important to use at least two kinds of cheeses- one for the melt and one for the flavor. These two are my classic go-to options.

How to make grilled cheese in the air fryer

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. “Thank you for sending this recipe to email and yes we made it and ate right away even though it is morning here! We eat when hungry and YUM” – Ladnea The best melty cheese options for grilled cheese are Swiss, havarti, mozzarella, provolone, and pepper jack cheese. You can also choose other types of cheese, but look for one that is strongly flavored (sharp) and melts well. Step 1: Prepare the bread. On one side of the bread slices, spread some mayonnaise and half a tablespoon of butter on top of the mayonnaise. It will be the outside of the grilled cheese. Step 2- Add cheese. On the other side of each slice of bread, add half a cup of cheddar cheese and half a cup of mozzarella cheese. Cover the cheese-coated sides with bread slices while keeping the butter/mayonnaise side on the outside. Step 3: Prep the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F. Generously spray the air fryer basket and place one sandwich in it. Add two toothpicks to prevent the bread from sticking. Step 4- Air fry. Let it cook in hot air for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the outside is golden brown, remove it from the air fryer. Step 5- Serve. Slice the sandwich in half and enjoy.

Arman’s recipe tips

Avoid pressing the bread while flipping, as you will risk the cheese oozing out and making a mess. I actually prevent this from happening by using air fryer liners or some parchment paper. Cook in batches. I have a Phillips XL air fryer that comfortably fits two full-sized sandwiches. If yours is more compact, cook the sandwiches one at a time to ensure maximum crispiness. Use a toothpick to prevent the bread from falling apart while cooking in the air fryer. I’ve had many occasions where the bread flies off while air frying. Add different fillings like ham, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, or some crispy bacon. Make it dairy-free by using dairy-free cheese, mayonnaise, and butter.

Storage instructions

To store. Place leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze. Avoid freezing sandwiches as they do not thaw and/or reheat well at all. Reheating. Reheat the refrigerated grilled cheese in the air fryer or a frying pan (don’t add oil).